534 AREFOR,MATION SERMON% able to fasten the charge by any particular proof upon any of the members of your societies. Affronts and railings you must sometimes expect to meet with : blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and speak all manner of evil against you falsely for the sake of Christ and his name ; rejoice and be exceeding glad ;" .21 104. v. 11. Bind the reproaches of Christ to you, as your ornament and glory, Go on dauntless against such oppositions. If you know how to encounter these I have mentioned with courage you may contemn all the rest. Adore that God that has kept the honour ofyour societies hitherto : and so supported their credit, that the spite of all the powers of darkness, and the smoke of hell bath not been able to sullyyour reputation, or sink your esteem amongst the men of wisdom and virtue. II. Another discouragement you meet with proceeds from the magistrates. Some of the inferior rank refuse to assist you in seizing the criminals whom you havedis- covered : And some in higher stations that should punish the vicious, rather brow- beat and discountenance the reformers. But our God be praised, that there are some of higher and lower rank that join their hearts and their bands with yours. Their zeal and power are engaged in the wars of the Lord against sin : May their names be honoured upon earth, and their reward be great in hea- ven ! But let such as appear on the side of sin blush and be ashamed that they should use the authority which they receive from God, to countenance or favour the enemies of his holiness;: Let them know that there is " a higher than the highest on earth, that beholds the perverting of justice and judgment in a province ;" Re. y. 8. Let them be put in mind of that awful judgment- seat, before which all mankind must standupon a level; where.theircommissions cease for ever, and their distin- guishing,ranks of place and: power are known no more. Though it bath been said, " ye are gods, yet ye shall die as men ;" Ps. lxxxii. 6. Remember therefore the tri- bunal to which you must give up an account of your magistracy. What will you say to the Judge, whose eyes are a flame of fire, when he shall demand of you, did ye indeed speak righteousness. on earth ? Did ye judge uprightly, Oye sons of men ?" Ps, iviii. 1. Have I
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