A Warning Piece TO ENGLAND, OR THE WRATH of GOD Revealed against SINNERS, His Judgements being already entered upon the NATION.  
By S. T. G.  
A Lover of Peace and Truth.  Psal. 40. 10. 
I have not hid thy righteousness within my Heart: I have declared thy faithfulness and thy Salvation, I have not concealed thy loving kindness, and thy truth from the great Congregation.  
London, Printed for D. Newman at the King's Arms in the Poultry, 1676.   

THE PREFACE.  
Christian Reader,  
AS far as the Author knows his own heart, the main end of righting this small Treatise, is that God may have all the glory; and this Sin sinking Nation may have some benefit, and so undoubtedly they will if they harken to God's Counsel, to repent and turn from their evil ways to the Lord with their whole heart: the consideration of the present confused state of this poor Nation, caused me seriously to mind the next way how they might be brought into a better condition; and I know no other way that God hath showed us, but by humbling our s●lves before the Lord, to escape destruction and ruin. For God will not always bear, but then the Anger of the Lord will break forth in fury, if a people do not amend their ways and do which are not good. God hath been earnestly calling unto us, and lifting up his voice, and by his Word and Dispensations, persuading us to return unto him. He hath tried all sorts and all ways, both Mercies and Judgements. Surely it is very sad, that the hand of the Lord hath been so greatly lifted up, and that England should be so blind, as not to take notice of his displeasure, in afflicting us, with Sword, Pestilence and Fire, and threatening Famine, but graciously holding his hand, like a tenderhearted Father, unwilling to destroy us, except by our persisting in Sin, we as it were force him utterly to consume us from the face of the Earth. I humbly beseech you seriously to read and ponder, what is said in this little Book. And let not Satan persuade you to throw off those wholesome Exhortations, and Instructions contained therein. So with my earnest prayers at the Throne of Grace, for Rulers and Ruled, that the God of all Grace and Mercy would enable us to see the filthy nature of every Sin, to repent of all our false ways, as David saith in in the 119. Psal. Through thy Precepts I get Understanding therefore I hate every false way.  
I remain thine in all truth and righteousness. S. T.   

A Warning piece to England; or the wrath of God revealed against Sinners, his judgement being already entered upon the Nation.  
IT is very certain, out of the Scriptures of truth, that sin brings the judgement of the great God upon Nations, Families, and Persons; Sin cries aloud for Vengeance, Wrath, and Desolation, upon wicked and ungodly men: Oh! let every one seriously consider the dreadful effects of sin; it destroyed the old world, Gen. 6. 5, 6, 7. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the Earth, and that every Imagination of his heart was only Evil continually. Vers. the 6. And it repent the Lord that he made man on the Earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Vers. the 7. And the Lord said, I will destroy man, whom I have created, from the face of the Earth, both man and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fouls of the air: for it repenteth me that I have made man. Likewise those five Cities in the plain, were destroyed by fire. Gen. 18. 20. And the Lord said, because the cry of Sodom is great, and because their Sin is very grievous. Chap. the 19 24, 25. Then the Lord reigned upon Sodom, and upon Gomorrah, brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; he overthrew those Cities, and all the plains, and all the inhabitants of the Cities, and that which grew upon the ground. Consider what desolations and depopulations sin did bring upon God's beloved People, as you may read Lament. 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8. verses. She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; among all her Lovers she hath none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies. Judah is gone into captivity, because of affliction, and because of great servitude; she dweleth among the Heathen, and she findeth no rest; all her persecutors overtook her between the straits; the ways of Zion do mourn because none come to her solemn feasts: All her Gates are desolate; her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.  
Her adversaries are the chief, and her enemies prosper, for the Lord hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions, her children are gone into captivity before the enemy: and from the Daughter of Zion all her Beauty is departed, her Princes are become like Hearts that find no Pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer.  
Jerusalem remembered in the days of affliction and of her miseries, all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her People fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her, the Adversaries saw her, and did mock at her Sabbaths; Jerusalem hath grievously sinned, therefore she is removed; all that honoured her, despise her, because they have seen her Nakedness, yea, she sighed and turned backward; her filthiness is in her skirts, she remembreth not her last end: therefore she came down wonderfully, she had no comforter. Chapt. the 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. verses, and 3, 4, 5. Chapters of the book of the Lamenta. as in the 5. Chapt. 16, verse. The Crown is fallen from the head, and woe to us that we have sinned. I might multiply Scriptures to show the displeasure of God against Transgressor's, and after those many premonitions when they would not be forewarned, God cast them off, making them a byword to all the Nations round about, Oh England, hear and tremble, for the fiery anger of the Lord will burn like an Oven, and none shall be able to quench it, see Malachi 4. 1. For behold the day cometh that shall burn as an Oven, and all the proud, yea, and all they that do wickedly shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.  

Qu. What sins bring National judgements?  
Ans. 1. Slighting and rejecting the Law and the Prophets, and especially Jesus Christ in the time of the Gospel. 2. The sins of Rulers. 3. Idolatry. 4. Adultery, 5. Pride, 6. Swearing and Cursing. 7. Murder. 8. Drunkenness and excess.  
1. Sin. Slighting the Law and the Prophets, which God complains of in the 1. of Es. 2, 3, 4. verse. I have nourished and brought up a People, but they have rebelled against me. The Ox knoweth his owner, and the Ass his Master's Crib, but Israel hath not known me. Ah sinful Nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil doers, children that have corrupted themselves. So the judgements are threatened in the ensuing verses, and God makes very great complaints of them, in several of the Prophets, as Jer. and Ezek. etc. and they proceeded to reject Jesus Christ in the Gospel, and this is a very great sin, and brings desolation upon all those to whom it is sent, and they reject it. Heb. 2. 2, 3. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great Salvation: and when Israel slighted Jesus Christ and his words, they were left to the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds, That hearing they shall hear, and not understand, and seeing they shall see, and not perceive, and then God wholly left them, and sent his Ministers to the Gentiles; Lo we turn to the Gentiles saith the Apostle.  
