The travels of true godliness, from the beginning of the world to this present…

God by his merciful Providence sent to them by his Prophets, to advertise and warn them of their perilous estate and condition by reason of their sins, and not only told them of their imminent danger thereby, but also revealed the true Causes thereof, and how they might easily provide Remedies for the prevention of it; but they refused to lay it to heart, or give way to Consideration about it, which made Jehovah to bewail their future misery after this manner; O that they were wise, that they understood this, ¹that they would consider their latter end! Among other Causes of their dismal Calamities, none is more general, or often alleged than the lack of Consideration; ⟨p. 116⟩and 'tis through this means, as by a common snare and deceit of the Adversary, most men fall into sin, and reject me, and are holden also perpetually in Satan's Bonds, to their destruction and perdition, men go on in their abominable Lusts, Pride, Oppression, Excess of Riot, Drunkenness, and all manner of Debauchery, without considering what the end of these things will be: Woe unto them (saith the Lord) that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, and continue until night till Wine inflame them;² and the Harp and Viol, the Tabret and Pipe, and Wine are in their Feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither Consider the operation of his hands. Their cursed Lusts, and beastly Sensuality brought them to neglect Consideration, and Inconsideration brought them to the pit side or brink of Hell. Propterea captivus ductus est populus meus, quia non habuit scientiam, saith God in the same place, by the Prophet; therefore, and for this cause is my people led away captive, &c. for they have no knowledge, no understanding of the time to come, no Consideration of their danger. He that will not lend an ear to Consideration, renders himself little better than a Brute; and what follows this folly and madness? Therefore (saith the Holy Ghost) Hell hath enlarged her self, ³and opened her mouth without measure, and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth shall descend into it. A brutish man knoweth not, ⁴