A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 166 (Questions 55 cont.-56)
SERMON CLXVI.
…ly: IN reſpect of God's Word: In which he hath recorded his Name, and … diſcovery to us of his holy Pleaſure, … given it to us for our directory to guide our feet in the path of Peace, and excite us to his Fear and Service. Here this Command is broken,
1. BY reading or ſpeaking of the W…d with … common fra…e of Spirit. We read, in Pſal. 138. 2. Thou haſt magnified thy word above all thy name. And that is one thing that belongs to the Character of a godly Man, Iſai. 66 2. H… trembleth at God's Word. For Men therefore to apply themſelves to the Holy Scriptutes, with ordinary thoughts or ipinions of it, and pay no more deference to it, than they do … Writings meerly humane, is to undervalue it, and to forget the Author of it: it is to put a ſlight upon the Divine Oracles, and that is nothing leſs than to profane them, and not to look upon them to be, as indeed they are, the Word of God.
2. BY careleſs neglect of Reading & Hearing the Word of God God doth by his Word impart to us his Counſel, and hath made it to be the great Medium of our acquainting our ſelves with him, and maintaining that Fellowſhip with him in which our preſent Bleſſedneſs doth conſiſt: It is that from which we are to take the direction for the right ordering our whole Lives, if we would ſerve God aright, and know the way of our Peace. Hence that, in Joh. 5.39. Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. For Men therefore, either to live without Bibles, or let them lie mouldring by them, without making them the man of their Counſel; either not to read them at all, or not to meditate on them frequently, is to deſpiſe Communion with God: it is to undervalue God himſelf, yea, to live without God in the World; which muſt needs be prodigious profaneneſs: for this Command is broken by Omiſſion as well as Commiſſion.
2. BY not giving a divine Credit to the Word of God. This Word is God's Teſtimony, and we are to receive it as ſuch, and by ſo doing we honour God, Joh. 3.33. He that receiveth his teſtimony, hath ſet to his ſeal, that God is true We therefore greatly diſhonour him, when we do not thus do. Nor is it enough to pay an humane Credit to it, or entertain it meerly with an hiſtorical Faith, as we do the Writings of Wiſe, Intelligent, and Faithful Men: but if we do not look upon it to be given by the Inſpiration of the unerring Spirit, with whom it is impoſſible to lie or deceive; and thereupon adventure our truſt yea our Souls upon it for Eternity, we caſt reproach upon that God whoſe Word it is. Hence that, 1 Joh 5.10. He that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, becauſe be believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And what horrid profaneneſs is this?
4. BY denying, and much more making a ridicule of revealed Religion. Revealed Religion, is that of God which is made known to us in the Holy Scriptures; in all of which, and in every part, the way of Life is declared to us. When therefore we call the Truth of theſe in queſtion, deny the poſſibility of the things, or flo…t at them as if ridicalous, … tura them all into m… Allegories and uncertainties they herein highly reproach the Author of them. It is the complaint which God makes of that People, Hoſ. 8.12. I have written to him the great things … my l…, but they were counted as a ſtrange thing. i. e. they were Riddles, inextricable Myſteries contemptible Fables, fit to be believed by …o…e but ſuch as had forfeited their reaſon, …d therefore to be deſpiſed by Men of Underſtanding.
AND here we may take up a bitter Lamentation over the Deiſm which ſo horribly prevails in this p…riloes Age that we live in; in which there are ſo many that employ all their Wit & Malice, to droll upon the Scriptures, and re…der them as ſenſeleſs, …i…tellegable and ſelt-contradicting: and perſuading us, that it is to unman our ſelves, to ſuffer our Reaſon to be captivated by the Myſteries revealed in the Word of God. And how far they have gained upon the pride of Men to dethrone the Scriptures, and ſ…t up the D… of depraved Reaſon in the room of them, and offer up to their Shrines, and pay their Devotions to that: Which is none of the leaſt reaſons of the horrid deba…cheries with which the Chriſtian World is overſpread.
5. BY ch…ſing any part of the holy Word, in a …ular way. How common a thing is it grown among vain Men, to make their facetions and drolling Diſcourſes from the Word of God? When M… either make a jeer at, or fetch their jells from the Holy Scriptures; when they uſe any portion or expreſſion of the Word in a jeering way, by taunts or girds; for which the Prophet in the Name of God reproves & threatens them, Jer. 23.33. &c. And when Men ſeek to make ſport to themſelves and others, by uſing of the words of Scripture to ſet out their Merriment, as if the Word of God were for Men to play withal; they hereby violate this Command. And how many are there, who never count themſelves ſufficiently witty, unleſs they are thus profanely wicked?