2. Sin. Is the sins of Rulers, as David numbering the People. Sometimes God plague's the people for the Ruler's sake. 2. Sam. 24. 11, 12. The word of God came to Gad the Seer, saying, go and say unto David, thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things, choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee, vers. the 13. So Gad came to David and told him, and said, shall seven years of Famine come untothee, in thy Land, or wilt thou flee three Months before thy enemies while they pursue thee: or that there be three days pestilence in thy Land, vers. the 15. So the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel from morning even to the time appointed, and there died of the people from Dan to Beersheba, seventy thousand men. Now God plague's a people for the sins of the Rulers, especially when the people follow the sinful examples of Rulers. Oh my people they that lead thee cause thee to err, as Jeroboam the Son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin, which was a great brand of infamy, recorded to after ages; so Ahab, that sold himself to do wickedness, and Manasseth, and all those wicked Kings that provoked the Lord, 2 King. 21. from the 9 to the 14 vers. to bring desolation upon the people; Oh then let Rulers be wise and serve the Lord with fear. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the right way; if once his wrath be kindled but alittle, blessed are they that put their trust in him. Psal. 2. 10, 11, 12. Let all therefore consider, both Rulers and Ruled in this Nation, that if God spared not the old world, nor those cities in the plain that were destroyed by fire, nor his beloved people Israel when they sinned against him, how then can England escape when they follow the same way of sinning, nothing can be expected but desolation, God can quickly hiss for his three executioners, which are the sword, pestilence, and Famin.  
3. Sin. Is Idolatry, which strikes at the very Being of God; how full of wrath was God against Israel for their Idolatry. 3. judg. 7, 8. and the Children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgot the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the Groves; therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim King of Mesopotamia. Deut. 13. 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. with divers other places which I shall not mention, because it will make it larger than I intent this Warning-piece.  
But certainly Idolatry is a land-destroying sin, which above all sins will draw down the wrath of God upon a Nation to root it out, and utterly to destroy it, for he is jealous of his name, and his glory will he not give to another, not his praise to graven Images.  
4. Sin. Is Pride. Here I might write a large volumn; but to omit several particulars in relation to this sin, I shall speak of that which is more obvious to the sense, as first Pride in apparel. Can the oldest man remember such excess of apparel, especially in this great City, yet notwithstanding the eminent hand of the great God hath been so lately upon them, that most part of this City was consumed into ashes, that the inhabitants are but poor to what they have been heretofore, yet what a fair outside do they make when the Nation is sinking. Oh what horrible folly is this, it is like one that Paints his pots and trims up his shop, and suddenly it is shutup. Secondly pride in their houses, in their furniture; and how costly is it, with very much excess, so that the superfluities in clothing, and diet, and furniture, would refresh the bowels of the poor which are some of them ready to perish for want of bread; few seriously consider the great distresses and wants of the poor; some that heretofore could have administered to the necessities of others, are forced to beg their bread; consider what God saith in the 2. of Isaiah from the 10. to the 18. verse. Enter into the rock, and hid thee in the dust for fear of the Lord, and the glory of his Majesly; The lofty looks shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day; for the day of the Lord of Hosts shall be upon every one that is proud & lofty, & every one that is lifted up, & he shall be brought low, and upon all the Cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, and upon all the Oaks of Bashan; & upon all the high Mountains that are lifted up, & upon every tower, and upon every fenced wall, and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all the pleasant pictures: verse. the 17. And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, & the haughtiness of man shall be laid low, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. Chapt. the 3 from the 16. to the end. Moreover the Lord saith, because the Daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet. verse. the 17. The Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the Daughters of Zion; In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the Moon etc. verse. 26. And her gates shall lament, and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.  
The 5. Sin is Swearing and Forswearing, likewise Cursing, which are Sins of a very high nature, very much displeasing to the great God, and provoke him to bring swift judgement upon the Nation; especially that wicked devilish Oath of the Dam'es, that desire God to damn their souls, whereas God and Jesus Christ would have them to be saved. See the 1 of Timoth. 2. 4. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Dost thou desire God to damn thee; oh poor miserable Sinner, that my heart could bleed for thee that art so ignorant; dost thou consider what it is to be damned; to be damned, is to be separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his Majesty, and for ever to be cast into that lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, in those easeless, endless, & remediless torments, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Math. 25. 41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels: Isa. 66. 24. And they shall go forth and look upon the carcases of those that transgressed against me; for their worm shall not die, neither shall their sire be quenched, and they shall be an abhorring to all flesh.  
1. Vain Swearing, when men so commonly swear that they cannot ordinarily discourse but they must swear; nay it is the fashion to swear, and if a man cannot swear, he is not fit company for some Gentlemen. Oh poor miserable man, is it thy common practice & delight to blaspheme and take the great and dreadful name of God in vain. Oh what wilt thou do when thou shalt appear before him at the last Day, as thou certainly must; surely thou wilt tremble, & desire mountains and rocks to fall upon thee, to hid thee from him that sitteth upon the throne, and from the Lamb; Revel. 6. 16. See those Scriptures that prohibit vain Swearing, James 5. 12. But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by Heaven, neither by the Earth, neither by any other Oath; but let your yea, be yea, and your nay nay, lest ye fall into condemnation. Mat. 5. from the 33 to the 38 verses. Surely such words are nothing but the speakings of the Devil in thee.  
