tical, spiritual. We are, for the most of us, shut up from giving any other assistance unto it, by advice, counsel, or action; this is that which none can hinder; wherein the poorest may be as useful and serviceable as the mighty. And if it be diligently attended unto; it will be far above whatever can be contributed by wisdom, wealth, or strength unto the same end. For by this means we shall be saved or perish.

2. It will preserve our own hearts in the best frame for what we ourselves may be called unto. He that is earnest and sincere in his supplications for the communication of the Spirit unto others, shall not want blessed supplies of him in his own soul. He will not withdraw from them, as unto themselves, who so esteem, prize, and value his work towards others.

3. We shall hereby give testimony unto God and his grace, against the cursed profaneness of the world, who reject and despise this only means of relief and deliverance; for when all other remedies fail, if God will not utterly forsake a church or people, he doth constantly assign this as the only means of their safety. See Jer. xxxi. 31-33. Ezek. xi. 17-19. xxxvi. 25-27. This way the world despiseth, regardeth not; wherefore we can in nothing give a greater testimony unto God, than by insisting on this way, with faith and patience, contemning the reproaches of the world, on the account of it.

Ninthly, Let us labour ourselves to be exemplary in reformation, thereby to promote it among others. Let us plead and exhort what we will, unless we give an evidence in our own persons, of the necessity which we judge that there is of present reformation, we shall be of little use unto the promotion of it.

Many retrenchments of liberty in conversation may be made among the best of us; many duties may be attended with more diligence; many causes of offence avoided; many evidences given of a deep sense of deserved judgments, and of our reverence of the name of God therein; much fruitfulness in charity and good works be declared.

I have heard that in the country, where a man is looked on to be a wise man and a good husband, among his neighbours, they will note the times of his ploughing, sowing, and

556 manuring his ground, and not undertake any thing, until they find him going before them in it. And if men are looked on in a peculiar manner as professors of religion at such a time as this, under calls and warnings from God for repentance and reformation, the eyes of other men will be towards them, to see what they do on this occasion. And if they find them, as unto all outward appearance, careless and negligent, they will judge themselves unconcerned, and abide in their security. Wherefore, so far as I know, if such persons be not exemplary, not only in repentance, but also in the evidence and demonstration of it by its outward fruits, they may be, and are, the great obstructors of the reformation of the cities, towns, and places, wherein they do inhabit; nor can any contract the guilt of a greater sin. And if God should bring an overflowing scourge on the inhabitants of this land, because they have not turned unto him at his calls, it is most righteous that they should share in the judgment also, who were an occasion of their continuance in security; a matter we have all just cause to tremble at.

THE DESIGN OF IMPENDING JUDGMENTS.

END OF VOL. XIV.

Printed by J. F. Dove, St. John's Square.