ARÉFORMATION SÉItMON. 527 foregoing verses speak something more dreadful, the adultress will hunt for the precious life; he that practises this sin lacketh understanding, for he destroys his own soul ;" verses. 26, 32. Fathers, what will you say when you see your children debauched in their principles, and ruined by uncleanness? When you find atheism prevail in their hearts, and irreligion in their lives ? When they break the bars of paternal government and will no more be reproved ? When they over-leap all the fences of restraining grace, and make haste to perdition? This they have learned of those evil companions whom you never endeavoured to reform byjust punishment. What will you say, fathers, when you follow your sons to an untimely grave, and putrefaction enters into their bones before the season ; you that never did any thing to stop this growing plague among those who have infected your own children ? What will you say, fathers, when you see your young heirs, now grown up to the size of your hopes and wishes, seized and drawn away to execution and the gibbet, for crimes which you never took care to suppress in other men ? Mothers, what will ye say--but I must forbear to address the tender sex in such accents of pro- phetic sorrow; to present your eyes with such prospects as these would touch your passions too sensibly; it would make the wound in your souls too deep, and melt you into tears; let a glimpse of such mournful scenes excite you to contribute something towards the general refor- mation. Ye wealthy citizens, the time may come when you shall be scarce secure in your own dwellings, but be robbed of your treasures by nightly villains that will satisfy their lusts by rapine, and make provision for their flesh by plunderand violence: You will confess thejudg- ment of God is just in it, though the sin of man be great; for that you never, gave one penny to carry on the wars of the Lord with Amalek. The Amalekites have now fallen upon you, and rifled you of manya pound. VI. Fearful judgments fromGod will ensue; " For the wrath of God will be revealed from heaven, sooner or later, against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.of men ;" Rom. i. 18. Fire and brimstone may come down upon an island as well as upon the cities of the plain ; other countries are capable of burning eruptions, besides Naples and Sicily, and the dominions of anti-christ;
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