FIrst: To the Word. Neglecting to come and attend on the Preaching of the Word, both on the LORDS Day, and on week dayes, in these places where such exercises are on these dayes.

2. Not coming to the Preaching of the Word, for the right end, viz. to find communion with Christ, and a taste of his goodnesse and excellency, and to be built up in the most holy faith: but either out of cu­stome, or to eschew censures, or to satisfie and hold off the challenges of a naturall conscience, or some by-re­spect; And not preparing the heart before hand in se­cret, to come with Godly fear and reverence, humility, spirituall hungring and thirsting after the Kingdom of God and the righteousnesse thereof, and desiring as new born babes the sincere milk of the Word, to grow thereby.

3. That when the people are at the Preaching of the [Page 4]Word, besides great carelesnesse, overlinesse, sleeping, wandring of the heart, and in advertency to what is Preached; the Word is not heard as an Ordinance and mean appointed of God to work upon, and carry in grace and comfort unto the heart, but is only regarded as other discourses proceeding from mens ability and parts, and is accordingly esteemed by the most part, or at most is only made use of, as a mean of informing the judgement.

4. That in the Preaching of the Word, neither do Ministers speak the same as the Oracles of God, not re­membring themselves to be the ambassadours of Christ, speaking in Gods stead: nor do the people present themselves in so immediat a way before God himself, as to receive the Word not as the word of man, but as the true Word of God; Whence it cometh to passe that there is litle trembling at the Word, and so litle rejoi­cing in it.

5. That people in the hearing of the Word, content themselves with mans teaching, and do not, in the con­viction of their own blindnesse, and utter inability of themselves to perceive the things of the Spirit, and of the insufficiency of the outward means without Gods immediat work therewith upon the heart, imploy him­self to teach them inwardly by his Spirit, joining with the outward means, according to the promise of the Covenant, They shall be all taught of God. Whence it cometh to passe that there is so much Preaching, and so little profiting, so much learning, and so little speed coming in the knowledge of God.

[Page 5] 6. The not mixing of the Word Preached with faith, while as in the hearing thereof, even these who seem to give most heed thereunto do for the most part, rather imploy the judgement, to consider and judge of the pertinency, coherence, the way of uttering of the Do­ctrine delivered; or in a meer speculative way to appre­hend the matter and truth of what is spoken, than they do labour with the heart to close with, imbrace and ap­ply to themselves the truth Preached.

7. No care to lay up, and hide the Words of Christ in the heart, to remember the same for use making: But letting them slip and run thorow; which the Apostle accounteth a neglecting of the great Salvation of God, (Heb. 2.1.3.) Nor imploying the Spirit to bring the Word that hath been heard, but forgotten, to remem­brance: Not making conscience to confer on the Word Preached, and to whet it one upon another. Not ta­king pains, nor delighting in it in privat, to read, and meditate on it.

2. IN relation to the Sacraments. And first in ge­nerall and common: Not making use of them as Seals of the Covenant of Grace, and promises there­of made to us in Christ; but laying all the weight of confidence upon themselves, and being content with the deed done, which was the ordinary sin of the Jews in the use of Circumcision, and other Rites and Cere­monies of the Law, so often charged upon them in Scri­pture. Then particularly,

In Baptism. I. In Parents bringing their Children thereunto, either out of meer fashion and custom, as meerly to have a difference put between them and un­christned [Page 6]people, or in effect as unto a meer Ceremony: and not from any sense that they are unclean from un­clean, born dead in sins, and children of wrath of them­selves, defiled with Originall guilt and corruption; nor from a desire that they may be spiritually regenerated, incorporated unto Christ, to be made partakers of the vertue of His Death and Resurrection, to be washed from their filthinesse in the blood of Christ, and to get interest in the Covenant of Grace, and promises thereof, sealed up unto them. 2. Not setting them­selves in the Administration of this Sacrament to con­sider and prize the free love and grace of God, which hath prevented us, and our seed, in providing such a fountain for sin and uncleannesse in Christ, making such a Covenant with us, so well ordered in all things, and sure, preventing us and our seed with the Seal thereof; nor to apply the Covenant and the promises thereof for our selves and our seed, and this Sacrament as the Seal of the same. 3. The great and evident slighting of the Administration of the Sacrament, while as few in the Congregation joineth therein either for their own edi­fication, or to hold up the baptized to God, that he might blesse his own Ordinance to them, and receive them in amongst his Children in Christ: And many withdraw themselves from the Administration there­of, as if it did not concern them, and only the Minister and Presenter were to be actors in it. 4. Parents not making conscience, to make known unto their Children, when they come to years of Capacity, their Baptism, the ends and use thereof, and the obligation thereby lyeth upon them as consecrated to Christ. 5. The not making use of this Sacrament all along the course [Page 7]of our life, for renewing and strengthning our comfort in the faith and assurance of our Regeneration and Ado­ption; and of our interest in God, as our God and Father in Christ, and for strengthening through Christ our resolutions and endeavours of Mortification, and newnesse of life: Which is a great despising of this Ordinance.

