TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
I have in this Sermon applied my thoughts toward these three things; 1 The soul-ensnaring error of the greatest part of men, who choose to themselves such a way to the kingdom of Heaven as is broad, and smooth, and easy, and but little or nothing at all displeasing to flesh and blood; like him that tumbled down upon the grass and said, utinam hoc esset laborare. 2 The grumbling and unwillingness which appears in very many, when they should submit to that Reformation of the Church which is according to the mind of Jesus Christ; like them that said to the Seers, See not; and to the Prophets, Prophecy not to us right things; speak to us smooth things; and again, Let us break their lands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 3 The sad and desolate condition of the Kingdom of Scotland, then calling for our prayers and tears, and saying, Call me not Naomi (pleasant) call me Morah (bitter) for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. We were pressed out of measure, above strength, and had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver, in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; our brethren also helping together by prayer for us, that for the mercy bestowed on us by means of the prayers of many, thanks may be given by many on our behalf. The Lord lives, and blessed be our rock, and let the God of our salvation be exalted. He is our God, and we will prepare for him a habitation; our Fathers' God, and we will exalt him. Blessed be the Lord God the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things: and blessed be his glorious name for ever, and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Scotland shall yet be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of our God, and shall be called Hephzi-bah and Beulah. Only let us remember our evil ways, and be confounded, and never open our mouth any more because of our shame, when the Lord our God is pacified towards us. Now are both Kingdoms put to a trial, whether their humiliations be filial, and whether they can mourn for sin more than for judgment. And let us now hear what the Spirit speaks to the Churches, and not turn again to folly. New provocations, or the old unrepented, will create new woes; therefore sin no more, lest a worse thing come to us.
