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/52

( 52 ) that may ſacrifice the Heart ; nay, yo would live much in Apprehenſion of approaching Judgment. Certainly, the withdrawing of many from us, and not contributing their Help to the great Work they were engaged to as well as we, the general Riſing againſt us in many places of the Country, but above all this open ſhedding of the Blood of the Saints, which involveth the Land in the Guiltineſs of all the righteous Blood ſhed from the Foundation of the World, have made Scotland fit fuel for the Fire of God's Wrath. I can ſay nothing concerning Times to come, but this, All things ſhall work together for Good to them that love God, and ſo this preſent Diſpenſation ; and they ſhall have moſt Comfort in this Promiſe, who are moſt willing that ſuch Afflictions as we are brought to be the Way that God chuſeth to work their Good. Commit wholly the Management of all Matters to God, and make it your entire Study, Night and Day, to keep your very Garments clean. It is hard, in Times of ſo ge- neral Corruptions, not to be defiled one way or other; be free of the Sin, as you would be of the Judgments, which will certainly be ſuch as will make all the Churches know, that God is the Searcher of the Hearts and Trier of the Reins, Rev. ii. 23. and ſo will not be mocked by theſe Pretences whereby Men colour their going along in an evil Courſe, from the real Love that they have to a preſent World. If naked Preſence, amongſt them who are eſteemed Rebels by Men, be ſufficient to engage them in the Crime and Puniſhment, (for that is all the Ground of my Con- demnation) ſhall not God be much more zealous of his own Glory, againſt all who ſo much as ſeem to go along with this courſe of Backſliding. As a good Mean and Encouragement to all the Duties of our Time, labour to be rooted and grounded in the Love of Jeſus Chriſt: This will be tender of any thing that may have the leaſt Reflection upon him, his Words or Works, and will prompt the Soul to zealous appearing for him