A care-cloth

I doubt not but that the same faults are found in other Nations, that are in ours, and in places further off from the light, perhaps also grosser faults: but a people so long and happily enjoying the Gospel, and so poorly answering the seed that hath been sown amongst us, I cannot think there is any. What shall we do then? and what will be the issue of our not bringing forth fruit worthy the pains and cost that God hath bestowed upon us? We may flatter our selves, as it is usual for men to do, and promise to our selves as much good, as our hearts can wish: but it is sure, Gods threatenings shall be fulfilled, and public sins shall bring in judgements after them, answerable to themselves in greatness, and in publicness. Mine intention therefore, in setting abroad this Sermon, is, to do the best good that I can to my poor Country, in stirring up those that are not stark dead in sins, to set their endeavours on work, for the preventing of her woes. There is no way left for us to defend our selves against Gods hand, but prayers and tears. Mans wisdom is folly with God: It hurts it self often, in seeking to help it self, and lies snared in its own subtlety, as in a grin. Mans power is weakness with God, and often casts it self down, by seeking to establish it self, falling with its own weight. No, my brethren, no: Not our wisdom, not our power, but our prayers and tears; I say, our prayers and tears; these are the best fences against the calamities, to which our Country stands exposed. These will pacify God, these will make him say, as once he did to the Prophet;¹ It shall not be, saith the Lord. To the end that I might provoke some to ⟨image 107⟩apply themselves to this so needful a service for their Country, I have held up the example of a most worthy man of God, whose example, if we would imitate, no doubt but we should procure as much prosperity to our Nation, as Israel enjoyed in his time. Set about it therefore, O ye Christian souls: You Country hath interest into you: It challengeth at your hands, all the good you can afford it: It justly claimeth the utmost improvement of all your abilities. It stands in danger of Gods hand, by reason of the sins wherewith it is defiled. Not your blood (which would you deny?) but your tears are now called for, to wash away those stains.

I doubt not but that the same faults are found in other Nations, that are in ours, and in places further off from the light, perhaps also grosser faults: but a people so long and happily enioying the Gospell, and so poorely answering the seede that hath been sowne amongst vs, I cannot thinke there is any. What shall we doe then? and what will be the issue of our not bringing forth fruite worthy the paines and cost that God hath bestowed vpon vs? We may flatter our selues, as it is vsuall for men to doe, and promise to our selues as much good, as our hearts can wish: but it is sure, Gods threatnings shall bee fulfilled, and publike sinnes shall bring in iudgements after them, answerable to themselues in greatnesse, and inpublikenesse. Mine intention therefore, in setting abroad this Sermon, is, to doe the best good that I can to my poore Country, in stirring vp those that are not starke dead in sinnes, to set their endeauours on worke, for the preuenting of her woes. There is no way left for vs to defend our selues against Gods hand, but prayers and teares. Mans wisdome is folly with God: It hurts it selfe often, in seeking to helpe it selfe, and lyes snared in its owne subtiltie, as in a grin. Mans power is weakenesse with God, and often casts it selfe downe, by seeking to establish it self, falling with its owne weight. No, my brethren, no: Not our wisdome, not our power, but our prayers and teares; I say, our prayers and teares; these are the best fences against the calamities, to which our Country stands exposed. These will pacifie God, these will make him say, as once he did to the Prophet;