The young people warned. Or, The voice of God to the young people in the late terrible judgment of the throat distemper. Considered in a sermon preached to the young people at East Guilford, August 5th, 1740. / By Jonathan Todd, M.A. Pastor of the Church of Christ. ; [Four lines from Zephaniah] Todd, Jonathan, 1713-1791. Approx. 84 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 34 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI : 2011-05. N03922 N03922 Evans 4829 APW3870 4829 99009814

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

 Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 4829. (Evans-TCP ; no. N03922) Transcribed from: (Readex Archive of Americana ; Early American Imprints, series I ; image set 4829) Images scanned from Readex microprint and microform: (Early American imprints. First series ; no. 4829) The young people warned. Or, The voice of God to the young people in the late terrible judgment of the throat distemper. Considered in a sermon preached to the young people at East Guilford, August 5th, 1740. / By Jonathan Todd, M.A. Pastor of the Church of Christ. ; [Four lines from Zephaniah] Todd, Jonathan, 1713-1791. [4], v, [3], 52 p. ; 17 cm. (8vo) Printed and sold by T. Green, N. London [i.e., New London, Conn.] : [1741] Half-title: Mr. Todd's sermon to the people of his charge. Date of publication supplied by Johnson.

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.

EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).

The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.

 eng Diphtheria. Youth -- Religious life. Sermons -- 1741. 2008-08 Assigned for keying and markup 2008-10 Keyed and coded from Readex/Newsbank page images 2009-03 Sampled and proofread 2009-03 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2009-09 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

Mr. TODD'S SERMON TO The Young People OF His Charge.

THE Young PEOPLE Warned. OR, THE VOICE OF GOD TO The Young People IN The late terrible Judgment OF THE THROAT-DISTEMPER; Conſidered in a SERMON Preached to the YOUNG PEOPLE at Eaſt Guilford, Auguſt 5th, 1740.

By Jonathan Todd, M. A. Paſtor of the Church of CHRIST there.

Zeph. iii. 6, 7.

— I made their Streets wast,— I ſaid, Surely thou wilt fear me: Thou wilt receive Inſtruction, ſo their Dwelling ſhould not be • ut off, howſoever I puniſhed them, —

N. LONDDON, Printed and Sold by T. GREEN, 1741

TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF my Charge. My Dear Friends,

I Do here preſent you with that Diſcourſe which I delivered unto you, upon the Occaſion of the Death of One of your Contemporaries by that fatal Sickneſs (as we ſuppoſed) of the Throat-Diſtemper; and which you ſo earneſtly deſired might be made Publick.

I muſt confeſs, that it was with ſome Difficulty, I brought my ſelf to be willing to ſuffer this Diſcourſe to appear in Print, as thinking, that it wanted many Ornaments, to render it acceptable, nor was well eno' Labour'd to be made publick; and there were already many Exhortations to early Piety publiſhed, done by able Hands, after whoſe, I might be aſham'd, that mine ſhould be read.

But then, when I conſidered the particular Occaſion and Circumſtances of this Diſcourſe, I was fain to own it was yours; and dare not deny you the Uſe and Improvement of it. It was at your Motion & Deſire, that at that Time, I made a Diſcourſe to you: The Circumſtances of the Time were ſuch, that I could not but be pleaſed with the Motion; it ſeem'd as if there was the Hand of Heaven in it; I could not but think my ſelf obliged from Duty to comply with the Motion. And as God was pleaſed to make the Diſcourſe Acceptable to you, and you ſtill asked my Conſent for the Publication of it, for your further Uſe and Improvement, it ſeem'd as if Providence made it my Duty, ſtill to comply: I could not conſider my ſelf as your Servant, in the Cauſe of Chriſt and your Souls, and not own my Obligation to gratify You.

Such therefore, as it is, a Serious, Plain Diſcourſe, deſigned for the Benefit of Youthful Auditors, deſtitute of the Ornaments of a beautiful Stile or any well ſtudied Method, it is offered unto you.

And, as you have deſired the Publication of it for your Benefit, ſo I hope, you will conſider, that I may, juſtly expect from you, a ſerious Improvement of it; and, if you make not a good Uſe of it, may charge you with Inconſiſtency, and re • kon my ſelf abuſed by you, as well as be diſappointed in all the Hope and Encouragement I had of ſeeing you excited to early Piety.

Nor may you think, that you make any good Uſe of ſuch a ſerious Warning and Exhortation, as this is, if you indulge your ſelves in Youthful Vanities and Sins, put off the Work of Repentance till a Hereafter, and ſtill live without God in the World, — Impenitent and Unconverted.

GOD forbid then, that any of You, who have Ʋrged the Publication of this for your Improvement, as tho' you were reſolved to make a good Uſe of it, ſhould ſtill, after the Reading of it, be found walking in the Ways of a carnal Heart, pleaſing your ſelves in the dangerous Paths of Sin, ſaying, You ſhall have Peace, though you walk in the Imagination of your Hearts, to add Sin to Sin.

I have one Thing to add by way of Caution, viz. That you take Heed of ſaying, that the Bitterneſs of Death is paſt, and the Danger over, becauſe the ſeared Diſtemper, ſince the Death of the juſtly remembred Youth, who was taken from us, hath not prevailed among us. For if GOD is gracious and ſpares a little while, are You ſure, he will ſpare for ever? Are you ſure that, if GOD ſeeth you hardening your ſelves, the Diſtemper ſhall not be ſent again? Is it not poſſible, that GOD be provoked to give a new Commiſſion to the deſtroying Angel? Or, will not the affrighting Sickneſs attend GOD's ſovereign Order, and go when and where he bids it? Or, if you ſhall not be viſited with this Sickneſs, hath GOD no other Judgments, with which to plead againſt ſecure and provoking Sinners? Have you never known a Young Perſon haſtened from among the Living, to the Number of the Dend by any other Sickneſs? Hath GOD but one way to puniſh the Inhabitants of the Earth? If GOD ſhall not make your outward Man a Theatre of any remarkable Plagues & waſting Sorrows, yet, are you ſure, he will not inflict many ſpiritual Miſeries upon your Souls? Or, are not ſpiritual Plagues as formidable, as thoſe that are inflicted upon the Body? If an offended GOD gives you over for incorrigible, puniſhes you with Hardneſs of Heart, and ſaith, Why ſhould you be ſtricken any more? Would not this be ſad and amazing?

Anſwer theſe Quaeries ſo as to diſcover any Knowlege or Reaſon, and you will ſee, that you are never out of Danger, till lodged under the Wings of the ALMIGHTY.

I add no more, but my ſincere Wiſh, & Prayer unto Almighty GOD, that this weak Endeavour may be bleſſed to the ſaving Advantage of your Souls, and you by this and other Means under the Powerful Preſence and Influence of the Holy Spirit, may be perſwaded to an early Choice of, and ſtedfaſt adherence to the Ways of Religion; that ſo you may be a pious and a happy Generation; hoping for, and earneſtly deſiring your Remembrance of me always in your Prayers,

Who am Your Loving Tho' Unworthy Paſtor, And Servant in the Cauſe of Chriſt and your Souls. Jonathan Todd. Eaſt-Guilford, May 5th. 1741.
TO THE READER.

ISHALL not make any Apology here, for Appearing thus in Publick, nor any Excuſe for my Method, Weakneſs, Deficiencies, &c. I only purpose to give a brief Account of the Occaſion of it; which a Stranger will find alluded to in the Diſcourſe, but not be thoroughly acquainted with.

He muſt be a Stranger indeed in theſe Parts of the World, who hath not heard of the Deſolations made in ſundry Parts of the Country, by that Diſtemper, that is uſually called, The Throat-Diſtemper.

Near Five Years ago, we in this Pariſh were Viſited with the ſame; and ſundry very pleaſant and hopeful Young Perſons were taken away.

Since which Time, we have had an Account of more awful Deſolations made by it, in many Other Places.

Near the Latter End of July laſt, a very hopeful, ſerious and likely Young Perſon, Named Prudence Biſhop, the Eldeſt Daughter of Mr. John Biſhop, was taken Sick amongſt us; At firſt indeed, we hoped, that her Sickneſs might be only a hard Cold, a common ſore Throat attended with a Feaver, Or the Effects of the Raſh, as we called a Diſtemper, that was then among us.

But her Sickneſs preſently increaſed, and ſhe was brought into uncommon Difficulty and Diſtreſs. The juſtly Famous and well known Phyſician of theſe Parts was conſulted; who judged her Sickneſs to be the Throat-Diſtemper. And to be ſhort, the Diſtemper made Quick Work and carried her off, Auguſt 2d, and her Corps was interred on Lords-Day, Auguſt 3d.

This Young Perſon gave us Ground to hope, that the Lord had been merciful to her Soul; begun and carried on a good Work of Grace in her: ſo that we could hope, that for ther to die was Gain: But then, it ſeem'd a dark Omen to the Living, and a loud Warning to our Surviving Youth to be alſo ready.

Before this happened, our Young People had agreed among Themſelves, to Meet together on Tueſday, the Fifth Day of Auguſt, for Youthful Diverſion and Recreation; Or to uſe their own Terms, had agreed it ſhould be a Day of Frolicking among Them.

But Struck with this Sudden Death of one of their Number, and Alarumed with the Thought of ſuch a Sweeping Diſtemper's Entring the Place the Second Time, Many of them get together at the Funeral, and agree to deſire me to give them an Exhortation, in the Houſe of God, on ſaid Tueſday, before intended for Mirth and Diverſion.