In the Lords Supper; 1. The great prophanation thereof, by the coming and admitting thereunto, of many grosse ignorants, who cannot discern the Lords Body, nor knoweth how to examine themselves: ma­ny prophane Ones, godlesse Livers, without the Worship of God in private, and into many places, all sorts of persons promiscuously, without making a difference between the precious and the vile, whereby the Blood of Christ is much prophaned (altho the constitutions of our Kirk, were they well observed, doth sufficiently guard against these evils) which no doubt is one of the main sins, for which God hath been provoked to suffer so much of our blood to be shed: See 1 Cor. 11.30.

2. The little or no care or pains that is taken for pre­paration to so high and holy an Ordinance, wherein we are called to the nearest and most familiar Communion with Christ that is here upon earth: most part con­tenting themselves giving their presence at a Preparation Sermon, many not making conscience of so much as this. Very few separating themselves as is needfull, to Examine themselves; that, being sensible of their guiltinesse, spirituall inlacks, &c. they might come [Page 8]with humble, broken, and contrite spirits, with spirituall hunger and thirst for Christ Crucified: And sincere purposes of heart to forsake their former sinfull courses, and to renew their Covenant with God, in the strength of Christs Grace.

3. The great and lamentable blockishnesse of the most part, in the participation of this Ordinance, who, may be, have some kind of amazement at the Solemni­ties thereof, but do no wayes therein exercise them­selves in remembring the Lords Death till he come again; to apply the same to themselves, for peace with God, and mortifying the body of sin, for working deep Repentance, and Gospel-sorrow for sin, and get­ting the Love of Christ more kindled in them, and their hearts inlarged with greater thankfulnesse toward him, who loved us, and gave himself for us. And on the other hand, the great heartlesse sinfull dejection or many sensible souls, who at no time are readier to be plunged in legall heavinesse, and feeding as it were on Gall and Worm-wood, then at this Ordinance, wherein they ought to be most rejoicing through faith on the propitiation in the Death of Christ, so familiarly set forth therein to them.

4. That the time and occasion of this Sacrament, is used by the most part, only for some outward restraint of grosser sins, for a day or two before and after; but all such goodnesse being as a morning Cloud, no con­stancy nor reall Reformation, but presently turning to wonted, naturall, worldly , and carnall courses; Notwithstanding renewed remembring of the Death [Page 9]of Christ, and Profession of renewing Covenants with God.

3. IN relation to the Ordinance of Discipline.

1. Much partiality in the administration there­of, with respect of persons, and according to affection; which appeareth in that, While as Offences and Scan­dals in meaner persons are taken notice of, challenged and censued: There is not the like Christian Freedom, faithfulnesse and zeal used toward such as are more emi­nent for wealth, place or dignity in the world.

2. Want of a Spirit of Meeknesse, sometimes in the administration thereof; whereby men, if GOD per­adventure would give them Repentance, might be re­covered out of the snares of Satan. And, on the other hand, want of zeal often times, to save others with fear, plucking them out of the fire.

3. Much vilifying, contemning of the Censures and Exercise of Discipline; yea, hating, thereof, and the Officers of the Kirk for it.

4. Not making use of it as a spirituall Medicine and Means of Salvation: but as a meer Punishment, which as it is in it self a mis-apprehension and abuse of this Or­dinance so is (no doubt) the cause of so much impa­tience and indignation against it in people, and of so much inequality and mixture of selfish affection in the administration thereof.

