A Goodly Heritage

 Of the necessity of the Cross of Christ in general; yet the little regard Christians have to it.—2. The degeneracy of Christendom from purity to lust, and moderation to excess.—3. That worldly lusts and pleasures are become the care and study of Christians, so that they have advanced upon the impiety of infidels.—4. This defection a second part to the Jewish tragedy, and worse than the first: the scorn Christians have cast on their Saviour.—5. Sin is of one nature all the world over; sinners are of the same church, the devil's children: profession of religion in wicked men makes them but the worse.—6. A wolf is not a lamb; a sinner cannot be, whilst such, a saint.—7. The wicked will persecute the good; this, false Christians have done to the true, for non-compliance with their superstitions; the strange carnal measures false Christians have taken of Christianity; the danger of that self-seduction.—8. The sense of that has obliged me to make this discourse for a dissuasive again...

The great and blessed God that made heaven and earth, the seas and the great fountains of the deep, and rivers of water, the Almighty J ehovah , who is from everlasting to everlasting. He also made man and woman; and his design was to make them eternally happy and blessed. And therefore he made man in his own image; "in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them:" He made them after his own likeness holy, wise, merciful, just, patient, and humble, endued them with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. But man and woman through their transgressions lost this image of God, and with it lost their happiness and true blessedness, that God made them in a capacity to enjoy. Now in this state of  misery  into which we are fallen, we are come short of the glory of God; and it is out of this wretched woful state we must be brought, else we shall never see the face of God with comfort. This is an eternal truth of God, and recorded in the Holy Scriptures....

Avoid company where it is not profitable or necessary , and on those occasions speak little, and last . Silence is wisdom where speaking is folly, and always safe . If you think twice before you speak once , you will speak twice the better of it . Better say nothing than not to the purpose. And to speak pertinentely , consider both what is fit , and when it is fit to speak .     In all debates  let truth be your aim , not victory or an unjust interest ; and endeavour to gain , rather than expose your antagonist . Give no advantage in argument , nor lose any that is offered . To inform , or to be informed , ought to be end of all conferences . Men are too apt to be concerned for their credit more than for the cause .