page who brings it about notwithstanding the greatest difficulties. 343 I. FROM hence it is inferred, that a city long favoured by GOD may be reduced to a very ruinous condition by its own wickedness. 345 II. THAT fuch a defolation, followed by fuch a recovery, is to be looked upon as an argument of the divine displeasure not proceeding to deftruction. 349 III. MUCH lefs is fuch a ruin to be looked upon as an argument against our religion. ibid. IV. THAT it argues a very favourable providence when GOD effectually brings about his purpose, that a city fo defolated fhould be reftored again. 350 V. TAKE both the ruin [of the city of London] and the restoration together, and we have strong obligations to indeavour the keeping the gracious prefence of that GOD, who must be our keeper. 353 LASTLY, Such a ruin and confequent restitution are no affurance to fuch a city, that it fhall never be ruined again. SERMON XIX. On PSALM LXVII. 2, 3. THE Context confidered. 354 356 page of providence, relating to the public affairs of thofe, who profefs his name, tend to propagate fuch knowledge in the world. 364 1. THERE is great reafon to hope for this end. 365 2. ONE may also difcern an aptitude in fuch means to ferve this end; which is fhewn in feveral particulars. 368 III. THAT the hope of this iffue fhould animate mightily our praises to GOD for fuch favourable afpects upon them, who efpouse his interest in the world. For, 376 1. We ought to praise God for mercies, for the fame reason that we pray for them. And, 377 2. FOR the fame reafon, for which we are to apprehend he bestoweth them. SERMON XX. 378 On JOSHUA XXIV. 20. INTRODUCTION. 382 It is obferved, as the ground of this discourse, that the good which God hath, of mere good pleasure, done for a nation, leaveth them liable to confuming judgements, if they grossly offend GOD, and generally revolt from him. 383 FIRST, The ftate of this truth is confidered in the general; and it is fhewn. 384 I. WHAT good the Almighty may be fupposed to do to a people in a peculiar way; that is, in what refpects and on what account. ibid. page II. THE liablenefs of fuch a people, notwithstanding, to more fevere and terrible judgements in cafe of their general revolt from him. 389 SECONDLY, The fubject is confidered alfo with application to our own cafe, and the ftate of our affairs. In which application two things are confidered; 393 I. A COMMEMORATION with great thankfulnefs of the good, which GOD has done for our nation, in a long tract of time. And, ibid. II. A representation, notwithstanding, how vain an imagination it would be that we are thereby exempt from a liablenefs to confuming judgements, in cafe of a general revolt from GOD. 401 To which are added fome anfwers to the queftion how we shall demean our selves, when we are exposed to the terrible feverities of confuming vengeance? SERMON XXI. On PSALM IX. 17. 408 THERE are two obfervations that offer them felves to our view from this fcripture. FIRST, That it is the property of wicked men to forget GOD. And, 417 SECONDLY, That it fhall be the portion of fuch to be turned into hell. ibid. I. THE Author fhews what we are to under ftand by the wicked. 418 page II. WHAT is meant by forgeting of GOD. Then, III. It is evinced, that they are wicked fons, who do forget GoD. And, 419 per 422 IV. THAT thofe of this character must be turned into hell. 439 THIS is evinced from these three things. I. IT is most confonant to the juftice of GoD that it fhould be fo. ibid. 2. It is agreeable to his law. And, 440 3. Ir is most ferviceable to his glory and honour. APPLICATION. 44I I. WE may hence learn, that religion, confifting of mere externals, will never fave any man. 443 II. THAT wickednefs lying in the hearts and thoughts, will abundantly fuffice to damn a man. 447 III. THAT men are not at liberty, as they vainly imagine, to difpofe of their thoughts as they will. 448 IV. THAT fince the cafe is thus, we may hence learn, that few only fhall be faved. And, 449 V. THAT GOD has an infpection into, and a full knowledge of the hearts and thoughts of men. Befides, 451 LASTLY, That it is no impoffible thing for wicked men to know themselves to be fuch, and to make a judgement of their own estate with refpect to GOD. 452 Το page To which is fubjoined a word or two of advice to fuch; to wit, that they would, 1. Look into their hearts, and fee whether they are not forgetful of GOD. And, 455 2. LABOUR forthwith to have the course, and stream of their fpirits turned towards GoD: otherwise all hopes of being faved are quite taken away; and there will be no avoiding the misewhich is threatened in the text. ry, ibid. A LIST |