THEDUTYOFREFORMATIONINLIGHTOFGOD’SMERCIES

byThomasGougewithchaptersbyC.MatthewMcMahon

COPYRIGHTINFORMATIONThe Duty of Reformation in Light of God’s Mercies, by Thomas Gouge, with chapters by C.MatthewMcMahonEditedbyThereseB.McMahonCopyright©2017byPuritanPublicationsandAPuritan’sMind™Some language andgrammarhasbeenupdated from theoriginalmanuscript.Anychange inwordingorpunctuationhasnotchangedtheintentormeaningoftheoriginalauthor(s),andhasbeenmadetoaidthemodernreader.

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ThisPrintEdition,2017ElectronicEdition,2017ManufacturedintheUnitedStatesofAmericaISBN:978-1-62663-240-0eISBN:978-1-62663-239-4

TABLEOFCONTENTS

THEDUTYOFREFORMATIONINLIGHTOFGOD’SMERCIESCOPYRIGHTINFORMATIONTABLEOFCONTENTSMEETTHOMASGOUGEWHEREISTHOMASGOUGETODAY?ORIGINALTITLEPAGEAPREFACE,PRESSINGTOTHEGREATDUTYOFTHANKFULNESSFORMERCIESGOD’SCONTROVERSYWITHALLCHRISTIANSFORCONDEMNINGANYDELIVERANCEPROPOSITION1PROPOSITION2PROPOSITION3PROPOSITION4PROPOSITION5USE1USE2USE3USE4USE5INFERENCES

MEETTHOMASGOUGEbyC.MatthewMcMahon,Ph.D.,Th.D.

ThomasGouge(1605-1681),wasanEnglishPuritan,sonofthefamousWilliamGougeandanotedministerinhisownright.Hewasejectedfromhispulpitfornonconformityin1662.Hewasknownforhisgenerosityandcharitythroughouthisministryandoneofhisgreatestcontributionswashistreatiseongiving, as well as his work on reformation (this current volume). He wasremovedfromhispulpitatage57andspenthislateryearsin“street”preachingandactsofcharity.

Hewasknownforhisfaithfulattendanceofthesickandhisgenerosityto

thepoor,distributingalmsamongthemonceaweek.Heprovidedhempandflaxfor theunemployed tospin,andevensold theirproducts for them!Gouge lostmanypossessionstoLondon’sGreatFire,butheborethelosswithpatienceandhumility.Hehadalargeestatefromhisfather,whichheusedtohelpthepoor.Aftergivingportionsoftheestatetohischildren,hewasleftwithanincomeof150 pounds per year (roughly $40,000 per year by today’s standards).Of thatamount,hegavetwo-thirdstocharityandlivedon50pounds(around$13,000peryearbytoday’sstandards).Hesaysthathavingwealthisnotbadbutcanbegood;theloveofmoneyiswhatiswrong.Manyofusarericherthanwerealize.Wehavemoremoneythanweneedtosupplyourneeds.Evenmanywhohavedebtanddonotfeelfinancialfreedom,havethisdebtbecauseofextrawantsandnotbasicneeds.Somemaythink theydonotstrugglewith the issueofwealthbecausetheydonothavemuch,but,seateddeepwithin,theloveofmoneydrives

them.LearnfromThomasGougethatourrichesareincreasedbygiving.Nothingbut this currentvolumehasbeenpublishedonThomasGouge

since the time of his ministry, except for a reprint of, “Riches Increased byGiving.” Puritan Publications plans to publish all of his available works inmodernprint.HisWorks:1.ChristianDirections,shewinghowtowalkwithGodallthedaylong(London,1690).2.TheprinciplesofChristianreligionexplainedto thecapacityof themeanest(London:R.Gifford,andaretobesoldbythebooksellersofLondon,1690).3.God’scalltoEngland,forthankfulnessaftergraciousdeliverances:whereinisshewed,thatourdeliverances,notansweredwithReformation,willbefollowedwithsorestdestruction.(1680).4.Theyoungman’sguidethroughthewildernessofthisworldtotheheavenlyCanaanshewinghimhowtocarryhimselfChristian-likeinthewholecourseofhislife(1676).5.AWordtoSinners,andaWordtoSaints(atreatiseonregeneration)(1668).6. The Surest and Safest Way of Thriving or, A Conviction of that GrandMistakeinmany,ThatwhatisgiventothePoor,isalosstotheirestate;whichisdirectlycontraryas totheexperiencesof theCharitable;sotothetestimonyofGod’sSpiritindiversplacesofScripture,(1673).

WHEREISTHOMASGOUGETODAY?

byC.MatthewMcMahon,Ph.D.,Th.D.

It’srathereasytoseewhythepreachingofthepuritanswastheologicallyandpracticallydeep.Theyweremethodical, clear,precise,bold, seriousabouttheircall,studious,theologicalscholarsanddidnothavethefearofmenwhentheystoodas themouthpieceof theLordbehindthepulpit.Thatdoesn’tmeantheywerenotpastorallytender,orindifferent,oroverbearingintheirpreaching,or that theyevenmademistakes.But it doesmake themeffectivewhile at thesametimehavinggreatdepthandspiritualpower.

Incontrasttothis,preacherstodayareoftenscattered,confusing,unclear,

shy,flippant,unsure,lethargicandtimidinthepulpit.Thereareexceptions.But,take any one of these antonyms for preachers today, and you have troublepreaching.If theyarescattered, theywillbeconfusingandunclear. If theyareunclear, theywill seemunsure. If they are shy, noonewill believewhat theysay. If they are flippant, they don’t belong in the pulpit anyway, so no one islistening to them expect themselves, (and all the lost people laughing at theirjokesinthepews).Iftheyarelethargic,theywillbeshallow.Iftheyaretimid,then theyarenotacting likeGod’smouthpiece. Incontrast to theseantonyms,Thomas Gouge’s treatise speaks to the heart, yet remains bold anduncompromising.

What makes this treatise so excellent is not only its theological and

practicaldepth,(anditisdeep),butitsvividdirectness.Treatiseslikethisone,ifthe topic is preached by pastors today with boldness, faithfulness andperspicuity,still, itwillnotbepracticallysetwithintheframeworkthatGougehas set it. Preachers often give lip service to saying, “judgment begins at thehouse of the Lord,” but their preaching never sounds like Thomas Gouge’streatise.Theytendtosoftenit,changeit,orapplyit,nottothechurch,buttothenationsorsomethingotherthanthe“houseoftheLord.”It’smucheasiertosaytheneighboringnationisbad,oreventhenationtheyliveinneedstowakeupandrepent,butit isanotherthingaltogethertotelltheirchurch that.Gouge,inanuncompromisingmanner, isgoingtotellChristians(notjustsinners)that if

theysin,expect judgment.And, ifChristianssincollectively (as inaChristiannation),expectcollectivejudgment.

