16. I cannot but believe, it is _chiefly_ on this account, that God hath now _a controversy with our land_. And must not any considerate man be inclined to form the same judgment, if he reviews the state of _public affairs_, for only a few years last past? I will not enter into particulars. But, in general, can you possibly help observing, that whenever there has been any thing like a _public attempt_, to suppress _this new sect_, (for so it was artfully represented) another and another _public trouble_ arose. This has been repeated so often, that it is surprising any man of sense can avoid taking notice of it. May we _turn_ at length _to him that smiteth us, hearing the rod and him that appointeth it_! May we _humble ourselves under the mighty hand of_ God, before the great deep swallow us up!
17. Just now, viz. on the 4th of this instant, _December_, the Rev. Mr. _Henry Wickham_, one of his Majesty’s justices of peace for the west-riding of _Yorkshire_ writes an order
To the constable of _Kighley_, commanding him, “to convey the body of _Jonathan Reeves_, (whose real crime is, the calling sinners to repentance) to his Majesty’s gaol and castle of _York_: suspected (said the precept) of being a spy among us, and a dangerous man to the person and government of his Majesty King _George_.”
God avert the omen! I fear this is no presage either of the repentance or deliverance of our poor nation!
18. If we will not turn and repent, if we will harden our hearts, and acknowledge neither his judgments nor mercies; what remains but the fulfilling of that dreadful word, which God spake by the prophet _Ezekiel_: _Son of man when the land sinneth against me, by trespassing grievously; then will I stretch forth my hand upon it, and break the staff of the bread thereof.――――Though these three men_, Noah, Daniel _and_ Job, _were in it, they should deliver but their own souls. Or if I bring a sword upon the land, and say_, “SWORD, GO THROUGH THE LAND:”――――_Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood:――――Though_ Noah, Daniel _and_ Job _were in it, as I live, saith the_ Lord God, _they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness_, chapter xiv. verses 13, 14, 17, 19, 20.
_Yet behold, therein shall be left a remnant, that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters.――And ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon_ Jerusalem.――_And ye shall know that I have not done without cause, all that I have done in it, saith the_ Lord God. Verses 22, 23.