[1.] I observe, that after God hath laid in any spiritual comforts, there is a time to lay them out again ; and after great receipts we are put to great expenses. The disciples first enjoyed Christ's presence and ministry, and then were exposed to a dreadful persecution. John xi., he biddeth them make use of the light, because the darkness was coming upon them. There never was the gospel powerfully preached but trials came : 1 Thes. i. 5, 6, ' Ye received the word with much assurance and much affliction.' God will try how we can live upon the comforts of the gospel. Castles are first victualled, and then be- sieged : Heb. x. 32, ' Ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiHng of your goods, knowing that in heaven ye have a better, and an enduring substance.' The churches of Asia underwent horrible desolation after a powerful ministry. Germany, after a sufli- cient promulgation of the gospel, hath suffered many sad years.
[2.] After trials and reformations, there come trials and probations, that, after we have submitted to the ways of God, we may honour them with suffering. The ten persecutions were after Christ had set up the ordinances of the gospel ; the Marian and bloody days after king Edward's reformation. God will have every truth honoured in its sea- sou. When the witnesses had finished the testimony of their prophecy, after a short time they were slain, Eev. xi. 7.
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34 A FAST SERMON PREACHED BEFORE THE PARLIAMENT.
[3.] When reformations stick in the birth, God will promote them by troubles. He laketh his own fan into his hand, Mat. iii, 12. When men cannot or will not effect it, God will purge his floor, and cleanse th':' church from profane mixtures. Christ came with his whip to cleanse the temple, John ii. 15. Grosthead prophesied that the church should not be reformed, but ore gladii crueniandi. God usually tendeth a reformation to the world with a judgment in his hand ; and if the reformation be obstructed, the judgment will proceed, Ezek. xxiv. 13. When the pot is put over the fire, if the scum remaineth still, he overturneth all.
[4.] When there are great differences among his own people, the end is bitter. We warp in the sunshine. The dog is let loose that the sheep may run together. .A j)iece of wax when it is broken, put it together never so often, it will not close , but put it into the candle, and the two ends stick close together. .Kidley and Hooper could agree in a prison. A little before Dioclesian's persecution, ^ikoveiKlat ava(f)\€yoirro, the church was rent and torn with intestine broils, pastor against pastor, and people against people. Ease begets pride and wanton- ness, and that maketh way for contention. God may solder you in your own blood, and effect union by making you objects of the same hatred and jDersecution. Nazianzen was wont to call the enemies of the church, KOLVovi SLaX\.7]KTa^, the common reconcilers ; the turbulent enemies many times prove the best reconcilers, and the wolves bring the sheep together.
[.5.] Libertine and fanatical persons, when they increase into power and numbers, become cruel: Jude 11, ' These walked in the way of Cain.' The Donatists are of detestable and accursed memory, because of their insolent cruelties : Hos. v. 5, ' The pride of Israel doth testify to his face,' &c. Revolters are found to make slaughters, viz., men that have cast off the holy faith after some profession ; the Lord keep us from their tender mercies ! Arians grew bloody. Naz. Orat. xxv., TTci)? 8e dvdpcoTroiv e/xeWov (^eiheadac ol rr}<i deLOTrjro^ fxri (f>6iS6fj,6vot. Want of truth is usually made up by a supply of rage ; lees and dregs are usually very tart and sour.
[6.] When religion hath received wounds in the house of her friends, and occasion is given to the world by scandals, to think evil of the ways of God, God taketh his scourge in his hand ; and when the devil hath an advantage, he stirreth up the malignant world against the children of God as a sort of monsters. The Gnostics, by their impure and libidinous courses, made Christianity odious, and then the heathens rose u]) agamst them as pests of mankind. Liiminum extindores. The devil is first a liar and then a murderer, John viii. 44. He lieth that his murders may carry some pretence. Xow, that his lies may carry some pretence, he taketh up the scandals of false christians.
[7.] The decay of the power of godliness, and formality and contempt of the word, which are the usual effects of prosperity. As soon as we come out of mi.series, we run into disorders. Therefore God is wont to return us into our old chains again, that we may wanton it no more : Hos. v. ' In their afflictions they will seek me right early.' I will try them by adversity ; I will try what my rod will do : to better his people, as also to discover hypocrites. When the ways of God are
A FAST SEKMON PREACHED BEFORE THE PARLIAMENT, 35
a little owned, and the cliuicli hath ease, many come and take up a form, and so religion is turned into a fashion and empty pretence. Salvian fibserveth, that the church, like a river, loseth in depth what it gaineth in breadth — MuUiplicatis quidem 'populis, fides diminuta est; and Frequentihus fillis mater cegroiat — a woman that hath borne many children is with every birth the weaker. Tantum coijue accessit, qucminm disciplmce recessit ; as a large body is less active. Carnal men coming under a profession of religion weaken the power of it.