Gouge says, “It is hard to destroy sin, but will it not be harder to be

damned for it?” He’s talking to Christians. He says, “Plead with the Lord todeliveryoufromsin...donotleavethethroneofgrace,untilgraceisgiventoyouto leave off your sins.” Again, he is talking to Christians. Christians? Yes,“Christiansmusteitherceasesinning,orGodwillceasewaiting,andgiveoverfavoringyou.”Hecan’treallymeanallthat,right?“God’skindnessandmercywhich does not effect an answerable reformation, will abundantly aggravaterevengeful destruction.” Yes, yes reader, he does. He says, “When Christianswillnotreformtheirways,Godreplies,theyhavenotmindedmymercies,Iwillnotmindtheirmiseries.”Preachesdon’tspeaklikethistoday,andO!howIwishtheywould!

Christiansaroundtheworldneedtruebiblicalandspiritualreformation.

Thisiswhatthisworkisreallyabout:reformation.EventhoughGodhasgivenChristiansblessinguponblessing,mercypiledontomercy,ifweanswerGod’sabundantblessingbysinningagainsthim,what thenshouldweexpect?GougeshowsusfromEzra9:13-14whatthatmeans,“Andafterallthatiscomeuponusfor our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hastpunisheduslessthanouriniquitiesdeserve,andhastgivenussuchdeliveranceasthis;Shouldweagainbreakthycommandments,andjoininaffinitywiththepeopleoftheseabominations?wouldestnotthoubeangrywithustillthouhadstconsumedus,sothatthereshouldbenoremnantnorescaping?”HeshowsthatitisstrangethatChristianscanforgetGodwhodoessomuch toberemembered.That sins often renewed, are hardly reformed. The hypocritical nature of theChristianissoapparent,manytimes,thattheyarecertainlyjoyfulwhengettingoutofdangerorsomedifficultprovidence;buthowlittlearetheycarefultobegetting out of sin?AsGouge said, “If reformation can only be regarded as asuitable compensation to God’s mercies to us, we are without it.” Christiansmustbeabouttheworkofreformationpost-haste.

One of the reasons thatwe don’t hear preaching like this today is that

preacherscan’tpreachwellbecausetheydon’tthinkwell;becausetheyarenotserious in their study.Theyneed tobe taughthow to think rightlybefore theycanpreacheffectively,andtheyhavetostudywell,beforetheyhavesomething

topreach.Seminariansarecomingoutofseminary thinking theyhaveall theyneed to step into the pulpit upon graduation; as if 6 credits and 2 homileticsclasseswilldoit.WherewilltheyfindthefireofpreachingandtheunctionoftheSpiritthatisheartilyexemplifiedinatreatiseofthiskind?Oneoftheplacesthey can start is to read, and reread theseworks.Otherwise, they strain to beeffective in the pulpit, and the church today will never see another GreatAwakeninguntiltheygettheiracttogether,andquickly.Dopreacherstaketheiroffice asGod’smouthpiece seriously?Let them read this little treatise on thismostimportanttopicandseeiftheymeasureuptoit.Istheirpreachingfaithfultotheword,bold,plain,deep,andwithgreatearnest?Certainly,ifyouaskthem,they will tell you they think so. It is unfortunate that preachers are just likeAmerican Idol contestants.Uponaudition, they think they arebest.When theyhear somecriticismfromoneof the judges, theyhaveaconniptionattack thatsuchapersonmightevensuggestsuchathing.Withpreaching,though,thereisanaffectthatmusttakeplace.AndsuchaneffectisonlyrewardedbytheSpiritifthepreacherisactuallyPREACHING.Mr.Gougecertainlydoesthis,anditisconsiderablyregrettablethatmostpreachingtodaydoesnot.Atleast,though,wehaveablebodied“deadguys”toreadthatcanfillthegapuntiltoday’spreachersturnintothespiritualwatchmentheyoughttobe.Frommystudy,C.MatthewMcMahon,Ph.D.,Th.D.August,2017.

ORIGINALTITLEPAGE

GOD’sCALLTOENGLAND,

ForThankfulnessaftergracious

DELIVERANCES:Whereinisshewed,thatour

DELIVERANCES,notansweredwithReformation,willbefollowedwithSorest

Destruction.

byThomasGouge

JOSHUA24:20,“IfyeforsaketheLord…hewillturnanddoyouhurt,afterthegoodhehathdoneyou.”

Gratiarumessatdiscursus,ubirecursusnonfuerit.Necmodonilaugeturingrato,sed&quodascipit

vertitureiinperniciem.(Bern.Serm.1.cap.Jejunii.)LONDON:PrintedforJohnHancock,atthethreeBiblesinCorn-hill,enteringintoPopes-

head-alley.1680.

APREFACE,PRESSINGTOTHEGREATDUTYOFTHANKFULNESSFORMERCIES

TheeminentappearancesofaDivineHanddeliveringthissinfulNation

in its plunges of woeful distresses, have been such remarkable testimonies ofinfinitegoodnessandpatience,asaresourcetobeparalleledinanyAgeoftheworld,inanyNationunderheaven.Sonumerousaretheexpressionsofmercytoa people daring heaven with their impieties, that whoever shall review theircatalogue,willbeamazedtoseeonemoresuperaddedtotheformerwhichareso abused and slighted; these have been done wickedly by many of us. Yetprerogative mercy, which acts beyond expectation and desert, conquering alldifficulties and discouragements, has not stepped aside to giveway to justice,but has continued its progress towards us.Had it not been for this,wewouldhave certainly seen more direful effects of our enemy’s projects who arecurrently attacking us, than yet we have beheld. Had it not been for this, wewouldhavebeenasdeeplyinvolvedinmisery,asweareinsin.Hereinourgreatextremity,afterallhisforgottenfavors,hehasspokeninhislove,asinJeremiah16:21,“Therefore,behold,Iwillthisoncecausethemtoknow,Iwillcausethemto knowmine hand andmymight; and they shall know thatmy name isTheLORD.” This once will I cause them to know my mercy, to understand myunwillingnesstodestroythem.AnditisherethatEnglandhasnotbeenforsakenoftheLord,althoughitisfullofsinagainsttheHolyOneofIsrael,(Jer.51:5).

