[2.] There is much corruption of nature yet remaining, Gal. v. 17; and this often breaketh out into actual sin, which breedeth fear of the wrath of God, and should beget such a sense of it as promoteth humility, and should quicken your prayers for pardon.
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[3.] Though it break not out iuto actual sin, yet there are such defects in our best duties as should humble us, such low apprehensions and dull conceptions of God, Christ, and heaven as neither excite rever- ence nor joy, at least not becoming such a God, such a Christ, such a glory, that a christian cannot satisfy himself in his imperfect endeavours. Ye cannot do the things that ye would : ' How to perform that which is good I find not.'
[4.] The remainder of sin would bring you to damnation if God should deal with you according to your deservings ; and it is a wonder that a firft doth not come forth from his jealousy to consume you. If Christ, that died for your sins, did not now hide your nakedness, and by his intercession procure your daily pardon, you would every day be your own destroyers ; nay, you would not be an hour longer out of hell, Heb. iii. 17, 18.
[5.] We have a great deal of work to do, and our strength is very small. The best may say, Lord, we have no might ; our eyes are unto thee ; Eom. vii. 18 ; ' How to perform that which is good I find not.'
[6.] Now you have a little grace, you cannot keep it of yourselves. Now you are made alive, you cannot keep yourselves alive, if not pre- served by him that infused life into you at first, Jude 1, and kept by his power. If he be not the finisher who was the author of it, how speedily, how certainly would you undo all ! You are carried in his arms. If left to yourselves in one temptation, it doth easily overcome you. None can preserve us but he that created us.
A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE THE PARLIAMEiNT.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not he clear, nor dark : but it shall be one day which shall be knoivn to the Lord, nor day, nor night, &c. — Zech. xiv, 6, 7-
These words are a notable prophecy, and, as all prophecies are, some- what obscure. Your time and occasions will not give leave to search them to the bottom. That we may state the meaning and particular application to the time concerned upon sure evidence, whether they relate to the general state of the times under the gospel dispensation, I say to that whole tract of time from Christ's ascension to his second coming ; or rather, some special season when this shall be most emin- ently fulfilled ; and what that season is I shall not now dispute. Let it suffice to note that you have here — (1.) A description of troublous times ; (2.) A prescription of comforts against the troubles of them.
1. The description of troublous times, ver. 6 — And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark.
2. A prescription of comforts ; and there three things are observable — [1.] Tlie short continuance of them — It shall be one day ; that is,
one period of providence.
[2 ] The providential ordination and disposal of them — Knoivn unto the Lord.
[3.] The end and issue of them — At evening it shall be light. There are two things intimated — the issue shall be comfortable, and that in a stiange season — At evening.
To explain these parts —
First, The state of the times. By light and darkness, day and night, is meant prosperity and adversity, Isa. xxi. 11, 12 ; truth and falsehood, joy and sorrow, hopes and fears. Now, when it is said they shall be neither light nor dark, the meaning is, neither good nor bad to any extremity, neither applaud nor complain, neither thorough day nor thorough night, but an intermixture and vicissitude of either.
Secondly, The comforts produced.
1. ' It shall be one day ; ' one period or course of providence, much- what after the same tenor. God's people may meet with sharp en-
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counters here in the world, and be kept in much uncertainty as to their outward comforts ; but the time is but short ; short in itself, short in comparison of eternity, short in regard of their own desert, short with respect to the enemies' rage, short with respect to our love to God, Gen. xxix. 20, and many other considerations, &c.
2. ' Known to the Lord ; ' that is, determined, appointed by him. We know it not many times ; Acts i. 7, ' It is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power ; ' but it is known to him. Nothing befalleth us without his providence and special designation, his hand and counsel : Acts iv. 28, ' To do what- soever thy hand and counsel determined before to be done.' God taketli notice of these affairs. He hath set the time, and tempered with his own hand every ounce and drachm of that bitter cup we drink of.