6. BY perverting of the Word of God, for the eſtabliſhing and maintaining of falſe Doctrines. When wicked Men profeſs Principles, unſound, erroneous or heretical, and go about to force in the Word of God to the patronage of them, and accordingly ſtrain it to a ſenſe contrary to the analogy of Faith, and contradictory to it ſelf; this is an horrible abuſe of it. When Men go about to torture the Scriptures, to make them to confeſs things which they abhor, is an Affront offered that carries the higheſt indignity in it. And yet how many are there that ſo do. 1 Tim. 6.5. For indeed, hereby they reflect upon God, and make him the Patron of Error and Blaſphemies; yea, to be raſh and ignorant, not to know his own Mind, and to contradict himſelf; than which, what greater indignity can be offered to the Alwiſe God?
7. BY miſapplying the Scriptures to them: ſelves or others. When Men m… … wrong practical Judgment of the Wo… of God they do abuſe it: As when they miſapply the Promiſes to themſelves, and … Comfort from them, when it doth not be… to them; or apply the Threatnings to t… Neighbours when provoked, which they … no juſt warrant for from the Word of God: or when they encourage wicked Men in … lend Courſes by the words of the Scripture falſely applied: Thus alſo when th…y … any ſinful action or courſe from the … when it indeed condemns it; … when … take offence at that in others, and … them for it, which the Word hath … … bidden, but it is either a lawful Liberty … poſſibly a Command: To approve that …i… God hates and forbids, or to find fault … that which he both condemns and ab…s … to juſtify this Sin by the Scriptures, is … take his Name in vain.
Fourthly IN reſpect of God's Works. … theſe he makes himſelf known to us; and … he is to be Reverenced in and for then, … there is a carriage towards them in which … may diſcover our irreverence; which is … here forbidden, viz.
I. WHEN we do not give to God the … of his Work of Creation. God hath made … ſelt known by giving being to the World … all things in it; and they do all of them … upon them the impreſſions by which …e i… … be known and glorifyed. We are there… told, Pſal. 19.1. The heavens declare the … of God: and the firmament ſ…weth …s … work. And Rom 1.19, 20. Becauſe that … may be known of God, is manifeſt in th… … God hath ſhewed it unto them. For the … things of him from the creation of the … clearly ſeen, being underſtood by the things … are made, even his eternal power and … ſo that they are without excuſe. Now i… this regard we diſh…ur God in two points.
(1) WHEN we do not acknowledge … to be the Author of theſe Works, but aſcribe …en to ſome other prime Cauſe. The Works of Creation are glorious. He then who gave being to them, muſt needs be diſcovered to be … by them. His Name is e…graven on th… and therefore to eraſe that, or put … inſtead of it, is to diſgrace him, and the way to extinguiſh his fear. Herce that, Jo…. 2…. Fear ye not me ſaith the Lord? will ye … …re… ble at my preſence, which have placed … ſ…l for the bounds of the ſea, by a …erpe…l d…cr…e that is cannot paſs it; and though …e …s thereof toſs themſelve; yet can they not p…l; though they roar, yet can they not paſs over is. To ſay the World is Eternal, or to aſcribe its Original to ſate, or to chance, or any being beſides him, or in partnerſhip with him, is to advance them into his Throne, and give his Glory to them, which is both Idolatry, and a robbing him of his Glory, and contrary … that Reverence which is d…e to him.
(2) WHEN we neglect to obſerve his P… fections which ſhine forth in them, and to g…y him accordingly. God hath left a legible Cha…er of his Divine Attributes on theſe Works of his, which may be read and underſtood by the improvement of Natures light: and there is not the moſt …p…able Worm, but bears this ſtamp un… it. His lin…ite Wiſdom, Power and Goodneſs are relucent in them; and they carry with them powerful Alcoves to excite us to live, ſear, & ſerve him. And is becomes out duty to learch after theſe Per…s in them, and adore him accordingly. Pſal. 111.2. The works of the Lord are great, ſ…ght out of all them that have p…eſ…re therein. And therefore not to do ſo, is to deſpiſe him.
