THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS. Go3
of our hearts, 1 Cor. xiv. 25, that we may fall down and judge oi;r- selves also. To hide ourselves at such a season from the power of the word, is an open evidence of a ruining security.
This work, in the use of these means, is to be called over and per- sisted in, if we design a compliance with the present calls of God, or an endeavour to be found of him in peace when he cometh.
Fifthly. To be deeply humbled before the Lord for our own sins, with a relinquishment of them all thereon, is the principal part of our duty in this season. This the whole Scripture testifieth unto, speak- ing of these things. Without this, all that we do, or can do, signifies nothing, as unto a compliance with the calls of God. This is the end of the search before insisted on. We are to find out, to know every one the plague, the stroke, the disease of his own heart, so as to be humbled before the Lord for it.
And unto this humiliation it is required,-r-
1. That it be internal and sincere. There is a humiliation com- monly expressing itself in the ol^servation of days of fasting and prayer ; which oftentimes is but the hanging down of the head like a bulrush for a day. However, it may be so carried, sometimes, as to divert or prolong the execution of threatened judgments; but that which God requireth of lis is to be in the fixed affections of the heart. When the Lord Christ comes to enjoin repentance and reformation, he gives him- self that title, " I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts," Rev. ii. 23. It is an internal, hidden work which he looks after, in our humiliation for sin. So saith David in the same case, " Thou requirest truth in the inward parts," Ps. li. Tratli or sincerity in the affections is that which God regards in our humiliation; which answers the charge in the prophet, "Rend your hearts, and not your gannents;" — inward power, not outward signs, are accepted with God in this mattei'. Let us every one take it on our own souls, every one charge his own con- science in private, with the performance of tliis duty. God will bear no longer with pretences ; no outward appearances or evanid affections, in a temporaiy humiliation for a day, though in the observation of the most solemn duties required on such a day, will answer the mind of God herein. For, —
2. It must be extraordinary. Humiliation for our own sins is a duty constantly incumbent on us. To walk humbly with God is the principal thing that he requires of us in this world, Mic. vi. 8. Hereof self-abasement, in a sense of sin, is the hfe and soul ; the principle of all other acts and duties belonging thereunto. But when the calls of God are extraordinary, as they are at this day, it is necessary that we attend hereunto in an extraordinary manner. Failing in the neces- sary degrees of a duty'renders it ineffectual and unacceptable. If, as unto times and seasons, ways, means, and manner, of this duty, we
Goi THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS.
do nut a})ply ourselves unto it ^\^th more than ordinary diligence, and Avitli great intention of mind, we fail in what is expected from us. To deal with God on extraordinary occasions in an ordinary frame of spirit, is to despise him ; or argues, at least, no due reverence of him in his judgments, nor a due apprehension of our own concerns in them. 3. It is required that humiliation for sin be accompanied with a relinquishment of sin: "He that confesseth his sins, and forsaketh them, shall find mercy." Confession is grown a cheap and easy labour, whether it be read out of a book, or discharged by virtue of spiritual gifts. Humiliation may be pretended when it is not, and expressed when it is transitory ; — no way answering the mind and will of God. But the real relinquishment of sinful frames, sinful ways, sinful neglects, can neither be pretended nor represented better than it is. He that thinks he hath nothing to forsake, — no evil way, no sinful negligence, no frame of heart, — will be awakened to a better knowledge of himself when it is too late. This we may, therefore, evidently try ourselves by : — What real change hath there been in us, in compliance with the calls of God? Avhat have we relinquished in our ways, frames, or actings? what vain thoughts are utterly excluded, whereunto we have given entertainment? what passions or affections have been reduced into order, which have exceeded their due bounds and measures? what vain communication, formerly accustomed unto, hath been watched against and prevented? what dissimulation in love hath been cured or cast out? what irregnilar actings, in our persons, families, or occasions of life, have been forsaken? An inquiry into these things will give us real, sensible evidence whether our humili- ation for our own sins be compliant with the present calls of God.
Sixthly. Another duty of the season is, that we mourn for the sijis of others, — of those especially in whom we are providentially con- cerned ; as relations, churches, the whole people of the land of our nativity, with whom we are engaged by manifold bonds and means of conjunction. It is well known that this sincere mourning for the sins of the places and times wherein we live, of the people ai:id churches whereunto we do belong, is eminently approved of God, and a token unto themselves in wliom that sense is of deliverance in a day of cala- mity, Ezek. ix. 4-G. To have minds careless and regardless of the sins of other men, is a great evidence of want of sincerity in our profession of the detestation of sin. Many pretences there are of it; — as, that they will not hear us; — we are not concerned in them; — that they are wicked enemies of God, and the worse they are, the more will their destruction be hastened. By such pretences do men deceive tlieir souls into a neglect of this duty, yea, unto provoking sin, such a.s this is.