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

USE. II. Let it then put us upon the enquiry, What effect all the strokes of God which we have felt, have wrought on us. And it is of no small consequence that we do in good earnest make this enquiry, as will more evidently appear in the following Observations. That we have been under the discipline of Gods Judgments is not to be called in question; let us then see to it what is the fruit of all upon us; we are here given to understand that all so treated are not reformed; and it is not every thing that looks fair, which will amount to the Reformation which God expects. It is not crying out of sin in general, nor calling of Solemn Assemblies, Fasting, Praying, Confessing, Petitioning, renewing of Covenants, making of Laws, putting away of some more gross and enormous sins that are apparently provoking, that will answer Gods expectation, and so put a stop to his anger, and turn away his Judgments from us. It is another manner of thing to Reform. Let us then ⟨p. 27⟩be very inquisitive into his matter, and make a diligent search about it. If we think that we have done it, or are in the way to the doing of it, when there is no such thing, we shall miserably deceive our selves; and it will be no little damage that will arise to us from it. And one would think that a small enquiry upon this account, would be sufficient both to convince and condemn us: there hath been so much of notorious flightiness and neglect in this regard, that it is hard to say what one thing hath been amended: and if we shall call all that we have hitherto been doing, a Reformation? will not God upbraidingly say to us, Is this the Reformation, that I have required? is this the thing that you have made so much of a talk and do about? is this all that you intend?

USE. II. Let it then put us upon the enquiry, What effect all the stroaks of God which we have felt, have wrought on us. And it is of no small consequence that we do in good earnest make this enquiry, as will more evidently appear in the following Observations. That we have been under the discipline of Gods Judgments is not to be called in question; let us then see to it what is the fruit of all upon us; we are here given to understand that all so treated are not reformed; and it is not every thing that looks fair, which will amount to the Reformation which God expects. It is not crying out of sin in general, nor calling of Solemn Assemblies, Fasting, Praying, Confessing, Petitioning, renewing of Covenants, making of Laws, putting away of some more gross and enormous sins that are apparently provoking, that will answer Gods expectation, and so put a stop to his anger, and turn away his Judgments from us. It is another manner of thing to Reform. Let us then