2. WHEN we do not acknowledge i… in his … of Providence, but ter… c…r ſelves … ſelves, or ſince other ſ…nd being. The … F…ciency of God in all the Things t…re done in the World, calls for our A…tion. Jer. 10.7. WE could not fear thee, … of ma… us? for to thee … appertain: … c…e…ng all the wiſe n… of the nation, and in all their kingd…s there is none … unto thee And there is a fearful threating againſt ſuch as do not regard them, Pſal. …. God the… is not revetenced by thoſe, … though they ſee the things, yet do not … the Maker of them, but let them come … without any remarks. When we aſ…e all the Changes that fall out in the … to meet Caſualty, or lud…brious Fortune, … look no higher than Creatures in them. … accompliſh any Undertakings, we aff…me know ſelves, and …ay with him, D…. 4.20. … ſpake and ſ…, Is not this gre…t Baby… I have b…it for the houſe of the kingdom, … might of my ſower, and for the honour of …ſly? Hence we have that caution Jer. …. Thus ſaith the Lord. Let not the wiſe …glory in his wiſdom, neither …et the mighty …glory in his might, … crich…minglory … tubes. But let him that gl…ri…th glory in … he underſtand…th and kn…we… me that … the Lord which exerciſe living kinſneſs, … and righteouſneſs in the earth: for in … things I delight ſuch the Lord. When … …ive any be…ent by the Creature, we … thanks and homage unto that, but not …, whoſe meet Inſtrument it was. … we receive unkindneſs from theſe, we the notice of their injury, and ſeek out …e…e upon them, but take no notice of Him … Axes & Hammers they are. We here… with-hold that due reſpect from God, … belongs to him, and ſo caſt Contempt … his Name.
WHEN we abuſe the Merties of God, which …ers upon us. God beſtows his favours … Men to engage them to love and honour … are to ſerve him there withal. When …ere they abuſe them, they abuſe his …eſs, and him in it. And this is done.
(1.) IT Intemperance: When we abuſe the …things of God to nouriſh our carnal luſts …. It is true, Intemperance it ſelf is a …nſt the Second Table; but conſidered, … kindneſs is hereby abuſed, and turned into wantonneſs, and we diſhonour him by his our Works, to it is preſaneſs, and a violation of this Command. For, when we ſerve Sin with that which we are bound to ſerve God with, we caſt contempt on his Name and deſpiſe his Command, who hath bidden us to ſerve him with our Subſtance, and improve all that we have to help us to do it with cheerfulneſs.
(2.) BY Carnal Security. When we make theſe things which are given us by God, to be our Gods; and put them in his place, by truſting in them, and fortifying our ſelves with them againſt him, and think we can live well enough without him under the ſhadow of theſe. This is an abuſe of them, and highly reflects upon him. This therefore is given as the Character of ungodly Men, Job. 21.13, 14. They ſpend their days in wealth, and in a woment to down to the grave. Therefore they ſay unto God, Lepart from us: for we deſire not the knowledge of thy ways. And is one great Article which God draws up againſt thoſe proud Men, Iſai 26.14. Wherefore …ear the word of the Lord, ye ſcernful men that rule this people which is in Jeruſalem. When Men eat and are full, and then forget God, as thoſe are charged, Hoſ. 13.6. According to their paſture, ſo were they …lied: they were filled, and their heart was exa…ted: therefore have they forgotton we. This is an high affront.
(3.) BY Unthan… ul…ſs, We receive kindneſs from God every day, tho' we deſerve none at all from him; but we confeſs not our Obligation, not think our ſelves beholden to him; and ſo do neither confeſs it to him, nor judge how we may make ſuitable, returns for it: This is baſe …gratitude, and what God chargeth on the very …eathen, as a thing highly pro…oking to him, Rom. 1.21. And for which he expoſtulates with that ungrareful People, Deut. 32.6. Do ye thus requite the Lord, O … ſo …eep… …n… unwiſe? is not he thy ſ…ther that hath bought th…e…? hath be not made thee and eſtabliſhed thee? And is far from c…m…g to that gracious frame of the Pſalm …, Pſal. 116.12. What ſhall I …nder unto the Lord, for all his ben …s inward… me? And is directly contrary to the end of theſe Mer…ies, Pſal. 105 ult.
