Idly. On the account of some way or ways wherein they may have been unadvisedly, or through temptation, or want of seeking counsel aright from him, engaged. They may be got, in their employments, in their callings, in the work that lies before them in this world, into ways and paths wherein Christ is not pleased they should make any progress. What through leaning to their own understandings, what through an inclination of saying "A confederacy" to them to whom the people say "A confederacy," what through the common mistakes in the days wherein they live, even the saints may be engaged in ways that are not according to the mind and will of Christ. Now, in such a day of Christ's coming, though he spares the souls of his saints and forgives them, yet he "takes vengeance of their inventions," Ps. xcix. 8.
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146 PROVIDENTIAL CHANGES,
He will cast down all their idols, and destroy and consume every false way wherein they were. One is, it may he, in a way of super- stition and false worship ; another in a way of pride and ambition ; another in a way of giving countenance to the men of the world, and things wherein God delights not ; — Christ will take vengeance of all these their inventions in the day of his coming. He acts as " a refiner's fire," and as " fullers' soap."
Sdly. On the account of inordinate cleaving unto the shaken, pass- ing things of the world. This is a peculiar controversy that Christ hath with his, upon the account of adherence to the passing world ; and it is a thing wherein, when he comes, too many will be found faulty. I might also insist on their unbelief, and other particulars. But —
[2.] The ways and means whereby Christ judgeth and pleadeth with his own, on these accounts, are also various: —
1st He doth it by the afflictions, trials, and troubles, that he exer- ciseth them with at his coming. The use of the furnace is to take away dross ; and the issue of afflictions and trials, to take away sin : — this is their fruit. So, Dan. xii. 1, the time of Christ's coming shall be a day of trouble, such as never was. And what shall be the issue? Verse 10, " Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried." Their trials and troubles, their great tribulations, shall be purifying and cleansing. Though the design of Christ in the issue, at the appointed season, be the peace and deliverance of his saints; yet, in the carry- ing on of his work, great trials and tribulations may befall them all ; and many may fall in the way, and perish as to the outward man. Hence, Dan. xii. 1 3, there is an appointed time of rest, and it will be a blessed thing for them that shall be preserved unto it ; but whilst those days and seasons are coming to their period, there is often " a time of great trouble," verse 1. And " the power of the holy people may be scattered," verse 7, and many afflictions and trials may befall them. Now, by these doth Christ plead with his, for the consump- tion of their lusts, and the destruction of their inventions, — for the purging and purifying of them. All our trials, pressures, troubles, disappointments, in such a da}^, are the actings of Christ to this end and purpose. The influences that affliction hath unto these ends are commonly spoken unto.
2dly. He doth it by pouring out of his Spirit in a singular manner, for this end and purpose, so to plead with, judge, and cleanse his saints. It is in the administration of his Spirit that at his coming " he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver," Mai. iii. 1—3 ; and we see what work he accomplishes thereby. The Holy Ghost, who is the great pleader for the saints, and in them, doth at such a time effec- tually plead with them, by convictions, persuasions, arguings, appli-
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cation of the word, motions, strivings, and the like. Hence those who are unrefined at such a season are said in a peculiar manner " to vex," to grieve " the Holy Spirit" of God, Isa. lxiii. 10. His design upon them is a design of love ; and to be rejected, resisted, opposed, in his actings and motions, — this grieves and vexes him. Men know not what they do, in neglecting the actings of the Holy Ghost ; which are peculiarly suited to providential dispensations. When God is great in the world in the works of his providence,— in alterations, dis- solutions, shakings, changings, removals, — and sends his Spirit to move and work in the hearts of men, answerably to his mind and will in these dispensations, so that there is a harmony in the voice of God without and within, both speaking aloud and clearly ; then to neglect the workings of the Spirit brings men into that condition complained of, Ezek. xxiv. 13, " Because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged any more."
It may be observed, that at such seasons when Christ hath any great and signal work to bring forth in the world, he doth by his Spirit deal with the hearts and consciences of the most wicked and vile men; which, when the secrets of all hearts shall be discovered at the last day, will exceedingly exalt the glory of his wisdom, patience, goodness, holiness, and righteousness. So did he with them before the flood ; as is evident from Gen. vi. 3. When an utter destruction was to come, he saith, his Spirit shall strive with them no more ; — that is, about then sin and rebellion. That this Spirit was the Spirit of Christ, and that the work of dealing with these ungodly men was the work of Christ, and that it was a fruit of long-suffering, Peter declares, 1 Epist. iii. 18-20. And if he deals thus with a perishing world, by a work that perisheth also, — how much more doth he it in an effectual work upon the hearts of his own ! It is the Spirit that speaks to the churches in all then trials, Rev. ii. iii.