Reformation the great duty of an afflicted people. Setting forth the sin and danger…

USE. II. Let this then serve to point us to our present Duty. It tells us what it is that is now incumbent on us. We are a people whom God hath taken near to Himself, who have been privileged with his Covenant favours and blessings; whom he hath done many and great things for: but he hath signally altered the course of his Providence towards us, and brought us under his rod; his hand is many ways out against us, and we are made low; he hath wasted us by smiting us many ways, and we are reduced to great distresses. And what is all this for but our iniquities? if we had not revolted from him, he would not have thus Afflicted us: our peace, and our prosperity might have continued uninterrupted, and he would have delighted in it. What then remains, but that we set upon a real and a through Reformation? And let us be serious in it. Are there not the things among us that need Reforming? Is there not a fearful decay of love, and zeal, ⟨p. 18⟩and holiness among us? is not almost every thing that can be thought of out of order amongst us? and is our God now manifesting of the dislike that he takes at it. What have we to do then, but to set upon this work in good earnest? Let all orders of men be invited to it. Let us all Search, and try, and Turn, Lam. 3.40. And to move us, Consider,

USE. II. Let this then serve to point us to our present Duty. It tells us what it is that is now incumbent on us. We are a people whom God hath taken near to Himself, who have been priviledged with his Covenant favours and blessings; whom he hath done many and great things for: but he hath signally altered the course of his Providence towards us, and brought us under his rod; his hand is many ways out against us, and we are made low; he hath wasted us by smiting us many ways, and we are reduced to great distresses. And what is all this for but our iniquities? if we had not revolted from him, he would not have thus Afflicted us: our peace, and our prosperity might have continued uninterrupted, and he would have delighted in it. What then remains, but that we set upon a real and a through Reformation? And let us be serious in it. Are there not the things among us that need Reforming? Is there not a fearful decay of love, and zeal, ⟨p. 18⟩and holiness among us? is not almost every thing that can be thought of out of order amongst us? and is our God now manifesting of the dislike that he takes at it. What have we to do then, but to set upon this work in good earnest? Let all orders of men be invited to it. Let us all Search, and try, and Turn,