(4.) BY …rdning our Hearts againſt his Counſels and War…s. God ex…cts that his Goodneſs ſhould lead us to Repentance, but if we are hard…ed by it, we abuſe i…. He … that Expoſtulation, Rom 2.4, 5. Or deſp…ſest thou the riches of his goodneſs, and forbearance, and long-ſuffering not knowing that the goodneſs of God …e…deth thee to reſentance … but after thy hardneſs and impenitens heart, treaſured up to thy ſelf wrath againt the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. When God's Mercies make us proud too good to be ſpoken to, ſo that we cannot hear to be reproved, and ſtop our ear at all Warnings, and refuſe to receive inſtruction from him, what higher ſcorn can we caſt upon him? This therefore is a complaint which God himſelf maketh on this account, Jer. 2….21.
4. WHEN we murmur againſt, and quarrel with him under ed…erſe Providences. This proceeds from the ſame root of irreverence with the former; for they that deſpiſe God's Goodneſs, will fret at him, when he lays his afflicting Hand upon him. It is becauſe Men think themſelves worthy of, and that God owes them all their good things, that their Hearts riſe up againſt him, and they think and ſpeak reproachfully of him. Which ſhows the vile eſteem they have of his precious Name. And how often were the Children of Iſrael at this in the Wilderneſs; and how many cautions are there laid in againſt it, in the Holy Scriptures? Now hereby we act contraty to our great duty of ſilent Submiſſion to God, and improving his Corrections to Repentance; for it hardens us againſt it. Hence thoſe complaints, Jer. 5.3. Thou haſt ſtricken then, but they have not grieved; thou hast conſumed them, but they have refuſed to receive correction: they have made their faces border then a rank, they have refuſed to return. And, Iſai. 1.5. Why ſhould ye be ſtricken any move? ye will revolt more & more. And when it ariſeth to that, in 2 Kin. 6.33. Behold, this evil is of the Lord, what ſhould I wait for the Lord any longer. Men are then arrived at the height of profaneſs. Thus many ways may this Command be violated. For whereſoever God's Name is to be ſeen, and it is diſregared, then it is taken in vain.
QUESTION LVI.
WHAT is the Reaſon innexed to the Third Commandment?
ANSWER.
THE Reaſon annexed to the Third Commandment is, that however the Breakers of this Commandment may eſcape puniſhment from Men, yet the Lord our God will not ſuffer them to eſcape his righteous Judgment.
IT is ſaid, The Lord will not hold him guiltleſs. The word ſigniſies to cleanſe or make Innocent, guiltleſs. And it is obſerved, that in Hiphil, it doth not ſignify to make a Perſon ſo, but to treat him as ſuch. The word is ſometimes applied to Sanctification, and ſometimes to Juſtification. And here it is uſed in the latter ſenſe, viz. for the applying of the juſtifying Sentence unto him. And there is a Meioſis in the words, wherein more is intended than expreſſed, as is uſual in ſuch negative Expreſſions which are frequently made uſe of in the Word of God. The meaning is, he will certainly declare him to be guilty, and proceed with him as ſuch. Our Catechiſm emphatically ſets out the intention of it. In which two Things are to be obſerved,
1. A Suppoſition that ſuch may eſcape Puniſhment from Men. And it tacitly points at the Atheiſm and Preſumption of rain Men, who are ready to feed themſelves with Conſide… that if they are not derected and cenſured by Men, they are ſecure, and need to fear …od… ger. This therefore is granted. And it is a thing very obſervable, that ſuch Sins as … againſt the Firſt Table, are little regarded or teſtifyed againſt by humane Authority, and particularly thoſe that are breaches of this Command. Many of them indeed lye our of the reach of Civil Cenſures being covered under the Cloak of Hypocrify. And as for theſe that are open and notorious, either the…e are no Laws ar…ed againſt them, Men …dly pretending, that the Legiſlative Power of Civil Rulers, extends only of Second Table Duties; or if there be any ſuch, they amount proportioned to the merit of the Offence, but to the ſuppoſed damage which humare Soti… ty may ſuffer by them, which they think it but little; which makes vain Men think it no great Sin to diſhounour God, by rain S… ing. Curſing, or uſing of God's Name lud… cuſly; or becauſe theſ things are grown ſo common and cuſtomary, that ſuch p… Perſons are little taken notice of, and th… be but few that date give their Te…i…y againſt it, becauſe they themſelves are … volved in the ſame Guilt. Now the wi… neſs of Mens Hearts takes advantage by … impunity, and becauſe the fear of God is …t before their eyes, and they have little O… ſion to be afraid of Men, they are imbol… thus to tranſgreſs.
