That this divine constitution (namely, that repentance and refor- mation shall save a church, people, or nation, in the state before described, and that nothing else shaD do so, however men may please and pride themselves in their own imaginations) is equal, just, and good, — that it is meet it should be so, — that it hath a condecency unto the divine excellencies, and the rule of righteousness in govern- ment,— is e\-ident; for, —
First. The notion of this rule Ls inbred in mankind by nature, as
THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS. C'29
was mentioned before. There is no man, unless he be atheistically profligate, but, vrheu he apprehends that exW. and ruin, especially as unto his life, is ready to overtake him, and seize upon him, but he reflects on his sins, and comes to some resolutions of forsaking them for the futm^, so he may be at present delivered from his deplorable condition. Now, all this ariseth from these indehble notions ingrafted on the minds of men :— that all evil of punishment is from God ; that it is for sin ; that there is no way to avoid it but by repentance and reformation. And those Avho will not improve this natui-al light vnth. respect unto the public, will be found, as it were, whether they ^yii\ or no, to comply with it when it comes to be their own case in par- ticular. Herein lies a thousand testimonies unto the eqvuty of this divine constitution.
Secondly. When this rule is complied A\*ithal, — -when repentance and reformation do ensue upon diA-ine warnings, whereby peace with God is in some measure attained, — it will give men trust and confi- dence in him, with expectation of di%'ine rehef in their distress ; which is the most effectual means for men to be instrumental unto their own deliverance : and, on the other side, when it is neglected, when e\il approaches, guilt and terror will haunt the minds of men, and they shall not be able to entertain one thought of divine help ; which will render them heartless, helpless, senseless, and betray them into cow- ardice and pusillanimity, however they may boast at present. If these two sorts are opposed, ten sliall chase a hundred, and a hundi'ed put a thousand to fhght. And if any nation do openly refuse a comphance vnih this constitution, if God shoidd send another to invade them, in a way of judgment, they would melt away before them as wax before the fire. When evils compass us about, and ai-e ready to seize upon us, a reflection on the neglect of this rule will disturb om* counsels, distract our thoughts, distress oiir minds, weaken our confidence in God, and disheai-ten the stoutest of the sons of men, giving them up a prey to their enemies.
Thirdly. This rule or constitution hath an impression of all divine excellencies upon it; namely, of the goodness, patience, wisdom, righteousness, and holiness of God.
If, when judgments are approaching and deserved, men could divert them by their A^isdom, courage, or diligence, it would reflect dishonour on God in the government of the world. See Isa. xxii^ 7-11. But in this way of the dehverance of any people, there is a salvo for the glory of all tlie diAine excellencies, as is manifested unto all.
When, therefore, in this state, impendent judgments ai'e not abso* lutely determined, yet so deserved as that, upon a supposition of con- tinuance in those sins whereby they are deserved, the glory of divine
GoO THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS.
justice cannot be vbidicated in the absolute impunity; and whereas God hath now prepared all things, and made them ready for their execution, all means and instruments being girt unto the work, his sword is whetted, and his aiTows are fixed in the bow, he will first give warning, then give space and time for repentance, and requires no more for the laying aside of all his preparations for destnaction, — surely his ways are equal, kind, and full of mercy.
If men will look for, if they will expect deliverance, without a com- pliance with these good, holy, just, gracious, equal terms, they will find themselves, in the issue, wofully deceived. And if, after all this, we in this nation should be found in a neglect hereof, — if the nation should continue in its present frame, wherein, of all other means of safety, this seems to be least thought of or regarded, — what shall we plead for ourselves? who shall pity us m the day of distress? Most men now despise these things ; but can their hearts endure, or can their hands be strong, in the day that the Lord shall deal Avith them? But, —
V. Whereas this way, this means of deliverance, is so just, so equal, so reasonable, manifesting itself to the consciences and reason of mankind, owned by the very heathens, and fully confinned by divine revelation, our next inquiry must be, " Whence it is that there is such an unreadiness, such an unwillingness to comply with this duty as there is; that so many difficulties are esteemed to be in it, — so as that there is little hope it will be found among us in a pre- valent degree?"
If men, especially such as are great, and esteem themselves to be wise, are told that this is the way to save and deliver the nation, they turn away in a wrath, as Naaman did when the projihet bid him wash and be clean, when he would have rather expected an injunction of some heroic exploits :— These are thoughts for weak and pusillanimous souls, who understand nothing of state affairs. But it will ere long appear who is wisest, — God or men. But a hard thing it is to prevail with any to think well of it, or to go about it, or to judge that it is the only balm for our wounds.