Nowwhathasencouraged,whathasinducedtheLordtoexpresssomuchfavorto such, as so provoke the eyes of his glory? It is only becauseHewill have“mercyonwhomhewillhavemercy,” (Romans9).Be itknown,OpeopleofEngland,itisnotforyourrighteousnessthattheLordhasdonethis,“foryeareastiff-neckedpeople,”(Deut.9:6).Ourworksandwaysdeservenothingbututterruin,andperpetualdesolation.ForhisName’ssakehashedoneallthis,andthathe might make his mighty power to be known, (Psalm 106:8). His super-transcendentgoodnesshasworkedoutthesesweetdeliverancesforus.Andforthisendhashedoneit,thatwemightrememberourevilways,andourdoingsthat were not good, and might loathe ourselves in our own sight, “for our

iniquities and abominations,” (Ezekiel. 36:31). And now shall we be a happypeople, if mercies shall so prevail on us, as to effect this blessed frame anddisposition in us. For this end has the Almighty tried us with anotherdeliverance, because he has said, “It may be they will present everyone theirsupplications,andreturnfromtheirevilways,”(Jer.36:7).O! what expectations God has to see a repenting, reforming, holy, obedientcarriage,onourreceptionofsuchwonderfulfavorsfromhim!Helookstoseeifwe will appear as another manner of people than we have been, after theseeminent,frequent,seasonable,andmiraculousappearancesforus.O!therefore,since the Lord has not forsaken us as a sinful people, but stood by us, andredeemed us, when appointed to death, let us join ourselves to the Lord in aperpetualcovenantthatshallneverbeforgotten,(Jeremiah50:5).Letusofferupourselves to the Lord as a whole-burnt-offering, in the ascending flames ofpurest affections. Let us not give occasion to the cessation of heavenlykindnesses,byawickedregardlessattitudetothem.Letitbeouremployment,toapplaudandimprovetheinfiniteloveofGodinallhismercies.Come, let us view the sudden and sweet dispensations ofGod’s heavenly andholyprovidence,andfixourthoughtsonhissurprisingbenefits,untilourheartsareenamoredwiththeirAuthor,andtransformedintothelikenessofthatlovingGodthatgivesthem.Letustracehiminhiswaysofmercy,untilwearesweetlybroughtintothewaysofduty.Letoursoulsbedrawnuptothecenterofheaven,by the golden chains ofmercies let down from there to us. Let us continue aleisurely meditation on our gracious deliverances, until our affections aresublimated,ourheartsinflamed,andthankfulframeisproduced.Letusbeholdour most precious lives preserved, our inestimable liberties secured, theconspicuousandgloriouslightoftheGospelcontinued,andthelifeofhissacredMajestydefended. I say, let us contemplate these things, until ourhealth shallsingmelodiouspraisestothatAlmightyPowerthathasdoneallthis.Now, courteous reader,whatdoes theLord require for all this kindness, but atrulythankfulheartandlifeofreform?AndwhatlesscanyougivetoGodthanthis?YoucanpresenttheAlmightywithnosuchpleasingofferingasagratefulheart. For God has sufficiently expressed his esteem of such presents, byappointing the altar of Incense, which was for Thank-Offerings, to beencompassedwithacrownofpurestgold.For though thesweetest smelling is

nothing in his account, the thankful heart that presents it as a testimonial ofunfeignedgratitude, ishighlyesteemedbyhim.Neither is thereanythingmoreconsonanttothedictatesofreason,thanthatweexpressallmannerofkindnessto those that oblige us by their large generosity.Quisquismagna dedit, voluitsibi magna rependi.The donors of great favors, expect answerable requitals.Andhoweverwemayforgetwhatwegive,wemustnotforgetwhatwereceive.And therefore, I may say as Bernard, Cùm amat Deus, nil aliud vult quamamari; when the Lord expresseth love, he designs to be loved. And truly, agrateful reflectionofhonor toGod isourhighestdivinity, thehighestpitchofattainments, for it is but love; the lowest return can be nothing beneath it, ifanythingatall.Theonlyrequitalswecanrender toGodforhis richest favors,areonlytestimonialsofthankfulness,byextollinghisholyNamewithunfeignedpraises, and reflecting honor on his blessedMajesty by cheerful obedience inreformationoflifetohissacredCommandments.Nowtherefore,asthepiercingrays of the glorious sun, though passing through the translucent air with animperceptiblemotion,yetmeetingwithasolidbodyreboundwithanincreasingluster,soshouldourheartsandlivesreflectthehonorofallourmerciesonourHeavenly Benefactor. And unless the bounty of heaven gains so far on ourobstinate hearts, as to effect this work, we shall gain little by the greatestmercies. The sense of such mercies caused a holy man to pray,Domine, daGratitudinemcumMisericordiâ;noloMisericordiamsineGratitudine.OLord,givemeathankfulheartwiththymercies;Lord,Idesirenotmercieswithoutagratefulhearttoimprovethem.Andweshallfindittrue,thatmercyunregarded,deliverancenotimproved,andsuchwillrenderourconditionmoredesperateanddangerous,andourendmoremiserable.But,O!Howmuchisittobelamented,thatavirtuesoapplaudedforsurpassingexcellency,adutyenjoinedwithsuchindispensablenecessity,issomuchunseeninall,andunpracticedbymost!Howare the mites of men’s bounty more regarded than the mountains of God’smercy!OfthetenlepersthatourSaviorhealed,butonereturnedtoglorifyGod,(Luke 17:17-18). How few of a whole Nation delivered from the barbaroushands of bloody-minded men, from the complicated contrivances of RomishAgents,havereturneddeservedpraisestoourblessedRedeemer?Howarebothprivateandpublicmerciesburiedinthegraveofunthankfulness?Whichisthereasonwhyunprofitablenesslaysusunderthegreatestcurse.Yet an ungrateful temper is extremely odious in the thoughts of all men. Itreceives a black doom even from such as may justly be condemned for it.

Ingratitude is that sin which Lycurgus, a Heathen-Lawgiver, accounted soprodigious,inhumane,andabominable,thathethoughtitwassoimpossibleforreasonablementobeguiltyofit,thatitwouldbesuperfluoustoenactalawtocondemn it. And it is reported of the Egyptians, that those among them thatlackedhumanitytoreturnkindnesstobenefactors,underwentnolesserpenaltythantobedisabledfromhavingaposteritytosurvivethem,thattheworldmightnot be pestered with an ungrateful progeny. But if the contempt of humankindnesses gives such offence tomortalmen, and receives such punishments,what punishment does itmerit,what hatred does it deserve,when the guilt isinfinitelyraisedbytheconsiderationofthatinfiniteglorythatisaffrontedbyit!ThejustthreatsoftheEternalGodagainstsuchoffenders,expressitsprovokingnature,Deut.8:19,“IfyeatallforgettheLord,—Itestifyagainstyou,yeshallsurely perish.” If such severity is to those that at all forget, what will be theportionofsuchasaltogetherforgetthemerciesofGod?ButO!whichofushasnotsuffereddivinefavorstoslipoutofourminds?Whatislessinourthoughtsthan how much God has done for us?Will not vengeance fall on us with awitnessifweproceedinsuchungratefulcourses?Now therefore, touse thewordsof Jude, Iwill put you in remembrance, howthat the Lord having saved the people out of the Land of Egypt, afterwardsdestroyed them that believed not, (Jude 1:5). Such will be the portion of allthose,wemayfear,whowillneither lovenorobey theLordafterall thegreatthingsHehasdoneforus.Butaccountingthemsmallthings,denythoserespectstheyoughttoshowtohimthatdidthem,“Whoiswiseincounsel,andexcellentinworking.Butshallwebeworse than theoxorass, thatknowtheirmasters,andservethem?ShallwebemoreungratefultoGodthanwearetomen?”ThisiswhatthepeopleofIsraeltoldGideoninJudges8:22,“Thoushaltruleoverus,seeingthouhastdeliveredusfromthehandsoftheMidianites.”ShallwenotsaytoGod,O Lord, since in your infinitemercy you have delivered us from thehandsofourenemies,wewillnowsubmittoyou,andyoushallruleoverus?O!how pleasing would this be to God? How happy should we be under suchacknowledgments of God’s deliverances? But to persist in sin is veryunreasonable.Micah6:3,“O!mypeople,testifyagainstme.WhathaveIdonetothee?”Verse4,“IbroughttheeupoutofthelandofEgypt,andredeemedtheeout of the house of servants,” etc. O!, my people, God says, remember whatgreatdeliverancesIhaveworkedforyou,whatmiraclesmyarmhasperformedforyou;andwillyousinafter all this?O!England!RememberwhatGodhas

