An earnest exhortation to the inhabitants of New-England, to hearken to the voice of…

This following Exhortation was written two or three months ago, since which time the Lord hath given us to see a wonderful Turn of Providence, in a way of signal mercy towards his poor New-England-People. Nevertheless I have for weighty Reasons, been willing to let it pass, as it is, the main design of it being to quicken sedulous endeavours towards the Reformation of provoking Evils; and there is still cause for urgency in that matter. God forbid that we should act as if we were delivered to do abominations, for then it is certain that the continuance of this affliction would have been afar greater mercy, then deliverance out of it. And I will freely confess, that I am not altogether without fears, that there is yet another Storm hastening upon this Land, if Repentance avert it not. For as yet men are not convinced of that which I believe is the Lords special Controversy with this Land. Though some do, yet the generality of the people do not see and own these iniquities, which the righteous God hath been contending for. Nor is there to this day so much done respecting a General Reformation of evils amongst us, as the Lord expects. Nay, there have been such trespasses committed, in the time of our distress, as I am persuaded God will yet visit for. It hath often been so, that if much sin hath been committed, eminent deliverances have been attended with sad after-claps. When the children of Israel were saved from the Midianites, the Inhabitants of Succoth and Penuel did perish after that. And in J•phthahs days, he had no sooner subdued the common enemy, but intestine troubles arose, so that there fell of the Ephraimites at that time forty and two thousand. Let us not then be high-minded but fear: especially considering that of late time, the Lord in his providence hath been giving us very solemn warnings, The deaths of so many righteous and useful ones, both of the first generation, and also a great number of precious ones of the second generation, as have bin taken away this year by Gods own hand, seems to be portentous of more evil to come. And the sudden awful deaths of some, whom the Lord hath overthrown, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, look like ominous warnings. And that Epidemical Disease that prevailed this Spring, is a very solemn voice from Heaven unto us.

THis following Exhortation was written two or three months agoe, since which time the Lord hath given us to see a wonderfull Turn of Providence, in a way of signal mercy towards his poor New-England-People. Nevertheless I have for weighty Reasons, been willing to let it pass, as it is, the main design of it being to quicken sedulous endeavours towards the Reformation of provoking Evills; and there is still cause for urgency in that matter. God forbid that we should act as if we were delivered to do abominations, for then it is certain that the continuance of this affliction would have been afar greater mercy, then deliverance out of it. And I will freely confess, that I am not altogether without fears, that there is yet another Storm hastening upon this Land, if Repentance avert it not. For as yet men are not convinced of that which I believe is the Lords special Controversie with this Land. Though some doe, yet the generality of the people do not see and own these iniquityes, which the righteous God hath been contending for. Nor is there to this day so much done respecting a General Reformation of evills amongst us, as the Lord expects. Nay, there have been such trespasses committed, in the time of our distress, as I am perswaded God will yet visit for. It hath often been so, that if much sin hath been committed, eminent deliverances have been attended with sad after-claps. When the children of Israel were saved from the Midianites, the Inhabitants of Succoth and Penuel did perish after that. And in Jphthahs dayes, he had no sooner subdued the common enemy, but intestine troubles arose, so that there fell of the Ephraimites at that time forty and two thousand. Let us not then be high-minded but fear: especially considering that of late time, the Lord in his providence hath been giving us very solemn warnings, The deaths of so many righteous and useful ones, both of the first generation, and also a great number of precious ones of the second generation, as have bin taken away this year by Gods own hand, seems to be portentous of more evil to come. And the sudden awfull deaths of some, whom the Lord hath overthrown, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, look like ominous warnings. And that Epidemical Disease that prevailed this Spring, is a very solemn voice from Heaven unto us.