A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse…

When Faux was giving fire to the match, that should have given fire to the Powder, that should have blown up King, Lords, and Commons, at that very nick of time, he that never slumbers nor sleeps, ¹prevented him; and so turned our intended Funeral into a Festival. O Christian! are thy troubles many in number, strange in nature, heavy in measure, much in burden, and long in continuance, yet remember that thy God is near, whose mercies are numerous, whose wisdom is wondrous, and whose power is miraculous. The nearness or remoteness of a Friend is very material and considerable in our troubles, distresses, wants, dangers, &c. I have such a Friend, and he would help me, but he lives so far off: And I have another Friend that has a great love for me, that is able to counsel me, and to speak a word in season to me, and that in my distress would stand close to me, but he is so remote. I have a special Friend, that did he know how things stand with me, would make my burdens his, and my wants his, and my sorrows his; but he is in a far Country, he is at the Indies, and I may be undone before I can hear from him. But it is not thus with you, O Christians! who have a God so nigh unto you, who have the signal presence of God in the midst of you, yea who have a God always standing by you. The Lord stood by me, &c. O my Friends, how can you want comfort, that have the God of all consolation present with you? How can you ²want counsel, that have the wonderful Counsellor so near unto you? How can you want grace, who have the God of all grace standing by you? How can you want Peace, who have always the presence of the Prince of Peace with you? But.

When Faux was giving fire to the match, that should have given fire to the Powder, that should have blown up King, Lords, and Commons, at that very nick of time, he that never slumbers nor sleeps, ¹prevented him; and so turned our intended Funeral into a Festival. O Christian! are thy troubles many in number, strange in nature, heavy in measure, much in burthen, and long in continuance, yet remember that thy God is near, whose mercies are numerous, whose wisdom is wonderous, and whose power is miraculous. The nearness or remoteness of a Friend is very material and considerable in our troubles, distresses, wants, dangers, &c. I have such a Friend, and he would help me, but he lives so far off: And I have another Friend that has a great love for me, that is able to counsel me, and to speak a word in season to me, and that in my distress would stand close to me, but he is so remote. I have a special Friend, that did he know how things stand with me, would make my burdens his, and my wants his, and my sorrows his; but he is in a far Countrey, he is at the Indies, and I may be undone before I can hear from him. But it is not thus with you, O Christians! who have a God so nigh unto you, who have the signal presence of God in the midst of you, yea who have a God alwayes standing by you. The Lord stood by me, &c. O my Friends, how can you want comfort, that have the God of all consolation present with you? How can you