An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth, & tenth chapters of…

Observe this Note,¹ (the manner of the phrase is as if he were smitten from Heaven by a Thunder-bolt, in a dreadful manner God himself smote him) observe this,² God will not always forbear sinners, at last God smote; he threatens a long time, but he smote at last: God may be a long time bending his Bow, and making his Arrows ready, and preparing ⟨p. 279⟩the instruments of death, but at length he smote; and when he smote he smote terribly. How sad is the condition of a wicked man who hath had many warnings, and much patience of God hath been showed towards him, and at length this is the news that one neighbour tells another, Oh! such a man is smitten of God, the wrath of God hath pursued and hath overtaken such a man, the fearful stroke of God is upon him, and this certainly will be the news of wicked impenitent sinners, secure sinners, this will be the news that will be told of you, such a one is smitten; Oh! and what sad reports are there at this day in all Countries about us, even through the world, what's the news throughout the world almost but this (the Christian world) England is smitten, the Lord hath smote them? the Lord hath smote us with a dreadful stroke and still he continues smiting of us.³ That Scripture in Isa. 5. 25. is made good upon us this day, The anger of the Lord is kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them, (mark what follows) The Hills did tremble (Oh that our hearts did) and their carcasses were torn in the midst of the streets: (and so it hath been with us:) And for all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still: And thus it is with us. And the principal cause that is there given of such woeful smiting, it is as you may observe in the 20. and 23.⁴ verses, the crossness of mens spirits in turning things quite contrary and cross to that which God would have them. As thus,⁵