God's terrible voice in the city

Alas! how formal hath London been, especially of late in Gods Worship? they have prayed, but what kind of Prayers have they been? could they deserve the name of Prayers? were those prayers likely to prevent Judgement, or turn away wrath? some Confessions of sin have been ⟨p. 130⟩made, but so general and formal, that they have been very unlikely to work up the heart to sorrow and repentance: and where some have been more particular, hath not much formality cleaved to them? where hath hearty grief for sin, and sorrow been to be found? would not a small Viol hold all the tears that have dropped from the eyes of great Assemblies, even in the day of their most solemn Humiliations? hath not sin been rolled under the tongue, when Confession of sin hath been at the end of it? Have not the Confessions of many been such as if they came to ask leave to commit sin, rather than humbly to bewail it? at least have they not taken leave, whatever their Confessions have been? Petitions have been made for pardon, and grace, and sanctification, but hath it not been Lip prayer, without hearty desire? hath it not been in such a manner, as if they did not much care whether they did speed or no? as if they could make shift well enough without a Pardon? as if they had no need of Grace and Holiness; but they must say something for Form and Custom? hath there not been an enmity in the hearts of many against that which they have seemed to desire with their lips? Who have stirred up themselves to lay hold on God? Who have wrestled in Prayer with fervent desires, with Faith, and Importunity? Hearing there hath been in London; but how little Believing? how little relishing the Word, and receiving it with Love? Singing there hath been, but how little Joy and Melody of the heart in the Lord?

Alas! how formal hath London been, especially of late in Gods Worship? they have prayed, but what kinde of Prayers have they been? could they deserve the name of Prayers? were those prayers likely to prevent Judgement, or turn away wrath? some Confessions of sin have been ⟨p. 130⟩made, but so generall and formall, that they have been very unlikely to work up the heart to sorrow and repentance: and where some have been more particular, hath not much formality cleaved to them? where hath hearty grief for sin, and sorrow been to be found? would not a small Viol hold all the tears that have dropt from the eyes of great Assemblies, even in the day of their most solemn Humiliations? hath not sin been rolled under the tongue, when Confession of sin hath been at the end of it? Have not the Confessions of many been such as if they came to ask leave to commit sin, rather than humbly to bewail it? at least have they not taken leave, whatever their Confessions have been? Petitions have been made for pardon, and grace, and sanctification, but hath it not been Lipprayer, without hearty desire? hath it not been in such a manner, as if they did not much care whether they did speed or no? as if they could make shift well enough without a Pardon? as if they had no need of Grace and Holiness; but they must say something for Form and Custom? hath there not been an enmity in the hearts of many against that which they have seemed to desire with their lips? Who have stirr'd up themselves to lay hold on God? Who have wrestled in Prayer with fervent desires, with Faith, and Importunity? Hearing there hath been in London; but how little Believing? how little relishing the Word, and receiving it with Love? Singing there hath been, but how little Joy and Melody of the heart in the Lord?