5. The great formality that is every where in the use [Page 10]thereof, while as, so be it that persons under censure continue out their set time and dayes of Censure, little care or respect is had of the effects for which it was insti­tuted, to wit, humiliation of heart and godly sorrow, bringing forth Repentance not to be repented of, which maketh the administration thereof to look too like the way of Popish Pennance.

4. IN relation to Prayer: 1. Great neglect thereof by most part of persons and Families throughout. the Land in private and secret.

2. Many, more eminent persons in the world, accoun­ting the performance thereof in their Families (although this be incumbent to them by their place and station) a disparagement; and therefore turning it over upon o­thers, as a Service below them.

3. In the publick Prayers of the Kirk, Peoples ly­ing by from joyning therein all along with their Spi­rits, which should be striving together with the Mini­ster: either muttering words of their own, or taking li­berty to themselves to be idle in the Work, and roaving in their thoughts, as if the Minister only were to be an Actor in that Service.

4. Not using this Ordinance as a mean of commu­nion with God, and of obtaining blessings from Him: But using it meerly as a duty, and many as a matter of meer task. Whereof many may be convinced by this, That they do not make conscience, nor set themselves to observe what commeth of their Prayers. how they [Page 11]are taken of their hand, what speed they have come, and what answer they get.

5. The little care that is had either by Ministers or others to pray in the Spirit, or to imploy the Spirit of Grace and Supplication for this Service: The most part in their performances thereof too evidently acting meerly their own memory, invention, wit, &c. and that often times with apparent affectation.

5. RElating more immediately to Christ Himself and the free grace of God in him, which is the Matter and Object of the Gospel: As,

1. Grosse ignorance in the most part, and great short­coming of the best in the knowledge of Jesus Christ His Person, Offices, His blessings and benefites, of the Covenant of Grace established in Him, and the way of making use of Christ and the Covenant of Grace.

2. Undervaluing and misprysing of Christ, commu­nion with Him, and His spirituall graces and blessings; Which appears most evidently, by the great neglect of the use of these means and exercises, publick, private and secret, wherein He offereth Himself to be sought and found: the great wearying of them, greater willing­nesse and readiness to bestow time and pains upon things. worldly, even vanity and trifles, than on these: prefer­ring the interests of creatures to the interests of Christ, and not giving him the preheminence above all: by the readinesse which appears in people, in times of try all, to comply with sinfull courses, to the prejudice of Christs [Page 12]Cause, and the hazarding of their own peace with God, for maintaining their ease, temporary safety and worldly commodities, rather then to deny themselves, take up their crosse and follow Him.

3. Not receiving of Christ; nor making use of him as he is held forth in the Gospel, in his fulnesse of grace, nor living by faith in him, more especially in not recei­ving and making use of his free-Grace and imputed Righteousnesse for Justification, acceptation before God, and for peace of conscience: while as most part securely rest on meer outward Church-priviledges: ma­ny confide in their own Morall Honesty performances and duties; So going about to establish their own righ­teousnesse, and following duties this way to make their Peace and Reconciliation thereby with God. And e­ven the best Professours do not so purely and intirely rest on his Righteousnesse as the Gospel requireth: as well appear by these things amongst many others: heartlesse fears, misbelief, fearring to apply Christ, and to make use of the promises, not rejoicing in Christ and his propitiation with humility, when there is a dis­covery, challenges and apprehensions of want, short co­ming and failing of duties, which in effect is in a degree, and in part, an establishing our own righteousnesse, and not submitting to the Righteousnesse of God. Not making use of Christ, for Sanctification, according to the promises of the Covenant, and not acting in a way of dependence on him, in all the performances of our common Christian calling, and of particular lawfull vo­cations, for direction, quickening, strength to morti­fie corruptions, to every duty, and to carry us through [Page 13]against discouragements, and tentations: but acting only, or most part by the strength of our own wits, abili­ties, and pains.

In not making use of the Mediation and Intercession of Christ, in approaching to the Throne of Grace, in Prayers, Supplications, and Thanksgivings (while as many do neglect Prayer altogether) albeit they have some course of performance of this duty, yet know not what it is to put their Prayers up to God through the Mediator, though they may perhaps name His Name, but do as that Uzziah, who would offer In­cense himself, neglecting the High Priest: And even Beleevers themselves doth not directly, distinctly, and stedfastly in their approaches to God, eye Christ, to offer all their service through him; nor do come with that humble boldnesse and full assurance of faith in God as a Father, wherewith the intercession of Christ war­randeth them to come, Heb. 10.19, 20, 21, 22.

