God's terrible voice in the city

we learnt the trade of sin before any other, and were apt Scholars in the School of the Devil, when dull and blockish to learn any thing, which was good; we were wise to do evil, when to do good we had no understanding; our iniquities have increased over our heads, faster than our years have done: Since we have been governors of others, we have had no government upon our own spirits, and have endeavoured to lead those under our charge with us in the way to Hell, instead of labouring to draw them into the way of Heaven, by our example, command, and persuasions; and we have filled up all our relations with sin, instead of filling them up with a duty. If we have not murdered any with our hand, we have murdered many with our tongue, swords have been in our lips, and bitter reviling speeches in our mouths, heart murder we have been guilty of, O the inordinate anger that hath boiled in our hearts! O the envy and malice which have gnawed our spirits, and been working daily within us! and especially those persons have been most hated by us, who have had thine image upon them, and have been best beloved by thee; we have scorned them, and looked upon them as mean-spirited people; we have separated them from our company, as those who damp and spoil our mirth by their words and looks of reproof; yea, we have persecuted them as seditious and factious persons, when ⟨p. 211⟩in truth it was their holiness and conversation that did contradict and condemn our wicked practices, which did stir up our anger against them; we have scoffed at them, who have prayed for us, and we have looked upon them, and dealt with them as our enemies, because so to our lusts, who were the best friends to our souls, and above all things desired our Salvation. Thou hast given us Corn, and Wine, and Oil, and plentiful provisions for our body, but we have abused thy mercies by our intemperance and luxury: we have been guilty of drunkenness and gluttony; we have indulged our flesh and sensual appetite; we have lived in pleasure and been wanton; we wallowed, like so many swine, in the mire and dung of some filthy sins, which it is a shame to speak of; we have had eyes and hearts full of lusts and adultery, and have broken forth into such vile actual sins of uncleannesses, as would raise blushes in modest cheeks to hear but the mention of;

we learnt the trade of sin before any other, and were apt Schollars in the School of the Devil, when dull and blockish to learn any thing, which was good; we were wise to do evil, when to do good we had no understanding; our iniquities have increased over our heads, faster than our years have done: Since we have been governours of others, we have had no government upon our own spirits, and have endeavoured to lead those under our charge with us in the way to Hell, instead of labouring to draw them into the way of Heaven, by our example, command, and perswasions; and we have filled up all our relations with sin, instead of filling them up with a duty. If we have not murdered any with our hand, we have murdered many with our tongue, swords have been in our lips, and bitter reviling speeches in our mouths, heart murder we have been guilty of, O the inordinate anger that hath boiled in our hearts! O the envy and malice which have gnawed our spirits, and been working daily within us! and especially those persons have been most hated by us, who have had thine image upon them, and have been best beloved by thee; we have scorned them, and looked upon them as mean-spirited people; we have separated them from our company, as those who damp and spoil our mirth by their words and looks of reproof; yea, we have persecuted them as seditious and factious persons, when