2 Sort of swearing is forswearing thyself when thou art called before a Magistrate; this is a great sin, that brings judgements upon the Nation; for oaths the Land mourns. How many poor creatures are hired to for-swear themselves, and how many do it to pleasure great men; and others wickedly for-swear themselves for to get their Neighbour's goods, and to defraud their neighbour of his right. Levit. 6. 3, 4, 5. chap. 5. 1. Jere. 23. 10. For the land is full of Adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth, the pleasant places of the wilderness are driedup, and their course is evil, and their force is not right: Hose. 4. 1, 2. Hear ye the word of the Lord ye children of Israel, tell: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing Adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Chap. 10. vers. 4. They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant. Zach. 5. 3, 4. Mal. 3. 5. And I will come near to you in judgement, and will be a swift witness against the Sorcerers, and against the Adulterers, and against the false Swearers. Doubtless this is a very great sin, that brings judgement upon the nations, families and persons.  
3. That wicked sin of Cursing, parents cursing their children, & servants; some children curse their parents, servants curse their Masters. Nay I have heard wicked men curse themselves & their . Oh how common is it for men to bid the pox take them. Foolish, ignorant persons, they cry out with pain and anguish, & several of them yield up the ghost, and if they do not repent, go quick down to hell: they that curse themselves and their , at last bring a curse upon all they have. Math. 15. 4, For God commanded saying, honour thy Father and Mother, and he that curseth Father or Mother, let him die the death. Rom. 3. 14, 15, 16, Whose mouth is full of cursing, destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace have they not known: verse the 18, There is no fear of God before their eyes. James. 3. 10, Out of the same mouth, proceedeth blessing and cursing: my brethren these things ought not so to be. Several other places of Scripture I might produce, but these may suffice. Oh what mad blindness is this, that rational men, and those that have lived under the sound of the Gospel so long, should be so ignorant and wicked, as to desire the plagues of God to be poured upon them and theirs. Oh that my head was water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep night and day for the sins and sorrows of poor distressed sin-sinking England.  
7. Sin is Adultery, and had I time and a heart, I might be very large to enumerate the multitude of transgressions of this nature, & surely this sin is grown so common, that it is open before the Sun, and men plead for it, and very much extrenuate it. Nay I question whether some are not so notoriously wicked to urge Scripture for their abominable uncleanness. Know O thou profane Atheist, the Scriptures give thee no liberty, but will judge thee for thy sins at the last and great day of account; when you shall certainly give an account for all your actions done in the body; and how will you answer the taking your neighbour's wife from him; it may be thou wilt instance David's adultery; but consider if thou wilt commit David's sin, than thou must expect David's punishment, which was very severe. See Psal. the 32, from the 1, to the 6, vers. vers. the 3, When I kept silence, my bones waxed old, through my roaring all the day long. vers. the 4, For day & night thy hand was heavy upon me; my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. vers. the 5. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid: I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Psal. 51. from 1, to the 13. verse. Have mercy upon me O God according to thy loving kindness, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out all my transgressions: vers. the 2. wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. vers. the 4. Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight, that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and clear when thou judgest: vers. 5. Behold, I am shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my Mother conceive me. vers. the 7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones that thou hast broken may rejoice. vers. the 9 Hid thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. vers. 10. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. vers. 11. Cast me not out of thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. vers. 12. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free Spirit. See what misery this sin of Adultery brought upon King David, that made him cry out in the bitterness of his soul, and almost brought him to the grave. For his radical moisture was turned into the drought of the summer. Surely sin brings death, both a natural, spiritual, and eternal, The wages of sin is death, Rom. 7. 23. without true unfeigned repentance, and turning from it as David did. But how many perplexities of heart had he, and how many chastisements were inflicted upon him, driven from his kingdom; he that came out off his own bowels, risen up against him, the hearts of the people were alienated from him. 2 Sam. 15. from the 13. to the 18. vers. 23, 30. And so you see his great distress, by reason of those sins of Murder and Adultery; and in his flight he was so despised, that Shimei, one of his Subjects cursed him, and threw stones at him, chapt. 16. from the 5 vers. to the 9 O the confusion and distress that sin brings upon a people, & how foolish are the Sons and Daughters of men, to delight in that which will utterly destroy them both soul and body; and hate those things that would preserve them in peace and prosperity; that is, they hate Christ and his ways and people. Prov. 8. 35, 36. For who so findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. vers. 36. But he that sinneth against me, wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. Very well may wicked men be called in the Scriptures mad men and fools, because they destroy themselves, and esteem of things of no value, more than those things that are exceeding precious, & to be most highly valued in the superlative degree. So God complains of the people of Israel, in the 5 of Jer. 8, 9 They were as fed horses, in the morning every one neighed after his neighbour's wife; shall I not visit for these things saith the Lord; shall not my soul be avenged on such a Nation as this. Several other Scriptures I might produce which declare the wrath of God against a sinful people, that will not be persuaded to break off their sins by repentance. O consider how many rules thou breakest by committing this sin of Adultery and Fornication. 1 The 7. Command. Thou shalt not commit Adultery. 2 the 10 Com. Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbour's wife. 3. The rule of Equity, that Royal rule. Do as thou wouldst be done by. Would you be contented that another should take your wife and defile her, why then will you be so injurious to your neighbour, as to covet that which is none of yours, contrary to the rule of God's holy word. Jer. 5. 9, 10, 11. For the house of Israel, and the house of Judah, have dealt treacherously against me, saith the Lord; they have belied the Lord, and said it is not he, neither shall evil come upon us, neither shall we see sword nor famine. vers. 13. And the Prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them; thus shall it be done unto them. vers. 14. Wher●fore thus saith the Lord of hosts, because ye speak this word, behold I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. vers. 15. Lo I will bring a Nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the Lord: it is a mighty Nation, it is an ancient Nation, whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. vers. 21. Hear now this O foolish people, and without understanding, which have eyes and see not, ears and hear not, vers. 22. Fear ye not me? saith the Lord, will ye not tremble at my presence? which have placed the sand for the bound of the Sea by a perpetual decree that it cannot pass, though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet cannot they pass over it; and so to the end of the chap. vers. 28. They are waxen fat, they shine, yea they overpass the deeds of the wicked, they judge not the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper, and the right of the needy do they not judge. vers. 29. Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord? shall not my soul be avenged of such a Nation as this? vers. 30. A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land. vers. 31. The Prophet's prophecy falsely and the Priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so, and what will ye do in the end thereof. And thus you see how sin provokes the Lord to destroy Nations, Families and Persons. Thou that art so injurious to take away thy Neighbour's wife, God doth many times take away all that such wicked persons have, and they are brought to a morsel of bread. For a whore is a deep ditch, and a strange woman a narrow pit. Prov. 23. 27, 28, 29. She lieth also in wait as for a prey, and increaseth transgressors among men. Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contention? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? Surely Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge, even in this life without true repentance, and assuredly in the life to come. It is very sad to see the impudence of the female sex. How many of them have harlots behaviour: yea Professors, and those that would be thought sober women; yet go naked-necked from shoulder to shoulder, and their breasts seen which parts should be covered in modesty, and that because it is the fashion, and their Relations go so: & this is their foolish excuse, that when they come among them, they shall be contemned by them: no matter, for it is but by the wantoness and Hectours of this age. Drunkards count such as will be drunk with them, honest men and Good-fellows; but they are never the honester for their esteem. Away then with the nakedness and cover your breasts and shoulders for shame, or else what ever show of modesty thou makest, it will be esteemed by sober persons vain and foolish. And seeing thou givest way to uncover thy nakedness, and so allurest wicked men, thou mayst be overcome at last by lewd men to commit the sin of uncleanness. O avoid all appearance of evil; for Christians are to be adorned with modesty, & to use sobriety in all their actions. O poor vile sinner, thou that excusest thyself, by being a great man or woman in this world, and therefore thou must not be controlled: what art thou, but a lump of clay, a heap of sinful dust and ashes? That is but a greater aggravation of thy condemnation, for the more mercies thou hast received from God, the greater is thy Punishment; if thou abusest these good mercies of God, as riches, honour, that thou receivest from his bountiful hand more than others: and because it is more exemplary and prevalent to draw others, therefore it is accompanied with more aggravations: in regard thou receivest more kindness from God than others, and so takest God's weapons to fight against him. How canst thou escape great condemnation, that sinnest against so much light and so much love. Oh foolish and unwise; do ye thus provoke the Lord to bring judgement and desolation, until he hath consumed you from of the earth. Job, 24. 15. The eye also of the Adulterer watcheth for the twilight, saying no eye shall see me, and disguiseth his face, 16, 17, 18, vers. Jer. 10. 11. For the land is full of Adulterers, for because of Swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, their course is evil, and their force is not right, Mala. 3. 5. And I will come near to you in judgement, and will be a swift witness against the Sorcerers, and against the Adulterers, and against false Swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling of his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts. And thus you may see, how God doth threaten judgements against these sins, and against all sin: likewise see what the Apostle saith in 1, Corin. 6. 9, 10. Be not deceived, neither Fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor Effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind; nor Thiefs, nor Covetous, nor Drunkards, nor Extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God. So Heb. 13. 4. Marriage is honourable in all; but Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge. Rev. 22. 15. For without are Dogs, Sorcerers, and Whoremongers, Murderers, and Idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I beseech you consider seriously, what God would have you, in these Scriptures; for they are sharply reprehending your sins. You that are guilty of these abominations take heed; for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the great and dreadful God, who will be a consuming fire to all rebellious sinners. Psa. 50. 22. Now consider this ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Oh let thy heart tremble within thee, when thou considerest that although thou art in thy secret chamber with thy minion, yet God seethe all thy wickedness, and will judge thee at the last and great day of account, when all the Adulterers and Adultresses shall desire the rocks and mountains to fall upon them to hid them from him that sits upon the throne, and shall not have so much favour, but shall be severely judged and condemned, and cast into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, in those endless, easl●ss and remediless torments.  
7. Land destroying Sin is murder, this is a great crying Sin, that cries aloud for vengeance, upon the Persons that are guilty, and those that pass by wilful Murder and upon all those Juries, that find many Murders but manslaughter, surely this Sin of murder is frequently committed in this great City and Suburbs, and in all other parts of the Nation; what a horrible shame is it, that the City of London and Westminster, that should be the best governed, being the chief place of the Nation, that there should be so many outrages committed, where the Gospel is so powerfully preached, beyond all the places in the World; that which God hath so much prohibited in his holy word, Exod. 20. 13. Thou shalt not kill. Gen. 1. 9, 6. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the Image of God made he man; which is given as a reason of this prohibition, and this is confirmed by the Lord Jesus. Matth. 5. 21, 22. Chapt. 19 18. thou shalt do no Murder, thou shalt not Steal, thou shalt not bear false Witness, etc. See Num. 35. 16. And if he smite him with an Instrument of Iron so that he die, he is a Murderer, and the Murderer shall surely be put to death. vers. the 31. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the Life of the Murderer which is guilty of Death, but he shall surely be put to Death. vers. the 30. whoso killeth any person shall be put to Death by the mouth of his Witnesses. Oh the corruption of this wicked age, that if a man be a great man, or have great Friends, or a plentiful Purse, how is justice apt to be perverted; and it may be the Prosecutor a poor man, how shall he be browbeaten, and not suffered to speak, if the Murderer be in his drink, or be distempered, there will be some excuse or other made for him; Oh do not think these poor sorry excuses will serve you, be not deceived God is not mocked, that which you sow, you shall reap to your great sorrow, and those that are instrumental in saving Murderers, from the highest to the lowest you shall smart for it, when a Gentleman hath committed or Murdered a Man, he flies to France, and then his Friends procure a Pardon, or else the Judge and Jury must be spoken unto, and I wish they do not find plain Murder is Manslaughter, especially if he be a Cousin, or related to a great man, what shifts will there be to save this Murderers Life, and it may be instead of repenting, this Hector goes and kills another man, judge you who kill▪ d that man, whosoever it be that saves a Murderer unjustly, I must needs be plain with you, and declare unto you that the wrath of God is against all unrighteousness: and thou Sinner, by sinning against God, treasurest up wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous Judgements of God, who will reward every man according to his works. Rom. 2. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.  
