192 The Crucifying of the world, the, Profefyors of Religion , and then (hall fpeakto the objealers themfelves. Piríl, you that profefs the fear of God, take notice I befeech you of this accufation , and though it may Phewyou caufe to pitty malicious Ilanderers, yet lee it provoke you to fearch yowr hearts and lives, and fee that you give not caufe for this reproach. As for thofe worldly time-ferving hypocrites, which in all places creep in among the Saints, and do but ferve themfelves of Chrift, let them know that Godwill one day requirean actonntat their hands,ofall there fcandals which they havecaufed-in theChurch, and the ruine of poor ungodly fouls that aredafht in pieces , and .cafl themfelvesinto hell, by Humbling at this flone which their worldly pra fifes have laidbefore them. If you would needsbe woridlings you were better have kept. in the world among woridlings, then to have crept into the Church of Chrifl, and brought thither your fcandalous worldly lives., to the díhonosfr of that Religion which condemneth your pradl fifes and you. Did not Chrift warn you tocount your coils and never to dreamof beinghis Difciples unlefs you could forfake all and follow him under theCrofs, in expeaationof a promifed treafure in Hea- ven ? Is there any thing that Chrift did more peremptorily re- quireof you, then toRenounce the world and deny your felves , if you would be his Difciples ? And yet will youcome without this wedding garment , and bring your bafe andearthly minds among his fervants ; and caufe his truth, and his houfeand fol- lowers , to bear the reproachof your worldly bafenefs ? I tell you, it is like to cofl you dear that you havecall this difhonour on the name of God, and caufed the damnation of the impious reproachers. the wrongyou have done to God and men you Thall certainly pay for in everlafling mifery , unlefs a through re- pentancedo prevent it. (And 1 fear it isbut fewof thefe worldly Rypocritcs that ever truly do repent. ) But woe to them by whom offence cometh ; 'men good for that man that he had .never been born. t.. And as for youthat truly fear God-, I befeech you let the flandersof wicked menawakeyou to an holy jealoufieof your ,elves. You fee what their eye is upon : Take heed then how Iyou walk ; youhear what it isthat offended' them. As far as is pc ible avoid all ofions of fuch offence. Take heed in your bargain-
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