done,whatdeliverancefromaheathenishcondition,whatanescapefromPopishdarkness,whatredemptionsfromRomishconspiracies,Godhasbestowed;andthenletconsciencespeak,whetheryoudowellornottosinagainstsuchaGodasthis.ThiswillneverbetoleratedlongbyaHolyGod.Thiswillmakehimsay,asEzekiel21:3,“Behold,Iamagainstthee,andwilldrawforthmyswordoutofitssheath,andwillcutofffromtheetherighteousandthewicked.”Theswordofjusticesheathedbydivinepatience,willbedrawnouttoavengetheabuseofmercies.Willnotcontemptofgoodnessbringthefulfillingofthatthreatonus,Ezekiel44:25,“Iwillnotwatchoveryouforgood,butforharm?”Providencehasherebeenwatchfuloverustosecureusfromruin;butwewillbemiserable,whenGodshallwatchopportunitiestoruinanddestroyus.Now I must tell you, whatever our apprehensions of things may be, there isnothing that will prevent our destruction after deliverance, but a seriousrepentance,andhearty reformation. It isnotourpolicyorpower, it isnotourcourageorundauntednessthatcanpossiblysecureus.But,exceptwerepent,weshall surely perish. Our profession and privileges are insufficient to give ussafety.Jerusalem,theholyCity,isnowaruinedheap.Itwasaplaceofstrength,sothattheKingsoftheearthandalltheinhabitantsoftheworldwouldnothavebelieved that theenemyandadversaryshouldenter itsgates, (Lam.4:12),andyetitismadeaperpetualdesolationbythefireofGod’swrathkindledagainstit.Neithermay the greatest in our land, if living in sin, think to escape by or inwickedness.ThehandofGodwillfindouthisenemy, thoughneversopotent,thoughguardedwithallhumansecurities.Andcertainly,ifGodshallatlastforour sins suffer our enemies to prevail, prince and peasant shall suffer alike.Royal, as base blood, will be a drink-offering. And if in policy they spare awhile,yet incruelty theywillbeslayedat last.Thedaintydish is reservedforlast.Thebestbloodandthebestwinearebroughtforthatlast;thecoarserbloodruns out before that pure blood that flows from the heart is drawn forth. Letnone, therefore, flatter themselves in sin because they are exalted to eminentdegreesofhonorinasinfulLand.But if in sinceritywe turn from our sins, the Lord shall be our Security, andappoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. This shall be a sign, we shall stillescape when we shall be mourning for, and leaving off those sins, that havebroughtus intodanger, (Ezra7:16).Those thathaveescapedshall escape, for

theyshallbeonthemountainsasdovesinthevalleys,mourningeveryonefortheirowniniquity.Weretheresuchauniversalmourningforourparticularsins,weshouldsoonseeprovidencescatteringthethreateningcloudsthathangoverour heads, and raising a foundation for our further hopes of escape. O! then,consider that charity to a ruining state, that compassion to the languishingChurch of our Lord JesusChrist, that our gratitude to a graciousGod for hismercies,orthatourdreadofaconfoundingMajesty,andhasteningmisery,maymakeusbreakoffon!Godcalls,asJer.14:17,“Ihaveseenthyabominations;Woe unto thee,O! Jerusalem,wilt thou not bemade clean?”When shall it atoncebe?O!whenshallweleaveoursins,aftersomanyyearsofpatience,tiring,justice-daring provocations? When shall it once be, after so many lesserjudgments soundingwarnings to us to prevent our ruin?O!when shall it be,afterallthemiraculousengagingdeliverancesGodhasgiven?O!letthisbethetime.Now to this end I have presented youwith those considerations, thatmay beinducements to all, to learn to livemore holily, after such rich enjoyments ofmercies; and prevent their abuse to sin. For as Hermes after wine wasaccustomedtotakeagrainofmastic,topreventitscoagulationintodestructivetartar, so should we wisely fortify ourselves by weighty considerations, so topreventthosesinswearenaturallypronetocommitafterthereceiptofmercies.And especially, because when Satan by his instruments has attempted ourdestruction,andourgraciousGodhaspreventedtheirdesignsbydelivering,notsuffering thegatesofHell toprevailagainstus,ourvigilantAdversary,seeinghecannotdestroyus,will exerciseallhiswiles todepriveusof thebenefitofdeliverancesgiventous.Hewilldothisbyendeavoringtodivertourmindfromconsideringthem,andenticingustoawrongimprovementofthem.LetusalsobelieveourfutureconditionislikelytobeaccordingtoourcarriageunderGod’spresent gracious dispensations. And I may say of mercy, as the heathens offortune,Neccultorespraeterit,nechaeretcontemptoribus.Itdoesnotslightitsworshippers,neitherwill itstaywithitscondemners.Sothosethataregratefulformercies shall never lack them, those that are abusers shall not long enjoythem.Continuanceinsomewillbesogreatdiscouragement toGodinwaysofmercies,thatweshallhavejustcausetodespairoffuturerelieffromhim.It isreported ofAlphonsusKing of Spain, that a noble beggar by hiswickedness,seeking relief,wasdeniedwith this answer, “Ifyouhadopenedyourestate inmyservice,therewouldhavebeenreasontoprovideforyou;butsinceyouhave

