While under Sentence, I shew'd them, that the Reason why so many Men, and particularly such undeserving Wretches as they were, forsake God and know none of his Ways, is, their not being in Love with, nor acquainted with the Cross of Christ, whose Yoke is easy, and whose Burthen is light; whose ways are ways of Pleasantness, and all his Paths are Peace, Prov. 3. 17. They who are Carnal and Selfish, and Earthly-minded, devote themselves wholly to a present evil World, wherein there is nothing but the Lust of the Flesh, as St. John says, 1 John 2. 16. Hence it is, that some Men mind nothing but to wallow Amenidst a great Plenty of sensual Pleasures, where they abound. Others again divesting themselves of the Fear of God and due Regard to Man, and unwilling to follow some lawful Employment, for acquiring Food and Raiment in a reasonable and Christian way, to which we have a Promise of Success annexed, as says the wise Solomon, The Hand of the Diligent shall bear Rule: but the Slothful shall be under Tribute. Pro. 12. 24. And again, He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack Hand: but the Hand of the Diligent maketh rich. Pro. 10. 4. Those careless, idle People, unwilling to work, deserve not to eat, and therefore God forsakes and gives them up to their own Hearts Lusts; whence it is, that they run headlong into all manner of Excess of Riot, and in order to feed their Lusts, falling into pernicious and wicked Courses, in Defiance of all Laws Divine and Human, they hurry themselves into speedy Destruction, and as a due Reward of their Villainies, many of them undergo an untimely, ignominious Death, reflecting Disgrace upon themselves and the Families of which they are descended.

I exhorted them to improve the few remaining Moments of Time, indulg'd them by the Lenity of their lawful Superiors, in fearing and loving God, and in contemplating his infinite Excellencies and Perfection, particularly his darling Attribute of Goodness, and Mercy, in taking Compassion upon those who are truly Penitent and forsake all their Sins. I advis'd them to cry incessantly unto God, that he who made them might have Mercy upon them, not upon their own Account, but only for the Sake of Christ, who died for them, and who now lives and interceeds for our Sins; and that he would be pleas'd to give unto them his holy Spirit to lead them into all Truth, who