Accordingly, On the Evening following the Sabbath, ſome appointed by the Reſt came, and informed me of their Deſign of Turning their Meeting, before deſigned for Diverſion, into a Religious Meeting; and deſired my Aſſiſtance, and a Word of Exhortation:

I need not tell you, that I had not an Heart hard enough to deny ſuch a Requeſt.

In a little Time after ſaid Meeting, the Young People appointed ſome, in the Name of the Reſt to deſire that the Diſcourſe, which was at ſaid Time, delivered to them, might be made Publick at their Charge and Expence: Which is now publiſhed for the ſame End, as it was then delivered: And if the riſing Generation may hereby, as a Means, be any Thing Quickned to early Religion; the deſired End is obtained.

THE YOUNG People Warned. AMOS III. 6.

Shall a Trumpet be blown in the City, and the People not be afraid? Shall there be Evil in a City, and the LORD hath not done it?

SO great is the Corruption, and Depravedneſs of the Humane Nature, that a ſpirit of Vanity and Sin, and an Inclination to depart from the Living GOD, are become natural to Men.

Hence, perhaps there hath not been found any Nation or people, of any long Standing upon the Face of the Earth, who have not run ſuch a length in Sin and Wickedneſs, and ſo increaſed their Iniquities, as to render it neceſſary, for the Vindication of the Divine Providence and Perfections, that awful Judgments be ſent upon them, to be Teſtimonies from Heaven for GOD, and againſt impious blaſpheming Mortals.

Indeed GOD is abundantly, yea infinitely good; he is kind to the rebellious Nations, and doth not at once ſtir up all his Wrath. But yet, if he ſpares for the Preſent, and being full of Compaſſion does not ſpeedily raiſe up Himſelf to deſtroy them, he doth not forget their Wickedneſs and Sins, but writes them down in his Book; and when their Iniquities are ripe, he will viſit their Sin upon Them. Exod. xxxii. 34.

So the Prophet Amos in the Name of the LORD, aſſures the great and populous Kingdoms, which then were famous in the World, that they had Iniquities remembred by GOD, that muſt, when they had filled up their Meaſure, be puniſhed upon them. See Chap. i & ii.

Judah and Iſrael, tho' they were the peculiar People of God, the ſingularly favoured of Heaven, have their Sins remembred before GOD, as well as the Other Nations; and ſo might expect that a Woe-Day would ſooner or later come upon them, Chap. ii. 4—8. Yea, the Sins of Theſe eſpecially needed to be puniſhed upon Them: For GOD had done more for them than Others; laid them under ſtronger Obligations: So that their Sins were attended with very aggravating Circumſtances; ſhewed more Ingratitude, Unkindneſs and Stubbornneſs; were greater Affronts to an indulgent Heaven, Chap. ii. 9—13.

The Prophet, in our Context, in the Name of the LORD, declares the Neceſſity and Certainty of GOD's Judgments againſt his own backſlidden and greatly provoking People of Iſrael; tells them, that as GOD hath been eſpecially good to them, ſo their Sins eſpecially call for Puniſhment; as he had peculiarly undertook the Care & Government of them, and made them in a peculiar Manner his own Family, ſo it was but congruous and fitting, that he ſhould ſee the Laws of his Family executed upon Them; correct them for their Offences, and puniſh them for their Iniquities, ver. 2. 'Tis indeed neceſſary, that they be forſaken and left of God, and given up to Miſery and Evil, when their Ways are contrary and provoking to God; when they deſpiſe his Laws, and give him no becoming Reverence and Glory, ver. 3. Can Two walk together, except they be agreed? Can any Two walk together, and ſo have Communion and Fellowſhip one with the Other, when they are not enough of one mind to walk the ſame Way, or take the ſame Courſe? The Similitude is eaſily applied; when GOD and his People are contrary one to the other, there is no Communion between them: In this Caſe, as they walk contrary to GOD, ſo he to them; and that implies his Forſaking and Puniſhing them.

And as 'tis neceſſary that they be puniſhed for their Iniquities, ſo 'tis certain, that the LORD is offended, and about to puniſh them; And therefore they may be ſure, that there are Sins found with them, rendring this neceſſary. A Lion will not roar in the Foreſt, nor a young Lion cry out of his Den, for Nothing; a Bird is not caught without ſome Sanre or Gin; and no Man will think it worth his while to take up a Snare that has taken Nothing: In every one of theſe Inſtances, whither a Lion's Roaring, a Young Lion's Crying, a Bird's being caught, or a Snare taken from the Earth, there is ſome Reaſon and Occaſion for the ſame, ver. 4, 5. In which the Prophet ſeems to lead us to conſider, that there is Nothing done by the Deſign of any Agent, without ſome Reaſon or moving Occaſion: And his Intention doubtleſs is, to convince us, that God does not threaten, nor ſend his Judgments for Nothing, or without any Cauſe: So that, if God utters his Voice, brings any Judgments upon a People, they may Konw, that there is ſome Reaſon therefore; God is offended, and is about to puniſh them for their Iniquities; and that therefore it becometh them to prepare to meet God.

This ſame Thing, the Prophet in a moſt convincing Way, further inſiſts upon in our Text: Shall a Trumpet be blown in the City, and the People not be afraid? Shall there be Evil in City, and the Lord hath not done it?

Shall a Trumpet be blown in the City, and the People not be afraid? Shall there be an Alarum given, and the People take no Notice, nor be concerred? When a Trumpet is ſounded for ſuch an End, men conclude there is Danger; their Hearts are preſently filled with Fear; they conclude there is not this Warning for Nothing The Deſign and Application of this is eaſily ſeen, viz. That if God has ſounded his Trumpet, given an Alarum, there is good Reaſon to conclude it is not for Nothing; but he warns us that he is coming forth in the Way of his Judgments; and it concerns us to be ready to meet Him.

But perhaps this would not be convincing to ſome, except they better underſtood what Alarum was given by God, or what Trumpet of the Lord had been blown amongſt them: They had heard, perhaps they would ſay, No Voice from Heaven; knew not of any Warning God had given them that might be compared to a Trumpet ſounding an Alarm.

To inform the Minds of ſuch, and faſten the Conviction, 'tis added, Shall there be Evil in a City, and the LORD hath not done it? Shall there be any Judgments in the City, any Calamities, and the LORD not have a Hand in the ſame? If there be Evils, any ſore Afflictions, or any terrible Providences, are not theſe the Doings of the LORD? By theſe God utters his Voice, warns and threatens you.

From which Words thus opened, we may gather theſe Things as plainly implied and inſinuated in them, viz.

I. That GOD hath an holy Hand in all the Judgments, brought upon us or our Friends: Shall there be Evil in a City, and the LORD hath not done it? II. That one End of GOD's Judgments, is, to be the Warning of a People: They are compared to a Trumpet ſounded for an Alarum. III. That it is the Duty of All, when GOD warns them in the Way of his Providence, to take the Warning, hear the Voice, fear the Danger, and endeavour to Eſcape it: The Simile made uſe of and improved upon this Occaſion, plainly teacheth us, that as a People, who hear the Trumpet ſounding an Alarm, fearing the Danger betake themſelves to their Arms or Forts ſo ſhould a People take Warning by the Trumpet of the LORD; be afraid of approaching Danger, and prepare to meet Him.

Theſe Things, we purpoſe at this Time, to conſider, as ſo many Doctrinal Propoſitions.

I. GOD hath an holy Hand in all the Judgments, brought upon us or our Friends. Nothing is more Evident, than that the ſame Almighty Being, who at firſt commanded the univerſal World to exiſt, exerciſeth a Providence over the World he hath made This may be proved from the Perfections of the Deity, from the neceſſary Dependence of the Creature upon the Creator, from the continued Harmony and Order in the Viſible World, and from Tokens of the Preſence & over-ruling Power of GOD in Providences that happen:

But at this Time, it is not our Deſign to offer Proofs for a Divine Providence; but to conſider the Extenſiveneſs of GOD's Providence.

Many allow that GOD exerciſeth a Providence in the World, who yet have but ſtingy Tho'ts of his Providence: They allow, that he beholds the Children of Men from the Habitation of his Throne; takes Notice how Things are managed in the World; doth Good to his Friends; yea, is kind to his Enemies, to the Evil and Vnthankful; ſometimes alſo, he frowns upon the Workers of Iniquity: They look for a Time alſo, when he will gloriouſly reward his Friends with immortal Bleſſings, and ſpurn his Enemies from his Preſence into outer Darkneſs and everlaſting Horrors But yet, there are a Thouſand Things happening in Providence, that they don't conſider the Almighty as having any Thing to do with, only as a Spectator.

