The story of the prophets Jeremiah and Hananiah is applicable in this case, Jer. xxviii. And it is certain that, before the final destruc- tion of Jerusalem, that which principally hardened the people unto their utter ruin, so as they would hearken neither to the voice of God nor man for their safety, was a presumption they had, that at that time their Messiah would come and save them.
(6.) Few know of what sort that day of the Lord will be, which they desire, long for, and expect. We know how it proved unto the church of the Jews, Mai. iii. 1, 2. A day may be coming which, although it may be a glorious issue, yet it may consume all the hopes that men have treasured up in their expectation of it. But I will not touch farther on these things : — my design is only to take us all ojff from such vain confidences as may obstruct us in a diligent at- tendance unto those duties which God at this season calls us unto; which shall be declared innnediately.
3. Some place their confidence in secret reserves which they have in themselves, that however it go with others, yet they shall escape well enough. They are rich, and they intend to be wise : — they in- tend not to be engaged in any thing, civil or religious, that should prejudice them in their possessions:— whilst things pass at the cheap rate of talking, they will be like unto others; but when tiials come,
650 THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS.
they will make a safe retreat. We have their character and tlieir doom, Jer. xxviii. 15-17.
Fourthly. A fourth direction for our deportment in such a season is, that we diligently consider and search our own hearts and ways, to find out and understand how it is between God and our souls. This direction is given us, Lam. iii. '39, 40, " Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins ? Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord." When trials and punishments draw nigh, or are upon us, it is not our business nor duty to lie com- plaining under them, but so to search and try our ways as to turn unto the Lord. This is the first word of the voice of God in ap- proaching judg-ments, " Search yourselves, tiy your hearts and your ways, — try how it is with you." At such a season, to pass by the con- sideration of ourselves, of our state, of our walk, of our actions, in an ordinary manner, or with slight or common thoughts, is to despise the voice of God. God speaks aloud: " The voice of God crieth unto the city." He doth so by the ways before mentioned; — he speaks articulately, distinctly, so as that a man of wisdom may see his name, and know his mind; — he speaks unto us, and says, Search now your- selves.
And in this search, respect is to be had unto the things ensuing: —
1. In general, search into your state and condition. Try whether it be built on a good foundation ; — on the rock, by faith ; or on the sand, by jDrofession only ; — whether it will hold His trial who will bring it to the refiner's fire : " He shall slay the hypocrite with the breath of his mouth." And many dreadful discoveries will be made of the false and rotten states of men when the Lord's day of trial shall come. This is one certain end of a fiery trial, namely, to discover and con- sume the profession of hypocrites; as hath been done in part already.
2. With respect unto those ways and sins which are the peculiarbj provoking sins of churches and professors; — such as the Lord Christ testifieth his displeasure against in them, and which may have as great an -influence into the procurement of temporal judgments as the more flagitious sins of open sinners: such are decays in love, zeal, and fruits of obedience ; want of delight, wannth, and life in the ordi- nances of gospel worship; with pride, elation of mind, self-conceit, and barrenness in good works. If we Avould know what are the sins, in churches and professors, that the Lord Christ is so displeased with as to threaten his departing from them, we cannot better learn it than in the declaration of his mind which he makes unto the churches of Asia, Rev. ii. and iii. And these are the things which he chargeth on them. For persons under the capacities of church members and professors, to content themselves with such a search of their outward actions and duties of all sorts, religious, moral, and civil, as none
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iiicay justly cast blame ujwu them, it no way answers the search that God calls them unto. How is it as unto the inward fi-ame of the heart ? What is the vigour and power of faith and love in you? How do they act themselves? What is your real delight in the ways of God ? Where is your fruitfulness in works of chaiity and mercy? AVhere is your readiness to forgive your enemies? Are there no failings, no decays in these things? Are there no indispositions, deadness, and coldness in duties grown upon you? How is it as unto constant me- ditation on spiritual things, and the fixing your affections on things that are above? With respect unto these things ought we to search ourselves diligently in such a day as this is ; and if we find ourselves under decays in them, let us know of a truth that God calls us unto repentance, on pain of his highest displeasure.