3. God hereby manifests himself to be a God hearing prayers, regarding the cries of his poor and distressed witnesses in the world. When the world abounds in provoking sins, especially in l)lood and persecution, there is a conjvuict cry unto God of those that have suffered, and those that do suffer, in heaven and earth, for vengeance on obstinate, impenitent sinners. See Luke xviii. 7, 8; Rev. vi. 10. The voices of all those, I say, who have suffered unto death in fore- going ages, for the testimony of Jesus, and are now in heaven, in a
THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS. G09
state of expectancy of complete glory, with all those of them whose sighs and groans under their oppressors do at present ascend unto the throne of God, have the sense in them, by divine interpreta- tion, that punishment he inflicted on impenitent sinners ; as is plainly expressed by our Saviour in that place of the gospel affirm- ing that he will avenge his elect speedily, who cry unto him day and night. Herein God will vindicate his glory, as the God that hears prayers.
4. A sense of this divine truth is a great and effectual means of God's rule in the hearts of men in the world, setting bounds to their lusts, and restraining that superfluity of wickedness and villany which would otherwise take away the distinction, as to sin, between the earth and hell. If men can at any time free themselves from the ten'or and restraining power of this consideration, that vengeance is always approaching toioards impenitent sinners, there is nothing so vile, so profane, so flagitious, as that they would not wholly give up themselves unto it, Eccles. viii. 11, "Because sentence against an e\dl work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." And God knows, that if impunity in this world should always accompany provoking sinners, the temptation would be too strong and powerful for the faith of weak believers ; which he will therefore relieve by frequent instances of his severity.
In a successive continuation of previous judgments on impenitent sinners, tliere is an uncontrollable evidence given of the certainty of that final judgment which all mankind shall be called unto. So the apostle proves it, and intimates that it is a foolish thing, — the effect of obstinacy in sin, — if men do not learn the certain determination and approach of the eternal judgment, from the drowning of the old world, the conflagration of Sodom, with the like instances of divine severity, 2 Pet. iii. 3.
My present inquiry hereon is. What is our own concernment in these things, — what are we, for our own good, to learn by the blessed instruction given us by our Lord Jesus Christ, in his interpretation of the providential occurrences mentioned in the text?
And this I shall manifest by an impartial inquiry into the things ensuing : —
I. When doth a church, a nation, a people, or city, so abound in sin, as to be immediately and directly concerned in his divine warn- ing ; and what, in particular, is the case of the nation wherein we live, and our own therein?
II. Of what sort are those desolating judgments, which, in one way and sense or another, are impendent with respect unto such a church or nation, and, consequently, unto ourselves, at this season?
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610 THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS.
III. What warnings, calls, and indications of divine displeasure, and the approach of calamitous distresses, doth God usually grant, and what he hath given, and is giving unto us at present?
IV. What is the equity, and wherein it doth consist, of the divine constitution here attested by our blessed Saviour, that in such a case repentance and reformation, and nothing else, shall save and deUver a church, a people, a nation, from ruin?
V. Whereas this rule is so holy, just, and equal, whence is it that all sorts of men are so unwilling to comply with it, even in the utmost extremity, when all other hopes do fail and perish ; and whence is it so amongst ourselves at this day?
VI. What is required unto that reformation which may save any nation — this wherein we live — from desolating calamities when they are deserved?
VII. From wliat causes at present such a reformation may be ex- pected, and by what means it may be begTin and accomplished, so as to prevent our utter ruin?
VIII. What is the duty, what ought to be the frame of mind in true believers, what their walk and work, in such a season, that, in case all means of delivery do fail, they may be found of Christ in peace at his coming; for it is but " yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry?"
These things are necessary to be inquired into, that we may help to beat out the paths of truth and peace, — the only waj^s that lead unto our deliverance. The nation is filled with complaints and fears : lyiutual charges on one party and another, as unto the causes of our present troubles and approaching dangers, — various designs and con- trivances, with vain hopes and vehement desires of this or that way or means of help and deliverance, — cniel hatred and animosities on differences in religion, designing no less than the extirpation of all that is good therein, — do abound in it, by all means rending itself in pieces, wearying itself in the largeness of its ivays; and yet [it] says not that there is no hope. But for the most part, the true causes of all our troubles and dangers, with the only remedy of them, are utterly neglected. The world is filled, yea, the better sort of men in it, with other designs, other discourses ; — we hear rarely of these things from the pulpits (which are filled with animosities about petty in- terests, and private difference in the approaches of public ruin), nor in the counsel of those who pretend to more wisdom. Some think they shall do gTeat things by their wisdom and counsel, some by their authority' and power, some by their number, some by owning the best cause, as they suppose; and with many such-] ike notions are the minds of men possessed. But the truth is, the land abounds in sm, — God is angry, and risen out of his holy place, — judgment lies at the door;