Some important truths concerning conversion, and the improving seasons of grace; as also about…

and therefore I beseech those of you that have been guilty here, for the Lords sake to reform this evil. O it is a sad thing that such a practice should prevail in New-England; that once was, and ever ought to be, a land of uprightness. Yet I hear, that the Rising Generation, are many of them, tainted with this vice, not only in this great Town, but in many places in the Country: This is a sad and a sure sign of Degeneracy in the Rising Generation; For twenty years ago, there was no such practice known amongst Children born and bred in New-England: And therefore that now it should be so common, doth testify against young ones, that they are degenerate Plants.

and therefore I beseech those of you that have been guilty here, for the Lords sake to reform this evil. O it is a sad thing that such a practice should prevail in New-England; that once was, and ever ought to be, a land of uprightness. Yet I hear, that the Rising Generation, are many of them, tainted with this vice, not only in this great Town, but in many places in the Countrey: This is a sad and a sure sign of Degeneracy in the Rising Generation; For twenty years ago, there was no such practice known amongst Children born and bred in New-England: And therefore that now it should be so common, doth testifie against young ones, that they are degenerate Plants.

I have not spoken this out of the least prejudice against any that have been guilty this way; only that so this evil might be repented of, or however that I might witness against sin and for God this day in this particular.

USE II. Exhortation, O labour to improve present seasons of Grace: and for that end consider seriously a few things;