Of INDWELLING SIN. 485 notwith them as it was of old with the daughters of Sion, (Ifa. iii. 24.) when God judged them for their fins and wantonnefs ? Hath not the world and felf utterly ruined their profefliion? And are theynot regardlefs of the things wherein they have formerly declareda fingular concernment. Yea, are not fome come, partly on one pretence, partly on another, to an open enmity unto, andhatred of the ways of God ? They pleafe them no more, but areevil in their eyes. - But not to mentionfuch open apoftatesany far- Cher, whofe hypocrify the Lord Jefus Chrift will fhortly judge ; how is it with the belt ? Are not alinoft all men grown cold and flack as to thefe things ? Are they not lefs concerned in them than formerly? Are theynot grown weary, felfifh in their religion i and fo things be indifferent well at home, fcarce care how they go abroad in the world ? At leaft, do they not prefer their eafe, credit, fafety, fecular advantages before thefe things ? A framethat Chrift abhors, and declares, that thofe in whom it prevails are none of his. Some indeedfeem to retain a good zeal for truth i but wherein they makethe fairelt'appearance, therein will they be found tobe moft abominable: they cry out againft errors, not for truth, but for par- ty's and intereft's fake. Let a man be on their party, and promote their intereft, be he never fo corrupt in his judgment, he is embraced, and it may beadmired. This is not zeal for God, but for a man's felf. It is not Thezeal of thine hoofe barb eaten me up, but,Mafier, forbid them, becaefe they fàllo-w not with us. Better it were doubtlefs for men never to pretend unto any zeal at all, than to fubftitute fuch wrathful felfiihnefs in theroom of it. (2.) Is mens delight:in the ordinances and worfhip of God the fame as in former days? Do they find the fame fweetnefs and refill': in them, as they have done of old? How precious baththe word been to them for- merly ? Whatjoy and delight have they had in attendance thereon? How' would they have run and gone to have been made partakers of it, where it was difpenfed in its power and purity, in the evidence and demonftra lionof the fpirit ? Did they not call the fabbath their delight, andwas not the approachof it a real joy unto their fouls? Did theynot long after the converfe and communion of faints ? And could they not undergo manifold perils for the attainment of it ? And loth this frame hill abide upon them? Are there not decays and declenfions to be found amongft them ? May it not be faid, Grey hairs are here and there upon them, and they perceive it not ? Yea, are not men ready to fay with them of old, What a meari- nefs is it? Mal. i. 3. It is even a burthenand a wearinefs to be tied up to theobfervation of all thefe ordinances. What need we be all out fo ftrift in the obfervationof the fabbath? What need we hear fo often ? What need this diftin&ion in hearing? Infenfiblya great difrefpe&, yea, even a con- tempt of the pleafant and excellent ways of Chrift and his gofpel is fallen upon many profeffors. (3). May not the fame convi&ion be farther carried on by an enquiry into the univerfal courfe of obedience, and the performance of duties that men have been engaged in. Is there the fame confcientious tendernefs of finning abiding in many, as was in days ofold ? the fame exaltperformance of private duties? the fame love to the brethren? the fame readinefs for' the crofs ? the fame humility of mind and fpirit ? the felf fame denial? The fteamof mens lofts, wherewith the air As tainted, will not fuffer us fo to fay. We need then go no farther than this wretched generation wherein we live to evince the truth of the obfervationlaid down as the foundationof the inftance infifted on; the Lord give repentance before it be too late. Gggggg Now,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=