foolishlywastedit,youshallliveinyourneedwithoutmyrelief.”SoalthoughGodwilldeliverthosewhosedangersarisefromservinghim,yethemayjustlydenydeliverancetothosethatinvolvethemselvesinmiseriesbysinningagainsthim.Now,reader,ifyouwonderatsuchanimportantasubjectasthis,ifundertakenbysoweakahandasmine,know,thatgratituderaisedthepriceofthemeanestpresent. And this is certain, God does not choose means because they areeffectual, butmeansare effectual, becauseGod chooses them.YoungSamuelwas chosen to carry amessage to old Eli, who did not condemn him for hisyouth, but received the message the Lord sent by him. And though I am themeanestofsaintsmyweakendeavorsmaybeprosperouswiththeblessingofanAlmightyGod.There is suchapruritus scribendi in thisdiseasedage, thatwould forceme tomake someplea for exposing this small treatise to public view.But apologiescommencesolow, that theyareratherbelievedtobeflatteries thantruths;and(as one says) should the highest protestations of my humble intentions beentered,Iknowmenwilltakethelibertytobelieveorquestionthematpleasure.Therefore, all I shall say isonly this, the subject and treatise ispeaceable,notminglingwiththeintemperateandpreternaturalheatsoftheChristian,orratherunchristian gladiators of these days. The treatise is also practical, designed toreducethelivesofpeopletobetterorder,andnotstuffedwithnicespeculations,togratifymen’s itchingears andwild fancies. Ibelievealsoyouwill say it isplain, if not too uncouth.But I shall not affect the vain pedantry of plausibleostentation; for I reckon the simplicity of soberwell-meaning hearts, need nosuch curious embellishments. And I shall be willing to be judged by any,whether this work is not seasonable; and so I shall depend on the Lord toaccompanyitwithhisblessingtothesoulsofthosewhoshallpromisetoperuseit. Idesire theirprayers, thatImayspendmydaysto thegloryofGod,andinpromoting thepublicwelfare;andsoremain,AnunfeignedWell-wisher to thepublicgood,ThomasGougeChelmsford,October8,1679.

GOD’SCONTROVERSYWITHALLCHRISTIANSFORCONDEMNINGANY

DELIVERANCEEzra9:13-14,“Andafterallthatiscomeuponusforourevildeeds,andforourgreattrespass,seeingthatthouourGodhastpunisheduslessthanouriniquitiesdeserve,andhastgivenus suchdeliveranceas this;14Shouldweagainbreakthycommandments,andjoininaffinitywiththepeopleoftheseabominations?wouldest not thou be angrywith us till thou hadst consumed us, so that thereshouldbenoremnantnorescaping?”

Since one effectual means to promote the deserved honor andtranscendinggloryoftheSovereignGovernorofhumanaffairsisbyasuitableimprovement of his various providences to us, an industrious inquiry into theblesseddesignsofhisprovidentialdispensations,inordertounderstandthis,willbe accounted no unnecessary work to such as intend their religiousimprovement.Oftheseprovidentialoccurrences,whichmaynotbepretermittedwithoutsomeseriousmeditationsonthem,someareofthatsortwhichwecallcommon,fromtheirfrequentenjoyment,(ofwhichkindisourdailypreservationand provision) although they are special, considering our unspeakable miserywithoutthem.Andthese(Isay)cannotbeslightedanddisregarded,withoutanunworthydisparagementofinfinitemercy,andcontemptofSovereignMajesty.

But besides these ordinary works of providence, there are oftentimesextraordinaryworkspresented toourview,attendedwith specialdisplays, andbearing some eminent impressions of mercy or justice; which are not to beoverlookedinacursoryway,ordispatchedwithasingleglance.Theyrequireadeliberate meditation, a fixed inspection, and a singular improvement. Suchunusualdispensations from theAlmighty’shand,have frequentlybeenknown,bothinwaysofmercyandjusticeinoursinfulNation,andourindividuallives,whichhasbeena theatrefor themixeddisplaysof thesegloriousattributesformany years. This is true especially of late, for our long-suffering God hasstamped a most illustrious impression of mercy on many of his eminentprovidencestous;ofwhichourmiraculousdeliveranceinpartpromisedtous,is

an apparent testimony, and requires the most faithful improvement that finitecreaturescanmakeofthedoingsofaninfiniteGod.ThedeliveranceImeanwasthat,whentheSupremeOverseerofcreatedbeingsin all their operations, cast an unmerited eye of pity on our sinful Nation,languishingwithundiscerneddistempers.This iswhentheboundlessgoodnessoftheEternalGod,madeatimelystoptoourhasteningruin.Whentheheavenlywitnessthatisconscioustothesecretactionsofunmindfulmortals,detectedthevaultedcontrivancesoftheunderminingmolesofourCommonwealth;whentheAlmightyGod,whoplacesboundstotheroaringwaves,andsaystotheragingsea, “Hitherto and no farther,” took off the chariot-wheels of our furiousenemies. When he to whom belongs the issues from death, as by a gloriousresurrection, rescued us from the jaws of destruction, who bore the image ofdeath on us; when the faithful God discovered the unfaithful dealings ofperfidious plotters; and by a glorious ray of infinite goodness shining on ourclouded land,hasmadeusa landofGoshen,whowereclose tobeingmadeamiserableGolgotha.Thisisthedeliverancenevertobeforgotten,thewonderfulworkwith such impressions ofmercy,which is to be beheldwithmost fixedintention.Nowcanwecastoureyeonthismagnificentmaster-pieceofmercy,butoureyemustnecessarily affect ourhearts, and ingenerate suchmotions aswere in theheartofthankfulDavidinPsalm116:12,“WhatshallIrendertotheLordforallhismercy?”Canwepass by this heavenly favor,without a pious inquiry into the graciousdesignsofourblessedGodinbestowingofit?Hasthisunexpecteddeliverancecontinued the choicest of blessings to us, and shall we disappoint theexpectations of God, who is looking for signal requitals of it? Surely such agloriouswork is this, inwhich has appeared the immediate hand ofAlmightyGod, the most wonderful goodness of his sweetest nature, the highesttestimonies of his enduring patience, which can never be overlooked by us;unlesswedesigntoaffronthismercy,disdainhiskindness,anddarehisjustice.ButO!miserableNation!O!ungratefulpeople!Wherearethetokensofthankfulrespects forunmeritedfavors?Whatnotice is there taken thatsuchaworkhasbeendoneamongus?Wholaystohearttheoperationsofhishands?Whereare

