Useful instructions for a professing people in times of great security and degeneracy delivered…

Reas. From the suitableness and seasonableness of these thoughts at such a time.

Reas. From the sutableness and seasonableness of these thoughts at such a time.

1. The serious consideration of it may be a means to prevent it: by removing the Cause, the Effect ceaseth, God brings sorrow for sin, Repentance stops him in his course, and brings back his favour. A wise and holy improvement of the day of Gods goodness and favour, causeth the Sun to stand still in our Firmament, and the day of prosperity to last: but the sinful abuse of it hastens the setting of our Sun, and coming of the black and dark night; now to think of this beforehand, affords us a solemn and awakening Motive carefully to improve our time of visitation, whereby we may enjoy a blessed lengthening out of our tranquillity.

2. The due improving of these thoughts may be a means to fit us for the Night: Fore-warned (as we say) and fore-armed; the expectation of storms and tempests, drives persons to seek a seasonable shelter and hiding-place from the wind and rain: this makes serious souls prepare to meet with their God. They that never think nor consider o• a change, never think of being emptied from vessel to vessel, are like fishes taken in •n evil […], are horribly unprepared; but the serious expectation of days of Calamity, will drive us (if any thing) to make our peace with God, to take up our sh••er under the wings of the ⟨p. 64⟩Lord Jesus Christ, that the evil of these evils overtake us not.