(3.) Always bear in mind our infallible guidance as unto God's final dealing vntli impenitent sinners. This the whole Scripture con- stantly, equally, universally witnesses unto, that it shall be eternal destruction; and this will preserve us from distracting surprisals, when we find things fall out beyond our expectation in a way of severity.
(4.) Consider those signs, marks, and tokens of approaching judg- ments which are set up in the world ; which whoso doth wisely con- sider, he will not fail in his prognostication of futiure events. Among these, abounding in sin tuith security, in such persons, nations, cities, and churches, as God is pleased by the gospel to take near unto him- self in a peculiar manner, is the most eminent. For those signs are buoys, fixed to show where we shall certainly make shipwreck if we approach unto them. When these rules are observed, when they are diligently attended unto and complied withal, so as that we receive instniction from them, I shaU say with some confidence, that every believer shall know what God is doing in a way of judgment, so far as is necessary unto his guidance in his own duty, wherein he shall find accej^tance, and not provoke God in the neglect o^ it.
4. God hath appointed the ministry of the ivord unto the same end. The principal end of the ministry under the gospel is the dis- pensation of the word of reconciliation. But neither is yet this work of giving \uarning of approaching judgments exempted from that office and duty. Christ himself in his ministry preach eth here on this subject. They are watchmen and overseers; and their duty herein is graphically expressed, Ezek. xxxiii. 2-9. When God placeth any as a watchman for a people, one part of his duty is to look dili- gently after the approach of dangers and evils, — such, I mean, as come on the account of sin ; and thereon to awaken and stir up the people to take care of themselves that they be not destroyed. The shepherd is not only to provide good pasture for his sheep, but to keep them
VOL. VIII. 40
G2G THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS.
from danger. The watchman " hearkened diligently with much heed, and he cried, A lion," Isa. xxi. 7, 8. Having made a discovery of approaching danger, he cries out to the people, to warn them of it. But if the watchmen are slothful and sleepy; if they are dumb dogs, and cannot bark when evil cometh ; if they are light and treacherous persons, blind guides that have no vision ; if they also are under a spirit of slumber and security, so as that the people are not warned by them of their danger,— this is one of the most severe tokens of wi-ath approaching. It is a great warning, when God takes away the means of warning ; — when he says unto a people, " I will warn you no more," by giving them such watchmen as are neither faithful nor able to warn them, and by takmg away those that are.
5. God gives warnings hereof, by bringing a people into such a pos- ture, condition, and circumstances, as do in their own nature tend unto ruin. Such are cross interests among themselves, incurable divisions, contrary and unsteady counsels, weakness in spirit and comage, mutual distrusts, effeminacy through luxury, with one or other insuperable entanglement; which are the ways and means whereby nations pre- cipitate themselves into a calamitous condition. In general, as unto this previous warning of approaching judgments, God threatens to send among a people who are tending towards ruin, a " moth," and a "hornet." The moth he threatens, Isa. li. 8; Hos. v. 12. Some- what shall eat up and devour the strength and sinews of the counsels of a nation, as a moth devoureth a garment. Whilst it lies still, it seems, it may be, to be sound and firm ; — hold it up to the light, and it appears full of holes, and is easily torn with the finger. So is it with a nation; — ^whatever outward peace it seems to enjoy, when it is decayed in the wisdom and strength of its counsels, it is easily torn in pieces. And in like manner he sends the hornet unto the same end, Exod. xxiii. 28; Deut. vii. 20;— that is, that which shall vex, disquiet, and torment them, that they shall be ready every one to strike himself, or the next that he meeteth withal. And many of these hornets are at present among us.
These are some of the ways whereby God warneth a people, church, or nation, of approaching judgments.
It conccrneth us, now, to inquire how it is, how it hath been Avith us, with reference hereunto. And I say, —
1. It is not necessary that God should use all those ways of Avam- ing of a sinful people of approaching desolations, if not prevented by repentance. It is enough, unto the ends of this dispensation of divine wisd(jm and goodness, if he make use of some of them, or of any one of them in an eminent manner. Wherefore, if any of them have been wanting among us, yet if we have had others of them, it is sufficient to render us inexcusable if we repent not. But, —