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

In the Primitive times, when Plagues and Wars arose, because the Heathen Nations in those times persecuted the Church, some Christians perished (as to their Estates, Bodies, Lives) in the common calamity, albeit it was not for the sake of their sins, but for the sake of unworthy dealings towards them, that those desolating Plagues came upon the World: look as wicked men do sometimes escape temporal Judgements, for the sake of the Righteous amongst whom they dwell, so do the Righteous many times suffer great outward Calamity, because of the Wickedness of those they live among: once more, they that suppose this Judgement cometh on account of adherence to any principle always avowed by the chief of the Fathers in these Churches, will (I doubt not) mistake in their conclusions. Those Principles which concern the Purity of Churches, the Authority of Elders, the Liberty of Brethren, a due extent of the Grace of the Covenant zeal for God in matters of the first as well as of the second Table, were always asserted and pleaded for by the chief of the Fathers of New-England, when God did wonderfully own this People, and suffered no Weapon that was formed against them to prosper: but all that did attempt to devour them offended, and evil came upon them, wherefore it will be in vain to Impute our Calamities, unto any of the Principles (or practices according thereunto) which have been mentioned.

In the Primitive times, when Plagues and Wars arose, because the Heathen Nations in those times persecuted the Church, some Christians perished (as to their Estates, Bodies, Lives) in the common calamity, albeit it was not for the sake of their sins, but for the sake of unworthy dealings towards them, that those desolating Plagues came upon the World: look as wicked men do sometimes escape temporal Judgements, for the sake of the Righteous amongst whom they dwell, so do the Righteous many times suffer great outward Calamity, because of the Wickedness of those they live among: once more, they that suppose this Judgement cometh on account of adherence to any principle alwayes avowed by the chief of the Fathers in these Churches, will (I doubt not) mistake in their conclusions. Those Principles which concern the Purity of Churches, the Authority of Elders, the Liberty of Brethren, a due extent of the Grace of the Covenant zeal for God in matters of the first as well as of the second Table, were alwayes asserted and pleaded for by the chief of the Fathers of New-England, when God did wonderfully own this People, and suffered no Weapon that was formed against them to prosper: but all that did attempt to devour them offended, and evil came upon them, wherefore it will be in vain to Impute our Calamities, unto any of the Principles (or practices according thereunto) which have been mentioned.