That this is the only way for the saving of this nation from impending judgments and wasting desolations, — that this way will be effectual unto that end when all others shall fail, — is asserted and proved in this discourse, from the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ himself, to confront the wisdom of politicians, who are other- wise minded, with a plain word of truth and power.
It was hoped also by them, that some intimation of their duty might be hereby given unto those who, having the ministerial oversight of the generality of the people, do divert their minds unto the petty differences and contests, whilst the fire of God's displeasure for sin is ready to devour their habitations. And the truth is, if they persist in their negligence, if they give not a public evidence, at this season, of their zeal for repentance and reformation of life among all sorts of persons, — going
1 yfJoJeis an old English word signifying o/«e» or prognoilic, — from "bode," to portend — Ed.
59G TO THE HEADER.
before them in tlieir example and endeavours unto the promotion of them, — I under- stand not how they will f^ive an account of their trust and duty to God or men.
And therefore, were I worthy to give advice to any of my brethren in the minis- try, who are in the same condition with myself as unto outward circumstances, it should be this only, namely, that whilst others do seek to obstruct them in the whole discharge of their duty, and to deprive the church of the benefit of their labours, they would, by their own personal example, by peculiar endeavours in their congregations, among all that hear them, and on every occasion, so press the pre- sent calls of God unto repentance, and so promote the work of a visible reforma- tion, as eminently to help in saving of the nation from approaching judgments, and tiiprein of them also who design their trouble; — and 1 doubt not but most of them are already engaged .and forward herein.
This shall be our testimony, and our peace, in whatever may befall us in this world.
Let us not satisfy ourselves, that our congregations are in so good a posture as that they may continue for our lives ; and so be like ill tenants, who care not if their houses fall upon the expiration of the term of their interest in them. Tliat repa- ration is required of us which may make them serve for succeeding generations.
And when any church is so unobservant of its own decays as to be negligent of endeavours for proportionable reformation, — if, after a while, any %\ ill deliver their own souls. It must be by a departure from them that hate to be reformed.
It is a fond imagination, that churches may render their communion useless and dangerous only by heresy, tyranny, -AnA false worship; — an evil, worldly, corrupt conversation in the generality of their members, contrary to the doctrine of the gospel, not opposed and contradicted by a constant endeavour for sincere reforma- tion, is no less ruinous unto the being of churches than any of these other evils.
On these and such like considerations, I was not unwilling that this plain dis- course should be exposed to public view, hoping that it might stir up others of greater abilities and opportunities more effectually to pursue the same design. I do not think it needful to make any apology for the plainness both of the matter and style in this small treatise.
The least endeavour to attire a discourse of this nature with the ornaments of speech or language, is even ridiculous; it is more fit to bear the furrows of sighs and tears, than to be smoothed and flourished with the oily colours of elegance and rhetoric.
And as for the obvious plainness of the matter contained in it, it is suited, as I judge, unto them whose good is principally designed therein. Plain men have sinned as well as others, though it may be not unto so high a degree, nor in such an outrage of excess. However, on many considerations, they are likely first to suffer, unless impendent judgments are diverted by repentance.
I do but a little plead with every man for himself and in his own cause. Nei- ther, however wise or learned men may be, is it meet, in this case, to treat them otherwise. It is to no purpose to make a fine speech unto such as are falling into a lethargy, nor to discourse learnedly of the art of navigation unto them that are ready to perish in a storm ; they must be plain words and plain things that are forcible in this case. And those by whom they are despised, from any principle of self-elation, give but an uncomfortable indication of what will be the issue of their dangers.
Let, therefore, the reader but candidly excuse and pass by the trouble which he will be put unto by the fre(iuent mistakes of the press, especially in mispointings, rendering the sense sometimes obscure and unobvious; and I have, on the behalf of the treatise itself, no more to desire of his forbearance.
SEllMON XYl.
AN HUMBLE TESTIMONY UNTO THE GOODNESS AND SEVERITY
OF GOD IN HIS DEALING WITH SINFUL
CHURCHES AND NATIONS.