a Means of attaining to Wifdom. 313 pverfpread with wickednefs ; and God de- S E R Me ferreth his anger, fo that tranfgreffors are XII. not cut off. But efpecially, becaufe by their --v-P good lives they are the molt effectual preach- ers of righteoufnefs, and continually folicit men to reform. If religion be the greateft good to the world if it did generally obtain, then they who, efpecially, and in the moft effectual manner, promote it, are the moft beneficial to mankind ; and Rill it is to be hoped, that when providence continueth fuch means of reformation, it is with a gra- cious defign to make them fuccefsful, and do fome great good by them ; but, indeed, when they are taken away, it is a fatal prog- noftic. The holy Pfalmift, therefore, re- gretteth this as a molt deplorable cafe, which none could remedy but God himfelf, Pfal. xii. I. Help, Lord, for the godly man ceafeth, the faithful fail from among the children of men : And it may well be feared that it hath a difmal portendency of worfe times, if fuch perfons are taken away ; 7fa. lvii. 1. The righteous perifheth, and no man layeth it to heart, and merciful men are taken away, none confdering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. But when vile men are exalted, when they grow in power 5 and
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