thelipsthatpraisehim,thelivesthathonorhimforit?TheidolatrousPhilistinescouldassemble and sacrifice to theirgodDagon, fordeliveringSampson theirenemyintotheirhands,(Judges16:23-24).Butwhenhaveweassembledtoofferthe sacrifice of praise to our God, for delivering us from the hands of ourEnemies?O!regardlesspeople!Iftalkingofdeliveranceisrecompenseenough,wehavepaidit;ifcursingourfoesissufficientreward,wehavegivenit;butifrepentance of disobedience is the only return, we have yet omitted it. Ifreformationcanonlyberegardedasasuitablecompensation,wearewithoutit.What have we seen but unchanged conversations in our changed condition?What havewe given to the Lord, but a doubledmeasure of impieties, for hisdoubledmercies?Whathavewedone,butendeavoredtorevengeourselvesonthemercyofGodthathassparedus?O! undeserving generation thatwe are!How dowe enjoymercies, and neverimprove them? How do we comfortably reap the profit of deliverance, andunfaithfully rob the Lord of the glory of it? How do we bless ourselves inescapes, and forget the Almighty that gives them to us? We are solicitouswanters,butcarelessenjoyers.Howarewe joyfulwhengettingoutofdanger;buthowlittlecarefulthenarewetobegettingoutofsin?Ithinkthemoonthatisoften changing and still keeps its old spots, is a plain emblem of ourwickedNation. When all things are ruining, sin remains unruined; when enjoyingescapes from ruin, still sin remains to be again a cause of ruin. O! whatunchangeableEthiopiansareweinoursins?Howalikewearetothehardenedmariners,whoescapingthefataldangersofa threateningstorm,remainsecureuntilanothertempesthangsovertheirheads?Whatsuccessionofmerciesdowepromiseourselves,inthevilestcontinuanceindestroyinginiquities!Butistherenohopethattheconsiderationofdeliveringmerciesmayoverpowerus from going on in our wicked courses? If they were pressed on ourconsciences,wouldtheynotprevailtoeffectsomereformation?Itmaybethataword that will suit to the works of the Lord among us, may make someimpression, effect some conviction, and produce some amendment. Behold,then,aWordenoughtomeltourheartswithitsreading;todissolveusintotearsbymeditatingonit;tomakeusreformbyapplyingit.“Seeingthouhastgivenussuchadeliveranceas this,shouldweagainbreak thycommandment?Wouldstthounotbeangrywithusuntilthouhadstconsumedus?”etc.

Inthesewordsarecontained,1.Athankfulacknowledgmentoftheundeservedmercy theirgraciousGodhadexercised towards them;consisting in these twothings.

1.)Hehadpunishedthemlessthantheirsinsdeserved.TheyadmiretheclemencyofAlmightyGod, thatwhen their iniquitieswerewonderfullygreat,their punishments shouldbemitigatedwith somuchmercy.TheHebrewverbhereused,signifies(1.)Cohiberese,towithholdone’sself.Andsothesenseiselegant,“Thouhastwith-heldyourselffromdoingwhatouriniquitiesdeservedfromthee.”“Thouwouldstnotsufferthydirefulangertobreakoutagainstustotheutmost,butdidst refrainyourself frommakingan irreparable ruinamongstus.” “Hadst thou proportioned thy destroying judgment, to our daringprovocations,and thywrathfuldealings toourvastdeserts,wehadnotbeenapeopleatthisveryday.”ButGod’smercydetainedthehandsofhisjustice;and,“thoudidstnotsomuchdesigntoconsumeus,butonlytocorrectus.”Thesameacknowledgmentwe have cause tomake, having had experiences of the sameclemency. Forwhen our provokedGod has come out against uswithwastingwars, destroyingplagues, devouring flames in thegreat fire in the city, yet herestrained his wrath, and suspended the greatest part of the judgments wedeserved from him.And althoughwhen he began, therewas cause enough tomakeafullendofusall,yetinthemidstofjusticeherememberedmercy,andgraciouslydesistedfromruiningus.

2.)ThewordsignifiesCohiberealiquid,torestrainanythingelse.Sothe

senseis,“Thouhastrestrained,keptdownoursinsfromrisingupin judgmentagainstus;forhadtheyappearedagainstus,wehadutterlybeenruined.”

2.Next, thismercywasexpressed to thembyworkingout for themso

greatadeliverance;sinceyouhavegivenussuchadeliverance, implyinghowmerciful, how seasonable, how undeserved a deliverance that was that theyreceived;andsuchisours,thattheAlmightyGodhaspromisedtous.

Youhaveherethedeepsenseofdutythatwasuponhisheart;whichduty

wastobreakoffsin,whichonlycanbeajustreturntoGodforhisgoodness.You have his sense of danger, if sin was persisted in after such a

deliverance;Wouldstthounotconsumeus?etc.

Youhavetheaggravationofthatdestructionundersuchheinoussinning,untiltherewerenoremnantnorescaping.

ThegeneralheadsIshallinsiston,whichareimmediatelycontainedin,ormayservetoexplainthistext,arethese.1.ThatthegreatdesignofGodinbestowingmercifuldeliverancesonapeopleistoreclaimthemfromsin.2.Thatsuchisthatwickednessthatisinthemostofmen,thattheyarepronetobecomeworseafterdeliverances.3.Thatsinningafterdeliverance,isthemostheinoussinning.

4. That sinning after deliverance, has a peculiar influence to hasten

destruction.5.Thatdestruction for sins after deliverance,will be themostdreadful

destruction.NowIshallendeavor,Deojuvante,tospeaksomethingtoeachofthese

inorder.

PROPOSITION1The design ofGod in delivering a people from eminent dangers of ruin, is tooblige themtoforsakeallsinfulandwickedpractices.The intentofdeliveringmercies, is to causeus to repentofourdestroying iniquities.ThemainendofGod’s exercising goodness towards us, is only to affect some goodness in us.Thedesignofspecialmercies,istomakeusaspecialpeopleinreformation.TheAlmightyGoddoesnotdelighttoreduceapeoplefromsinfulcourses,bylayingthemundersuchheavyjudgmentsasmayrenderthemincapableofcommittingthose sins, which otherwise their wills incline them to; but the way of hispleasure is to confer such mercies on them, as may sweetly conquer theirstubbornhearts,andgaintheiradversemindstohimself.Herewhenthesinandfollyofanobstinatepeoplehasreducedthemtoinextricablestraits,theeternalGoddoesnotsufferhisdestroyingwrath tobreakforthagainst them,saying,Isee them helpless and past recovery, now therefore will I ease me of myadversaries,andavengemeofmyenemies;butcompassionbeingkindledinhismerciful breast, theLordnow says, Iwill lendahelpinghand, andgive themthat experience, and those evidencesofmygoodness, that shall foreverobligethemtome,andwinthemfromproceedinginwaysofrebellionagainstme. Inthis way all our deliverances lay us under perpetual obligations to devoteourselvestotheblessedworkandserviceofourdeliveringGodinreformation.Ourmerciesarenotbeautifultombsinourway,withwhichwemaydelightoureyes,butchariotstocarryusonwithmorepleasureandcheerfulnessinthewaysof our graciousGod.The end of deliverances is plainly seen, (Luke 1:74-75).Thatwe,beingdeliveredfromthehandsofourenemies,mayservehimwithoutfear,inrighteousnessandholinessallthedaysofourlives.Wearenotdeliveredfromenemies, tocontinueenemies toGod;butanescape isgivenus fromthehandsofenemies,thatwemayresignupourselvesintothehandsofourGodforreformation.WhenGod prevents our becomingmiserable preys to unmerciful foes, it is tooblige us ever to praise him with thankful hearts and obedient lives, (Psalm105:37).Hebroughtforth“thatpeoplewithsilverandgold;spreadacloudfora