8 Sin, is Drunkenness and excess, this is a beastly swinish sin; what to take those creatures which God hath graciously given to satisfy and refresh Nature, thou by taking excess dost express and destroy Nature. Oh how foolish and unwise are poor desperate sinners, that by your practice, speak forth as if God had made you to drink and swill and take your fill, till you disgorge yourselves, and be an anusance and disturbance to all sober persons near you, nay sure God hath made you for more noble ends, viz. to glorify him, and to know your interest in him, and to do good in your Generation; what benefit is a Drunkard to Church or Commonwealth, nay he is very injurious to himself, his Family and all other sober good men, that cannot endure to see God dishonoured and his good mercies abused, Oh what great shame is this, that where the Gospel is so powerfully preached, and so much light, that such an abominable vice as this should reign and be so frequently practised, that is against the very light of Nature. I might be long upon this subject to show you the sad effects of this beastly Sin of drunkenness, what a big bellied Sin is this, which is an occasion sometimes of Murder and uncleanness, when men are deprived of their reason, than they are mad, and sit for any mischief to themselves & others, some men when they are drunk have broken their Necks off their Horses, fallen down off some steep place, not being able to stand, and so destroyed themselves, others committing uncleanness, Ravishing their Neighbour's Wives and their Daughters, many sad effects doth this sin of drunkenness produce; it fits men to do all manner of evil, and unfits them for any thing that is good, either for Soul or body. Now I shall show you the Scriptures wherein the great God prohibits this beastly Sin, to see that if by any means you may be prevailed upon to leave this silthy dirty abominable Sin. See Es. 5. 11. woe to them that rise up early in the morning and follow strong-drink, that continue till night, till wine inflame them. vers. 22. woe to them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong-drink. vers. 23, 24. Chap. 56. 12. Mica. 2. 11. Nah. 1. 10. For while they be folded together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry. Joel. the 5. Awake ye Drunkards, weep and howl all ye Drinkers of Wine. 1. Cor. 6. 9, 10. Be not deceived, neither Fornicators, nor Idolators, nor Adulterers, nor Effeminate, nor Abusers of themselves with Mankind, nor Thiefs, nor Covetous, nor Revelers, nor extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God. Es. 19, 14, Luk. 21. 34, 35. Rom. 13. 13. Let us work honestly as in the Day, not in Rioting and Drunkenness, not in Chambering and Wantonness, not in strife and Envy. There are several other places I might mention, but these may suffice; if God would be pleased to set any one of them with power upon the heart of a Poor Sinner.  
Now I shall speak a few words to all those that in a great measure are the causes of the growth and increase of these evils, and they are Magistrates, Ministers, and Parents, and Masters of Families. There are some Magistrates that are so far from punishing these Enormities, that they are Precedents and ringleaders of all these vices, as Swearing, Whoring, and Drunkenness, nay they are like those spoken of by the Prophet. Jer. 3. 12. Oh my Prophet, they that lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy Paths. verse. 13, 14. Surely they are most fit to be Magistrates according to the Scripture, that fear God and hate Covetousness, and every evil way. Oh saith the meaner sort that would have Fig-leaves to cover their Nakedness, use to such a Magistrate or Minister, do such things, and they are learned, if it were so sinful they would not do it; such kind of Magistrates and Ministers cause them to Sin, extenuate and are great examples to encourage to evil. Oh what a sad thing is this, that men are not content only to go to Hell themselves but draw others after them, therefore their condemnation will be the greatest at the great day of account.  
2, Ministers, those that call themselves Ministers of the Gospel, Oh what wickedness are they arrived unto, that some of them reel in the Streets; and make nothing of swearing, cursing and uncleanness; do not you think that God's Soul will be avenged on such as you are, who are like Jereboams Priests, the vilest of the People, you that pretend to be leaders of others, should be such bad examples as to lead the people towards Hell, what will your account be when both Ministers and Magistrates shall appear before the judgement seat of Jesus Christ, what can you say here, am I one of those have lead to Hell, surely your condemnation will be very great, that will not only answer for your own Sins, but for others, whom you have by evil examples drawn to Sin; how can you bear the weight of this great burden of Judgements that will certainly fall upon you, if you repent not and turn to the Lord speedily? here I might be very large, but I shall forbear at this time, hoping that some may be awakened, which is the main end of this small discourse.  
3. To Parents and Masters of Families, who are very bad precedents to their Wives, Children & Servants, who are so far from instructing them in the ways of God, according to gods injunction in the holy Scriptures, that they are the Ringleaders of them to all manner of evil, Oh sinful Parents and Masters, that should with all your might instruct your Children and Servants, how will you, how can you escape great condemnation, when you shall be called to a strict account for leading your Children and Servants to great destruction, how sad will it be with you, when your Children and Servants shall curse you, and say we might have escaped these flames had our Masters and Parents instructed us, and had they not been wicked examples to us, but now woe and alas we are tormented with the Devil and his Angels in everlasting burn.  
