1 d'3d £RE¡Fß MATS-ON sE'ß99oN% it, if almost all England should be placed at the left-hand of. the judge in that day, and fall .udder the sentence, `.` Depart ye cursed ?" And perhaps numbers of our own kindred, ruined by the grOwing vices of the nation, shall stand amongst the guilty, and expect the vengeance. Let a natural compassion touch our hearts here, and move us by proper methods to put a stop to spreading 'wickedness. Let us use our utmost efforts to quench that fire which will burn to the lowest hell. The third proposal was to mention the discourage - ments that attend this work of reformation, and tryto remove them. I. Reproaches and scandals have been cast plentifully upon the societies for reformation : These are ready to sink the spirits of such as are engaged in the work, and affright others from joining their assistance. But have you so learned Christ, as to shrink at his service, and re- tire because the world hates you, and gives you ill lan- guage ? Consider the Captain of your salvation, what a sea of Malice and reproach he passed through, when-he came down from heaven to take upon him the work of a. reformer ; the gentiles had wofully darkened and lost the light of nature ; and the Jews wretchedly corrupted the: law of Cod, when he came into the world : His business was to restore religion, to destroy the works of the devil,, and repair the ruins of mankind : This was his blessed errand and design, yet wheresoever he went slander with all her tongues stood ready to assault him.; he was abused with the odious naines of a glutton and a wino bibber: His own nation cry out against him, " He bath a devil and is mad ;" John x. 2O. Are ve not willing to follow so glorious a leader " through honour and dishonour; though good -report and had report," espeéiaHÿ when he, employs yon in his own work too ? " Consider him who endured the contradiction of sin- ners against himself, and despised the shame, as well as endured the cross, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds ;" Heb. xii. 2, 3. And consider that most encou- raging discourse which ye have heard on this text. The prophets, the apostles, the martyrs and.confessots have- ever been the reformers of the age in, which they lived : And are we ashamed to have our names inserted in this noble catalogue ? The reformers of doctrine .since. the
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