5. Add to all these (what is indeed the source as well as completion of all) that open and profess’d DEISM and _rejection_ of the GOSPEL, that _public, avowed_ apostacy from the Christian faith, which reigns among the _rich_ and _great_, and hath spread from _them_ to _all_ ranks and orders of men (the _vulgar_ themselves not excepted) and made us a people fitted for the _destroyer of the Gentiles_.
6. Because of these sins is this evil come upon us. For (whether you are aware of it, or no) there is a God: a God, who tho’ he sits upon the circle of the heavens, sees and knows all that is done upon earth. And this God is holy; he does not love sin: he is just, rendering to all their due. And he is strong; there is none able to withstand him: he hath all power in heaven and in earth. He is patient indeed, and suffers long; but he will at last repay the wicked to his face. He often does so in _this_ world; especially when a whole nation is _openly_ and _insolently_ wicked. Then doth God _arise and maintain his own cause_; then doth he terribly shew both his justice and power: that if these will not repent, yet others may fear, and flee from the wrath to come.
7. There hath been among them that feared God, a general expectation for many years, that the time was coming, when God would thus arise, to be avenged on this sinful nation. At length the time is come. The patience of God, long provoked, gives place to justice. The windows of heaven begin to be opened, to rain down judgments on the earth. And yet, with what tenderness does he proceed? In the midst of wrath remembring mercy. By how slow degrees does his vengeance move! Nor does his whole displeasure yet arise.
8. Brethren, countrymen, Englishmen, What shall we do? To-day! While it is called to-day! Before the season of mercy is quite expired, and our _destruction cometh as a whirlwind_? Which way can we remove the evils we feel? Which way prevent those we fear? Is there any better way, than the making God our friend? The securing his help against our enemies? Other helps are little worth. We see _armies_ may be destroyed, or even flee away from old men and children. _Fleets_ may be dashed to pieces in an hour, and sunk in the depth of the sea. _Allies_ may be treacherous, or slow, or foolish, or weak, or cowardly. But God is a friend who cannot betray, and whom none can either bribe or terrify. And who is wise, or swift, or strong like him? Therefore, whatever we do, let us make God our friend. Let us with all speed remove the cause of his anger. Let us cast away our sins. Then shall his love have free course, and he will send us help, sufficient help, against all our enemies.
9. Come; will _you_ begin? Will _you_, by the grace of God, amend _one_, and that without delay? First then, _own_ those sins which have long cried for vengeance in the ears of God. _Confess_, that we and all (and _you_ in particular) deserve for our inward and outward abominations, not only to be swept from the face of the earth, but to suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. Never aim at _excusing_ either yourself or others: Let your mouth be stopt. Plead guilty before God. Above all, _own_ that _impudence_ of wickedness, that utter ♦_carelessness_, that _pert_ stupidity, which is hardly to be found in any part of the earth, (at least, not in such a degree) except in _England_. Do you not know what I mean? You was not long since praying to God for “damnation upon your own soul.” One who has heard you, said, is that right? Does not God hear? “What if he takes you at your word?” You replied, with equal _impudence_ and _ignorance_, “What, Are _you a Methodist_?”――――What, if he is a _Turk_? Must thou therefore be a _Heathen_?――――God humble thy _brutish, devilish_ spirit.
♦ “carlessness” replaced with “carelessness”
10. Lay thee in the dust, for this and for all thy sins. Let thy laughter be turned into heaviness; thy joy into mourning; thy senseless jollity and mirth, into sorrow and brokenness of heart. This is no time to eat and drink and rise up to play; but to afflict thy soul before the Lord. Desire of God a deep piercing sense of the enormous sins of the nation, and of thy own. Remember that great example: how when the _king of Nineveh_ was warned of the near approaching vengeance of God, he _caused it to be proclaimed, Let none taste any thing, let them not feed nor drink water. But let them be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yea let them turn every one from his evil way; who can tell, if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger that we perish not._ Jonah iii.