Concio ad populum. A distressed people entertained with proposals for the relief of their…

THERE is—Who sees it not? — the Wrath of the Lord of Hosts darkening our Poor Land, in these our Unhappy Circumstances. But then, if we would not be guilty of that Fault; Isai. ⟨p. 6⟩XXVIII. 7. They err in Vision, they stumble in Judgment: The very First Thing to be Seen & Spoke, must be this. There is nothing so Requisite, as that Repentance, which will avert from us the Wrath of an Incensed GOD, and that PIETY which will produce Good Terms with Heaven for us: Nothing so Requisite, as what is prescribed, Lam. III. 40, 41. Let us search and try our ways, and return unto the Lord; Let us lift up our Heart with our Hands unto GOD in the Heavens. People under our Distresses are usually liable to Impressions; Any Plausible Pretenders to help them in their Distresses, will make Violent Impressions upon •hem. And People had need beware of being this way imposed on. But, Oh! That our Distresses might more dispose us, to receive Impressions from those Counsellors of Peace, who from hence urge us to Return unto GOD. In this Return to GOD, People must more Generally Examine what is Amiss in Themselves and in theirs, and Resolve, As for me and my House, we will Serve the Lord! Men in Stations must bear Testimonies for the Things that are Holy, and Just and Good, and say to the wicked, Lift you not up the Horn. Incessant Prayers must be made unto the GOD of all Grace, that He would Appear for us in His Gracious Providence, Reform our Disorders, and send in Reliefs unto us: Those Cries, Lord, we know not what to do, but our Eyes are unto thee! And all that know how to do it, must plead the Great Sacrifice ⟨p. 7⟩for the Congregation, that a Reconciled GOD may in His CHRIST cause His Face to Shine upon us, and Give Peace unto us.

THERE is—Who sees it not? — the Wrath of the Lord of Hosts darkening our Poor Land, in these our Unhappy Circumstances. But then, if we would not be guilty of that Fault; Isai. ⟨p. 6⟩