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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A64990 God's terrible voice in the city by T.V. Vincent, Thomas, 1634-1678. 1667 (1667) Wing V440; ESTC R24578 131,670 248

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hath put into their hands they have endeavoured the Reformation of the City whether as Gods under-officers they have improved their interest for the promotion of Religion in the zealous exercise of it yea whether they have put the Laws made in execution against Sabbath-breakers swearers drunkards endeavouring to find out and punish such offenders 4. Neglect of Church-reformation And is there no blame to be laid upon Church-officers hath there been that zeal for and faithful execution of Church-discipline according to the Rules of the word hath not the Lord Jesus Christ been affronted in his Kingly office by some who have imposed precepts of their own upon mens consciences instead of vigorously endeavouring the execution of his and taken the power of the Keyes out of the hands of those unto whom the Lord hath entrusted it hereby rendring the execution of discipline impossible according to the Laws of Christ have not the tender and most conscientious lain under the censures of some rather then the openly profane and scandalously wicked Neglect of Reformation am I speaking of nay have not many who call themselves Ministers endeavoured rather the overthrow then the promotion of it have they not had girds in their Pulpits at holiness and zealous profession which they have seconded by a conversation of dissoluteness malitious opposition and persecution of those especially who have been the most religious Sad neglects there have been of reformation in London and that when London lay under such obligations to reform as Christians they were obliged by baptismal and renewed vows as Protestants of the Reformed religion they were obliged to endeavour a reformation by Mercies they were obliged an● have they been under no other obligations And hath not the neglect of reformation notwithstanding all obligations rendred them guilty of disingenuity infideliy yea of perjury it self I verily believe this is the great sin God is scourging London for God is contending for a Reformation and if they do not endeavour it more vigorously the sooner I fear he will bring desolation upon them 7. A seventh sin of London is fearful Apostacy and a spirit of complyance with the sins of the times How many in London who formerly were great profestours have discovered themselves to be rotten hypocrites who casting off the sheeps clothing and laying aside all profession have given themselves up to dissoluteness and licentious living formerly they have seemed true penitents and to be washed from their iniquities but they have returned with the dogg to the vomit and with the Sow that is washed to the wallowing in the mire 2 Pet. 2. ult formerly they have been swept a little within and garnisht outwardly with a fair profession but the unclean spirit hath returned and without any great difficulty hath entered with seven worse spirits and defiled them more then before and made their last state worse then their first I speak not so much of those who worship God in this Mode or that Mode and of alterations herein but of those who sometimes professed religion and now do not worship God in any mode at all but wholly addict themselves to their lusts and are ashamed to be called or thought to be religious They would not now look like a Saint or speak like a Saint much less live like a Saint Thus have many in our dayes cast off all fear of God and devoted themselves with the Hell-hounds of the times to the service of the Devil resolving to do what in them lies to promote the interest of his Kingdom And if some are a little more aukward in his service and not altogether so like him and such apt Scholars presently as others whose education hath been in his School from their childhood yet they learn very fast and wonderfull is their proficiency in a short time and in regard of Apostacy they come neerer the Image of the Devil than those that have been alwayes tutor'd by him Now for any in London to forsake God that they might serve the Devil to draw off from the wayes of Holiness that they might walk in the wayes of Wickedness doth cast a great slurr upon God and his wayes They do in effect say That the Devil is a better Master than God and that the way of sin that leadeth to Hell is more eligible than the way of Holiness which alone can bring to Heaven The Lord threatneth that his Soul shall have no pleasure in such Apostates Heb. 10. 38. It is a Meiosis and we are to understand that the Lord is highly displeased with such persons See how God pleads with Apostatizing Israel Ier. 2. 9 10 c. Wherefore I will yet plead with you saith the Lord. Pass ye over to the Isles of Chittim and see and send unto Kedar and diligently consider if there be any such thing Hath any Nation changed their gods which yet are no gods But my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit Be astonished O ye Heavens at this and be horribly afraid be ye very desolate saith the Lord for my people have committed two great evils they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters and have hewen out unto themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water And hence follows v. 15. The young lions roared and yelled upon him and laid his land waste his Cities are burnt without inhabitant and v. 17. Thou hast procured these things unto thy self because thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God and v. 19. Thy own wickedness shall correct thee and thy back-slidings shall reprove thee know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God and that my fear is not in thee saith the Lord God of hosts And may not God thus plead with the Apostates of London and punish them as he did his people of Israel 8. The Eighth sin of London is deafning the Ear against all Gods Calls The Lord hath called upon London by his Ministers but they have been like the deaf Adder which will not hearken to the voice of the Charmer they have stopped their ears and turned away their shoulder and made their heart like an Adamant stone God hath called by his Mercies but this voice hath been too low and they have slept the more securely in sin God after other Means hath called by Afflictions first lighter then heavier and yet how many in London have and still do walk contrary unto God and will not return to him that hath smitten them They have been incorrigible under all Gods correcting Rods. When God spake by the Plague they were a little awakened but quickly dropt asleep again when the plague was a little over they return to their Trades again to their sins again but they do not return unto the Lord. And when the Judgement of the Plague was so much lost and ineffectual for their good this no doubt hath provoked God so quickly and unexpectedly to turn his hand upon them and