There are those who acknowledge the Hand of God in all common Calamities, who yet imagine they see that Hand ftretched out against another fort of Men, and not against themselves.

There is scarce any Country or Place, but it is divided into feveral Parties and Factions: All great Cities are Inhabited by Men of different Opinions and Perfwasions, in some thing or other; and each think the way wherein the

other

other is, to be Absurd and Dangerous. Now when any Mischief befals that Place, every Party is wont to impute it to the others and though they

Fault; all Suffer in it, throw the Guilt off from themselves, 1 and lay it upon other Men's Backs. Every one is forward and glad to abfolve himself, and tranffers, the Deserts of his own

Sins to

Crimes.

another man's

Now this Humour,

when it prevails (and it is

com

commonly one of the lamentable Effects of all Di vifions) unavoidably hin ders Men's return to God. For whilft all caft the blame from off themselves, they must needs continue as they were before: While every one thinks another bad, there is no body grows Bet ter: When they expect their Neighbours fhould Amend, they do not amend them felves. It is you that have drawn this Ruin upon us, fays one Sort of Men; Nay, it is You, replies the other:

And

And fo, while they tofs the Guilt (as I may fpeak) from one fide to the other, it remains among them all. If you would not have your Hearts hardned in Sin, every Man muft fufpect himself, and endeavour to find out his own Iniquity. 3 He muft not entertain fuch an Opinion of his own-Innocence, and other Men's Lewdnefs, as to imagine the Guilt is not divided between them. But as the Prophet Zachary faith Every Family or Tribe a

part

part should be forced to Bewail and Mourn for their Afflictions (12. 11. Øc.). So truly we ought to do for our Sins: Every Man, every Family, of whatsoever Perfwafion they be, ought to ask themselves, What have we done? For more or less, all have Offended God.

Till there be this Sobriety, this Humility, this Holy Jealousy over our felves; this Impartiality and upright Judgment, there is no hope Men fhould be brought