Now let me give you a few instructions to poor Sin-sinking England, I beseech you hearken to the counsels of Gods holy word when he threatened destruction upon the People of Isarel. Joel. 2. from the 1. to the 22. verse. Blow the Trumpet in Zion and sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the Inhabitants tremble, for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the Morning spread upon the mountains, a great People and a strong, there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after i●, even to the years of many Generations. vers. the 3. A fire devoureth before them, and behind them a flame burneth, the land is as the Garden of Eden, before them and behind them a desolate Wilderness, yea nothing shall escape them, and so forward to the 12. vers. but consider in the 12, 13, 14. verses, you have that blessed counsel given to them as the only means to escape this dreadful judgement, where you have very much of the bowels of God's compassion expressed like a tender hearted Father, unwilling to strike, if it may be avoided. Therefore also now saith the Lord, turn ye even unto me with all your heart, and with Fasting, and with Weeping, and with Mourning. vers. the 13. And rend your hearts and not your Garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, for he is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. vers. the 14. Who knoweth if he will return and leave a blessing behind him, even a meat offering and a drink offering to the Lord your God; and so you may read unto the end of the Chapter. These latter verses have in them contained the forcible arguments to press on and enforce the exhortation, surely there is no other way for England to escape total ruin, but by following the blessed advice, & very wholesome counsel of repenting and turning to the Lord with your whole hearts, and who is able to give us counsel that may do us good but God, whose counsel shall we adhere unto that may be effectual but his, but if we obstinately persist in the rebellions against the great God of heaven, he will surely plague us seven times more for our Sins, and so may root us out from being a people, now the Cup of trembleing by our neighbour nations, who knows but we may drink the dregs and bottoms of the Cup that such a stubborn, impudent, brazenfaced, rebellious People, as have sinned against so much light and love; we know that ingratitude is counted one of the worst evils, as your Latin Phrase is, Si dixeris ingratum est omne malum.  
There is no true Christian desires the evil day, but doth pray earnestly to your Lord for the aversion of his judgements from the Nation, and however they are lightly esteemed amongst men, and called fanatics, yet they are the pillars of the Earth and the best friends to the King and Kingdom, although they are slighted and persecuted for cleaving close to God's word, which they dare not, nor will not swarve from what ever they suffer, and knowing the terror of the Lord, we do persuade men to turn from their evil ways to the Lord, that so they may not bring ruin upon themselves and others, surely it will be a very terrible day upon all those that persecute the people of God, and I pray you what do you persecute them for, I conceive you do not understand what is written against those that sit at ease, and eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and think they do well if they can procure the Ministers of the gospel and Christians to be put in Prison. But all you that are of that spirit to worry the precious harmless Lambs of Jesus Christ, I would not be in your cases for ten thousand worlds; mark what our Lord Jesus saith to such; Mat. 18. 6. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones, which believe in me; it were better a millstone were hanged about his neck, & that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Mar. 9 42. Luk. 17. 1, 2.  
And thus I conclude with my earnest prayers to the God of all grace and mercy, beseeching him rather to glorify his mercy in the reformation of this poor sinful Island, than his Justice in the confusion and desolation of it, now as I was concluding, I was looking for that place of Scripture In Jer. Where the Prophet saith Lord thou knowest I do not desire the evilday. These Scriptures were presented unto my view, Jer. 18. from the 9 to the 12. verse. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a Nation, and concerning a Kingdom, to build and to plant it, vers. the 10. If it do evil in my sight, and obey not my voice, then will I repent of the good wherewith I said I will benefit them. vers. the 11. Now therefore go to speak to the men of Judah, and to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, thus saith the Lord, behold I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you; return ye every one from the evil of his way, and make your ways and your do good. Chap. 13. 18, 19 Say unto the King and to the Queen humble yourselves, sit down, for your Principalities shall come down, even the Crown of your glory. vers. the 19 to the end of that Chapter. The Cities of the South shall be shut up, Judah shall be carried away Captive, all of it shall be wholly carried away Captive. Thus you see the denunciation of God's threaten of terrible judgements against a rebellious People that walketh in a way that is not good after their own thoughts. Oh therefore I humbly beseech you hear and fear, and turn to the Lord with your whole hearts.  
9 Sin, That is a Land destroying Sin, is Sabbath breaking, which is first a breach of the 4th Commandment. Exod. 20. 8. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. This is the law that was given in thundering and lightning. Exod. 19 16. And it came to pass the third day in the Morning that there were thunderings and lightnings, so that all the people that were in the Camp trembled. One reason may be why the Law was given in that terrible manner, that the people might fear to break that righteous Law, for that God which shown himself terrible in the giving of the Law, can also show himself as terrible on them that violate this righteous Law, which appoints a time for his worship, in pouring down his wrath and indignation upon Nations that break this righteous and just Law, so that if there be a God to worship, (as doubtless there is) and certainly there is a time that he hath set apart; which ought to be kept holy, than woe be to all those that dare adventure to prophain his holy day, as in this well governed City and in the Suburbs thereof, is Costermongers and others selling their fruit on that holy day, and other things on that day: Friends it is not altogether so much the matter done which maketh the breach of the Sabbath, as any thing done which ought not to be done, picking of sticks was but a small business, and yet see how God was displeased, see that he destroyed those that did it, nothing but works of necessity and mercy. Nehem. 10. 13. And if the people of the Land bring ware or any victuals on the Sabbath day we will not buy it, we will not buy of them on the Sabbath, or on the holy day. Chapt. 13. from the 15. to the 23. Where good Nehemiah testified against them that sold victuals. vers. the 17. Then I contended with the Nobles, and said to them, what evil thing is this that ye do and profane the Sabbath day. vers. the 18. Did not your Fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, upon this City, yet ye bring more wrath by profaning the Sabbath. See the Zeal of a good Governor, he contended against evil, and encouraged them in that which was good, which is the duty of all Magistrates; but è contra with us in England, there be some Magistrates that discourage virtue and encourage vice, what a sad thing is this, those Magistrates that do so are not appointed nor set up. Exod. 16. 23. Chapt. 31. 15. Six days may work be done, but in the 7th is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord, whosoever doth any work on the Sabbath, he shall surely be put to death. so in the 14. vers. Chapt. 35. 2. Levit. 23. 2. Num. 15. 32, 34. vers. the 35. And the Lord said unto Moses, the man shall be surely put to death, and the Congregation shall stone him with stones. and vers. 36. And they stoned him with stones and he died, as the Lord commanded Moses. Deut. 5. 12, 13, 14. John 20. 19 Es. 56. 2. 6. And thus you see the Scriptures Enjoining us to keep the Lords day, and the denunciation of threaten against those that break this holy day; although the day be altered from all the Scriptures, you may safely conclude that there is a time set a part by God for his worship and service, and if the least breach were punished with death, what shall be the violation of the whole day, and that is much by travelling on the Lord's day, which is the Market day of your Souls, and do you think a wise man will be diverted from his Markets by trifling gewgaws, especially when his livelihood lieth upon it; another way how Persons break the Sabbath is by spending their time in needless adornments of the Body, & after Sermon either to stand gazing at their Doors, or talking impertinently contrary to the work of the day, of worldly things, of vain and lascivious things, and how dost thou rest when thou art employed with thy thoughts and tongue, though thou art not with thy hands, which is as it were one and the same, for when the heart is gone from the service of God all your life is gone, and there is little lest but a dead Carcase, which is no Keeping of a day to the Lord. Another way how Persons break the Lords day, that after several Gentry and others have carelessly heard the word, than they must recreate themselves by walking in Grays-Inn walks or in the Fields, with vain and unsavoury discourses, and so Satan steals the word they have heard, and they are never the better, but as ready to go to their Lusts all the Week after, and so drive a sad trade of Sin which brings great judgements, Temporal, Spiritual and Eternal. I might urge many Scriptures both in the Old and New Testament, and several Arguments might b● produced, but famous Mr. Dod, that worthy servant of Jesus Christ, and others have done so learnedly, that it is but the Widows mite that I can cast into the treasury by way of confirmation of what hath been formerly spoken, I shall end this particular, with two things, first to show you briefly how the Sabbath ought to be kept, and secondly speak something of the alteration of the day.  