2. AN Aſſertion to take off the force of this Suppſition; They ſhall not eſcape the righ… Judgment of God. And this is the empl… of ſuch diſcrete Propoſitions, and the … of it is, that it is but a poor Arg… of Impunity, becauſe we can avoid Civil P… ties, if mean while God ſtands armed … Vengeance, to execute upon all ſuch … Perſons. And that he ſo doth, we a… …y aſſured. Here then let us obſerve, 1. THAT God is the Supream Go… of the World. Tho' he hath put Men … of Authority, and requited of them to … preſent him, in executing of righteous Judgments upon the Tranſgreſſors of his Law, yet he hath not left it ſo in their hands, but that he looks after it; and though they … defective in their duty, yet he will appear to be a Righteous Judge, Pſal. 11.7. For the eighteous Lord loveth righteouſneſs, his c… doth behold the upright. Hence that of …, Gen. 18.25.—Shell not the judge of all the …th do right? 2. THAT God is jealous for his Grous N…. He therefore in the former Command calls himſelf a jealous God. See alſo, …ed. 34.14. For the Lord, whoſe name is Jealous, is a Jealous God. God muſt have a laſt E…d in all his Works of Efficiency, and that could be … other but his own Glory, Prov. 16.4. … Lord hath made all things for himſelf: yea… the wicked for the day of evil. Rom. 11.34. … of him and through him, and to him are all things: … whom be glory for ever. He therefore will … loſe for want of looking after it: and becauſe be can rec…ver it in deſpite of all that would …ob him … it, he will do ſo. He himſelf hath ſaid, Iſai. 42.8. I am the Lord, that is my Name, and my glory will I not give … another. And he will be as good as his …d. And becauſe he knows that finful Me…, who were appointed actively to glorify him, have fallen ſhort of it, he watchfully looks after them, and will call them to an …nt for it. 3. THAT God ſ…es and knows all the Affronts … ſinful Men … to … great Name, and … highly rev… …. Oftentimes Men …e not, nor know … things, ſo that it they would, they have … the advantage to … a Te… …; but God is a… hye and …ar W…eſs of all the … tha… ar… thus …ered to his Glory. The … thi… C…mma…d do reproach … F…ce; … is th…refore greatly i…eaſ…d be it; they by ſuch Sins dare him, b…d a ch…lenge to …, and he is diſpleaſed hig…ly by them. 4. THAT … God will …cr…ainly, ſ…ner orther, rec…ves … Glory of ſuch. If they pro… his Name, he will ſanctify it, …ek 36. … …3. And therefore, though p…ſſibly they … …or a while… not only eſcape the Pe…lty … Men, but alſo proſper in their wickedneſs, and God himſelf ſeem to take no notice … them, but let them alone; yet he will … the Occaſion to let them know to their …, that his j…lous Eye did not ſlumber, … 50.21, 22. And … obſerve,
(1.) THAT they are every moment expoſed … Veng…. T…ey have no ſa…ety, … always in da…er. O… every ſuch Perſon it may be …ai…. J…b. 1…. …. He run … him, even on … ne…k, … the th…e: … of his …. A…d certainly he who … the l…ſts t… c…ntend with the Great … is highly d…i…g, and hath no reaſon … hope that he ſhall e…c…pe. For who ever … God and Pr…ted? And therefore … him that thus …t…iveth with his Maker. The Curſe of God is out againſt them, the … of Ve…ge…ce…s up to cut them off and … is nothing but. Ath…trary Patience that … it back. For we are told, Pſal. 7.11. God is angry with the wicked every day.
(2.) THERE have been th…ſe in this World, … have been made the amazing Inſtances of … Holy Ind…gnation on this account. God … them off by ſome ſtupendous Judg…, and hung them up in Chains as Monuments of his Jeal…uſy, and to reach others to … how they Profane his Great & Fearful …. He hath therefore threatered to make … Plagues of theſe Men Wonderful, Deut. …. 58, 59. If thou will not obſerve to do all the … of this into that are written in this book, the … may… fear this glor… us and …e…rful …. THE LORD THY GOD. Th… the … will make thy plagues wonderful, and the … of thy ſeed, even great plagues, and of … and … conti…. … not ſo, by the two So…s of …, when they offered … Fire. … begin And M…es gives the reaſon of it, ver …. Did be not ſo by the two Pro…a… S…s of …; hence t…e fearful threatnings againſt them, 1 Sam. … &c. and the reaſon is …e… dred, ver. …0.
