Page:Events & appearances of the present times.pdf/22

( 22 ) true faith than self-conceited Arminians? Is it to be thought criminally strange, that a nation long over-burdened with superstitious holidays, should in ignorant hurry and anger, shake off the appointed times of Divine worship with those of human device. But, I fear if the French were to turn the reproach against many of us who are most forward to criminate them, what a formal shame would many of our church-services appear; and our sabbaths only a day of unmeaning idleness and carnal entertainment if not immoral exercise. Let us be thankful to God, small appearance of national cruelty hath for a long time appeared at home; but casting our eyes abroad and viewing, what a cruel time of slave-trade we have authorised! what wars we have kindled and continued to serve pride, and policy. Are we not cruel and unfeeling as men, not to say as christians? When God hath been executing his judgments in France, we look with horror on the scene, not on the guilt of provoking to it. In such dreadful earthquakes as hath shaken the whole nation of France, it cannot surprise us, to see the just bounds of property shaken into discord. That we may in time be prepared against such convulsions