Ohs. 8. There is one note more, and that is from that clause, are set forth for cm example. Observe thence, that Sodom's destruction is the world's great example. Both Peter and Jude show that this was the end of God's judgments upon Sodom, that they might be ' an example to all that live ungodly.'
You will say, What have we to do with Sodom ? their sins being so imnatural, their judgments so unusual. (1.) As to their sins, I inquire, Are there none of Sodom's sins amongst us ? If not ' going after strange flesh,' yet 'fornication;' if not fornication, yet 'pride and idleness, and fulness of bread?' I say again, though our sins be not so great in themselves, yet by necessary circumstance and aggravation, they may be greater ; as impenitency, unbelief, abuse and neglect of the gospel, despising the offers of grace. The grossest sins against the law are not so great as sins against the gospel : Mat. xi. 24, ' It shall be more tolerable for Sodom,' &c. We sin against more light, more love, &c, (2.) As to the judgments, though God doth not now- a-days smite a country with judgments immediately from heaven, or make it utterly unuseful, as he did Sodom, yet his displeasure is no less against sin ; and if not the same, a like judgment, one very grievous, may come upon us.
This being premised, let us come to open this example, in which these three things are considerable : — (1.) The state of Sodom; (2.) The sins of Sodom ; (3.) The judgment. The first will show you God's mercy ; the second, their guilt ; the third, God's justice. Usually these three follow one another ; great mercies make way for great sins, and great sins for great judgments.
1. I begin with the state of Sodom. There — (1.) The quality of the place. There were sundry goodly cities, of which Sodom was the prin- cipal, fairly situated in the plain of Jordan, full of people, and well supplied with corn, wine, oil, and all earthly contentments. It is said, Gen. xiii. 10, ' Sodom was pleasant, and as the garden of the Lord.' And yet afterwards this was the place which was the scene of so much wrath and utter desolation. What may the world learn from hence ? That we must give an account for common mercies. God reckoned with the servant that had but one talent. Mat. xxv. The world is a place of trial, all men have a trust committed to them. The talents of the heathens were 'fruitful seasons, food and gladness,' Acts xiv. 17. God, that never left himself aixaprvpov, ' without a wit- ness,' hath left us dva7roXoj7]rov<i, 'w^ithout excuse;' a plentiful soil doth not argue a good people, but a good God. Sodom was
VeR. 7.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 227
pleasantly and richly situated. If we liad nothing else to answer for but an island of blessings, how poorly have we discharged this trust ? (2.) Take notice of their late deliverance. Four kings made war upon them, by whom they were carried captive, and rescued by Abraham, Gen. xiv. 15, 16. Deliverances from war and captivity leave a great engagement. When God hath once spared us, if we repent not, the next turn is utter destruction. Deliverances, if not improved, are but reprievals ; we are not so much presei~ved, as reserved to a greater misery ; hoisted up that our fall may be the more dreadful, snatched out of one misery that we may be cast into a worse. Oh ! what have we to answer for our late deliverances ! Sodom was but once saved in war, we many times. It is to be feared that passage recordeth our doom, Ps. cvi. 43, ' Many times did he deliver them, but they provoked him by their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.' Deliverances not improved are pledges of certain ruin. (3.) God's patience in bearing with them. Sodom for a long time slept quietly in its sins unmolested, undis- turbed. ' The sins of Sodom cry to me.'^ The Lord proffered Abraham, if there were but ten righteous persons found there, he would spare the cities. In four cities not ten righteous persons ! God is silent as long as their sins would let him be quiet ; but then, when he could no longer bear, he goeth down to take vengeance. How long doth the Lord protract the ruin of these wicked cities ? ' Justice is his strange work/ but it is his work ; mercy does much with God, but not all ; justice must be heard, especially when it pleadeth on behalf of abused mercy. God, that would spare the sinner, yet hateth the sin. When a people do nothing but weary justice and abuse mercy, 'the Lord will rain from the Lord,' &c.,- Gen. xix. 24. Christ will interpose for such a people's destruction ; heaven will rain down hell upon a people so obstinately wicked. The Lord is gracious, but not senseless. As he will not always contend, so not always forbear. (4.) Lot's admoni- tion ; it seemeth he frequently reproved them, and therefore do they scorn him : Gen. xix. 9, ' This one fellow came to sojourn amongst us, and he will needs be a judge.' His soul was not only vexed with those lewd courses, but, as occasion was offered, he sought to dissuade them. Thence learn that God seldom punisheth without warning : the old world had Noah's ministry, and Sodom Lot's admonitions. The Lord may say to every punished people, as Reuben to his brethren, 'Did not I warn you, and you would not hear?' Gen. xlii. 22. Seldom doth he hew a people with the sword but first he lieweth them by prophets : means of conviction aggravate both the sin and the judgment. Ah ! we have a clearer light, and therefore must expect a heavier doom, Mat. x. 15. Sins are aggravated not only by the foulness of the act, but the degrees of light against which they are committed. Sodom sinned sorely as to the act, but they could not sin against so much light as we do ; therefore it shall be easier for them at the day of judgment. (5.) They had the benefit of magis- tracy ; those were cities that were brought into government. We read of ' the king of Sodom,' Gen. xiv. 2 ; but it seems he did not interpose