But, if we well conſider Things, we ſhall find the Providence of GOD to be more extenſive than ſuch imagine; yea that it extends to all Things, and all the Accidents and Circumſtances attending Them. What we call natural or ſecond Cauſes, are conducted and influenced by GOD's Providence: 'Tis by his Providence, that the regular Returns of Day and Night, and the Succeſſions of Summer and Winter are made. 'Tis by his Providence, that the Sun ſhines upon the Good and Bad, Mat. v. 45. 'Tis by his Providence, that the Heavens are covered with Clouds, and the Rain prepared for the Earth, Pſal exlvii &. And even thoſe Events, that to us may ſeem caſual and fortuitous, are ordered and over-ruled by his Providence; So we are informed, Prov. xvi. 33 The Lot is caſt into the lap; but the whole Dispoſing thereof is of the Lord. And altho' it be true, that there are ſome Events, which happen by the Deſign of rational created Agents, yet theſe alſo are over-ruled by Divine Providence: If any ſuch Agents do us Good, we ſhould conſider them as Inſtruments, which God improves; and if we ſuffer Evil from them, they are the Rods, wherewith the Almighty pleaſeth to correct us. Thus the Aſſyrian, that had it in his Heart to deſtroy, and grievouſly wounded Iſrael is called the Rod of God's Anger; and the Staff in their Hand is ſaid to be his Indignation, Iſa. x 5 The deſtroying Aſſyrian is again compared, to the Ax in the Hand of him that hewith therewith, and to a Saw ſhaken or liſted up by him, that maketh uſe of the ſame, ver. 15. Again, he is compared to a Razor that is hired, in the Hand of him that ſhaveth, Iſa. vii. 20.

Upon the Whole then, let us meet with what Things ſoever in the World, and from what Cauſe ſoever, the Hand of GOD is to be acknowleged in the ſame; whither good or evil Things b • f • l us, GOD's Providence is ſtill concerned in the ſame: I form the Light, ſaith the LORD, and create Darkneſs: I make Peace, and create Evil: I the LORD do all theſe Things, Iſa, xlv 7.

Not only then, are we to acknowlege the Hand of God in all our Bleſſings but, if there be any Evil in the City, we are to acknowlege, GOD hath done it; if there be any ſore Affliction, heavy Calamity, any Sickneſs or Death amongſt us, there is the Hand of the Lord in the ſame. So doubtleſs, Eliphaz underſtood the Matter, when he ſaith, Job v. 6. Affliction cometh not forth of the Duſt; neither doth Trouble Bring out of the Ground: And therefore, as for himſelf, he ſays, if at any Time he ſhould be brought into Affliction, he would ſeek unto GOD and unto GOD he would commit his Cauſe, ver 8.

But we proceed to conſider,

II. That One End of GOD's Judgments, is, to be the Warning of a People.

The Judgments of GOD may be conſidered as his awakening Voice to a ſtupid World: They are Signs or Effects and Fruits of his Anger againſt Sin; Tokens from GOD that Sin ſhall not go unpuniſhed.

The Apoſtle makes the Judgments of GOD brought upon any, even in diſtant Ages, that come to our Ears, to be our Examples, and deſi • ned for our Admonition, 1 Cor. x. 6, 7, &c. So the Apoſtle Jude makes the Fall and Miſery of the Angels to be Warnings to us, Jude, 5, 6, And tells us, That Sodom and Gomor • ha, and the Cities about them, are ſet forth for an Example, ſuffering the Vengeance of eternal Fire, ver. 7. So the Apoſtle Peter repreſents the Bringing in the Flood of old upon the World, to be a Warning to all that hear of the ſame, 2 Pet. ii. 5, 6.

And, if the Judgments of GOD, that we hear of in ſuch diſtant Ages, have ſuch a ſpeaking Voice, how much more the Judgments of GOD that are juſt at Hand, and fall within our Sight? Moſes ſeem'd to think, that the Judgments of GOD, that fall out within the Sight and Knowlege of Any, have a clearer Voice than thoſe we hear to have been in diſtant Ages, Deut. ii. 2,—7 Know ye this Day: for I ſpeak not with your Children which have not known and which have not ſeen the Chaſt • ſoment of the LORD your GOD, &c..... But your Eyes have ſeen all the great Acts of the LORD, which he did.

GOD's Judgments then, that overtake us, in our Perſons, Families or Friends, are a loud Warning to us of the Danger of Abiding in Sin, and of the Neceſſity of hiding our ſelves under the Wings of the ALMIGHTY, before the Floods of Divine Indignation come upon us. Thus GOD's Judgments are called his Voice crying unto the City, Mic. vi. 9. Thus the Prophet repreſents the Moſt HIGH, as uttering a mighty Voice, and ſpeaking very loud to Men in the Way of his Judgments; Jer. xxv. 29, 30, 31. Lo, I begin to bring Evil on the City which is called by my Name, and ſhould ye be utterly unpuniſhed? Ye ſhall not be unpuniſhed, &c. Therefore propheſie, and ſay unto them, The LORD ſhall rore from on High, and utter his Voice from his holy Habitation, &c.

We come now to conſider,

III. That it is the Duty of All, when GOD warns them in the Way of his Providence, to take the Warning, hear the Voice, fear the Danger, and endeavour to eſcape it.

When GOD's Judgments are in the Earth, the Inhabitants of the World ſhould ſee, and learn Righteouſneſ, Iſa. xxvi. 9, 10, 11. When the LORD's Voice cryeth to the City, the Man of Wiſdom will hear, Mic. vi 9. If GOD ſends his Judgments, for this End, Namely, to be a Warning to a careleſs World, it is evident, that Sin will lie at the Door of thoſe, that receive not Warning: For we then only comply with the Deſign of God in his Judgments, when we conſider his Hand, hearken to his Voice, and do our beſt to be ready to meet him, that we may eſcape the ſeverer Judgments of Heaven, and be hid in the Day of the LORD's Anger.

Indeed, this Propoſition is ſo evident from what has been offered under the fore-going and from the End and Deſign of GOD's Judgments, that I need not detain you to offer any Thing more in Confirmation of it: For ſhall GOD himſelf give us Warning, and we not think outſelves obliged to receive it? Shall GOD himſelf blow his Trumpet and we not be afraid When the Almighty gives Notice, that he reſerveth Wrath for his Enemies, and the Day of the Lord haſteth, ſhall we not think it reaſonable, that moved with Fear, if it b • poſſible, we prepart an Ark, and ſecure out ſelves under the Cover of the ALMIGHTY's Wings?

What is yet before us, is the Application of theſe Truths, which we have been conſidering.

USE, I. Of INFORMATION.

1. Is it as we have beard; that GOD hath an holy Hand in all the Judgments, brought upon us, or our Friends? Are all the Sorrows and Evils in the World directed and over-ruled by him? Then we may infer, that thoſe who have GOD engaged for Them, and are ſecure of his Favour, are ſafe in the ſaddest Times; and therefore we may with Hope and Security, commend our ſelves and Circumſtances to GOD in W • ll doing in the moſt difficult Times. The Face of Providence is ſome Times overſpread with Clouds and Darkneſs; the Eyes of Many mourn by reaſon of Affliction: Terrors and peſtilential Arrows flie by Night, and Deſtruction wasteth at No • nDay. There ſeemeth to be Diſtreſs on every Hand; there is Deſolation within doors, and Fear without; Abroad one Calamity prevails, and another as dreadful at Home.

But in ſuch dark Times, there is this for the People of GOD to live upon, and comfort their weeping Hearts in the Conſideration of, even, that the LORD reigneth, who rideth upon the Heaven in the Help of his People, and in his Excellency on the Sky. He over-rules all, Juſtice and Judgment are the Habitation of whoſe Throne; who is good, a ſtrong Hold in the Day of Trouble, and who knoweth them that truſt in Him.

We may therefore in all ſuch ſad and doleful Days, when were it not for this, it would not be ſtrange, if our Hearts ſhould ſink and fail, I ſay, in ſuch ſad Times we may put our Truſt in GOD; make the Moſt HIGH our Refuge, and unto his Wings betake our ſelves for Shel • er: And we may be confident, that Nothing ſhall hurt us without his Leave; none of the deſtroying Arrows that flie about, ſhall light upon us wihout his Permiſſion. So that, it we can but be ſure of an Intereſt in his Favour, we need not fear, though an Hoſt ſhould ene • mp againſt us, Pſal. xxvii. 3. Nor, though the Earth be removed, and though the Mountains be carried into the Midſt of the Sea. Tho the Waters thereof rore, and be troubled, tho' the Mountains ſhake with the Swelling thereof, Pſal xlvi. 2, 3. We need not be afraid of the Snare of the Fowler, nor the noiſom Pestilence. We need not be afraid for the Terror by Night: not for the Arrow that Flie • h by Day: nor for the Peſtilence that walketh in Darkneſs: nor for the Deſtruction that waſteth at Noon-Day. We need not be afraid of any Evil that ſhall befal us, nor of any Plague that can come nigh our Dwelling, Pſal. xci per totum. Yea, though we walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, we need not fear any Evil, Pſal. xxiii 4 For, GOD will cover us with his Feathers; and his Truth ſhall be our Shield and Buckler. With Life will he ſatisfy us, and ſhew us his Salvation, Pſal. xci. 4. & 16.

2 Is it as we have heard, that one End of GOD's Judgments is, to be the Warning of a People? If then there be Judgments amongst us, or round about us, we learn what Interpretation to make of the ſame. By Them GOD gives us Notice, What he will do unto us if we are found in the Ways of Sin, and return not to him: And becauſe he will do this unto us, hereby deſigns to excite us to prepare to meet our GOD; to ſeek Righteouſneſs and Meekneſs, before the Decree brong Forth, before the fierce Anger of the LORD come upon us.

