Page:Plant of renown (2).pdf/2



f we cast our eyes back upon the foregoing part of this chapter, we shall find a very melancholy scene calling up; we shall find the flock and heritage of God scattered, robbed and peeled by the civil and ecclesiastical rulers that were in being in that day; a day much like to the day wherein we live; the ruin of the Church of Christ in all ages and periods of the world, has been owing to combinations betwixt corrupt Churchmen, and corrupt Statesmen; and so you will find it the preceding part of this chapter there is a high charge brought in against the Shepherds of Israel, and a terrible and awful threatning denounced by the great and chief Shepherd against them, for the bad treatment that the flock of Christ had met with in their hands: However the sheep of Christ may be fleeced, and scattered, and spoiled, yet the Lord looks on them; and