nvasions and usurpations of the enemies, and defections of friends,
when now opportunity and capacity is given to rebuild and beautify the
house of the Lord, and to repair the desolations thereof, the present
building is so far advanced, without pulling down and purging away the
rubbish, and condemning these corruptions and defections, in compliance
with them, or confessing and forsaking them, as our fathers used to do.
And the prelatical clergy, after all the evil they have done, and bitter
fruits they have produced, are yet kept in many places, and like to
continue, as a seminary and nursery of a corrupt ministry. As long as
this rubbish stands, there can be little hope either of purity or
stability in the superstructure.

In former reformations also, the advancement used to be progressive,
beginning where the former reformation stopt, and going forward, after
they had got removed what obstructed: But now the motion is retrograde,
going as far back as that in 1592, muffling many excellent steps of
reformation attained after that in 1649. In former reformations, our
worthy ancestors used to begin with renovation of the national
covenants, and acknowledgments of the breaches thereof, which hitherto
hath been neglected, to the great grief of many.

It is also matter of lamentation to reflect, that in former
reformations, though adversaries troubled the builders, hired
counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose: Yet, being
furnished and spirited of the Lord, for that generation work, they never
studied to please men, but to acquit themselves, as faithful servants of
their princely Master Jesus Christ, in witnessing against all sins and
corruptions of great and small impartially; and in acts of assembly,
ordaining and recommending to all ministers, this faithfulness, in
applying their doctrine to the sins of the time, under pain of censure.
But now, though there was never greater freedom and encouragement for,
and necessity of faithfulness, when the adversaries of Judah are seek up
to build, but on design to mar the work, and many are too much inclining
to join in affinity with the people of those abominations; yet it is
sadly wanting, and much desiderated among many ministers, who being long
accustomed to fears, and constrained silence, have not yet recovered
their confidence and courage, to cry aloud against, and not to spare the
iniquities of the time.

Though in former reformations, this church was for orde