GOD being infinitely good, and delighting in Mercy, moſt frequently ſends his awakening Judgments, before he proceeds to the Utmoſt agaiſt Men; He warns them, and gives them a Space for Repentance. He ſomtimes viſits with awful and diſtreſſing Sickneſs; ſo • s the deſtroying Angel, and takes away ſome as a Warning to the Reſt. And, if ſome of the Beſt are taken away, the Warning is not leſs; only there is more of GODs Love to Souls diſcovered, whiles thoſe that are ready, are taken away to Peace and the Enjoyment of Heavenly Love, and Others are warned to be ready.

If then any awful Sickneſs, any ſore Judgement is ſent amongſt us, we may reaſonably conclude that GOD is giving of us Warning to prepare for all Evens and be ready to meet Him, in what Way ſoever he ſhall be pleaſed to come unto us.

And particulary, We may ſo interpret the Diſp •• ſation of Providence, whereby an awful Diſtemper hath been ſent into a Family in this Place; and One of your Contemporaries by ſudden Strike hath been removed. GOD hereby calls upon us to be alſo ready; that we bethink our ſelves, and put our ſelves into a ready Poſture to ſtand before Him.

And it may be juſtly conſidered, as being more eſpecially, a Warning to You that are in your Youth. To You, the LORD's Voice cries, Be ye alſo ready; make Haſte, and get all Things in Readineſs for a ſolemn Meeting with GOD: Your againſt the Young People eſpecially, hath the affrighting and deſolating Diſtemper been commiſſioned.

We of this Place, may ſtill have in Remembrance our Affliction and our Miſery, the Wormwood and the Gall, when ſome Years ago, we felt ſome Strokes of the Diſtemper, and ſundry of your Comtemporaries were removed: And yet, the heavy Stroke on us, was light, compared with what many other Places felf. Ah! What Deſolations is hath made in ſome Places! How terrible hath GOD been in has •• oings! Numerous Families have been empried! A great Number of the Children are cut off from without, and the Young Men from he Streets. Many once happy Parents, whoſe Hearts have rejoiced in the Bleſſings of Children, are bemoaning themſelves as Jer x. 19, 20 Wo is me for my Hurt, my Wound is grievous: My Tabernacle is ſpoiled, and all my Cords are broken: my Children — are not. Where but a little While ago, Abundance of youthful Songs of Mirth might be heard, now, mournful Litties, elegi • ck Songs and Lamentations are chiefly in Uſe. And ah! how Few are left to join the mournful Song! Here and there, a Youth eſcaped, a Monument of ſparing Mercy! wondring that he was not conſumed with the ſweeping Contagion!

And is the fatal Diſtemper ſent amongſt us again? How loud is the Voice to prepare to meet a Holy GOD, who threatens us of coming forth in his Indignation? For if is prevails, and we prevent it not by earneſt Prayer, Humiliation and Amendment, how many of this pleaſant Company will • k • ly, in a little While, be in the immoveable Stare? It affects my Heart, to behold ſuch a Number of Youth tope her, and think of the ſweeping Diſtemper's Coming amongſt them! — To think what Deſolations, if GOD ſhould give Per •• s;ion, it would make! O may a merciful GOD prevent ſo ſad a Calamity; and ſpare us, and by gentler Methods of Grace bring us to Amendment!

3. Is it as we have heard? Then hence, All ſhould be carefully conſidering God's Works, taking Notice of the Operation of his Hands: They ſhould obſerve the Judgments and Doings of the LORD, and behold his Works. Sometimes, God ſpeaks once, yea twice, and Men perceive it not; He ſpeaks by his Word and in his Providence, and is not heard Men's Eves are blinded, and they ſee not; their Ears are dull of Hearing, nor do they give Attention to the Voice of GOD. Yea, 'tis to be feared, that many hear not his Voice, 'till the Decree bring forth, 'till the Day paſs as the Chaff, and the fierce Anger of the LORD come upon them; 'till their Fear cometh as Deſolation, and their deſtruction as a Whirlwind. Ah! Miſerable Souls! Unhappy Men! They perceive not GOD ſpeaking to them, till it be too late to cry for Mercy! or, to hope to avoid the Floods of divine Indignation! Poor Creatures! How they feel, when Death has Snatch'd them away, and all their Opportunities of Grace are over!

Don't it make all our Hearts to ſigh — to think of that ſad Eternity before them! Oh! how much more comfortable, will a due Confideration and improvement of GOD's Judgments make us at laſt; when the good deſign of a merciful GOD ſhall be happily ob • ained, by awakening us to Repentance, and driving as to the Feathers of the ALMIGHTY's Wings for Protection?

But how can we hope, that the inſtructive Voice of divine Providence in thoſe terrible Things done in Righteouſneſs, ſhould have this happy Effect upon us it we take no Notice of the Works and Doings of the LORD? If we will not yield Attertion, what Means of Inſtruction are likely to availd? We know the unobſerving Learner never makes Proficiency, but leſes many Means of Inſtruction: And ſo whiles we obſerve not the Providence of GOD, we ſhall likely loſe the Benefit, we might otherwiſe have, from many inſtructive diſpenſations of Providence: GOD may ſpeak often, and we perceive it not: and ſo the gracious End of divine Warnings may be fruſtrated.

4. If is be as hath been ſhewed, Then we may infer, that great th • 'tfulneſs and Serto • ſneſs becometh us, when GOD's Judgments are amongst us. Shall a Trumpet be blown, an Alarum given, and the People not be afraid? Shall Warning be given us to prepare to meet our GOD, and we remain as ſenſeleſs, tho'tleſs, inconſiderate as ever? — How unſuitable would this be? And ſhall the ALMIGHTY himſelf awfully ſpeak, and utter his Voice in the Way of his Providence, and we yet indulge our ſelves in Levity and Mirth, and let our Heart cheer us, as tho' we had no Warning to look out for an Evil Day, and were nothing concerted in the Afflictions of our Friends, and Judgements of GOD? Can we but abhor ſuch a ſpirit? Methinks, Nothing ſeems more indece • t, than a jolly carele • ſe, merry Homour indulged, when GOD in the way of his Judgments, is calling al • ud to prepare for a ſolemn Meeting with his Dreadful Majeſty. GOD's Judgements are ſerious; and 'tis a ſerious Thing to meet him when he comes forth in the ſame.

And I can't but be pleaſed (and I hope it is and ken for Good) that the Young People of any Charge are inclined to be ſerious, and to conſider the Voice of GOD in the Alarum, •• a ſeemed to be given Them. O that your Coodn • ſs may not prove as the Morning Cloud, and as the Early Dew go away.

USE, II. Of A WAKENING

Unto ſuch, who tho' Unready to meed GOD in the Way of his Judgments, yet live at Eaſe, and are ſeemingh Securs.

Is it as we have beard, that GOD's Judgments are for the Warning of People to prepare to meet GOD? Then ſeeing Judgements from GOD have been ſent among us, Awake, ye careleſs Souls, who lie open to the Judgments of GOD, and have nothing to defend you from the Arrows of his Vengeance, Shall a Trumpet be blown, and the people not be afraid? Shall the Omnipotent JEHOVAH utter his Voice, and his Creatures not tremble? Shall GOD by awful Judgemnts, warn us to be ready to meet him, and we not fear? And may we not to apply this, ſay, as in Context, ver. 8 The Lion hath rored, who will not fear? The LORD GOD hath ſpoken, who can but propheſie? Hath not the Lord warned the Youth of this Place; called to them to ſecure an Intereſt in his Favour, before the Flood of his Indignation overtake them? Hath he not uttered a loud Voice in this Part of his Zion, and called tho riſing Generation to attend, and be ready for Sickneſs, Death, Judgment and Eternity? I hope, we have not as yet forgotten the Sound. Methinks, the Voice plainly cries, All Fleph is Graſs, and all the Goodlineſs thereof is as the Flower of the Field. The Graſs withereth, the Flower fadeth; becauſe the Spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it. Methinks, it eſpecially cryeth to us that are Young, Be ready to be next, be read quickly to depart.

And, alas! What ſhall the Unprepared Soul do, if it be quickly called away? If the fatal diſtemper ſeiſes, diſpatches and maker ſhort Work? Ah! my dear Friends, how ſhad, how dreadful it would be? How reluctant muſt that poor, unhappy Soul depart! And what becomes of that ſad Soul in the eternal State! How fearful a Thing will it be, to go into his Hands with an unſanctified Heart, and unprepared Spirit? Als! what can ſuch expect, but to be ſpurned from GOD's Preſence, caſt out of his Favour, and hurled down to Hell in his Wrath? What can they expect but everlaſting deſtruction and the Horrors and deaths, the Enemies of GOD are deſtin'd to? And, Oh! wh •• knows the Power of GOD's Anger, or can conceive the inexpreſſible dreadfulneſs o • being purſued with his Indignation? H •• Power is infinite, and as his Power, ſo is his Wrath; how miſerable then, is that Soul tha • muſt always endure the ſame? Would it not be dreadful, if it ſhould be one of us? Could our poor Hearts endure, or Arms be ſtrong? If either of us ſhould this day, or the MOrrow, or the day following that, or at any Time be ſeiſed with the devouring Diſtemper, haſtened away befor our Judge, doom'd a • his implacable Enemies, be bound in Fetter of Wrath and Chains of deſpair, would it not be unſpeakably ſad, beyond all the Notions of Horror, that we can now entertain in our Minds? Don't our very Souls tremble, and our Hearts almoſt move out of their Places at the Thought of this? Are we not afraid then, to remain in ſuch a Condition, as that we cannot ſtand in the Judgment, nor ſafely meet the LORD, if he comes forth to puniſh the Inhabitants of our Land?

