It is a good sign for the present that God hath some blessing for ns, that now in our public meetings there is regard to religion ; and that, in the first place, there is some zeal for the cause of God against those that would wrong the cause of religion. We have some cause to hope in respect of that. And let every one labour to stir up the Spirit of God, and study how he may do and receive good, and be fruitful and warm in his affections, considering what excellent blessings we enjoy in the gospel. What is the glory of the kingdom we live in above popery ? Our religion that we have, the sunshine of the gospel. Now the riches of Christ are unfolded ; we have the key of heaven, heaven opened ; what glorious times are these ! The glory of the times is the manifestation of the gospel ; and shall we grow in the decay of our love ? Is there not cause to grow in love to the gospel, when God hath taken it from others and hath given it to us ? Now, idolatry is where true religion was ; and the mass is said where God was religiously w^orshipped in other places and countries. Shall God so deal with us, and shall we not be in love with that truth ? Since we have had the truth, what peace and plenty have we had ! And if ever we lose it, it will go with other things. If God takes away the truth, away goes our peace and prosperity. He will not take it away alone. It came not alone, and he will not take it away alone. Doubtless it must needs make way for judgment, when our love to so precious a jewel as the gospel shall begin to die and decaj^, when we shall begin to slight and disregard it. And so for any particular man that hath had good things in him. If they now begin to decay, it is an ill sign, that God is fitting him for judgment.
Well, but what shall we do when judgments are coming ? We see judg- ments are like to come, nay, are in part come. The plague of pestilence hath seized on us already ; and then war is threatened, and that by ene- mies that have been foiled before. Foiled enemies are dangerous enemies, if they be proud. Now we have proud enemies that have been foiled, and idolatrous v/ithal, and what mercy can we look for from them ? God fought against them for us from heaven in some measure, and they being cruel provoked enemies, are the less likely to shew any mercy.* God is indeed so merciful to us yet, that he hath taken us into his own hands, rather than to give us up to the malice and fury of idolatrous enemies. But yet those that can lay things together, and consider the times, they shall see there is more cause of fear than is taken to heart.
Well, and in this case, what shall we do ?
1. First, In the interim between the threatening and the execution. There are some judgments in the cloud, and the storm seems to hang over us, and the sword of the pestilence is drawn over our heads by the destroy- ing angel, though he hath not yet stricken us in our particular. Now in the time between the threatening and the execution ; oh improve it, make use of this Utile time; get into covenant with God; hide yourselves in the provi- dence and promises of Qod ; make your peace, defer it no longer.
2. And secondly. Mown for the sins of the time, that when any judg-
* Spain. — G.
god's inquisition. 227
ment shall come, yon may be marked with those that mourn. Take heed of the errors and sins of the times, lest, when a judgment comes, you be swept away in the general judgments. But let us rather have our part with those that mourn, that God may give us our lives for a prey.
3. And thirdly. Be watchful. Practise that duty, We have the plague to put us in mind of it, besides the threatening of dangers by enemies abroad. If we will not watch now and stand upon our guard, when will we ? Let us be watchful to do all the good we can, to be fruitful, to be good stewards, to have large hearts. The time may come that we may be stripped of all, and we know not how soon. Having but a little time, let us do good in it ; study all opportunities in these times ; rouse up our sluggish souls. Fear, it is a waking affection. Jacob, when his brother Esau was ready to seize on him, ' he could not sleep that night.' We know not how soon the hand and arrow of God may strike us, besides other judgments. Let us shake off security, and do everything we do sin- cerely to God. We may come to God to make our account, we know not how soon. Let us do everything as in his presence, and to him. In our particular callings, let us be conscionable,* and careful, and fruitful. Let us do all in our places to God, and not to the world, or to our own parti- cular gain, but do it as those that must give account ere long to God. Now, God threateneth us to come and give our account ; who can be secure he shall have life for a week, or for one day ? We cannot. ' Our times are in God's hands,' Ps. xxxi. 15. We came into the world in his time, and we must go out in his time. But now we have less cause to hope for long life. This is to make a right use of the judgment of God, to be watchful in this kind.