God's call to England, for thankfulness after gracious deliverances

Is not this the Posture most have been in, when Judgments came upon them? What was there but careless and senseless doings, when that dreadful Deluge surprised the world of old? Mat. 24.37, 38. ⟨p. 140⟩How unexpected was the ruin of Sodom and Gomorrah? How incredulous were the Jews of their sad Captivities, and of their utter Desolation at last? Observe we but the frame of persons when Judgments have been rained from Heaven upon them, and we shall find they were fearless of any storms, and conceitedly secure from any miseries. When the Massacre broke forth in Paris, the cruel butchering was acted in Ireland, the ruining Persecutions and Distresses fell upon Germany, they were all involved in Lethargical Distempers, besotted with fatal Security. This is the time the beasts of prey have ever gone out to glut themselves with fattening blood. This hath been the season ever selected to manage the overthrow of Kingdoms. Yet examples do not warn us, but we foolishly seem resolved to gratify our enemies with a suitable season to ruin us. Is not this the posture that God hath severely threatened in his Word, to which he will ever be faithful? Isai. 22.13, 14. In that day the Lord of Hosts called to mourning and weeping, and behold joy and gladness: and it was revealed in my ears — Surely this Iniquity shall not be purged from you till you ⟨p. 141⟩die. Nothing urges Justice more to confound a people with floods of Vengeance, than Epicurean stupidity under awakening Alarums. Hath not the Lord threatened, Prov. 29.1. He that being often reproved, and still hardens his neck, shall be destroyed suddenly, and that without remedy? Why then do we flatter our selves, and cry Peace, peace? Shall we say as those? Zeph. 1.12. The Lord will do neither good nor evil. Will not God then say, as v.13. Therefore your goods shall become a booty, and your houses a desolation? Whatever may be the foundation our Security is builded upon, so long as provoking Sins are heaping up Wrath, Security doth but hasten our Misery. 'Tis possible we are incredulous that Judgments can ever destroy a People renowned in Profession as we; but since our Profession is but as Samuel's mantle, under which are shrouded most devilish sins, or as a carpet cast over the mouth of Hell, it can never be a shelter for us, but stirs up the Lord to vengeance. Outside-Holiness and mocking Formality renders our condition the worse.