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when we are not aware of

it.

Above all, in time of great Diftress by any publick or private Calamity, we ought to fhun Voluptuoufness, as we do Shelves and Quickfands; which Men more especially dread

in a Storm.

Then it is

most unfeasonable to make our felves Merry, when we are in great Danger, For that's the way to throw off all Confideration; even then when to Confider is moft neceffary, and will

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do us the greatest Service.

It is a fign Men are void of all Senfe, and have no more Fear than the Brutes; which Eat and Drink juft as they ufe to do, when they fee one of their Fellows Slaughtered before their Eyes. Read what the Prophet Ifaiah writes about this matter, in 22. Chap. v. 12, 13, 14. In that day did the LORD God of hofts call to weeping, and mourning, I to baldness and girding with fackcloth. And behold joy and gladness, flaying oxen, and killing

killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine. Let us eat and drink for to morrow we shall die. And it was revealed in mine ears, by the LORD of hosts, Jurely, this iniquity fhall not be purged from you till you die, faith the LORD God of hosts. Purged from them? no, how was it poffible, when they themselves oppofed the means of their Cure? God called for Mourning; and they quite contrary, betook themselves to Merriment and Pleasure. They were like unto fome Sick Perfons, who at that very time, when they are under the Physicians hands, will not forbear their Intemperance or bad Diet, which was the cause of their Difeafe, Doth any Man expect his Medicines

will

will work the Effect he defires, when he to whom they are Adminiftred will not refrain from full Meals, or from his Muthrooms and unwholfome Diet? He may pray his Heart out, who begs Health of God, while he does nothing but diforder himself, even while he is confined to his Chamber for his Recovery. And just so unsuccessful will all thofe Supplications prove, which are made to God for the faving of our Souls, or of our Country from Ruin; while we continue to oppose his Divine Methods, from whom all Salvation comes.

For it is altogether like to a Man that calls for Quarter, and begs Mercy of his Enemy that hath him in his Power; though

at

at the fame time he deals his Blows round about him as thick as ever, and shows no fign that he abates his Hoftility. Such Supplications are perfectly ridiculous They carry in themfelves their own denial; they forbid that which they ask, and undermine the very foundation of the Request.

If then we would not be numbred with thofe Stubborn Rebels, who gave the occafion of this Difcourfe, and after many Vials of God's Wrath poured on them, repented not, to give him glory: If you would not be like the old Samaritans whom Amos fpeaks of, nor hear thofe Sighs fo often repeated of you, as they were of them, Tet ye returned not unto me, faith

the

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