(4.) When, in the secret workings of God's providence, there is an inclination in a sinful people unto a compliance with them [those] from whom their destruction is like to proceed, it is a sign that God is withdrawn from them, and that the land is so filled with sin. When Israel was to be destroyed by the Assyrian, when Israel saw his sickness, he sent to the king of Assyria, applied himself to the king of Assyria, by whom he was to be destroyed, Hos. v. 13. When Judah saw his sickness, all his inclinations and applications were unto the Babylonians and Chaldeans, by whom he was to be destro}red. The prophet Ezekiel hath a whole chapter to tell you of the fond- ness of that people upon the Babylonians before their destruction. Ezek. xxiii., " They were all like princes and mighty men, and thou wast in love with them, and committedst adultery with them;" that is, partookest and compliedst with their idolatry. When it is so, it is evident that God is greatly withdrawn from such a people, and that they are nigh unto their desolation.
What shall we plead for England in this matter? Is it not known what wretched and vile compliances we have had with a neighbour nation, the French, — following their manners, imitating their customs,
1 The fire which destroyed a large part of London in 1666.
2 Most probably the war with the Dutch, which had begun in 1665, and in the course of which the Dutch fleet sailed up the Thames, and destroyed the ships of war at Chatham.
s Probably the celebrated comet of 1680-81, known by the name of Halley's comet. The observations made by Halley and Flamsteed on this body are partly the basis, on which Newton, from the theory of gravitation, proved the orbit of comets. It was visible for a considerable time, and shone with great brilliance.
Some knowledge of the facts alluded to is needed, to appreciate the force and pertinence of Owen's appeals; though, in the progress of science, a different in- ference would now be drawn from such celestial phenomena as the comet and the meteor. — Ed.
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promoting their interest, advancing their reputation, when every man almost among us talked of nothing but that we should be destroyed by the French? — an eminent token of the hand of God upon us, and that the land is so filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel. Nay, go farther ; — whence is it (for we bear ourselves herein not only upon the ti-uth of the thing itself, but also upon the proclamation inviting us upon this day), whence is it that we fear the judgments of God? whence do we fear desolation, confusion, destruction upon this nation, — to our religion, to our liberties, to our lives? Is it not from the papal interest? There is it stated by our rulers, and in the thoughts of all sober persons. And had we been wise, we might have seen it many years ago. But what have we been doing for some ages? Deserting our principles, forsaking the foundation we stood upon against the Papacy, foregoing those avowed principles of the first reformers, pleading for compliance, pleading for a possibility of recon- ciliation,— avowing them to be a true church. And, in one word, if the power of the protestant religion had not been preserved in the body of the people, it had, by some, been long ago given up to the papal interest, and this working effectually among us at a time when we were in dread (all that were wise and considerative) that there would from thence arise the desolation and destruction of this church. I have given you these evidences that this land of ours is so filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel ; — and if they can answer it, and disprove it, no man shall more rejoice in it than myself.
I should, in the next place, show the danger that land is in when things lie in this equal balance. For, I pray, observe, I have not given these things to prove the land hath filled up its measure of iniquity, and must certainly be destroyed ; I have not given them to prove absolutely that there is a decreed judgment that cannot be diverted, — that there is no remedy, — that, notwithstanding reforma- tion, God will say, " I will not turn away the fierceness of mine anger;" — but I have given them only to prove, that we are in that state and condition wherein there is no certain rule of the word, no indication of Providence, no rational consideration of the state of things that can give us any security of protection or deliverance; but that we are absolutely resolved upon sovereign grace and mercy : and without relief from thence, I shall only say, as to the proof of the proposition, what the prophet saith, Isa. xxxiv. 16, " Seek ye out of the book of the Loed, and read : no one of these things shall fail."
To omit all the considerations and all the proof I intended, that sovereign grace and mercy must be our relief, if ever we be relieved, I proceed unto the second thing; which is, —
II. To give in evidences that England is not yet utterly forsaken of the Lord its God, the Lord of hosts, though the land be thus filled