em into the dangerous
precipice of soul perdition; or, lastly, so earthly minded, that they
favour only the things of this earth, not the things of the Spirit of God,
who feed themselves, but not the flock, and to whom the Great Shepherd of
the sheep wilt say, "The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have
ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was
broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither
have ye sought that which was lost," Ezek. xxxiv. 4. Simple ones, who have
some taste and relish of popish superstition (for many such there be in
the land), do suck from the intoxicated drugs of conformity, the softer
milk which makes them grow in error. And who can be ignorant what a large
spread Popery, Arminianism and reconciliation with Rome, have taken among
the arch urgers of the ceremonies? What marvel that Papists clap their
hands! for they see the day coming which they wish for. Woe to thee, O
land, which bears professed Papists and avouched Atheists, but cannot bear
them who desire to "abstain from all appearance of evil," 1 Thes. v. 22,
for truth and equity are fallen in thee, and "he that departeth from evil
maketh himself a prey," Isa. lix. 14, 15.

These are the best wares which the big hulk of conformity, favoured with
the prosperous gale of mighty authority, hath imported amongst us, and
whilst our opposites so quiverly go about to spread the bad wares of these
encumbering inconveniences, is it time for as luskishly to sit still and
to be silent? "Woe unto us, for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the
evening are stretched out," Jer. vi. 4.

Moreover, besides the prevailing inconveniency of the controverted
ceremonies, the unlawfulness of them is also plainly evinced in this
ensuing dispute by such convincing arguments, as, being duly pondered in
the equal balance of an attentive mind, shall, by God's grace, afford
satisfaction to so many as purpose to buy the truth, and not to sell it.
Wherefore, referring to the dispute the points themselves which are
questioned, I am in this place to beseech you all by the mercies of God,
that, remembering the words of the Lord, "Them that honour me I will
honour, and they that despise me shalt be lightly esteemed," 1 Sam. ii.
30, remembering, also, the curse and condemnation of Meroz, which came not
to help the Lord against the mighty, Judg. v. 23, of the nobles of Tekoa,
who put not their necks to the work of