4. Not walking as becometh the Gospel of Christ, in Righteousnesse, Godlinesse, and Sobriety: many not­withstanding their Profession of the Gospel, and clai­ming interest in Christ and his Grace, yet living loose, prophane, godlesse, carnall and earthly in their way; in effect, turning the Grace of God unto wantonnesse and security, and taking liberty to sin, because Grace doth abound. And even the best not so constrained with the love of Christ, to live to him who died for them, nor striving to keep the thoughts of the love of Christ, and the free-Grace of God in him, upon their hearts, so fresh and constant, as they should be, to keep them watchfull, tender, zealous, and enlarged for God, and his honour.

[Page 14] 6. IN relation to the operations of the Spirit, where­in the Gospel is the Ministration, and maketh it effetuall: As,

1. Prophane mocking, miscalling, and mis-inter­preting the tender and accurate walking of the Godly in the wayes of God, as unnecessary and proud precise­nesse, and their spirituall exercises, as fantasticknesse, melancholy, or madnesse: Which is a horrible sin, sib to that which is unpardonable; yet, very frequent a­mongst carnall and naturall people.

2. The meer naturall and morall way of living in a civill honesty, and sitting down contented therewith, of the most part of people, not labouring in their con­versation to walk after the Spirit, i. e. upon Spiritual Principles, according to the Spirituall Rule (of Gods revealed Will in his Word) nor for Spirituall ends, the Honour of God, Glory, and Immortality.

3. Not observing and yeelding unto the knockings of the Spirit, whereby Christ maketh tender to come in to hearts, that he may sup with them, and they with him; resisting and quenching his motions, whereby he stirreth up to duties, stiffling or putting by his chal­lenges, whether in publick or secret, which tend to Repentance, Humiliation, or withdrawing from sin; not being tender of his Presence and consolations, to in­tertain the same; but grieving him, by misprizing them, refusing them, carelesse walking, in not atten­ding on his direction and guiding, in giving way to known sinfull thoughts, and lustings in a continued tract, altho not growing up to a full accomplishing of them; and sometimes in giving way even to grosser out-breakings, and in not watching against predo­minant [Page 15]corruptions, whereof even the best are much guilty.

4. Not delighting in, nor improving spirituall compa­ny and spirituall exercises.

5. OF Ministers, in relation to their Preaching of the Gospel: As,

1. Many not labouring to set forth the Excellency of Christ, in his Person, Offices, and the unsearchable Riches of his Grace, the New Covenant, and the way of living by Faith in him: nor making this the main and chief Theme and matter of their Preaching, as did the Apostle, 1 Cor. 3.2. 2 Cor. 4.5. Col. 1.28. Nor Preaching other things with a relation to Christ; to wit, Not Preaching convictions, reproofs, discove­ries of sin, and of short comings in duties, and threat­nings, to lead to Christ, to prize him the more high­ly, and to embrace him the more earnestly; especially for Justification, and pressing duties in a meer legall way; not urging them, as by the Authority of Gods Commandements▪ so from the love of Christ, and the grace of the Gospel, nor pointing and directing people to their furniture for them in Christ: Often­times craving hard, but giving nothing wherewith to pay.

2. What they Preach of Christ, and the matters of the Gospel, not Preaching the same in a Gospel-way: Whereof see, 1 Cor. 3. from the beginning, at length.

3. Not commending, as they ought, neither their own work, whether of meditation, or delivery: nor their hearts to Christ, that He might give the increase: [Page 16]but going about the work, either altogether in their own strength, or much that way.

4. Often times not speaking, because they beleeve and many not seeking for communion with Christ, in their own personall estate: and to feel the power of the Word upon their own hearts, that they might speak so.

These branches of contemning and abusing of the Go­spel, are thought fit, for the better information of all, to be held forth at this time, as being most obvious, recommending withall to Ministers, to apply them­selves to make a more, full and particular discovery thereof; As is not doubted but they will do, accor­ding to their wisedom and understanding in the Gospel, and the experience they have by observation of their own hearts, and of the wayes and consciences of People.