Awake then, awake; Ye ſtupid and careleſs Souls, who are now void of Grace, and have no Intereſt in the Favour of GOD; and ſo are unready for an evil day. Awake ſpeedily, leſt are you are aware you be called away. The Warning hath been given; Add not Incorrigiblneſs to your other Sins; for thereby your danger will be but the greater.

Nor is there any Safety or Reaſon in referring the Warning and danger to Another, as tho' God means only to warn Others, and They were likelier to be taken away than You. — O remember that for any Thing you know, You may be the next, that ſhall be Sun mon'd away. — That very Perſon, that hopes, and flatters himſelf, that wherever dies, he ſhall not, may perhaps be the next. — And what do you mean to do, if it ſhould be ſo? Are you willing to run ſuch a Hazard of being loſt for ever, and having an Eternity to ſpend in extreme Anguiſh and Woe? Are you willing to run the Venture of meeting GOD clea • hed in Vengeance, and your deſtitute of every Thing to ſhelter you from his Wrath? Oh! do you remember, that the day of the LORD, when it comes, to ſuch 〈◊〉 d •• kneſs, and not Light; even very dark, and no Brightneſs in it? Do you conſider, how dreadful it will he, when the incenſed Juſtice of the Powerful GOD ſhall make an utter Fine and Aſſtiction ſhall not riſe up the ſecond Time Have you thought how dreadful is the Preſence of an angry GOD, how the very Mountains tramble at his Preſence, and the Pillars of Heaven ſhake at his Rebuke; how much like Fire his Fury is poured our.— And are You willing to meet ſuch a GOD in the Fierceneſs of his Wrath? Oh! for you Soul's ſake conſider; awake from carnal Security, leſt terrible Storms of Vengeance awake you, when it will be too late to find any Advantage therein.

USE, III Of EXHORTATION

Vnto all, to take Notice of the Judgments of GOD, conſider his Ways, hearken to his Providential Warnings, and prepare to meet GOD.

GOD hath warned us: His voice ſeems 〈◊〉 an o • us, to ſeek the Lord and his Favous and be ready to meet him, before Wailing ſhall be in all Streets, and Men in all Houſes and High-ways are ſaying, Alas, alas. GOD calls us to be afraid of a day of Trouble coming on; to be afraid, leſt, if we preſently turn not unto the LORD, we be emptied and utterly ſpoiled; our Joy be darkned, and our Gates be ſmitten with deſtruction.

The Voice has cried the trumpet hath ſounded; Let us take the alarum, haſten our Eſcape, flie to the Mountain. Oh! who knows how ſoon a fatal day may come on, and a great part of You, who hope to Eſcape, be taken. Make Haſte then, and be ready for all Events; flie to Chriſt the Saviour, delay not, look not back.

To inforce his Exhortation, conſider,

1. That the Voice cries for early Repensance, and ſpeedy Preparation to meet GOD. Sometimes, when GOD has been warning a People, they are ready to ſay, The Viſon is for many days to come: Where is the Word of the LORD? ſay they, Let it come now, jer. xvii. 15. They ſay, Let him make ſpeed, and haſten his Work, that we may ſee it: and let the Counſel of the Holy One of Iſrael draw night, that we may know it, Iſa. v. 19.

But, Methinks, the Voice of GOD now, earneſlly urgeth ſpeedy Repentance; that we be proſently ready for the woful Day. It not only • ries, that all Fleſh is Graſs, and the Goodlineſs thereof as the Flower of the Field; but, that the Lord of the ſame is preparing and whetting his Scythe to cut it down. Methinks, it calls, to be teaching our Young Men Wailing, and the Daughters of God's People Lamentation, becauſe the Peſtilence is come amongſt us.

Fly then, Ye Youths, unto the Wings of the almighty, before the Evil befal you: 'Tis dangerous delaying for a day: There is no ſtaying ſate in all the Palin. The beſt, if not the noly Opportunity for this, in a little Time may be over. Death may be doing its Work, And, Oh! what an unhappy Time will that be for the Work of Repentance! When the Soul, if ſenſible of its Condition, will be full of Anguiſh a • d Conſternation, and almoſt die within him! When diſtracting Fears will likely fill the Soul, and diſable from Conſideration! In what diſorder will the diſtracted Soul likely be! How unfitted for a due Preparation to come before GOD!

Beſides, the Pains and Languiſhings of the Body render it an unhappy Time for ſo great a Work. Men generally find it enough then, to bear the Pains of the Body, and grapple under the Load of their Diſeaſe: Their girding Pains ſo poſſeſs the Mind, or fainting Turns interrupt the Thoughts, as to render a fixed Attontion to Soul work an impoſſible Thing; the Groans and Terrors of the ſinking and expiting Nature muſt needs very often, call away the Mind from every Thing elſe. Alas! It this ſhall every be the unhappy Caſe of any One of us, to be brought on a dying Bed, and our Work not done, how better will our Complaint be! and our Stroke heavier than our Groaning! How will the unprepared Soul then wiſh, it had been earlier, and earneſter in ſeeking God, and making it's Peare with Him? It is enough to ſtartle one, only to offer to his Thoughts, the Miſerable Caſe of ſuch.

Theis Hear 〈◊〉 ſink, their Souls tremble; their Looks call for Pity from by-ſtanders, and are affecting enough, to beget bender Motions of Pity, even in cruel hearted Men! Poor Creatures! how earneſtly they look to their unable Friends, to do ſomething for them! and yet know not to which of the Saints to turn for Help! How earneſtly they beg the Phyſicans beſt Endeavours! and with flowing Tears and affecting Motions, beg the Miniſter to look to Heaven with earneſt crier, —and uſe all his Intereſt there, that they may be ſpated! And when they endeavour to improve a remaining Moment, in doing ſomthing for their Souls, the diſtreſſed Body diverts the Tho'ts and forces away the Mind.

Moreover, the overwhelming Fear, that will likely attend Perſons at ſuch a Time, may deprive them of that Prudence, that at other Times they amy have; and lead them to take unlikely Courſes to ſave their Souls.

At ſuch a ſad Time, poor Creatures, frightned and amazed, full of Perplexity, and their whole Souls in a Tumult, oftentimes lay Hold of what will never ſave; as a drowing Perſon will lay Hold of any Thing for Satety, tho' i • be at the Bottom, and a ſure way to make him Ruin certain.

'Tis not to be doubted, but Many in their dying Anguiſh flie to Courſes, that will prow altogether fruitleſs, nor help their Souls at all They lean upon that which will ſink undo their Weight: They turn to the Saints, and hope for Mercy for their ſakes: They depence on the Prayers of their Friends: They truſt to a dying Prayer for Mercy. They truſt it their forced Sorrow and concern; to their 〈◊〉 forced Deſires of Religion, and their lov • Eſteem of the World, becauſe they can 〈◊〉 longer enjoy it. They comfort themſelves is the Me •• ies of GOD, when their Hearts a •• as dead in Sin as ever.

So that there is the utmoſt Danger, leſt the miſerable Soul, at this unhappy Time lay Hold on ſome fooliſh ground of Hope; miſcarry and periſh for ever. Oh! then, Now wilſt Health laſts, in the Calm of our Loves; even Now, while we have ſo good a Time, let us be prepating to meet GOD.

2. The LORD now waits to be gracious. In Wrath he remembers Mercy. Tho' he hath warned and threatned; and liſted up his Hand, yet he ſeems to ſlop, and give us an Opportunity for Repentance; he hearkens and hears, if ſo be we will ſpeak aright; repent us of our Wickedneſs, and ſay, What have we done, ad Jer. viii. 6.

As he hath warned us, ſo he invites us to ſeek the LORD, before the Decree bring forth — before the fierce arger of the LORD come upon us, as Zeph. ii. 2, 3. He le • s us Know, that he is not inexorable; that he retaineth not his Anger for ever, but delighteth in Mercy; is willing to turn again, and be reconciled to us, it we will turn to him, Mic. vii. 18, 19. A Scepter of Mercy is yet held forth, a Door of Mercy open: Oh! let us come in while we may • owrd • Let us take with us Words, and turn to the LORD, and ſincerely ſay unto Him, Take away all Iniquity, and receive us grariouſly; ſo ſhall we live in his ſight, Hoſ. xiv. 2, & Chap. vi. 2.

It would be ſad, it after God had warned us of our Expoſeneſs to his Judgments, and in his abundant Goodneſs allowed us an Opportunity to hide our ſelves from the approaching Evil, we yet ſhoud make light of his Warnings, deſpiſe his Goodneſs, abide in our Sins, and be overtaken with the heavy Storms of Wrath, we had Notice were a gathering.

3. Why ſhould we delay? 'Twill never be a better Time for Repentance and Making our Peace with GOD than now. We muſt turn to the LORD by true repentance, or Iniquity will be our Ruine. Repentance is a Work that muſt be done, or we are undone for ever: Our Sins or our Souls muſt die. We cannot always abide in our Sins, eſtranged and alienated from GOD, at any cheaper Rate than the Blood of our precious, immortal Souls. Chriſt hath once, and again aſſured us, that except we repent, we ſhall all likewiſe periſh. As ſure then, as we are now here, we ſhall periſh, if we be not converted: If we remain unſanctified, we ſhall be caſt off with the unholy, that ſhall never enter into the Kingdon of GOD: So that, it concerns us, to repent and be converted unto GOD, as much as our Souls are Worth.

