SERMON LW. 15$ Tneu, and turn them into fools and idolaters, as the next words explain it ; which in our language signitjes, that lust and drunk- enness weaken the minds of men, blind their consciences, and make atheists ofthem. I need not mention thewound and the dis- honour that such sinners shall get, and the reproach which shall not be wiped away; Prov. vi. 33. for the foregoing verses seeak something more dreadful ; the adultress will huntfor the precious life; he thatpractises thissin lacketh understanding, for hedestroys his 9wn soul; verses20 32. Fathers, whit will you say when you see your children debauchedib their principles, and ruinedby uncleanness ? When you find atheism prevail in their hearts, and irreligionin their lives ? When they break the bars of pater- nal 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 by just 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 tothe 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 prophetic sorrow ; to present your eyes with such prospects as these would touch your passions too sensibly ; it would snake the wound in your souls too deep, and melt you into tears ; let a glimpse of such mournful scenes excite you to contribute some- , thing towards thegeneral reformation. 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 plunder andviolence : You will confess the judgment 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. TheAmalekites have now fallen upon you, and rifled you of many a pound. - VI. Fearful judgments from God will ensue; For the wrath of God will be revealed from heaven, sooner or later, against all ungodliness and unrighteousness ofmen- 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 domi- nions of antichrist ; with the breath of his mouth the Lord earl raise an earthquake that shall sink Great Britain into the sea,
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