1. That a deejj consideration of, and inquiry into, the mind of God in such a season as xue have described, is required of us in a way of duty. It is our sin to neglect it, and that attended with many aggiavations. It is not a thing that we may attend unto or omit, as it seems convenient; but it is required as a duty of us, without which we cannot glorify God in a due manner.
He that is not daily exercised with prevalent thoughts about the present ways of God in the approach of his judgments, lives in such a neglect of duty as will bring in a negligence and coldness in all other duties whatsoever; for this is cei'tain, that when God calls unto any especial duty in an extraordinary way or manner, in any season, those by whom it is neglected are really cold, formal, and negligent in all other ordinary duties whatever. That grace which will not be excited unto especial duties on extraordinary occasions, is ver}'^ life- less in all other things. This is the best note to try, if not the truth, yet the power of grace. When it is in its vigour and due exercise, it makes the soul to be ready, inclinable, and disposed unto all intima- tions of the divine will and pleasure; as speaks the psalmist, "Thou shalt guide me by thine eye, and lead me with thy counsel." He attended to each look and guidance of divine Providence, to comply with it, when others must be forced Avith strong curbs and bridles, like the horse and mule.
2. It is such a duty as whereunto real wisdom and diligence ai'e required. We think it needful to use our wisdom about other things, — our own affairs; but in this it is most necessary. "The Lord's voice crieth imto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name," Mic. vi. 9. Ordinary, slight, and transient thoughts will not answer this duty. Such all men that are sober cannot but have; and their
THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS. 645
discourse is answerable thereunto. But consideration, with dihgence and prudence, is required of us. Let these testimonies ])e consulted to this purpose, Ps. Ixiv. 9 ; Deut. xii. 30 ; Hos. xiv. 9 ; Ps. cvii. 43. Prayer, study, and meditation, are all diligently to be engaged herein.
Thirdly. Take heed of vain confidences. Men are apt, in such sea- sons, to fix on one thing or other, wherewith they relieve and support themselves; and there is not any thing that is more effectual to keep them off from this duty and the frame of spirit which is required in them. If you speak with any man almost, you may, with a little heed, discover wherein his confidence doth lie, and what it is that he trusts unto. But, saith the prophet unto such persons, " The Lord hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them," Jer. ii. 37.
There are sundry sorts of vain confidences wherewith men are apt to relieve their minds in such a season, so as to countenance them- selves in their security and a neglect of this especial duty. Two in j)articular I shall only mention, as I do only name the heads of things, which mio-ht be much enlaro-ed : —
1. The first is some certain privileges whereon they tn;st for an exemption from common calamities ; — they are the church, — they are the people of God,— they are separated from the world, and perse- cuted by it; and hence there is a secret reserve in their minds, that indeed they shall not be in trouble as other men. So was it with the Jews of old : Avhen they were threatened with the judgments of God for their sins, and called thereon to repentance, they justified them- selves in their ways, and despised all divine warnings, on a confidence they had in their church privileges. They cried against the prophet, " The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these," and no evil shall come nigh us, Jer. vii. 4. And in confidence hereof, — namely, that they were the church, and enjoyed the privileges belonging thereunto, and the solemn worship of God therein, — they gave themselves up unto all abominable immoralities, under an assurance of impunity by their privileges ; as the prophet upbraids them, verses 8-10, "Behold, ye trust in lying words, that can- not profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and bum incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not, and say you shall be delivered?"^ At this day all sorts of men claim a refuge in then- privileges. Those who design the rain of the nation, and of all true religion therein, do it with confidence of success from hence. That they are the church, — that the temple of God is Avith them, — that all the privileges belonging unto the church
' The last clause is not accordino; to the authorized version, but seems another translation of the words, to which Owen was inclined. Blayney renders it, " And say, Deliver us," etc. — Ed.
646 THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS.
are theirs, and so are the promises made unto it. And such is the infotuating efficacy of their prejudicate persuasion herein, that it hath had two marvellous effects; — the one against the light of nature, and the other against the fundamental principles of religion.