execution? Whence is there so much ignorance and contempt of God? Why
do mankind so eagerly, so universally pursue the vain pleasures and
follies of the world, while they seldom think of God their Maker? From
whence proceed the infidelity, blasphemy, lying, theft,
sabbath-breaking, slandering and the many horrid evils, which every
where abound? Whence is it that so many in this colony, labour under
such sore and complicated disorders, pains, and miseries? Why are so
many, both young and old, taken away by death? And why is it that
others who see all those things, do not take warning by them, to
prepare for their own latter end? Brethren, all these are so many
undeniable proofs and evidences of what I have said; namely, that we
are fallen and guilty creatures. These are the effects of Adam's
sin and disobedience. The certain consequences of which would have
been unavoidable and endless misery, both of soul and body, to
himself and all his posterity, had not some means been provided, some
way laid open, for his and their recovery.

But, blessed be God, a door of hope is opened by the gospel for
miserable sinners! A gracious promise was given early, even to our
first parents, immediately after their fall. The seed of the woman
shall break the serpent's head [Gen. iii. 15.]. This promised seed is the
Lord Jesus Christ, who, in due time, was to appear in the world, to be
born of a woman, that by his life, sufferings, and obedience unto death,
he might recover fallen man from the misery and ruin in which he was
involved. Brethren, this gospel which, as the ministers and ambassadors of
God, we are commissioned and commanded to preach to sinners, proposes a
free and gracious pardon to the guilty, cleansing to the polluted, healing
to the sick, happiness to the miserable, light for those who sit in
darkness, strength for the weak, food for the hungry, and even life for
the dead [Gal. iv. 4, 5.; Gal. iii. 13.; I John i. 7.; Matt. xi. 28.;