geance, for having presumptuously abused the Divine Mercy that had spar'd them so long, not as allowing them to continue and go on in their sinful Course, but giving them Opportunity and Encouragement to reform, and become wise unto Salvation, before it be too late; for says the Apostle to the persisting harden'd Sinner, Despisest thou the Riches of God's Goodness, and Forbearance, and Long-suffering, not knowing that the Goodness of God leadeth thee to Repentance? Rom. ii. 4.

The Useful Doctrine taught by Our Blessed Saviour in the Text I endeavour'd to set in its true Light; shewing,

1st, That Punishments (whether present or future, i. e. whether sudden or delay'd) are by the Supream Judge and Governour of the whole World inflicted upon Men for their Sins; and, That more signal and severe Punishments will certainly be their Portion, who are guilty of more signal and heinous Offences and Provocations.

2dly, That though God Almighty, in his Justice, does sometimes suddenly punish some Sinners for great and notorious Sins; yet He, in his Mercy, usually spares more than He does thus signally punish.

3dly, That therefore none ought to conclude from such signal and extraordinary Judgments, that the Persons so punish'd were greater Sinners than they who are spar'd.

4thly, ult. That the best Use Men can make of the Reports or Spectacles of Notorious Offenders, thus punish'd in an extraordinary manner, is presently (and without delay) to examine themselves, and to repent, lest they also perish, and come to a fearful End in this World, and be at last eternally undone, and brought to unspeakable and endless Misery in the World to come.

In speaking to these Particulars, I chiefly did these two Things.

I. I gave my Auditory some Warnings and Cautions against Sin. And,

II. I offer'd them some proper Remedies for Sin.

Which having done, I then concluded with particular and sesonable Admonitions to the Condemn'd, exhorting them to apply to themselves (in an especial manner) what had been here deliver'd to them in general concerning God's Judgments upon Sinners, and Sinners indispensable Duty and Interest to Repent.

Again, on the Lord's Day the 9th instant, I preach'd to them, both in the Forenoon and Afternoon, on Eccles. xii. 14. For God shall bring every Work into Judgment, with every secret Thing, whether it be Good, or whether it be Evil.