And here I shall begin with more Gospel-sins, which, though natural conscience is not so ready to accuse of, yet in the account of God are the most heinous sins: And I would have a regard not only to latter, but also to former sins, which, possibly, may now be more out of view, and forgotten, and which some may be hardened in, because the guilty have not been so particularly and sensibly punished (though Gods sparing of them hath been in order to their repentance) or their punishments in some kind hath been accounted by them no punishments, or their punishments have been mistaken, and their hearts have swelled against instruments made use of by God therein, instead of accepting of the punishment of their iniquity, and humbling themselves deeply before the Lord. I say I would call to remembrance former sins, as well as latter, which are more visible now and apparent: for as God, being so slow to anger, hath not been quickly moved to such indignation; but, as we have reason to think, that his wrath hath been a long time boiling in his breast, before it was raised to this height as to boil over, and pour down Plague and Fire upon the City of London: so we may reasonably infer, that sins committed by London long ago, were the fuel put under, that caused this boiling of his anger, which, because other judgments have not wrought the kindly effect of repentance, the Lord hath been ⟨p. 87⟩provoked to express this way, which hath been more feeling and dreadful. Moreover when I reckon up London's sins, I would not reflect alone upon any one party, in as much as all parties have sinned, and I believe the Lord hath been offended with all, as in his judgments he hath made no difference, that all might be awakened to see their faults with sorrow and shame. And if it were fit, I would begin here with my self, being persuaded that my sins, more then thousands of others, have helped to fill up the Viol of Gods anger; but as I go along, I shall endeavour by the grace of God to apply to my self the sins which conscience will accuse of, that I may bewail and amend:
And here I shall begin with more Gospel-sins, which, though natural conscience is not so ready to accuse of, yet in the account of God are the most heinous sins: And I would have a regard not only to latter, but also to former sins, which, possibly, may now be more out of view, and forgotten, and which some may be hardned in, because the guilty have not been so particularly and sensibly punished (though Gods sparing of them hath been in order to their repentance) or their punishments in some kinde hath been accounted by them no punishments, or their punishments have been mistaken, and their hearts have swelled against instruments made use of by God therein, instead of accepting of the punishment of their iniquity, and humbling themselves deeply before the Lord. I say I would call to remembrance former sins, as well as latter, which are more visible now and apparent: for as God, being so slow to anger, hath not been quickly moved to such indignation; but, as we have reason to think, that his wrath hath been a long time boiling in his breast, before it was raised to this heighth as to boile over, and pour down Plague and Fire upon the City of London: so we may reasonably infer, that sins committed by London long agoe, were the fuel put under, that caused this boiling of his anger, which, because other judgments have not wrought the kindly effect of repentance, the Lord hath been ⟨p. 87⟩provoked to express this way, which hath been more feeling and dreadfull. Moreover when I reckon up London's sins, I would not reflect alone upon any one party, in as much as all parties have sinned, and I believe the Lord hath been offended with all, as in his judgments he hath made no difference, that all might be awakened to see their faults with sorrow and shame. And if it were fit, I would begin here with my self, being perswaded that my sins, more then thousands of others, have helpt to fill up the Viol of Gods anger; but as I go along, I shall endeavour by the grace of God to apply to my self the sins which conscience will accuse of, that I may bewail and amend:
