OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 81 As also, how vain and foolish it is to adhere inordi- nately unto them. The fingers that appeared writing on the wall the doom of Belshazzar, did it in charac- ters that none could read, and words that none could understand but Daniel. But the present call of God in these things, is made plain upon tables, that he may run who readeth it. If the heavens gather blackness with clouds, and it thunder over us ; if any that are on their journey will not believe that there is a storm coming, they must bear the severity of it. Suppose then this to be the voice of providence ; suppose there be in these, indications of the mind and will of God, what are the duties that we are called to thereby'! They may be referred unto two heads. 1. A diligent search into ourselves, and an holy watch over ourselves, with respect to those ways and sins which the displeasure of God is declared against. That present providences are indications of God's anger and displeasure, we take for granted. But when this is done, the most are apt to cast the causes of them on others, and to excuse themselves so long as they see others more wicked and profligate than themselves, openly guilty of such crimes, as they abhor the thoughts of; they cast all the wrath on them, and fear nothing, but that they shall suffer with them. But, alas ! when the storm came on the ship at sea, wherein there was but one person who feared God ; upon an inquiry for whose sake it came, the lot fell on him. John i. 7. The cause of the present storm may as well be the secret sins of professors, as the open provocations of ungodly men. God will punish se- verely those whom he hath known. Amos iii. 2. It is therefore certainly our duty to search diligently, that nothing be found resting in us, against which God
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