And what muſt be done, why ſhall we not endeavour to do it now? Eſpecially, conſidering, that we ſahll never have a better Time? For, ſuppoſing GOD in Mercy prevent the prevailing of Sickoneſs and Mortality amongſt us, and our Space in the Word be lengthen'd out, Yet it will never be a better Time, for Repentance amd Seeking a Reconciliation with GOD than now: Yea, never will there be again, ſo good a Time for this Work as now.

Young People are ſtrangely apt to imagine a more convenisent Seaſon before them; but 'tis a Deluſion, and ungrounded Imagination. The Time of Youth is really the beſt Time for this Work.

GOD directs his Offers of Mercy particularly to Young Perſons: He calls to them in a partcular Manner to come and partake of his Love; Paſal. xxxiv. 11. Come, ye Children, hearken unto me, &c. See alſo Eccl.xii. 1. Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth, &c.

There is a ſpecial encouragement given to Yourth, that, if they apply themſelves to ſeek the LORD, they ſhall ſpeed; Prov. viii. 17,— Thoſe that ſeek me early ſhall find me.

Moreover, GOD hath manifeſted how pleaſed he is, when Perſons in Earneſt ſeek him in their Youth. Remember the Inſtances of Samuel and Joſiah, who ſought the LORD when they were Young; what gracious Reſpects GOD ſhewed to them? He bleſſed them and make them b • eſſings in the World.

Beſides, there is not ſo much contracted Obſtinacy in the Hearts of Youth, as in thoſe of more advanced Years. Not but that they have natural Corruption and Principles of Sin in them, as well as Others; and Hearts ſo hard, as to need an Omnipotent Power to ſoften the ſame. But yet there is an incereaſing Obſtinacy in the Hearts of Men; and Young Perſons have not made ſuch Advances in it, as by longer Continuance in Sin, they will arrive unto. But then by every Day's continuance in Sin, this will increaſe upon Them; the Heart will grow more harden'd againſt the Counſels of Grace, more ſet againſt Religion and averſe to a Compliance with the Term of Peace; Repentance will become more difficult and Hazardous: Jer xiii 23. Can the Ethiopian change his Skin, or the Leopard his Spots? then may ye alſo do Good, that are accuſtomed to do Evil.

Again, the Encumbrances of Life increaſe upon Perſons, as they increaſe in Years. You will likely have more worldly Cares and Concerns, to call off your Minds from the Care of your Souls afterwards, if your Day in the World be leng • h'ned out, than you have now. The Time of Youth is the freeſt from worldly Cares and Troubles of any: And therefore the wiſe Man calls upon Youth, to remember their Creator in the Days of their Youth, while the evil Days come not, Eccl. xii. I.

Nor may we expect to be freer from Temptation to delay, and put off this Work of Repentance, hereafter than now. There will be as many Temptations hereafter, ſtill to put off, without any doubt, as now. Delaying will not make it better, but worſes upon this Account. Say, have not ſome of you had Tho'ts of ſetting about the Work of Repentance Years ago; but thro' one Temptation or another, have neglected it till now? And is it any better upon that Account now, than before? Are there not as ſtrong Temptations to defer as ever? And ſo you may expect there will be, if you delay longer. Delay no longer then, but ſeek the LORD while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near. Improve a good Time, while you have it.

4 If you will not hearken to the Counſels of GOD, nor take Warning by his Judgmens, who know but GOD will ſay in righteous Judgment, Why ſhould ye be ſtricken any more, an leave you in the Congregation of dead Souls? It would be but a righteous Retribution, if we reſolve to delay the Work of Repentance any longer, and harden our Hearts againſt the Warnings of God, If GOD ſhould leave us to a bard and impenitent Heart, to treaſure up unto our ſelves Wrath againſt the Day of Wrath, and Revelation of the righteous Judgment of GOD.

And how ſad a Judgment would this be? Then we might hear indeed, and underſtand not, ſee but perceive not: Then, if we remain'd longer in the World, we ſhould be but like the barren Fig-tree, upon which no Fruit grew: Or like the dejected Earth, which beareth Thorns and Briars; whoſe End is to be burned.

Some have thus been left of God. — So when GOD had Counſelled and warned Iſrael, and it proved to no Purpoſe; he righteouſly gave them up to their own Hearts Luſts, and ſaid, Why ſhould ye be ſtricken any more? Ye will revolt more and more, Iſa. i. 5. And ſo ſomtimes, he lets Perſons alone to go on in their own Ways; takes away his holy Spirit, and ſtrives no more with them.

And it hath been ſomtimes obſerved, that when GOD begins early to warn Perſons, and to ſtrive with them by his Spirit, if his Warnings be ſlighted, and the Strivings of his Spirit reſiſted, GOD early leaves them, and takes away his holy Spirit from them.

Thus Many, who have had awakening Means, and the Strivings of GOD's Spirit in their Youth, have been left when they advance in Years, and ſuffered to walk in their own Counſels all their days. O then whil'ſt GOD warns, whil'ſt his Spirit ſtrives, whil'ſt we have a • pecial Seaſon of Grace, let us hear his Voice.

5 If hereafter GOD ſhoud give you ſaving Repentance, the Delaying of it will be Matter of bitter Sorrow to Tou then If there be ſome Inſtances of ſuch as have long delayed Repentance and found Mercy with the LORD at laſt, Yet they mourn at the Laſt, and bitterly bewail their former Times: They find, that they have been wornging their own Soule; and with Tears lament it before the LORD. It fills their Hearts with Sorrow, that they have loſt ſuch precious Opportunities; miſerably waſted away their Days, and miſpent a Seaſon of Grace: It afflicts their very Souls, to remember how much they have diſhonoured GOD, and liv'd in Vain; or what is worſe, to the evil Purpoſes of Sin, big with Miſery and Death. Now, the Sins of their Youth cauſe their Hearts to ake, and ſill their Bones with Sorrow.

So that, if we find Mercy at laſt, it will coſt us Abundance of Sorrow, if we delay the neceſſary Work of Repentance.

And that a Pity it is, to lay in for after Repentance and Sorrows? We have Sin enough already, to cauſe Abund • 〈◊〉 of Sorrow, and make the very inmoſt Parts of our Hearts to ake when we ſhall be brought to a Senſe of the ſame. What a Pity it is, that we ſhould lay in any more fore repenting Tears and Hear depreſſing Sorrow?

In a Word, what a Pity it is, that we ſhould indulge our Sel es any longer in That, of which, we many be fore, there will be no good Fruit, and of which, there is danger, the End will prove the Death of our Souls and of which, ſuppoſe the B • ſt, and we obtain Forgiveneſs from GOD, we ſhall be aſhamed; mourn and be in Bitterneſs for; and our Souls be humbled within us.

6. If you remain unconverted and impenitent, you will be all your Life-Time thro' Fear of Death ſubject unto Bondage. Your Hearts will reproach and condemn you; an unpeaceful Witneſs reſide in your Bre • ſts: Which if it be ſtifled will ſome Time or orther awake, and give in Teſtimony for GOD againſt you.

There is a Principle of ſpiritual Horror in unco • ver • ed Souls, if they ſeem at any Time to be at Eaſe, and to live in Security. Conſcience may ſleep a little While, but Terrors ſtand ready to ſeiſe the Soul, as ſoon as it wakes

And in General, impenitent Souls are ſain to take Pains to lull their Conſciences aſleep which will be often reminding them of a day of Reckoning: So that there is no Quiet in their Minds; but their Conſciences cry out againſt them, or they are doing Violence to themſelves, to ſuppreſs their uneaſie and accuſing Thoughts.

And for the moſt Part, after all their induſtrious and painful Labours, to drown the Noiſe and Clamour, their Conſciences raiſe within them, They have many Terrors in the Night, and tedious Reflections by Day.

When ever God brings his Judgments upon them, and it looks as if God was coming forth in Earneſt to purniſh the Inhabitants of the Earth, (except ſome few harden'd Wretches, whom God hath given over to a reprobate Mind; who are become paſt Feeling, having their Conſciences ſeared with a red hot Irou) their guilty Breaſts tremble as the Leaves of the Forreſt. If Sickneſs light upon Them, or Death preſent it ſelf before them, They preſently howl upon their Beds; their Hands become faint, and their Hearts fail them for Fear, and for Looking after thoſe Things, which, they apprehend, are coming on them.

7. Nothing is more unkind and unreaſonable, than to reſerve for the Service of God only the worſt Part of our Lives. Thus to requite the LORD argues a vile and wrethched Heart. What? can we think of devoting the beſt of our Time and Strenght to the Service of our own Luſts, to gratify the Fleſh and ſerve the Devil; and of turning off GOD with the Leaving • of ou • Luſts? What! think of devoting •••• rime and Strength to the Service of Sin, and when the evil Days come, in which we cannot find Pleaſure in gratifying our Luſts, devote that Time to God! How vile is the Thought! and worthy of Hell!

Surely, ſuch cannot be thought leſs blame worthy than thoſe, the Prophet complains of. Mal. Chap. i. who offered polluted Bread on Gods Altar; and the Blind, the Lame and the Sick f •• Sacrifice. As that, ſo this is ſuch an Offering as None would make to their Govermour; no • would they expect the Acceptance of it, i • they did.

