THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS. G27
2. The truth is, we have, upon the matter, lutd them all, and they have abounded amongst us.
We have had the previous judgments of plague, fire, and war.
Some may say they were desolating judgments themselves; and so indeed they were. But whereas sin still aboundeth, and no refor- mation ensued upon them in any places, among any sort of persons, they were but wai-nings of what is yet to come, if not prevented ; and their language is, " Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
We have had a midtiplication of signs, in the heaven above, and in the earth beneath; such as all mankind have ever esteemed fore- runners of public calamities ; and the more they are despised, the louder is their voice to the same purpose. God hath continued hitherto his word amongst us, wherein the ordinary rule of his -provi- dence in these things is openly declared. And if those unto whom the declaration of the word of God, in the dispensation of it, is com- mitted, have not faithfully warned the people of their danger, their blood may be found at their door. Herein, at present, lies our greatest strait. The efficacy of all other calls of God unto rejoent- ance depends much on the application of them inito the souls and consciences of men in the preaching of the word. But whilst by some this work is despised, at least counted unnecessary, by some it is neglected utterly ; and others, by reason of their private capacities, whereby they are disenabled to speak unto magistrates, cities, or the community of the people, think not themselves concerned therein, [and] it is almost wholly laid aside. For what, will some say, doth this speaking unto afevj in a retirement signify, as unto a general refor- mation of the people of the land ? But whereas we have all sinned in our measures, — churches, and all sorts of more strict professors of religion, — it is every one's duty to be pressing these warnings of God within his own bounds and precincts. And if each of us should prevail but with one to return effectually to God, it will be accepted with him, who, in such a season, seeks for a man to stand in the gap, to turn away his wi-ath, and will save a city for the sake of ten, if they be found therein. Let us not pretend that the repentance and reformation called for respect the public enormous sins of the nation, in atheism, profaneness, sensuality, luxuiy, pride, oppression, hatred of the truth, contempt of the ministry of the gospel, and the like. They do so, indeed, but not only; — they respect also the decays in faith, love, zeal, ^vith love of the world, conformity unto it, liike- warmness, that are found amongst the most eminent professors of religion. This is our present wound; here lies our weakness, — namely, in the want of a quick, active, zealous ministry, to call and stir up magistrates and people to effectual repentance, and turning
628 THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS.
to God. Unless this be given unto us, I fear we cannot be saved. If it be otherwise, — if we have a minisstry that really do attend unto their duty in this matter, — I beg their pardon for other apprehensions: but then I shall think it the most pregnant sign of approaching de- struction; seeing it is apparent unto all that their endeavours have neither fruit nor succesa
So far have we proceeded with oiu- proposition, — namely, that sin abounds amongst us; that judgments are approaching; that God hath given us manifold ivarnings of their so doing.
IV. That which, in the next place, Ave are to speak unto is, "The equity of this divine constitution, — that, in the ordinary way of God's rule and dispensation of his providence, repentance and reformation shall turn away impendent judgments, and procure unto a people a blessed deliverance ; and nothing else shaU do it : " "Except ye repent, ye shall peiish."
That upon repentance they shall be saved and delivered, is intended in the same rule. This is the unalterable law of divine Providence; this shall do it, and nothing else shall so do. The tvisdom and.jyower of men shall not do it; fasting and prayer, whilst we continue in our sIbs, shall not do it. Repentance alone is made the condition of deliverance in this state of things.
Upon this rule did God vindicate the equity of his ways against repining Israel, Ezek. x^iii. 29-82 : Can any thing be more just and equal ? Kuin and utter desolation are ready to fall upon the whole people. This you have deserved by your iniquities and multiplied provocations. In strict justice, they ought immediately to come upon you. But "my ways are equal;" I \nM not deal with you in a way of strict justice ; I will do it in equit}^, which is a meet temperature of justice and mercy. And this I make evident imto you herein, in that, whilst the execution of judgment is only threatened and sus- pended, if you make unto yourselves a new heart and a new spirit, in sincere repentance, — if you ca.st away all your transgressions by thorough reformation of your lives, — iniquity shall not be your ruin. What can be more just, righteous, and equal? Who can complain if after all this, evil should overtake you, and you shall not escape? The same he pleads again, chap, xxxiii. 10, 1 1, as in many other places.