Christian Reader,
It is a known observation, verified by experience, as well as grounded upon Scripture-prediction, that sinful security is the great disease of the last times, whereunto those churches are especially obnoxious, that have escaped the grosser pollutions of the world and Antichrist, and do enjoy rest, and peace, and freedom from hard bondage. Who sees not (that sees any thing) that the security of this age is very great? And may we not rationally fear that many of the Wise, as well as the Foolish Virgins in this land of rest, and quietness, and fullness of spiritual enjoyments, are slumbering and sleeping? Consult we the Sacred Oracle, and we shall readily be informed, that one great reason of the prevailing of this distemper, is, because we put far from us the evil day (Amos 6:1, 3). Banishing the thoughts of a day of trouble, is both the cause and effect of carnal ease in Sion. How seasonable then is this practical, solid, succinct, and comprehensive discourse, which here offers itself to your view, wherein the reverend and judicious author demonstrates with much strength and evidence (yes, I say, gives not only probable indications, but scriptural and rational demonstrations, according to the common law of divine dispensations) that a day of trouble is near to New-England? Many are the solemn warnings that the Lord has given of a day of trouble hastening upon us. The Lion has roared, and the Trumpet has been blown; and shall not the people be afraid? What a dead sleep of midnight-security has surprised and overtaken them, that do not hear the loud report of the many divine warning-pieces that are gone off among us? Wo to those rebellious ones that say, The days are prolonged, and every vision fails; when the Lord says, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision (Ezekiel 12:22, 23, 25). And will men lie down on the top of a mast in the midst of the sea to sleep there? and suffer themselves to be over-born by security in the mouth of danger? When the judgements of God are on their march towards us, shall we not be alarmed? When certain intelligence comes, that they are ready to surprise us in our quarters, shall we be stupidly secure and senseless? When they are in view and prospect, making near and sensible approaches to us, shall we say it is but the shadow of the mountains (Judges 9:36), and not rather prepare and posture ourselves to go forth to meet the Lord in a way of humiliation, supplication, and reformation? Though there are many reasons to conceive (as the worthy author of these sermons intimates) that God will not make an utter end of us; yet we have cause enough to conclude, that He will not leave us altogether unpunished. Verily we have caused our day of trouble to draw near (Ezekiel 22:4). And is it not high time for us to shake off sloth and security, and to wait for the Lord in the way of his judgements, and to make our supplication to him (as David, in the person, and as a type of Christ, Psalm 22:11, 19) Be not far from us, for trouble is near? To have trouble near, and the Comforter, that should relieve us, far off, to have the Philistines upon us, and God departed from us, will be a distressed condition. It is the interest, and will be the desire of every gracious heart, to have God near, when trouble is near. God's coming near to us in judgement will trouble us; but his coming near to us in mercy will either set trouble far off, or sanctify it, and turn it into advantage and comfort to us, and sweetly alter the property of it. The design of this discourse, and the publication of it, is not to enfeeble and discourage any of the Lord's servants, but to startle and awaken sleepy sinners (that cry peace and safety to themselves) that they may not be taken as fishes in the net, and caught as birds in a snare, or through ignorance of their time, be snared in an evil time, falling suddenly upon them: and to engage all persons of interest with God, to stir up themselves to take hold of him, when he seems to be going from us, and to get into the gap, and make up the hedge, that the evils threatened and approaching may not break in upon us, but there may be a lengthening out of our tranquility. That this vigilant watchman, and wise discerner of the signs of the times, may not only deliver his own soul by his plain and faithful premonitions, but also through the rich blessing of God accompanying these useful and seasonable sermons, may instrumentally deliver the souls of many others, by awakening them to watch and pray, that they may be accounted worthy to escape the things that shall come to pass, is the hearty desire and prayer of him who is
Your servant for Christ's sake, Vrian Oakes.