Methinks our Language doth not furniſh 〈◊〉 with Words emphatical enô to repreſent the Baſeneſs, execrable Ingratitude and horrible Wickedneſs of Purpoſing thus to treat the moſt High and Glorious GOD, to whom 〈◊〉 are indebred for Being and every Mercy, — Or, the indignation and ſacred Rage, with which our Minds ſhould riſe againſt the detetable Thought.

GOD is full of Compaſſion, infinite in Goodneſs and Clemency, as well as in his other Perfections, or we might conclude, the Heavens would never bear ſuch an Indignity as this, at the Hands of impious Mortals. It declares GOD to be unſpeakably good, if the Heavens don't immediately gather Blackneſs; angry Storms ariſe, and devouring Lightning blaſt the impious Wretch, that thus preſumes to treat his GOD

And, it God ſpares a While, the Wretch that lives in Sin, and preſumer that God will accept the Lees of it's Life, may joſtly fear, that er'e while provoked Wrath will break out upon it.

And, if now there be one Soul of us, that entertains the baſe Tho't and Purpoſe of thus requiting GOD, let him ſeriouſly conſider the Curſe denounced againſt the Deceiver, which hath in his Flack a Male, and voweth and ſacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt Thing, Mal. i. 14.

8. Our whole life-Time is not too much to be devoted to the service of GOD.

Why ſhould we not be willing to devote our beſt Time, yea our whole Time to the Service of GOD? We are his, and to him we owe our ſelves; and he may juſtly claim our • eft and conſtant Service; We have been born, and carried by him from the Womb: And even to the old alge of any GOD is he, Iſa, • lvi. 3, 4. 'Tis GOD that upholds and provides for us al our Life-time; and therefore juſtly claims the Whole.

Or, do we think our Life will be too long to be devoted to the Honour of the Infinite GOD? Why; can we ever utter the Memory o • all God's wonderful Works, ſhew forth all hi • Praiſe and declare all his Greatneſs, that we think his Service will be too Little for our whole Lives? Or, can we do too much for Him, who gave us our Beings and ſupports u • every Day: who is the Author of all our Mercies, and Foundation of all our reaſonable Hopes of any future Good? Surely, an Eternity is not too long to ſerve and praiſe ſuch a GOD in.

And can we then think the beſt Life, that ſuch poor imperfect Creatures as we can attain unto, too good an Offering for God? Or, can we think ſo ſmall a Space as that of the Life of Man in this World, too much for the Service of GOD? Surely, if we have any ſuch Thot's, we have no becoming Apprehenſions of the infinite Glories of GOD and our Obligations to Him.

And indeed, had we but any ſuitable Knowlege of GOD and our ſelves, we ſhould ſee, that it muſt be Grace in GOD, that he will accept of our Service, when we have done our Beſt; that ſuch Service as we can yield unto God, tho' it be of our whole Life-time, is but an imperfect offering.

9. Conſider, How ſollicitous and importunate your Friends are for your early Converſion.

O ye Children and Youth, did you know, how much your Souls Salvation lay upon the Hearts of your Parents and Friends; did you know their Concern for you; how they travail in Birth again, until Chriſt be formed in you; how often upon the bended Knees of their Souls, they are Wreſtling with God for you; Methinks you could not, but be concerned for your ſelves.

How much have our Parents undergone, and done for us? And ſhall we not trie to let them have ſome Comfort and Rejoicing in us? Now, Nothing will more rejoice their Hearts, than to ſee us walking in the Truth; remembring our Creator in the Days of our Youth.

O Children, your Parents Hope and their Fear, what a Burthen you will eaſe their Souls of, if you would now turn to the LORD in Truth? If they could ſee you in earneſt ſeeking the Kingdom of Heaven and its Righteouſneſs, their Hearts would rejoice; they will efteem themſelves bleſſed of the LORD: Their Souls will have Comfort, while they hope God means Good to their Houſe for a great While to come.

10. If we early turn to the LORD, and ſincerely devote our ſelves to his Service; there will be ground to hope for the Continuance of GOD's Preſence, when our Fathers are gone, and the riſing Generation comes in their Place.

The Fathers don't live for ever: One Generation paſſeth away, and another Generation cometh.

Now in all Generations, 'tis the Bleſſing of the LORD, and his gracious Preſence, that maketh a happy People.

Our Fathers have been bleſs'd with the Preſence of GOD: He hath dwelt with and among Them: They have ſeen his Power, and rejoiced in his Grace. Ask them, and they will ſpeak highly for GOD, and give in large Teſtimonies for him: They have found him a good GOD: By Him they have been often delivered in Dangers helped in Weakneſs, ſaved in Troubles: GOD has often ſupported them, when they have been ready to faint and to ſink; done for them at ſuch dark Times, when vain was the Help of Man. They have truſted in GOD, and he has delivered them. In a Word, GOD hath been their Patron, their Defence and Glory; and great is his Goodneſs, which he hath wrought for them.

And how much is it to be deſired and wiſhed, that thoſe who are next coming upon the Stage, might alſo be accounted to the LORD for a Generation? That when the Fathers are gathered to their People, and fallen aſleep you may ſtill have GOD among You; a GOD near at Hand to do for You; and to whom you may repair at all Times.

Well, if you, that are in your Youth, may be awakened to Repentance, and be perſwaded in good Earneſt to ſet your ſelves to ſeek and to ſerve GOD; You may hope that your Father's GOD will be your GOD: So David encourages us in that well known Exhortation to his Son, 1 Chron • xxviii. 9. — My Son, know thou the GOD of thy Father, and ſerve him with a perfect Heart, and with a willing Mind: — If thou SEEK Him, he will be FOUND of thee.—

But if our Youth will not regard the Works of the LORD, nor be awakened to Repentance; if they will make light of their Fathers GOD; ſlight his Warnings, and reject his Counſels, what a Generation! and what a ſad Time will it be, when the Fathers are gone! when the Glory ſhall be departed, and GOD have forſaken thoſe that may be left!

We can ſcarce imagine the Wretchedneſs of ſuch a Generation. Forſaken of GOD! 'tis a Kind of Damnation upon Earth! an Emblem of the Puniſhment of the Damned, who are puniſhed with everlaſting Deſtruction from the Preſence of the LORD!

If GOD ſhall withdraw his Holy Spirit and forſake us, we ſhall be left in the Hands and Power of Satan; ſhall be taken captive by him at his Will; and be drawn by him from Sin to Sin, from one degree of Wickedneſs to Another, 'till we have filled up the Meaſure of our Iniquities. The God of this World, the ſpirit that now worketh in the Children of diſobedience, will rule in us & lord it over us, and drive us along the Road of Death & Miſery: So that we ſhall Jay up amazing Treaſures of Wrath againſt the day of Wrath. And in the mean Time we ſhall be wretched, while imployed in the ſordid Service of Satan. Our Reaſon will be in ſlav'd to Paſſion and Luſt: We ſhall eagerly purſue Vanities that will deceive and diſappoint us: Our Minds will he diſorder'd, reſtleſs and unquiet: Evil Paſſions will diſtract our Tho'ts, and prey upon our Hearts like Furies of Hell. And ſuch will be the Pride of our abandon'd Hearts, that a ſpirit of diſcontent will fill our Souls with continual Vexation. A guilty Conſcience alſo may likely often torture us with ſad Reflections. Moreover, beſides theſe inward Miſeries that attend unhappy Souls forſaken of God, captiv'd by Satan and led along the Paths of Sin, we may expect if GOD withdraw his Holy Spirit, and leaves us to the Counſels of our corrupt Hearts, Abundance of outward Evils to attend us is the World. Sin and Wickedneſs will ſo prevail, that Men will likely be Plagues and Curſes to each Other. Violence. Falſehood and Oppreſſion will reign; mutual Confidence & Truſt be baniſhed from among Men; Confuſion and every evil Work prevail. Then, if there ſhall be ſome Few not given up with the Reft to the Power of Satan, they may with good Reaſon turn themſelves to GOD for Help, & complain as the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. xii 1, 2. Help, LORD, for the godly Man ceaſeth; for the Faithful fial from among the Children of Men! They ſpeak Vanity every One with his Neighbour: with flattering Lips, and with a double Heart do they ſpeak. Yea doubtleſs, as the Pſalmiſt, they would mourn in their Complaint, and ſay, O that I had Wings like a Dove! for then would I flie away, and be at Reſt. Lo then would I wander far off: and remain in the Wilderneſs, Pſal. lv. 6, 7.

Now, would it not be ſad, if when our Fathers ſhall have left us, ſuch Times ſhould follow; GOD be withdrawn, Faithfulneſs departed from among Men, Religion and it's bleſſed Fruits retired and gone; and in the Room of theſe, Satan lording, Sin prevailing, Wickedneſs deſtroying, and all Evils abounding?

Let us then by early Repentance and Religion, ſecure an Intereſt in the Favour of our Father's GOD; that ſo we may hope, he will not forſake us, but dwell with us, and carry on his own Work in the Midſt of us, when they are taken away.

