The late Synod, who convened on purpose, to ⟨p. 213⟩enquire into the causes of the Lords controversy with New-England, have mentioned this amongst many other provoking evils. And there is great reason to think, that, that holy God who will not hold the takers of his Name in vain guiltless, hath been not a little displeased for this sin, Inasmuch as it is a common evil. I doubt it may be said, that there are many such offenders in almost every Congregation throughout the Land. I must confess to my exceeding joy, that there are as few sleepers at Sermons, in this Congregation, as in any that I have observed in the Country; yet there are some and too many. It is a sin, which Professors and Church-members (as well as others) are guilty of; and 'tis past doubt, that it hath been for their sins in a more peculiar manner, even for the provoking of his Sons, and of his Daughters; that God hath sent the Sword, Fire, and Death amongst us. This is a sin, which is not punished by men, but therefore the Lord himself will visit for it. And truly some of those awful Judgements, which we have sadly experienced, seem to have a special respect unto this sin. Those fearful and amazing voices in the Heavens, even Thunderings and Lightnings, which have caused many amongst us to be horribly afraid; and some have (like Eutychus) been taken up dead, the Thunder of God having killed them in a moment; hath not the Lord sent them usually upon the very day when Sermons ⟨p. 214⟩are wont to be Preached, or upon the next day thereto; as if the Lord should say, if you will slight and sleep at my word, […] make you to hear that which shall awake you with a witness. And doth not God threaten with a Famine of his word? How many bereaved Congregations are there? and some that have been a long time without the Ministerial dispensation of the Word and Sacraments. Well may it be so, if People when they enjoyed a faithful Ministry, showed no more respect and reverence towards God speaking to them therein, then to sit and sleep under it.
The late Synod, who convened on purpose, to ⟨p. 213⟩enquire into the causes of the Lords controversie with New-England, have mentioned this amongst many other provoking evils. And there is great reason to think, that, that holy God who will not hold the takers of his Name in vain guiltless, hath been not a little displeased for this sin, Inasmuch as it is a common evil. I doubt it may be said, that there are many such offenders in almost every Congregation throughout the Land. I must confess to my exceeding joy, that there are as few sleepers at Sermons, in this Congregation, as in any that I have observed in the Countrey; yet there are some and too many. It is a sin, which Professors and Church-members (as well as others) are guilty of; and 'tis past doubt, that it hath been for their sins in a more peculiar manner, even for the provoking of his Sons, and of his Daughters; that God hath sent the Sword, Fire, and Death amongst us. This is a sin, which is not punished by men, but therefore the Lord himself will visit for it. And truly some of those awful Judgements, which we have sadly experienced, seem to have a special respect unto this sin. Those fearful and amazing voices in the Heavens, even Thundrings and Lightnings, which have caused many amongst us to be horribly afraid; and some have (like Eutychus) been taken up dead, the Thunder of God having killed them in a moment; hath not the Lord sent them usually upon the very day when Sermons ⟨p. 214⟩are wont to be Preached, or upon the next day thereto; as if the Lord should say, if you will slight and sleep at my word, 〈…〉 make you to hear that which shall awake you with a witness. And doth not God threaten with a Famine of his word? How many bereaved Congregations are there? and some that have been a long time without the Ministerial dispensation of the Word and Sacraments. Well may it be so, if People when they enjoyed a faithful Ministry, shewed no more respect and reverence towards God speaking to them therein, then to sit and sleep under it.
