lain of a generation of men, they can neither repent nor believe, they
care for none of these things. His threatenings and denunciations of wrath
are a small thing to them, and his consolations appear also to be
inconsiderable. Then souls are otherwise taken up, that they have no sense
to discern the transcendent excellency of eternal things. We would then
press upon your consciences these three things. First, That the word of
God comprehending the law and gospel, contains both the saddest ditties
and the most joyful and sweet songs in the world. Next, We would discover
unto you the great sin, and extreme stupidity of this generation, of which
ye are a part, that ye may know the controversy God hath with the land.
And then at length, we would labour to persuade you to the right use of
this gospel, and justifying of wisdom, if ye would be his children.

The law is indeed a sad song and lamentation, it surpasses all the
complaints and lamentations among men. Ye know the voice in which it was
given at Sinai. It was delivered with great thunders, great terrors
accompanied it. The law is a voice of words and thunder, which made these
that heard it entreat that it should not be spoken to them any more; for
they could not endure the word that was commanded, Heb. xii. 18, 19. Ye
would think if they were holy men, they would not be afraid of it, but so
terrible was that sight, and that voice, that it even made holy Moses
himself exceedingly fear and quake. It made a great host, more numerous
than all the inhabitants of Scotland, to tremble exceedingly. And why was
it so sad and terrible? Even because it was a law that publishes
transgression, for "by the law is the knowledge of sin." If there were no
fear of judgment and wrath, yet I am sure there is none that can
reasonably consider that excellent estate in which he was once, that
throne of eminency above the creatures, that height of dignity in
conformity and likeness to God, that incomparable happiness of communion
with the supreme Fountain of life; none I say, none can duly ponder these
things, but they will think sin to be the greatest misery of mankind. They
must be affected with the sense of that inestimable treasure they lost.
And how sad a consideration is it to view that cloud of beastly lusts, of
flesh and earth, that was interposed between the Sun of righteousness, and
our souls, which hath made this perpetual eclipse, this eternal night and
darkness! How sad is it to