If theſe Conſiderations be weighed and laid to Heart by us, I cannot but hope the Exhortation will come with Force upon us, that we early turn to the LORD by true Repentance, and ſeek his Favour by an early Choice of Religion. O that the Spirit of the LORD then, who can effectually open the Heart, and make Way for his Truths to enter into our Souls, would impreſs theſe Conſiderations upon your Minds, and cauſe them to ſink deep into your Hearts; that ſo you may be effectually ſtirred up to ſeek the LORD and his Favour in this Your Day, before the evil Day comes.

Before I conclude this Diſcourſe, let me plead with all the Earneſtneſs I poſſibly can; and Oh! that I could do it in a more moving Way, and in a deeper Senſe of the Worth of your Souls! I ſay, let me plead with you, and intreat of you, conſider what hath been offered, and to ſuffer your ſelves to be prevail'd with by ſuch weighty Motives to receive the Exhortation, take the Warning given, and ſpeedily prepare to meet GOD. My dear Brethren, Children in Charge, for your own Sake, for your Friend's Sake, for your poor Miniſter's Sake be intreated. Why will you not hearken, and conſider? Why will you ſuſſe the God of this World to blind your Eves? Why will you ſo expoſe your precious, immortal Souls, and abide in the Way of GOD's Indignation? Why will you run ſo dreadful a Venture of Meeting the Almigh cloathed with Vengeance, and armed with the Inſtruments of his devouring Wrath? Oh! conſider the awful and amazing Threatnings againſt the Sinner; open your Eyes, behold the preparing Storm of Wrath! ſee the gathering Clouds! and who ſhall be able to abide the Storm, or ſtand before the Indignation? Whoſe Heart can endure, or Hands be ſtrong, when he comes forth in the Fierceneſs of his Anger, the Mountains ſhaking, the Hills moving, the Earth trembling at his Preſence, Yea, the World, and all that dwell therein? I hope, that None of you, the Youth of my Charge & Love, will harden your ſelves againſt the threatned Vengeance, and the Terrors of GOD's Wrath: For, alas! how ſoon, when the threatned Storm ſhall come, will your Countenances change, your Courage fail, and you cry for Mercy, and wiſh you had hearkened and prepared your ſelves to meet the LORD? I hope you may never know by Experience the Dreadfulneſs of being purſued, overtaken & bor'n down by the Vengeance of an angry GOD, as his implacable & obſtinate Enemies muſt. It raiſes Pity, and is affecting only to think of the Dreadfulneſs of the Day of the LORD to ſuch poor Creatures! What will they do! What can they ſay! — How confounded & amazed will they ſtand before their Judge! Oh then, be intreated before the Day come, to reconcile your ſelves to GOD; and make Haſt, leſt it be too late.

Methinks I don't know how to conclude, or leave off Intreating, till I may hope ſome are perſwaded in Earreſt to ſeek the LORD

And yet, there is this melancholy Tho't in Labouring with you, Namely, That if you will not be perſwaded, nor hearken, the Day of the LORD's Wrath will be ſo much the more dreadful to You. The Warning of GOD not conſidered, nor laid to Heart, will make the Day more dreadful; and this Diſcourſe and Exhortation meant in Love to your Souls, will make it worſe: For you will likely hear how you receive this very Exhortation. If you hearken, you will likely, many a Time bleſs GOD for it; and if you refuſe, alas! it will be a Witneſs againſt you: Conſcience will ſay, when your Calamity comes, Ah! You was warned, intreated, and you would not hear; and your Judge will ſay, I have called, and ye refuſed; you ſet at Nought all my Counſel, and would none of my Reproof.

Le • me then, with all the Seriouſneſs and Solemnity I can, Charge you, that you ſo improve this Exhortation, as that in the Day of the LORD, when You and I muſt ſtand before my LORD and Maſter, who hath ſent me unto You, I need not be forced to give in Witneſs againſt You.

Would to GOD, that, when I muſt come before my Maſter at his Judgment-Seat, to give an Account of what I have done, with Reſpect to the Souls committed to my Charge, (tremble my Soul in holy Fear, remembring the Solemn Day) I ſay, would to GOD, that I need not have to bring in Teſtimony againſt them! And particularly, Dear Children of my Care, that I need not have to ſay againſt You, that on this Day! I warned You, intreated and pleaded with You, and you would not hear!

Be intreated then, to take this Warning, and comply with this Exhortation, and turn to the LORD: So ſhall my Soul rejoice, even mine; and You your ſelves will be ſo far from repenting of it, that it will make your Hearts glad for ever.

It ſeems to me, that Nothing would ſeem too much that was in my Power, if I could but gain you for Chriſt: How willingly would I ſpend all my S • rength in Intreating, if that would do? How willingly would I make my Self your Seryant, and intreat upon my Knees, if that would do? But, alas! what can a weak, inſufficient Creature do? Oh that the Allpowerful GOD would undertake, and make you willing, by his powerful Grace!

I want, Methinks to know whither there are None perſwaded, and fain would hope that there are ſome, whoſe Hearts are overcome. And for my Encouragement, there appear ſome Countenances, ſhewing as if they were effected, concerned and intended to hear. But then, I am afraid, leſt in a little Time, they forget themſelves; their Concern vaniſh, and their Goodneſs be at the Morning Cloud, and as the early Dew that paſſeth away; that in a little While they will forgot the Exhortation, ſlight the Warning, and return to carnal Eaſe and their former Careleſsneſs, At this my Heart trembleth, and almoſt moves out of his Place: Even when I remember, I am afraid, and Trembling taketh Hold an my Fleſh! O that it might not be ſo, but that the Impreſſion may abide!

How ever fincerely, my Friends, I diſire and long for your Soul's Salvation; how willingly ſo ever I would do, what I may to promote the ſame, yet I can do no more than I can. The Succeſs of my poor weak Endeavour I muſt leave with GOD, in whoſe Hands are the Hearts of Men.

If GOD graciouſly inclines your Hearts, and you are brought to be willing to receive his Word, GOD ſhall have the Praiſe; the Glory will be His. If you will not hearken, and find not Mercy with GOD, my Soul ſhall weep for you; and by Reaſon of that Relation I ſtand in to You, that Charpe divine Providence has committed to me, and that Love which I think I have to your Souls, I muſt have continual G • ief and Sorrow for You.

But whether you will hear, or whether you w •• •• rbear, I will offer theſe Two Directions to you; with which I purpoſe to conclude.

(1) Endeavour to Know your ſelves It cannot be expected, that any Motives will prevail with us to turn to the LORD, and make it our Concern to ſecure his Favour, if we know not what we are, nor our Relation unto GOD.

Now, 'tis one Part of the Miſery men are naturally fallen into, that they know not themſelves; Know not that Manner of Perſons they are, nor what is their State towards GOD. Deſtruction and Miſery are in their Ways, and they know it no

Hence it is eaſily accounted for, wh • the moſt weighty Arguments, uſed to perſwade them 〈◊〉 reconciled unto GOD, come but with little Force, 〈◊〉 they know not their natural Alienation from 〈◊〉 . From the ſame Reaſon it is, that they are not filled with any great Concern, when the Terrors of the LORD are mentioned, and GOD's Judgments are abroad in the Earth: Not being acquainted with their own Guilt, and the Power of Sin and Death in their Souls, they apprehend not their Danger, and Expoſedneſs unto the ſame. Nor is it much to be wondred at, if Men live in Vain, run into Miſry & Ruin, ſo long as they know not what they are, what they were made or live for, nor what is the State of their Souls. Let every One then, be concerned & take Pains to know himſelf; what he is, what is his laſt End, what is the State of his Soul.

And ſeeing that all Men are fallen into a State 〈◊〉 Death; become depraved and corrupted; Children o •• Wrath, obnoxious to all Miſeries, Temporal, Spirtu •• and Eternal; Let every one endeavour to ſearch o •• the Plague of his own Heart; to become acquainte • with the Corruption of his Natute, and his Expo •• ſedneſs to the Judgments of GOD.

A true Accquaintance with our own natural Poverty Nakedneſs and Miſery, would lead us in Earneſt 〈◊〉 tremble at GOD's Judgments, and enquire, What 〈◊〉 must do to be Saved.

(2) Acquaint your ſelves with Chriſt, the Saviour, th • only Name given under Heaven among Men, whereby 〈◊〉 must be ſaved. Endeavou • to know who Chriſt is, wh •• was his Enſineſs into the World what he has don • and offers to do for Sinners. And, O that you kne • him as he is repreſented in the Goſpel! As our S •• viour ſaid to the Samaritan Woman, if you knew th •• Gift of GOD, you would aſk of him, and he would give you living Water. See Joh. 10. 10.

We muſt not how ever think, that every One that has learned to tell ſemething of the Scripture Account of Chriſt, ſo know him as will infallibly lead him to aſk and receive the Grace of Chriſt. There is a ſort of Knowlege that is fruitleſs and vain; it does not move the Heart, nor influence the Life But the • there is a Knowlege of Chriſt that is ſaving, was ••• the Hea •• and draws the S • ul So to know Chriſt is Life Oh, let us then wait ••• o: the Fatherof of Lights; and beg that he would ſhine in cur Hearts; give unto us to know the Myſtery of the Kingdom of Heaven; make us to know the Voice of Chuſt; give us ſuch a Diſcovery of him, as that we may b •• Inamour'd with his Excellencies; eſteem him as the ch • efeſt among ten Thouſand; yield up our Hearts with Plealure to him; chuſe him for our LORD and Righteouſneſs, loving and reſolving to Worſhip Him.

FINIS.