2. The loss of the power of that religion whose outward form we do retain. We are all Protestants, and will abide to be of the Protestant religion. But wdierein? In the Confession, and all the
' Jacquks-Apguste de Thou, born at Paris in 1553, was made one of the presi- dents of the Parlement de Paris in 1594. The first eighteen books of liis History were published in 1(J04. Tliough a Roman Catholic, he gives a candid and graphic description of the liorrors of St Bartliolomow's day; on which account, and for otlier similar reasons, his work was placed on the " Index Expurgatorius," in 1609.— Ed.
THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS. 613
outward forms of the rule and worship of the church. But are men changed, renewed, converted to God, by the doctrine of this religion ? are they made humble, holy, zealous, fruitful in good works by it? — have they experience of the power of it in their own souls, in its transforming of them into the image of God? Without these things, it is of very little avail what religion men profess. This is that which is of evil abode to the professors of the Protestant religion at this day through the world. The glory, the power, the efficacy of it, are, if not lost and dead, yet greatly decayed ; and an outward carcase of it, in articles of faith and forms of worship, doth only abide. Hence have the Reformed Churches, most of them, " a name to live," but are dead ; living only on a traditional knowledge, principles of educa- tion, advantages and interest ; — in all which the Roman religion doth every way exceed them, and will carry the victory, when the contest is reduced unto such principles only. And unless God be pleased, by some renewed effusion of his blessed Spirit from above, to revive and reintroduce a spiiit of life, holiness, zeal, readiness for the cross, con- formity unto Christ, and contempt-of the world, in and among the churches which profess the Protestant religion, he will ere long take away the hedge of his protecting providence, which now for some ages he hath kept about them, and leave them for a spoil unto their enemies. So he threateneth to do in the like case, Isa. v. 5, 6. Such is the state described, 2 Tim. iii. 1—5.
3. Ojjen contempt and reproach of the Spirit of God, in all his divine operations, is another sin of the same dreadful abode. Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us, that he who " speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come," Matt. xii. 32; — that is, those who persist in opposing or reproaching the Holy Ghost, and his disj)ensation and operations under the New Testament, shall not escape vengeance and punishment even in this world; for so it befell that generation unto whom he spake. For continuing to do despite unto the Spirit of grace, wrath at length came upon them, even in this world, unto the utmost; which is the sense of the place. Now, scarcely, where the name of Christ was known, did this iniquity more abound than it doth at this day amongst us ; for not only is the divine pierson of the Holy Spirit by some denied, and the substance of the preaching and writ- ing of many is to oppose all his peculiar operations, but they are all made a scoff, a derision, and a reproach, openly and on all occasions, every day. Especially as he is a Spirit of regeneration and suppli- cation, he is the object of multiplied sober blasphemies. This ini- quity will be revenged.
4. The ahounding of uncleanness, Avhich, having broken forth from a corruj)t fountain, hath overspread the land like a deluge. These
614 THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS.
sins, I say, among others, have such a predominancy among us, as to threaten perishing, without repentance.
Secondly. It is required, that all sorts and degrees of persons are concerned in the guilt of some of these provoJdng sins; for destruc- tion is threatened unto all: " Ye shall all likewise perish;" — all, not universally, " pro singulis generum ;" but generally, " pro generibus singulorum." Therefore all must be, in some way, guilty of them. And this they may be three ways : —
1. Personallt/, in their own hearts, lives, and practices; Avhich in- cludes a great multitude.
2. By not hindering and preventing these sins in others, so far as their duty leads and their power enables them unto. What number of magistrates, of ministers, of parents, of masters of families are com- prised herein, is evident unto all, especially ministers. See Mai. ii. 7, 8; Jer. xxiii. 14, 15.
3. By not mourning for luhat they cannot help or remedy; for it is such alone as shall be exempted from public calamities, Ezek. ix. : and this, in some measure, takes us all in. And the due considera- tion hereof is necessaiy upon a double account: —
(1.) It is so unto the manifestation of the glory of God in public calamities and desolations, when the sword slays suddenly, and de- stroys the righteous with the wicked. One way or other, in one degree or another, we have all of us an access unto the guilt of those things whereby such judgments are procured. Who can say he is innocent? who can complain of his share and interest in the cala- mities that are coming upon us? who can plead that he ought to be exempted? There will be at last an eternal discrimination of per- sons ; but as unto temporal judgments, we must own the righteousness of God if we also fall under them. And, —