Is not the drunkard that was, a drunkard still? Enquire of his poor wife and family. Is not the common swearer still horribly crying to God for damnation upon his soul? Is not the sinner in every other kind, exactly the same man still? Not better at least, if he be not worse, than he was ten years ago. Now consider, 1. Does the church of _England_ gain either honour, or strength, or blessing, by such wretches as these calling themselves her members? By ten thousand drunkards, or whoremongers, or common swearers? Nay ought she not immediately to spew them out? To renounce all fellowship with them? Would she not be far better without them than with them? Let any man of reason judge. 2. Is the drunkard’s _calling_ himself of the church of _England_, of any more use to him, than to the church? Will this save him from hell, if he die in his sin? Will it not rather increase his damnation? 3. Is not a drunkard of any other church, just as good as a drunkard of the church of _England_? Yea, is not a drunken _Papist_ as much in the favour of God, as a drunken _Protestant_? 4. Is not a cursing, swearing _Turk_, (if there be such an one to be found) full as acceptable to God, as a cursing, swearing _Christian_? Nay, 5. If there be any advantage, does it not lie on the side of the former? Is he not the less inexcusable of the two? As sinning against less light? O why will you sink these poor souls deeper into perdition, than they are sunk already? Why will you prophesy unto them peace, peace; when there is no peace? Why, if you do it not yourself, (whether you cannot, or will not, God knoweth) should you hinder us from _guiding them into the way of peace_? 33. Will you endeavour to _excuse_ yourself, by saying, “There are not _many_ who are the better for your preaching: and these by and by will be as bad as ever; as such and such an one is already?” I would to God I could set this in a just light? But I cannot. All language fails. God begins a glorious work in our land. You set yourself against it with all your might; to prevent its beginning where it does not yet appear, and to destroy it wherever it does. In part you prevail. You keep many from hearing the word that is able to save their souls. Others who had heard it, you induce to turn back from God, and to list under the devil’s banner again. Then you make the success of your own wickedness an _excuse_ for not acknowledging the work of God! You urge “That not _many_ sinners were reformed! And that some of those are now as bad as ever!”