Sermon XXIV. This sermon was preached on a solemn day of fasting and
prayer, March 21, 1675. For which occasion the Doctor had prepared another
discourse; but by a special reason which then occurred, had his thoughts
directed to this subject. [Such is the note appended to the sermon in the
edition of 1721. It is to be regretted that it is not more full and
explicit. We have not been able to discover what the circumstances were to
which it makes allusion. Owen seems to
have been unwell when the discourse was preached. See page 298. — Ed.] God’s withdrawing
his presence, the correction of his church.