Page:Cry from the dead, or, The ghost of the famous Mr James Guthrie appearing.pdf/20

 Egypt: we would fear that that ſhall be the ſtumbling of many in theſe times, that they ſhall take a reſolution to quit all the work of God, and the work of reformation, and be content to be carried back again to theſe corruptions from whence they were, by the mercy of God, delivered. That is a moſt dreadful ſtumbling; we warn you of it, and we beſeech you in the name of the Lord to take heed to it.

Stumbling 2. A ſecond ſort of that we would beware of, is, the ſtumbling of Doeg the Edomite, 2 Sam. xxii. when a ſtorm was like to ariſe upon the church and people of God, he ſtumbles ſo far at theſe things, as he falls to be an accuſer of theſe that had been employed in the work of God, and walked in their integrity, to accuſe honeſt holy David; and from an accuſer came to be an open perſecutor of the people of God. We would take heed, that for carrying of favour to ourſelves, we be not accuſers of others; this is the way of many in theſe nations, they know no other way of carrying of favour to themſelves, but by becoming accuſers of the ſaints of God: look to it; for in a while ye will turn open perſecutors: when none would fall on the prieſts of the Lord. Doeg the Edomite, ere he loſt the favour he had gotten, would fall on them.

Stumbling 3. A third ſort of ſtumbling that we would beware of, is the ſtumbling of Shebna, treasurer or ſcribe, Iſaiah xxii. when Sennacherib invaded Judah, though he pretended friendſhip, yet he in ſecret way complied with Sennacherib, and ſo far as in him lay ſupplanted good king Hezekiah, and the people of God; we would take heed of that.

Stumbling 4. Another ſort of ſtumbling that we would beware of, it, that ſtumbling of Demas, a Tim. iv. 10 who when a ſtorm ariſes, he thought it meet to ſhift for himſelf, and embrace this prevent world. 'Demas has forſaken us,' ſays Paul, 'having loved