covering,andfiretogivelightinthenight,”verse39,“Hebroughtquails,andsatisfiedthemwithbreadfromheaven;hebroughtforthhispeoplewithjoy,andhischosenwithgladness,”verse43.Andwhatwasthedesignofallthisfavor?Verse45,“Thattheymightobservehisstatutes,andkeephisLaws.”Althoughour mercies are God’s gifts, yet they greatly raise our debts. The favors wereceive from our gracious God, are not as payments given to servants todischarge from work, but like the encouragements tender parents give tochildren,toincreasetheirdutifulserviceandobedience.ItispromisedinHosea3,“TheyshallfeartheLordandhisgoodness;”or,obtantamDeibeneficentiam,asGrotiussays, theyshallserveandobeyhimforhisgoodnesses, inreturningandrestoringof them.Thatwonderfulkindnesswasfor thisend, to ingenerateobedientlove,andinducetoconstantloyaltytosoblessedaRedeemer.NowhadnottheseblessedintentionsandgraciousdesignsbeenintheheartofourGod,hehadneverexercisedhisAlmightypowerforourhelpandrelief,asoflatehehasdone.Buthedesigningtoreclaimusfromsin,hasrestrainedhiswrath, and revealed our danger; so that by giving us the advantage of such amercy,wemightrendertohimallglory.Andwhatcanbemorereasonable,thantogiveGod thegloryof that,ofwhichwehave theprofit?Whatmoreunjust,thantocrosssuchgraciousdesignsasthese?Andtherefore,unlesswedesigntodebar ourselves from future mercies, it concerns us greatly to answer God’sdesign in these; unless we intend by our incorrigibleness to bring irreparableruinsuponourselves,ithighlyconcernsusbythisgoodnessofGod,tobeledtothatrepentanceandreformationintendedbyit.FortowhatendhasthisgraceofGodappeared,buttoteachustodenyallungodlinessandworldlylusts,andthatwemightlivesoberly,righteously,andgodlyinthispresentworld?I shall nowpropose some few reasons,why the gloriousGod condescends tostrive with man with so much goodness, rather than reduce him by forciblecoactions,anddestroying judgments. Iwillshowwhyhedoesnoteasehimofhis enemies by his Almighty power, but endeavor to make them friends byobligingfavors.REASON1.Because this way and method is most suitable to his gracious nature. Roughspiritedmeninreducingoffenders,willusenothingbutharshseverity;butsuch

whosenature is temperedwithamiablemeekness, abhor suchwrathfulmeans;and will make experiment what clemency and kindness will do, before theyproceed to powerful compulsions. In this way the great God having declaredhimself to be most gracious, will experience how far he can prevail by theexercise of goodness, before he proceeds to the displays of his justice andgreatness.SogoodisourGod,thatheisreadytomakeproofoftheefficacyofathousandsmilesofmercy,ratherthanofasinglestrokeofjustice.Thetitlesofhonorwhichdiscoverhisnaturemostlysetouthisaboundinggoodness,Exod.34:5-6, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, andabundantintruthandgoodness.”Thewholeworldisembroideredwithinfiniteimpressionsofgoodness.Amonghisblessedattributes,hisgraceisuppermost;andthoughheisequallyjustasgood,yetheexerciseshisgoodnessmorethanhisjustice.ThisisthefairestflowerinthegarlandofMajesty;thebrightestraythat issues from thatunapproachable light; theheightofhis immensurableandimperialglory.Nowifweconsiderhisreadinesstomercy,andhisslownesstoanger; his frequency in displays of goodness, and the rarity of amazingjudgments; his resolvedness in ways of grace, and reservedness in ways ofjustice;wemayeasilysee it ismostagreeable tohisnature, toaccomplishhisdesignsbycompassion.REASON2.Becausethismercifulmethodismostagreeabletothenatureofman.Themostpowerfulengine toattract thewillofman, is thegoodwillandmercyofGod.Manbeingofagenerousspirit,ismoreeasilydrawnthandriven,persuadedthanforced. Murdering severity may force a slavish fear, but never produce anyloving obedience. Dipping in the sweetest oil of mercy, is most effectual tosoften the hardened hearts ofmen. Parisiensis relates aHistory of a stubbornsinner,thatnothingwouldreclaim;butGodheapingupfavorsuponhim,atlasthe cries out,Vicisti benignissimeDeus indefatigabili bonitate:O kindestGod,thouhastconqueredmewiththyunweariedgoodness.Wereamantorelieveaninveterateenemyinaperishingcondition,itcouldnotbuteffectachange,andmake him become an intimate and constant friend. Sullen, peremptory, andimperious commands, have little influence to sway obdurate enemies. Thekindness of conscientiousDavid in sparingSaul hismortal enemy,melted hisstony heart, andmade him promise eternal friendship. 1 Sam. 26:21, “I havesinned,saysSaul,Iwilldotheenomoreharm,seeingmylifewaspreciousin

thysight.”Andwillnotthemostrefractorysinnerbereadytocometotermsofpeace,atthereceivingsuchkindnessfromthehandofGod?Willhenotsay,AhLord,Ihavebeenanungodlyenemy,andimpudentrebelagainstyou;youhadme inyourhand, andmighthave sufferedmybloodyenemies tohavecutmeoff;youmighthavedispatchedmetoeternaltorments.Butsincethouhastbeensogracioustospareanddelivermeyourenemy,henceforthIshalleverbeyourfriend,andneveroffertorebelanymore.REASON3.God proceeds in these gracious methods, because of the experiencedineffectualness of destroying judgments to effect a sincere repentance, andproduceanunfeignedobedienceinreformation.Mercyhaseverprevailedmorewith sinners than wrath. Severity in exercising judgments, may curb a head-strong sinner from outward enormities; but the bent of his will, and theinclinationofhisheartstillremainstocommitit.Theseusuallyhavenofurtherinfluence, than to render men like roaring lions confined by iron grates; likeravenous dogs restrained by heavy chains; only making an impediment fromacting,not anamendment as to thewill to act.A lockmay stopa thief,yet itdoesnotalterhismind.This ineffectualness of judgments, has often been evidenced in the devilishbehavior that has appeared in many under them. How many in blasphemousenraged passions, have belched out most execrable oaths and reproachfulspeeches against heaven, and the instruments of Divine vengeance, Et quemoderuntperirecupiunt;wishingthedestructionoftheGodthatdestroyedthem?AstheCiliciansmadewaragainstMountAetna,spittingoutsulphureousflamesonthem.WithsuchmadnessdorebelliouswretchescontendwiththeAlmighty,consumingthembythefireofdeservedvengeance.How often do men bid defiance to God heaping up plagues on them! AndstoppedintheirsinfulcoursesasBalaambytheAngel,stilltheywillspuronindespiteofGodhimself.Zeph.3:5,“ThejustLORDisinthemidstthereof;hewillnotdoiniquity;everymorning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjustknoweth no shame.” Sins were continued under continual judgments; so in

