Religion & morality > Last publick sermon, being a faithful and free one, preached by Mr. Hugh Mackaile ... upon the Sabbath immediately preceeding that 8th of September 1662, the day affixed for the removing of the ministers of Edinburgh from their kirks

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Chrilt lefs than his Companions : The pcrifhing Plcafures
of a prcfent Life are more alluring to many, than the Ri¬
vers of Pleafures that are at his Right Hand forevermore.
The World’s Terrors are generally more affrighting than
the Terrors of the Almighty. In a Time of Peace and
Tranquility many profefs Friendlhip to Jefus Chrift, who
are overthrown by a Day of Temptation : To fee thefe
that never had fb much as a Form of Godlinefs, whole
Condemnation it hath been to be Workers of the Works
ol Durknefs, under the cleareld Shining of the Light, that
thefe continue at a Diflance from Chrift in a Time of
Perfecution, is no marvel; but even thofe that have feem-
ed to be Pillars, that have fhined like the Sun, in Coni-
parifbn of others, in the Church, a Tempeft arifing hath
darkened thele Suns, and fhaken thefe Pillars. Tribu¬
lation is like the Dragon’s Tail, that draws Stars together,
and cafts them to the Earth ; fo ftrong is the Force of it,
that it diffolves all Ties whatlbever. Whence could a
a Man expeft more Faithfulnefs than from his own Fami¬
ly ? yet even there is a Fire kindled, that burns up all
Monuments of Kindnefs, Mark xiii. 12. The Brother
jhall betray the Brother to Death, and the Father the Son.
It may be faid of Perfecution which is faid of the
ftrange Woman, Prov. vii. 26. She hath cafl down ma¬
ny wounded, and many ftrong Men have been ftain by her.
Certainly every Man, upon Confideration of this, may
read to himfelf a Lcdture of Fear and Trembling.
ydly. The Temptation may be ftrong, that even the
fincere Lovers of Chrift may be tempted to turn a fide. Tell
me, 0 thou whom my Soul loveth, where thou feedeft and
where thou makeft thy Flocks to reft at Noon ; for why(hould
1 be as one that turns a fide ? &c. The great Defign of
the Devil, in all Tribulation, is againft thefe. The Fur¬
nace muft be feven times hotter for Shadrach, Mefhech
*ad Abednego, Servants of the Moft High. You know
what