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as it reſpects the Pretender is yet reckoned ambiguous in other Points, and inconſiſtent with our former ſolemn Engagements: And the Sabbath has been profaned, and the Miniſterial Office and Power invaded and incroached upon, in the Matter of Porteous. All which, together with the abounding Idolatry, Blaſphemy, Infidelity Superſtition, profane Swearing, Idleneſs, Luxury and Extravagance of many kinds, Diſhoneſty, Fraud and Oppreſſion, open Diſregard of the Lord's Day and Worſhip, Treachery, Murder, Adultery and Fornication, with many other Abominations that might be named, rampant amongſt us, better known to many of you than to us, and which we leave to every one's own Heart to examine, are, we doubt not, ſpecial Cauſes of the Lord's thus contending with us.
And tho we neither incline, nor is it our Sphere, to be Exhorters of others, knowing of none that ſtand in more need of it than we; yet we cannot refrain expreſſing our Hopes, that many of you are judging it full Time, under the Feeling of ſo great a Burden both of Sin and Wrath, to humble ourſelves under the mighty hand of God, to juſtify his righteous Judgments to acknowledge our Iniquities, to make our Supplication to our Judge, and to ſeek his Face and Favour, that he may pardon our Sin, and heal our Land, The Lord roareth, and ſhall not his Children tremble? The God of Glory thundreth, and the Higheſt uttereth his Voice: who will not fall down and fear before him? The Fire waxeth hot, and burneth round about us; and ſhall any ſit ſtill and be ſecure? The Storm bloweth hard, and ſhall any Sluggard be ſtill aſleep? This is a Day of Trouble, and of Rebuke, and of Blaſphemy: who will not take up a Lamentation, lift up a Cry for the Remnant that are left, and ſay, Spare thy People, O Lord, and give not thine Heritage to Reproach; wherefore ſhould Papiſts, Atheiſts, Deiſts and Malignants ſay among themſelves, Where is our God?