(3.) BUT if they meet with no rem…ble temp…r…ry fulgments in this L…fe, yet …er…al Venge…nce … reſerved for th…, in the … to come. This L… is a time of God's ſ…earance, and Profane Sinners abuſe it to horrible L…tiou…neſs: and becauſe they feel not the Hand … Ve…g… … they embolden themſelves in the… … Attemp…s againſt Heaven; but there is a Day of Rec…m…erc… … who G…d will … to all acc…ding to their Deeds; than ſhill theſe …laſphemers of God know, to their Eternal Confuſion, that God …ept an exact reg…er of all their I…di…ities, which they a…ton…ed Him withal. He Himſelf hath ſaid. Deut. 32 33, 34. Their were is the perſon of dr…g…s, and the cr… ven…m …f …ſps. Is not this … up in ſtore with are, and ſe…led up am…ng my treaſures? Such Men therefore, are now laying up for themſelves treaſures of Wrath, &c. Rom. 2.5. But after thy hardneſs and impenitent heart, treaſu… up unto th… ſelf wrath againſt the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. We are therefore aſſured of this, Pſal. 139.19, 2…. S…rely … will ſ…y the wicked, O God… … from we therefore ye bl…dy men. For they ſpeak againſt thee wickedly, and thine enemies ta…e …ly name in vain. And though there is Mercy for the Pe…itent, even for this Sin alſo; yet if they Live & Dye in it, the God … it ſhall fell w… them to the Great J…dgment, a…d they ſhall feel to their … Co…ſi…n, how fear… a thing it is to D…ſ… … H…ly Name of God.
USE. … may … not …re take up … ſa… I … for the … …ho…nding of this S…n in the … N…r need we to l…ok a…r…ad, or … ourſelves with the reports of other Place…, where it cri… …ud to Heaven for …, …ding us to expect ſome dreadful … come upon th…m, for this … thing: but we have reaſon, with Tears of Bl…d, to bewail the growth of this A…mination in our …wn Land, which might once have bee… called a Land of Uprightneſs. Time was when Curſing and Swearing ſeemed to be ſtrangers among us, and ſcarce once to be heard in Seven Years. But alaſs! how far otherwiſe is it now… So that not Men only, but even Children in the Streets have gotten their Mouths bli…ered with ſuch Profaneſs: beſides the many other ways, in which this Command is fearfully Violated, too … mer…us to be now rec…unted. Wonder not then it God …e riſen from His Holy Place, and threatens Vengeance for this upon a P… ſane Generation. And it tell… us what we may well expect as l…ke to enſue, when thoſe who have his Name called upon them, do ſo wofully deſpiſe it. Let us then take heed to ourſelves, and Fear and Tremble at the tokens of God's judgments, and do what in us lies to put away this Iniquity from the midſt of us; and let us be found Mounrners in Zion for this Abomination: the Prophet could once ſay, Jer. 23.10. For the land is full of adu…terers, for becauſe of ſwearing the land mourneth: And let us expect no better, except this among other Crying Sins, be put away from among us. And if we will be like other Places, in imitating their Heaven daring Sins, let us not think it ſtrange if God make us ſhare with them in the Effects of His Wrath, which he is now making way for being poured on a Pr…e Generation. And let us look to ourſelves and to our Families in this regard: Labour we to get a reverted reſpect to the Name of God in all things, … be filled with Love to him, and an awful dread of his Glorious Perfections, a Reverences to His Sanctuary, to Tremble at His Word, to be afraid of His Judgments; and let us give warning to others, and bear a due Teſtimony againſt thoſe Sins in our Places, and Pray hard to God, that He would for Chriſt's ſake forgive this Sin alſo to our Land, and pour out a Spirit of Repentance and Reformation upon us Univerſally; and if … thus do in Sincerity, we ſhall find God Propitious to us, and it may be we ſhall be hidden in the Day of His Indignation.
[JUNE 2. 1702.]