Page:Last publick sermon, being a faithful and free one, preached by Mr. Hugh Mackaile ... upon the Sabbath immediately preceeding that 8th of September 1662, the day affixed for the removing of the ministers of Edinburgh from their kirks.pdf/14

( 14 ) Chriſt leſs than his Companions : The periſhing Pleaſures of a preſent Life are more alluring to many, than the Ri- vers of Pleaſures that are at his Right Hand for evermore. The World's Terrors are generally more affrighting than the Terrors of the Almighty. In a Time of Peace and Tranquility many profeſs Friendſhip to Jeſus Chriſt, who are overthrown by a Day of Temptation: To ſee theſe that never had ſo much as a Form of Godlinefs, whoſe Condemnation it hath been to be Workers of the Works of Darkneſs, under the cleareſt Shining of the Light, that theſe continue at a Diſtance from Chriſt in a Time of Perſecution, is no marvel, but even thoſe that have ſeem- ed to be Pillars, that have ſhined like the Sun, in Com- pariſon of others, in the Church, a Tempeſt ariſing hath darkened theſe Suns, and ſhaken theſe Pillars. Tribu- lation is like the Dragon's Tail, that draws Stars together, and caſts them to the Earth ; ſo ſtrong is the Force of it, that it diſſolves all Ties whatſoever. Whence could a a Man expect more Faithfulnefs than from his own Fami- ly? yet even there is a Fire kindled, that burns up all Monuments of Kindneſs, Mark xiii. 12. The Brother ſhall betray the Brother to Death, and the Father the Son. It may be ſaid of Perſecution which is ſaid of the ſtrange Woman, Prov. vii. 26. She hath caſt down ma- my wounded, and many ſtrong Men have been ſain by her. Certainly every Man, upon Conſideration of this, may read to himſelf a Lecture of Fear and Trembling. 3dly, The Temptation may be ſtrong, that even the ſincere Lovers of Chriſt may be tempted to turn aſide. Tell me, O thou whom my Soul loveth, where thou feedeſt and where thou makeſ thy Flocks to reſt at Noon; for why ſhould I be as one that turns aſide ? &c. The great Deſign of the Devil, in all Tribulation, is againſt theſe. The Fur- nace muſt be ſeven times hotter for Shadrach, Meſhech and Abednego, Servants of the Moſt High. You know what