2. Why the wrath of God should deter us from this.
[1.] Because of the impartiality of God's judgment ; he will not only punish heathen sinners without the pale, but christian sinners who profess and own the true religion; for there is no acceptance of persons Avith God : 1 Peter i. 17, ' And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's works.' There by ' person ' is meant either Jew or Greek, christian or pagan ; if there he any difi'erence, it is worse with them, and wrath will come upon them first, because they know more of God's mind, and have greater ■obligations and advantages of doing his will : Eom. ii. 9-11, ' Tribula- tion and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the gentile ; but glory, honour, and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the gentile ; for there is no respect of persons with God.'
[2.] Because of the greatness of his mercy. That God will instruct lis at their cost, and sealeth our instruction on their backs, scourgeth them so sorely in our sight, is for a warning to us. And in this sense is that fulfilled, ' Prov. xxi. 18, The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressors for the upright ; ' that is, God will make them spectacles of his judgment, that he may make us objects of his mercy. Now it is stupidness not to observe the instances of God's •svratli on others, that we may not be made instances ourselves. David trembled when he saw Uzzali smitten, 2 Sam. vi. 9 ; so should we when God avengeth the quarrel of any commandment, as he frequently doth in his providence : Eom. i. 18, ' For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men ; ' and Heb. ii. 2, ' For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every trans- j^ression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;' surely then it concerneth us to lay it to heart.
Use 1. To show us that we are not to be idle spectators of God's judgments on others, but judicious observers and improvers of them. Observe here — (1.) The use of observing God's providences on others ; (2.) The manner of it.
First, The use and benefit of observing God's providences is great in these particulars —
VeR. 7.] SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 241
1. To cure atheism : Ps, Iviii. 11, ' So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous ; verily he is a God that judgetli in the earth.' They that know what to think of God's providence before shall find that God doth govern the affairs of the world as a righteous judge. Were men greater students in providence, and did they observe what judgments he bringeth to light every day, they would soon see tliat God is not indifferent to good and evil, that he taketh care of things below ; that the world is not governed by blind chance, but with great wisdom, and justice, and equity. It is not only the cavil of the wicked : Mai. ii. 17, ' Ye have wearied the Lord with your words ; yet 3'e say, Wherein have we wearied him ? when ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delightetli in them ; or, Where is the God of judgment? ' As if God did approve of wicked men, and were not a just and impartial judge, or there were no providence at all. But it is the temptation of the godly : Ps. Ixxiii. 11-13, * And they say. How doth God know ? and is there knowledge in the Most High ? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world, they increase in riches. Verily, I liave cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.' The poet Claudian —
' Res hominum tanta caligine volvi Aspiceret, Isetosque diu florere uocentes, Vexarique pios.'
He much doubted- But at length —
* Curarunt superi terras ? an nuUus inesset Rector ? et incerto fluerent mortalia casu ? '
* Abstulit hunc tandem Ruffini pcena tumultum, Absolvitque Deos.'
He would no more call in question God's providence and the just government of the world.
2. To make us more cautious of sin, that we meddle not with it. God's judgments feed our holy fear and awe of God, and so stir up watchfulness and care for our own safety, that we may not fall into like offences, or do anything that is displeasing unto God. We have to do with a just and holy God, who we see is tender of his laws, a God that will not be dallied with. When he beginneth to execute his judgments against the children of disobedience, we should fear for our- selves. When Uzzah was stricken, * How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?' saith David, 1 Chron. xiii. 12. Will not God be so severe to me if I behave myself irreverently ? Certainly it is stupid incogitancy when God puts such examples before our eyes and we are not afiected with them. The Gibeonites were more wise and cautious, Josh. ix. 3 ; when they saw the cities of Ai and Jericho destroyed, and their inhabitants cut off by the sword, they did not expect the coming of Joshua, but sent messengers to him, and by a wile struck up a covenant before he came any farther. Or as that captain, when two beiore him with their fifties were destroyed by fire, he fell upon his knees before the prophet : 2 Kings i. 13, 14, ' And besought him, and said unto him, 0 man of God ! I pray thee let my life, and the