1. How a Sabbath day of rest ought to be kept holy, remember to keep holy the Sabbath day, it is set a part from all serviceable works, but works of mercy and necessity may be done; thou art to prepare to keep the Lords day. Secondly begin in the Morning withprivate Prayers & meditation, pray for the presence of God in all his ordinances, praise God for the great work of redemption, and for the resurrection, for in that day Jesus Christ risen from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of that glorious place on high, ever living to make intercession for all that believe. Secondly bless God for his holy word, and beg that it may be to thee as it was to David sweeter than honey and the hony-comb, and that it may be so blessed, that it may do thy Soul good, and that the instructions of the word may teach thee, and the reprehentions of the Word to weaken Sin in thee, and that the exhortations may persuade thee, and the consolations comfort thee, and when thou hast been hearing the word thou must examine what word it was that met with thy Soul, and make much of that, and if thou wouldst spend thy time in hearing and praying and praising their would be no spare time for walking up and down unnessarily. Now to you that are Masters of Families, it is your duty to pray privately to your Families every day, but begin with prayer on the Lords day in the Morning, and then pray with thy Family, and so bring thy Children and Servants to the hearing of the word powerfully preached, and after repeat, and so to Prayer, and thus spend the Lords day in holy exercises, than thou wilt undoubtedly be more sit to serve God in thy particular calling in the Week, and then thou mayst expect a blessing from heaven upon all thou hast, for it is the blessing of God maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow with it.  
But those Scriptures that you have brought are for keeping of the seventh day. It is true, the seventh day was the Jewish Sabbath, but we find a change of the day after the resurrection, and the gospel ordinances were administered on that day, it was that day in which Jesus Christ risen from the dead, we see what Christ saith Math. the 12. from the 1. to the 9 A●●●. 20. 7. Rev. 1. 10. It is said that some greek Copies do render it thus, John was ravished in the Spirit on the Lords, day being the first day of the Week, but I am not now to intermeddle with that controversy, but am fully satisfied in my own mind, that there is sufficient warrant in the New Testament for keeping the first day of the Week or Lords day, in which we are to celebrate the praises of God in the great work of redemption.  
10. Sin, Which is a Land destroying Sin, is Covetousness and oppression, first covetousness is a greedy desire of that which is none of their own, secondly covetousness is against the righteous Law of God. In Exod. 20. 17. Hebrews. 13. and the 5. Let your conversations be without covetousness, and be content with those things that you have. 3. Col. 5. 6. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the Earth; Fornication, Uncleanness, Inordinate affection, evil concupiscence and covetousness which is Idolatry, for which things sake the Wrath of God cometh on the Children of disobedience. See Es. 57 17. For the Iniquity of his covetousness I was wrath and smote him. Several Scriptures that reprehend this evil, and Arguments might be urged, but in regard many worthy Servants of Jesus Christ have demonstrated this evil of Covetousness at large, I shall as it were but briefly touch upon it, & speak something to that which is obvious to the practice of the men of our age, it very much reprehends some trades men and Usurers, that when men that have got into their debt, they feed them with money, and so on a sudden call for their Debt, and if the Debtor hath not money to pay, than they must have a Mortgage upon his Land, and if it be not redeemed in such a fixed time, than they cease upon the Land for half the worth of it, and so they ruin them and their Posterity, although it is very true that every man ought to pay his Debt, but the Creditor must not raise it in a Sinister way, Preying upon others necessities, and taking advantage upon men when they are in a Low condition but it is honest, to give every one the full value of his Land, as any other Purchaser would do, but they have clandestine ways to eat up men's Estates, before they are ware, and so forcibly throw them out; this is a horrible shame, and a great fruit of covetousness, and that which the Creditor gets by such ways will consume as Butter in the Sun, for God will blast, and not bless, what is contrary to his will.  
2ly. I shall briefly show you how covetousness may be said to be Idolatry; f●r whatever thou lovest or trustest in more than God, that undoubtedly thou makest thy God. For consider if a man have lost a beast or any outward thing, how exceedingly will he complain and bewail his loss, but when thou losest the presence of God and the enjoyment of communion with himself thou makest no matter of that which is the chiefest good, and surely this is a clear demonstration that thou lovest these creatures more than the Creator blessed for ever.  
