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

3. Improve the means of prevention that are appointed by God: as there is a possibility of stopping the process of Gods wrath, so there is but one only way whereby it can be done, and that is by returning by a thorough Repentance, by a confessing and forsaking those sins that pull down wrath; we must confess, that he may be acknowledged Just; we must forsake, because the Cause must be taken away before the Effect cease.

3. Improve the means of prevention that are appointed by God: as there is a possibility of stopping the process of Gods wrath, so there is but one onely way whereby it can be done, and that is by returning by a thorow Repentance, by a confessing and forsaking those sins that pull down wrath; we must confess, that he may be acknowledged Just; we must forsake, because the Cause must be taken away before the Effect cease.

4. Prepare that if the Night come you may make advantage of it for your good: though the Night hath many sad disadvantages, yet it hath its advantages too; though it pay the sluggard with shame, yet to him that hath done his work, 'tis sweet, and helps his rest: if it find you in a way of righteousness, it can do you no hurt, it shall do you a great deal of good. Oh prepare, get your sins pardoned and done away, if the guilt of these remain, they will interpose as a thick and dismal Cloud, between the light of Gods countenance and your souls, then it will be a black and dark night indeed: get into Christ, make him your shelter and rock, he is a sure refuge, and the tempest cannot break through him to do you any harm, though it should bear down, and wash away the clay house of your earthly tabernacle, yet it cannot keep you from, but will hasten you to a more speedy possession of your Eternal Mansion, your house of rest, whose […] and maker is God.

4. Prepare that if the Night come you may make advantage of it for your good: though the Night hath many sad disadvantages, yet it hath its advantages too; though it pay the sluggard with shame, yet to him that hath done his work, 'tis sweet, and helps his rest: if it finde you in a way of righteousness, it can do you no hurt, it shall do you a great deal of good. Oh prepare, get your sins pardoned and done away, if the guilt of these remain, they will interpose as a thick and dismall Cloud, between the light of Gods countenance and your souls, then it will be a black and dark night indeed: get into Christ, make him your shelter and rock, he is a sure refuge, and the tempest cannot break through him to do you any harm, though it should bear down, and wash away the clay house of your earthly tabernacle, yet it cannot keep you from, but will hasten you to a more speedy possession of your Eternal Mansion, your house of rest, whose and maker is God.