For, first, under the influence of this confidence they have engaged into as vile immortalities as ever were perpetrated under the sun; — murder, persecution, assassinations, dying in falsehoods, with a gene- ral design to pursue the same ways unto the utmost, in the destiiic- tion of multitudes of innocent persons, as they did formerly in Ireland. But what if they do all those abominations? yet they are the church ! the promises and privileges of it are theirs ! and all they do is accepted with God ! — a principle tending directly to the vilest atheism.
Again; although God, in a marvellous, yea, a miraculous manner, hath discovered and frustrated their hellish designs, and brought many of them into the pit they digged for others, yet they will accept of no rebuke from God, but go on in an obstinate presumjstion that they are the church, and shall prevail at last. And that church which shall prevail by these means, no doubt they are. Some, indeed, pre- tend highly to be the church ; but they lay claim, so far as I can find, to no other advantages thereby but dignities and promotions. And others also are apt to relieve themselves with this confidence, that they are the people of God, and shall have an especial interest in de- liverance on that account. And I say, Far be it from me to weaken any persuasion of God's especial regard of those that are truly his. God hath a peculiar people in the world, let the world scoff at it whilst they please, unto whom all the promises of the Scripture and all the privileges of the church do belong. These promises they ought to mix with faith, and plead before God continually ; and they shall be all accomplished towards them, in the Avay and time of God's ap- pointment. Nor do any sort of dissenting professions, as they are called, that I know of, appropriate this right and privilege unto them- selves, unto the exelusion of others ; but extend it to all who are sin- cere believers. But this is that which I say concerning all sorts of men, — That if an apprehension or persuasion that they are the chiu-ch or people of God do keep them off from that duty of repentance and reformation which God calls unto, it is a confidence which God rcjecteth, and in whicli they will not prosper. I desire to ask of any, ' Hath not the church sinned? have not professors sinned? are there not sins amongst us against the Lord our God proper unto our state, and according to our measure ? If it be so, our being the people of God, any of us, if Ave are so, unless we repent, doth only, as unto these pro- vidential dispensations, expose us unto his just severity; for judgment must begin at the house of God, — it must begin at us. Take heed of this failing reserve. I have observed much security to arise from hence,
THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS. 61' 7
and great negligence of known duties. If you are the people of God, you had the more need to tremble at his judgments, and at the tokens of his displeasure. Especially ought it to be so with you at this day, when God seems in a peculiar manner to be " displeased with the rivers," as the prophet speaks, Hab. iii. 8, — those who should send forth streams of refreshment luito the nation. To me, at present, all things appear in that condition, that there is no reserve left, as unto public judgments, but only in sovereign grace and mercy, to be waited lor in a way of repentance and reformation. As unto our privileges, God speaks unto us as he did to the people of old concerning their ornaments, Exod. xxxiii. 5, Put them off, " that I may know what to do unto thee." We are to lay aside our pleas and pretences, betak- ing ourselves to sovereign grace and mercy alone.
2. Another ground of vain confidence may be, an unjust expecta- tion of an accomplishment of such Scripture promises, prophecies, and predictions, as are not applicable unto our piresent condition.
It is undeniable, that there are such promises, prophecies, and pre- dictions concernincr the deliverance of the church, the ruin of its adver- saries, the glory and beauty of the kingdom of Christ, as those intended. For although the most of that kind in the Old Testament are of a spiritual interpretation, and have their accomplishment in all the elect in every age, whatever be their outward state and condition ; yet that there are such also as concern the state of the cluu'ch in this world, and the ruin of all its antichristian enemies, with peace and glory ensuing thereon, cannot be denied.
And concerning them we may observe sundry things, that we may not abuse them into vain and groundless confidences in such a season as this is: —
(1.) That we ought to have a firm faith of theii- accomplishment in their proper season. The rule of them all is that of the prophet, " I the Lord will hasten it in his time," Isa. Ix. 22 ; as it is also Hab. ii. 2, 3. Though they seem to be prolonged, and tarry beyond their proper season, yet they have their fixed and determinate time, beyond which they shall not tarry. And two things I would offer on this occasion: —