Religious Conver/ation recommended. 387 captivity they had endured for feventy years ; SERM. and the no lefs remarkable fulfilling of the XV. gracious promifes God had made, particu- Wv larly by feremiah, concerning their refto- ration at the end of that time. He chargeth them with what he calls robbing God by a facrilegious detaining of the appointed tithes and offerings which were neceffary for main- taining the inftituted woríhip ; and with an impiety which grew up to atheifm itfelf : they conceived blafphemy in their hearts, and are reprefented fo boldly prophane as to utter it with their mouths. They faid, it was in vain to férve God, and there was no profit in keeping his ordinances, and walking mourn- fully befòre him : nay, they called the proud happy, and Paid, they that work wickednefs, are fet up, yea they that tempt God are even delivered ; in effect, that religion is an un- profitable thing, not at all the way to happi- nefs ; for that providence, if there be fuch a thing, does not govern the worldwith a regard to it, nor diítinguifh men by their moral charafters. The wicked, the profane, who treat God and divine things with fcorn, are as much the objets of his care, and in all C c z re-
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