gains, and over-reach the Simplicity of those that trust them for their Profeffion; why may not I; and yet be altogether as good a Christian, and in as safe a Way of Salvation as they? They talk indeed of Experiences, and Acquaintance with God, and ravishing Joys, and melting Defires, and a Road of Words that I skill not. But certainly, if God will not condemn them, tho' they do nothing more than I, but only talk; neither will he condemn me, for not talking as they do. And so they give themselves the Reins, and boldly fly out into all manner of Impieties; neither taking up the Profeffion of Religion, which they rightly judge to be of no Worth without the Practice of it; neither will be brought to the Practice of Religion, judging that needlefs, because they fee it neglected by you who profess it. And so you make them sevenfold worse than if you your felves were profligate, and avowed Sinners, denying the Form of Godliness, as well as the Power of it. For a wicked and debauch'd Sinner, though he may prevail upon others to draw them into the fame Excess of Riot with himself; yet his Example is not so likely to harden Men in Sin, and to feal them up under Impenitency, as the loose Examples of an hypocritical Profeffor.

Natural

Natural Confcience will struggle and tumultuate, and draw back, when we follow those who pretend no other, but to go to Hell: They cannot but with Remorfe reflect upon it, that ever they should suffer themselves to be lead by fuch whom they know to be in the ready Way to Damnation. But when they fee those who pretend highly to Heaven, and entertain flourishing Hopes of Glory and Salvation; fuch who ftand fainted in every Man's Kalendar, and whom all conclude to be of those few that shall be saved, when they see such as these indulge themfelves in any way of Wickedness, they presently take heart by such an Example; and if they think not, they may do the fame with a good Confcience; yet they conclude, they may do it without any Prejudice to their Salvation: And fo fin quietly without Regret, and perish, and go down to Hell with good Company. Well, beware, left their Sins be not at laft set upon thy Score; for though they fhall die in them, (as the Prophet (peaks.) yet certainly God will require the Blood of their Souls at thy Hands; who by encouraging them through thy loose Example, covered over with a diffembled Holiness, haft only made their Crimes thy Guilt; and fhalt be punish'd eternally in Hell,both $ 4

for

for thine own Hypocrify, and their Pro faneness.

Thirdly, The unfuitable and unholy Lives of Profeffors, muft needs induce wicked Men to think that their Ways are better than God's: What else can they conclude, but that certainly Religion and Piety is fome fowre, morofe Thing, when they see those that pretend moft to it, fteal away to refresh themselves with the Pleasures of Sin? Hath not Holiness Delights enough within it felf to content you? Is not Peace of Confcience, Calmness and Serenity of Mind, the Love of God, the Performance of Duty, the Confolations of the Holy Ghoft, are not all these Joy enough for you, but you muft needs break the Hedge, and ftray into the World's Common? As if you wanted Pasture, or thofe Paftures wanted Verdure and Refreshment. Is not an whole Eden fufficient for you, but you muft likewife taft of the forbidden Fruit? What is this, but to give a most wretched Occafion to wicked Men to applaud their Choice, and to think it much better and wiser than yours? What a Difparagement is this to Religion, that those who imbrace it, must be beholding to Sin and Wickedness, for all the pleasant Hours they enjoy? As if to figh and weep, to

be

be fad and melancholy, were the only Employment of a Chriftian's Life: Or as if, indeed, there were not more true Content and Pleasure to be found in Tears and Sighs, in fad and ferious Thoughts, than in all those impure and muddy Delights, for which you forfake them. No, if ever you would adorn the Gospel, and win over others unto the Profeffion and Obedience of it, live fo, that the World may fee a Christian can live upon the Allowance that God gives him; and that you do not belong to fo hard a Lord and Mafter, as that you must be neceffitated for your Work, to ferve him; and for your. Recreation, the Devil. While you seek your Divertisement in the Pleasures of Sin, wicked Men cannot but think Religion a mere Drudgery, and themselves the only happy Men, when they see those who pretend much to enjoy God in the Ways of Holiness, forced to come over to their loofe and finful Ways, that they may enjoy themselves. For Shame Chriftians, caft not fuch a Disparagement upon Religion; but let it appear, that it can maintain its Servants upon its own; and hath enough not only to employ, but to delight them too.

Fourthly,

Fourthly, The unholy and unsuitable Lives of Chriftians, imboldens others to fin more deeply and desperately, than elfe they would have done: For always those who are led by Examples, make them lose somewhat of their Rigour and Severity. So that whatsoever Scope and Allowance thou giveft thy felf, others, who obferve thy Course and Manner of Life, will be sure to inlarge it to themselves : And fo, by a wretched Improvement, a fmall Sin in thee, fhall become a great and heinous one in them, and thou too be guilty of it, who by thy Miscarriages bast given them Encouragement to imitate, and exceed thee. Thou who art an eminent and glorious Profeffor, the Eyes of the whole Place are upon thee, to observe and watch thy Demeanour. They conclude, that thou aimeft at nothing lefs than the highest Pitch and Degree of Glory: And therefore, if thou canst indulge thy felf fuch a Liberty, certainly they may allow themselves a larger Scope; and though they fall fhort of thee, yet hope they shall not fall fhort of Heaven; wherein, if they may fhine but as Stars, 'tis all they expect, while thou shinest as the Sun in the Firmament. This is our wretched Temper, that we are not ambitious for Heaven and Happiness, but con

tent