2ly. That which thou art so much cast down in the absence, and so exceedingly lifted up and rejoicing in the presence of, and in the enjoyment, must needs be thy chiefest delight, and so closest with thy Idol, instead of the true God, and in this thou art certainly to blame.  
2ly. Oppression, when men oppress the poor and needy. Psa. 12. 5. For the oppression of the Poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise saith the Lord, I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. The rich oppress the poor, as Masters oppress their servants and apprentices, and Magistrates oppress their subjects. Then Masters oppress their servants, when they do not that which is equal to them, they break the Royal Rule, do as you would bedon by. For Masters to detain their servants wages, and not to give that which is necessary and convenient for them, this is a great oppression. See Job 35. 9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions, they make the oppressed to cry, they cry out by reason of the arm of the Mighty. Eccles. 4. 1. So I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the Sun, and behold the tears of such as are oppressed, and they had no comforter, and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Is. 33. 15. So when Governors of Nations lay any heavy burdens upon the people contrary to the rule of God's word, and contrary to the Law of the Nation, this is great oppression as Pharaoh made the people make Brick without straw. See Exod. 5. from the 7. to the 19 vers. 15. Then the Officers of the Children of Israel cried unto Pharaoh, saying, wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants, there is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say unto us make Brick, and behold thy servants are beaten, but the fault is in thy own people, vers. 17. But he said ye are idle, ye are idle, therefore ye say let us go and do sacrifice unto the Lord. ver. 18. Go therefore now and work, for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks. Job 15. 20. With many other places I might allege. So that you may see, how oppressors have been formerly, & so are to this day, and how the holy Scriptures condemn that sin, and it brings judgements upon the guilty, on them and their posterity. Therefore repent of this great, unlovely, uncharitable, self-destroying sin; for else it will bring the swift judgements of God upon all those that practise this abominable evil, both upon them and their posterity. See Job 57 from the 13, to the end of the chapped. This is the portion of wicked men with God, and the heritage which they shall receive of the Almighty; if his children be multiplied, it is for the sword, and his offspring shall not be satisfied. vers. the 15. Those that remain of him shall be buried in death, and his widows shall not weep. vers. the 20. Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night. 21. The East-wind carrieth him away and he departeth, and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. 22. For God shall cast upon him and not spare, he would fain flee out of his hands. 23. Men shall clap their hands at him. and shall hiss him out of his place. And this is the portion of wicked men from the Lord. I beseech you, let every one examine himself whether he be not guilty of this sin. Prov. 3. 31. and 28. 16. Jer. 21. 12. and 22. 3. And see the danger of and avoid it, and turn to the Lord from every evil way, that so iniquity may not be your ruin.  
11. Sin, is the sin of Professors that profess Religion, and do not practise what you profess. Surely when we make a scrutiny into our own hearts, and behold the practice of other Professors; it is evidently to be demonstrated, that there is so little love to God and Jesus Christ, that have deserved all our love; that we may be ashamed. See what little love there is to Saints, that bear the Image of Christ. Surely we are fallen into the latter days that our Lord Jesus speaks of, Math. 24. 12. And because iniquity abounds, the love of many shall wax cold. The great reason that Christ gives why the love of many waxeth cold, is because iniquity abounds. Therefore now it must needs wax cold, because there was never greater abounding of iniquity in all sorts as at this day. There is no man that loves God aright, but he must love his Image where ever he see it. 1 Joh. 2. from the 9 to the 12. Loving our Brethren is made a certain character of a Christian. 1 Joh. 3. 10. and 4. 20. that Epistle is spent in treating of Faith and Love. And therefore I desire all Christians seriously to read and weigh those five chapped. of 1. of John, it doth very much reprehend our defects in this thing especially; and exhorts all to believe. Oh examine thy heart, and be earnest at the throne of grace, that God would make thee sincere, that thou mayst avoid the evils of the day thou livest in, and do the duties of the day, which is especially (1) Love to God and Jesus Christ, (2) Love to the Saints; (3) Watchfulness and keeping thy garments clean, lest thou be found naked, I shall end with this Scripture which is our Lord Jesus' reprehension of and counsel to, the Church of Ephesus, Rev. 2. 4, 5. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do thy first works; or else I will come against thee and remove thy Candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Oh let us every one consider what is said, and the Lord give a right understanding in all things. Oh the lukewarmness and want of love to God, and Christ, and Saints. Oh the carnality of Professors: a Laodicean frame, is the worst frame in professors. Mark what the spirit of God saith in the 3 of the Re. 3. And unto the Angel of the Church of Laodicea writ these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the Beginning of the Creation of God. vers. 15. I know thy works that thou art neither hot nor cold, so because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Are not your expectations very great, the accomplishing of all those faithful promises which God hath made in these latter days; and therefore Christians should be diligent, and be up and doing, and be servant in the spirit, serving the Lord with much vigilancy and sincerity; preparing for the day of the Lord which draweth nigh: And blessed are all those servants, whom their Lord shall find doing their Master's will; he will make them sit down and he will serve them. Take heed of spiritual pride for that poisons Angelical perfections. Take heed of a carnal, formal frame of spirit, for that will make thee unfit for doing or suffering. Oh awake thou that sleepest, and rise from the dead and Christ shall give thee life: for thou hast a great work to do and a very little time to do it; and therefore up and be doing, and the Lord be with thee. Labour to exercise faith and patience, faith in God, and love to God, and very much longing and ardent desire after God.  
2. A patiented waiting for God, For he that shall come, will come and will not tarry, but the Just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him, Heb. 10. 35, 36, 37, 38. Now with my earnest prayers at the Throne of grace for you, desiring the God of all grace and rich mercy, to preserve us blameless, and to keep us by his mighty power through faith to salvation: that we overcome to the death, and so enjoy a Crown of life; which the righteous Lord will assuredly give to all those that love and long for his appearance.  
FINIS.