It is a matter of soitow unto them that truly fear Goil, and have
THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS. 655
any concernment in Lis glory, or the honour of Christ, that the whole world, so far as we know, is filled with all abominable, provoking sins. It lies under a deluge of sin, as it lay of old under a flood of waters ; - — only here and there appeareth an ark, that is carried above it. Atheism, antiscripturism, disbelief of gospel mysteries, contempt of the religion which they themselves profess, amongst all sorts of Chris- tians,— the loss of all public faith and trust, with a litter of unclean lusts, — ambition, pride, covetousness, in many who have the outward conduct of the church, — have spread themselves over the face of the earth. When God thus deals with the world, when he gives it up unto this open profligate excess which now abounds in it, it becomes, unto all that truly fear him, a place of darkness and sorrow, which calls for a mouniing frame of heart.
It is so, much more as unto the land of our nativity. From a conjunction with this people in blood, language, manners, laws, ci\il interests, relations, arising from the common law of nativity, in a place limited and bounded by Providence unto especial ends, we cannot but have a gTeat concernment in their good or evil. It is greater fi-om hence, that the same true religion hath been professed in the whole nation, with innumerable privileges accompanying it.
On these and the V\ke considerations, the whole nation is laid un- der the same law of providence for good or evil.
In the sin, therefore, of this people, we are in a peculiar manner concerned; and shall be so in their sufferings.
Whether sin abound in the land at present, we have already made inquuy; and nothing spoken before shall be repeated. If we have not a sense of these provocations, — if we endeavour not to affect our hearts with them, and mourn over them, — we are very remote from that frame which G(3d calls unto.
And this mouniing for the sins of others ariseth from a double spring: — 1. Zeal for the glory of God; 2. Compassion for the souls of men, — yea, for the woful, calamitous state and condition which is coming upon them even in this world.
Surely, those who are true believers cannot but be concerned in all the concerns of the glory of God. If in all our afflictions he is afflicted, in all the sufferings of his glory we ought to suffer. In the blessed direction given us for our prayers, as unto what we ought to pray for, that which in the first place is prescribed, as that which principally and eminently we ought to insist on, is the glory of God in the sanctification of his name, the progressive coming of the king- dom of Christ, and the accomplishinent of his will by the obedience of men in the world. If we are sincere herein, if we are fervent in these supplications, is it nothing unto us, when all these things are quite contrary amongst us? When the name of God is blasphemed.
656 THE DESIGN OF IMPENDENT JUDGMENTS.
and all tilings v/lioreon lie hath placed his name are derided; — when the whole internal interest and kingdom of Christ are opposed, and the outward court of the temple given everywhere to be trodden down of the Gentiles ; — when all manner of sins abovmd, in opposition imto the will and commands of God ; — when the earth is almost as unlike unto heaven as hell itself; — is there nothing to be mourned for herein? We are for the most part selfish; and so it may go well with ourselves, according to the extent of our relations and circumstances, we are not gi-eatly moved with what befalls others. There is evil enough herein; but shall we be, moreover, so minded towards Jesus Christ, that whilst we are in safety, we care not though his concern- ments are in the utmost hazard ? Do we love the name of God, the ways of God, the glory of God in his kingdom and rule? — we cannot but be deeply affected with the suffering of them all in these days.
The other sirring of this mourning frame, is compassion for the souls of sinners, and their persons also, in the approach of calamitous desolations.
I am hastening to an end, and cannot insist on these things: this only I shall say, he that can take a prospect of the eternally mise- rable con(]ition of multitudes among whom we live, and the approach- ing miseries wliich, without repentance and reformation, will not be avoided, and not spend some tears on them, hath a heart like a flint or adamant, that is capable of no impression.
(Seveutl)ly. It is a season wherein we are called to a diligent, heedful attendance unto the duties of our stations, j)laces, and call- ings;— duties in our church relations, duties in our families, duties in our callings and manner of conversation in the world. This is the advice given by the apostle, with respect unto such a season, 2 Pet. iii. 11, 14, "Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved, Avhat manner of persons ought ye to be, in all holy conversation and godliness? Wherefore, be diligent that you may be found of him in ijeace, without spot, and blameless." Without a sacred diligence in all these duties, we cannot be found in peace of the Lord Christ when he comes to judge the world, and pvirify his church with a fiery trial.