* 36. Is not this the _real ground_, the principal _reason_ of the present _contempt of the clergy_? And long since was it assigned as such, by him who cannot lie. The same men of old, who _made the Lord’s people to transgress_, thereby _made themselves vile_. They were _despised_ both as the natural effect, and the judicial punishment of their _wickedness_. And the same cause the prophet observes to have produced the same effect, many hundred years after this. _Ye are departed out of the way saith the_ Lord; _ye have caused many to stumble――therefore have I also made you_ contemptible, _and base before all the people_. I have now, brethren, _delivered mine own soul_ and in so doing, I have (as I proposed at first) _used great plainness of speech_, as not studying _to please men, but the Lord_. The event I leave to him in whose name I have spoken, and who hath the hearts of all men in his hand. I _have brought you heavy tidings this_ day, and yet I cannot but be persuaded, that some of you will not _count me your enemy, because I tell you the truth_. O that all of us may _taste_ the good word which we _declare_! May _receive_ that knowledge of salvation, which we are commanded to _preach_ unto every creature, thro’ the remission of sins! My heart’s desire is, that all of us to whom _is committed the ministry of reconciliation_, may ourselves be reconciled to God, thro’ the blood of the everlasting covenant: that he may be henceforth unto us a God, and we may be unto him a people: that we may all _know_ as well as _preach_, the Lord, _from the least unto the greatest_: even by that token, _I am merciful to thy unrighteousness: thy sins I remember no more_! III. 1. I have hitherto spoken more immediately to those, who profess themselves members of the _church of_ England. But inasmuch as I am a debtor also to those who do not, my design is now, to apply to them also; and briefly to shew, wherein (I fear) they are severally inconsistent with _their own principles_. I begin with those who are at the smallest distance from us, whether they are termed _Presbyterians_ or _Independents_. Of whom in general I cannot but have a widely different opinion, from that I entertained some years ago: as having since then conversed with many among them, _in whom the root of the matter is_ undeniably _found_; and who labour _to keep a conscience void of offence both toward God and toward man_. I cannot therefore doubt, but every serious man, of either one or the other denomination, does utterly condemn all that inward as well as outward unholiness, which has been above described.