The Epistle to the Reader

Christian Reader,

The excess of impiety which has broken down the Banks of common Civility and Modesty, did at first lead my thoughts to these subjects ensuing. The Spirits of men are leavened with Atheism, and their lives stained with debauchery. I know not what to call them, but Baptized Heathens. Not long since there was a complaint that the Springs grew low: Sure I am the floods of sin are risen, even to a Deluge. There is a Generation among us, of whom I may say as Oecumenius, they militate against Religion; they are so prodigiously profane, that they esteem the Bible a Fable, and would jeer all Holiness out of the world. The Prince of the Air, now works in the children of disobedience, Ephesians 2:2. in our Saviour's time, many men's Bodies were possessed with the Devil, but now their souls are possessed. One is possessed with a blasphemous Devil, another with a spiteful Devil, another with a drunken Devil. This is one great sign of the approach of the last day, iniquity shall abound, Matthew 24:12. Men's lusts grow fierce and insatiable, and like Imps lie sucking them. But O how direful and tremendous will the effects of sin be. My Text says, they were brought low for their iniquity: Sin is such a Trade, that whoever follows, is sure to break. What got Achan by his wedge of Gold? It was a wedge to cleave asunder his soul from God. What got Judas by his Treason? He purchased a Halter. What got King Ahaz by worshipping the Gods of Damascus? they were the Ruin of him and of all Israel, 2 Chronicles 28:23. Sin is first Comical, and then Tragical. I may fitly apply those words of Solomon to sin, Proverbs 7:26. She has cast down many wounded: O what a Harvest of souls is the Devil like to have! Isaiah 5:14. Hell has enlarged itself. It is fain to make room for its guests. 'Tis matter of grief to think, that the Dragon should have so many followers, and the Lamb so few. Cyprian brings in the Devil insulting over Christ, thus; As for my followers, I never died for them as Christ has done for his, I never promised them so great a Reward as Christ has done to his, yet I have greater numbers than he, and my followers venture more for me, than his do for him. Some sin out of ignorance, yet even the blind can find the way to Hell. But most sin out of choice, they know the Dish forbidden, but they lust after it, though in the day they eat thereof, they shall surely die. My design in this small Tract, is to give check to Sinners, and sound a Religious Retreat in their ears, to make them return from the hot pursuit of their impieties. If notwithstanding all admonitions, they will run counter to the Word, and prostitute themselves to their sordid lusts, they are felo de se, and their blood will be upon their own head. What remains, but that God should say in anger, as Zechariah 11:9. That that dies, let it die, and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off. I have at the request of some friends, made this Discourse (imparted formerly to my own family) public. I acknowledge it is not rhetorico flatu cothurnatus, embellished with flowers of Eloquence. Saint Paul's preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit, and Power, 1 Corinthians 2:4. Plainness is ever best in beating down sin. When a wound festers, it is fitter to lance it, than to embroider it with Silk, or lay Vermilion upon it. Reader, that God will bless these few Meditations to you, and make them operative upon your Heart, shall be the Prayer of him, who is,

Your Friend, studious of your eternal welfare, Thomas Watson.