The Doctrine of Repentance

2. Repentance is necessary for the flagitious ¹sinners in the Nation. England had need put it self in mourning, and be humbled by solemn Repentance. —Anglica gens est optima flens— ⟨p. 83⟩What horrible impieties are chargeable upon the Nation! We see persons daily listing themselves under Satan. Not only the banks of Religion, but Civility are broken down. Men seem to contend as the Jews of old, who should be most wicked^*. In their filthiness is lewdness, Ezek. 24. 13. If oaths and drunkenness, if perjury and luxury will make a people guilty, then it is to be feared England is in Gods black Book. Sure men have cancelled their vow in Baptism, and made a private contract with the Devil: Instead of crying to mercy to save them, they cry, God damn them! Never was there such riding post to Hell, as if men did despair of getting thither time enough. Hath it not been known that some have died with the guilt of fornication and blood upon them? Hath it not been told that others have boasted how many they have debauched and made drunk? Thus, they declare their sin as Sodom, Isa. 3. 9.³ Nay, mens sins are grown daring; as if they would hang out their flag of defiance, and give Heaven a broad-side^*. Like the Thraci•ns, who when it thunders, gather together in a body, and shoot their Arrows against Heaven. The ⟨p. 84⟩sinners in Britain do even send God a challenge, Job 15. 25. They strengthen themselves against the Almighty; they run upon him even on his neck, on the thick bosses of his bucklers. The bosses in the buckler are for offence in war. Gods precepts and threatenings are as it were the thick bosses of his buckler, whereby he would deter men from wickedness; but they regard not, but are desperate in sin, and run furiously against the bosses of Gods buckler. O to what an height is sin boiled up! Men count it a shame not to be impudent.