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

Oh undeserving Generation that we are! how do we enjoy mercies, and never improve them? How do we comfortably reap the profit of Deliverance, and unfaithfully rob the Lord of the glory of it? How do we bless our selves in escapes, and forget the Almighty that gives them to us? We are solicitous wanters, but careless enjoyers. How are we joyful when getting out of danger; but how little careful then are we to be getting out of sin? Methinks the Moon that is often changing and still keeps its old spots, is a plain Emblem of our wicked Nation: when all things are ruining, sin remains unruined; when enjoying escapes from ruin, still sin remains to be again a cause of ruin. Oh what unchangeable Ethiopians are we in our sins? How like are we to the hardened Mariners, who escaping the fatal dangers of a threatening storm, remain secure till another Tempest hangs over their heads? What succession of mercies do we promise our selves, in the vilest continuance in destroying iniquities!

Oh undeserving Generation that we are! how do we enjoy mercies, and never improve them? How do we comfortably reap the profit of Deliverance, and unfaithfully rob the Lord of the glory of it? How do we bless our selves in escapes, and forget the Almighty that gives them to us? We are sollicitous wanters, but careless enjoyers. How are we joyful when getting out of danger; but how little careful then are we to be getting out of sin? Methinks the Moon that is often changing and still keeps its old spots, is a plain Emblem of our wicked Nation: when all things are ruining, sin remains unruined; when enjoying escapes from ruine, still sin remains to be again a cause of ruine. Oh what unchangeable Ethiopians are we in our sins? How like are we to the hardned Mariners, who escaping the fatal dangers of a threatning storm, remain secure till another Tempest hangs over their heads? What succession of mercies do we promise our selves, in the vilest continuance in destroying iniquities!

But is there no hope• that the consideration of delivering Mercies may overpower us from going on in our wicked courses? Were they pressed upon our Consciences, would they not prevail to effect some reformation? It may be a word that will suit to the works of the Lord amongst us, may make some impression, effect some conviction, and produce some amendment. Behold then a Word enough to melt our hearts with the reading of it; to dissolve us into tears by meditating on it; to make us reform by applying of it. — Seeing thou hast given us such a deliverance as this, should we again break thy commandment? — Wouldst thou not be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us? &c.