[2.] Obstinacy in the will, or hardness of heart properly so called, is in this judgment of God also. God will give up unhealed persons to hardness of heart. So is it in that place of Isaiah, chap. vi. 10 : and it is the same with that which the apostle calls " a reprobate mind/' Rom. i. 28 ; that is, a mincl and heart that is good for nothing with re- gard to spiritual things, — profligate, and altogether insensible of them. And when this befalls any, they will openly despise the word, and cast it off, using one foolish pretence or other for their so doing; as Jer. xliv. 16, with xliii. 2. Such persons, whenever the word is preached unto them, and it lies cross to their carnal imaginations or sensual affections, lusts, or sports, rise up in their hearts with con- tempt, and rage against it. Sometimes they will colour their wicked- ness in their hearts by some pretence or other : " This is the way, the humour, the singularity, of the preacher." Or sometimes their rage will carry them directly out against the word, without any colour or pre- tence, but because it displeaseth them. Or if they fall not thus into pride and rage (which usually is occasioned by their temptations), they grow utterly senseless, and stupid, and unconcerned in the things of God. Let the word thunder from heaven against their sins, they re- gard it not; let the still small voice of the gospel persuade them unto reconciliation, they attend not unto it; let the judgments of God be abroad in the world, if they escape themselves they are not concerned about them. Do they reach their own persons, they have wrath, and anger, and vexation; but they cannot repent or turn to the Lord. This is, apparently, the condition of most in the world.
[3.] Sensuality of affections is in this judgment also, Rom. i. 26, " He gave them up to vile affections;" that is, to place their affections on vile, sensual things. Unhealed persons shall do so. Our streets, ale-houses, and many other places, are full of such whose affections are fixed with madness on vile things ; and they please themselves in them, little thinking that this is part of the judgment whereunto they
SPIRITUAL BARRENNESS. 193
are given up of God for their unprofitableness under the word, — for their not being healed by the waters of the sanctuary.
[4.] Searedness of conscience. 1 Tim. iv. 2, " Having their con- science seared with a hot iron." Eph. iv. 19, " Being past feeling." Whatever sin they commit, or condition they fall into, conscience shall no more discharge its duty in them and towards them.
And this is the second thing that God will do towards such un- healed persons.
(3.) The third thing considerable is the event of this dealing of God with them, or what is meant by this land's becoming salt.
Two things, as I have showed before, are hereby intended: — [1.] Barrenness in this world; [2.] Eternal ruin in the world to come : —
[1.] Barrenness. They shall never bear any fruit to God. This was the curse that our Saviour gave to the fig-tree, "Never fruit grow on thee." Man was made to bear fruit unto God; — this is all he came into the world for. Now, when God shall say to any, " Go your ways ; you shall never do any thing more for me whilst you live in this world; you shall never bear any fruit to me;" — what sorer judgment can any man possibly fall under? I might show you the misery of this condition in many particulars. " Israel is an empty vine," Hos. x. 1.
[2.] Eternal ruin, and that irreparable. Pro v. xxix. 1, " He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." John xv. 6, " If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." 2 Thess. ii. 12, " That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Heb. vi. 8, " But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned." This is the certain event of that land that is left unto salt, because not healed ; and of those persons who, having passed over their season of quickening and sanctifying by the word, are given up to barrenness and ruin. It will do neither me nor you good to flatter you, and to put you into any better hope than your condition will admit of. See Ezek. xxxiii. 8, " When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die ; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand." This will be the end of the one and the other, when that course is taken. Did I not see the tokens of this judgment of God abroad in the world, I would not thus insist upon it as I do.
Use 1. Of exhortation. Make use of your season, that you fall not under this sore and inexpressible judgment. God gives men a season,