Jeremiah5:3,“Theyweresmitten,anddidnotgrieve.”And if at any time judgmentshaveaffecteda sinfulpeople,by reasonof theirextremity.Yetallthoseappearancesofdevotionunderthem,havebeenmostlydelusions;beingonlytheworkingsofnature,expressingasenseofsuffering,notthe effects of grace, declaring a sorrow for sinning. Here hardened Pharaohunder the distress of miraculous judgments, is seemingly moved withrepentance.Inthiswaythousandsoperateinpangs,butitisonlytheoperationsof judgments on the body, not their impression on the heart. But thisineffectualnessofdestroyingjudgments,isdeclaredabundantlybythefollowingcarriage of the sufferers by them. For how many have we known, after thewearing off the painful sense of vengeance, have proved the grandees andimperialists in provokingwickednesses?And the stormof judgements being alittle over, have rode on with a full carrier, and unbridled chase, in theirunlicensed courses.Since then thisway effects so little,Godwill rathermakeuseofmercies.Sincehorriddesolationswillmakenomereimpression,Godwillmakeanexperiment toseewhatdeliverancewilldo.So then, toconclude thishead, God uses these means, because as Sola misericordia deducit Deum adhomines,soSolamisericordiareducithominesadDeum:AsmercyonlybringsdownGodtoman,somercyonlybringsbackmantoGod.

PROPOSITION2Suchisthewickednessofourcorruptedhearts,thatwearepronetoproceedinsin,notwithstandingtheLordisusingthesemeanswithustoreclaimus.Weareapttomakeuseofourdeliverancestofurtheroursins,ratherthanimprovethemto the forsakingof them.For as theRedSeadrinks in theRiver Jordanyet isneversweeter;andthevastoceanevenwithalltheotherriversflowingintoit,yetisnotfresher.Sowereceivethemostexcellentmercies,andyetarebutlittlethebetter.Soentireisourcursedaffectiontoourespousedlusts,thatwhoeverisdisengaged,andwhoeverisdispleased,weareresolvedtoomuchtocontinueinthem.HerethemerciesGodgivesforencouragementstoservehim,weturntobe instrumentsofsinningagainsthim.WhenGoddoesmost forus inwaysofmercy,wearepronetodomostagainsthiminwaysofsin.Itisreportedoftheleopard,thatitismostsavagetothosethatdothemostforit.Tootrueitisofus;wearewretchedlymostunkindtothosethatshowmostkindnesstous.Felicitatecorrumpimur,outwardfelicitymakesusaboundininiquity.Afterthereceiptofspecialfavors,weoftenloosenthereinstoimpiety,andrunmoreextravagantlyafter our own inventions. How many become more nimble in the feats ofiniquity,bybeinganointedwiththeoilofmercy?Mennursethehatefulbratsoftheir devilish lusts, at the breast of divine bounty. Our envenomed naturesextractfoodforthenourishmentofabominablesins,fromthesingularfavorsofagraciousGod.Aswhentheseasongrowswarm,byfructifyingraysofthesun,theweedsspringup;sobytheincreaseofmercies,thereisoftentheaboundingofiniquity.Hosea10:1,“Israelisanemptyvine,”or,vitisluxurians,awildvine.Accordingtothemultitudes of his fruits, he has increased the altars, i.e. Quo res habuitprosperiores,eomagisindulsitidololatriae,(Grotius).Themoreprosperity,themoreidolatry.Itisobservedofthespleen,thegreateritgrows,thelessthebodyworkscorrectly.Themore temporalmercieswehave, the lessheavenlyspiritsandholyobediencewehave.Hosea4:7,“Astheyincreased,theysinnedagainstme.”TheHebrew,intoLatin,Sicutmultiplicarieis,asImultipliedtothem;or,as I increased deliverances, honor, riches; so they sinned against me. Asjudgmentswillnotbridleus, somercieswillnotbreakusoffoursinning. Isa.

26:10,“Letfavorbeshowntothewicked,yetwillhenotlearnrighteousness.”IntheformerversestheProphetshows,thatthepeopleofGodwouldservehimevenunderafflictions;butasforthewicked,neithermerciesnorafflictionsworkon them.Mercies are messengers to instruct us to our duty; but although formanyyearswehavebeencalledonbythem,yethowlittlehavewelearnedtolove,serve,andobeyourGodby them?Noahwasmiraculouslydelivered,butthenisabominablydrawnintosininthevineyard.Hethathadthehighestproofsof the mercy and justice of God, mercy to himself, justice to the world, liesdrunk inhis tent;preserved fromwaters,overcomebywine.Behold,youmayseehimguiltyofthesinforwhichhesawtheworldcondemned;youmayseehimtoberebukedforthesinhesooftenhadreproved.Andhethatwassoholybefore, now becomes a pattern of uncleanness, and example for futurewickedness.Inthiswayeventhosewhoseemtobethebestarepronetosinafterdeliverance.In thiswayholyHezekiah,2Chron.32:24-25,Goddeliveredhimfromdeath,buthe“renderednottotheLordaccordingtothebenefitdoneuntohim;”forhisheartwasliftedup,notwiththankfulness,buthaughtiness;notinpraises,butwithpride.Deut.32:15,“Jeshurunwaxed fatandkicked,” thenheforsooktheGodthatmadehim,andlightlyesteemedtheRockofhissalvation.Deliverancehadmadewayforhispromotion;andhebeingpromoted,Godwasrejected.RighteousLotbydistinguishing favorescaping the flamesofSodom,fellintothefireofsin.TheashesofSodom,thepillarofsalt,didnotmakehimwise enough to shun the drunken bed of incest.Who could have thought Lotshouldfallintosuchimpietiesonthereceiptofsuchmercies?Butinthiswayweare prone to abuse goodness, and ready to slight the greatest kindness. Howoftendoweturnourmedicinetopoison?HowoftendowemakeourmerciesCommeatuspeccandi,inletstosin?ItissaidconcerningEve, thatGoddesignedherahelper toAdam,andmadeherofhisrib;butthedeviltookhisrib,andmadeitafataldart.SoGodgivesmercieswithgood intentions, but Satan siding with our corrupt inclinations, makes use ofthemtoourgreatdisadvantage.I shall now consider how it comes to pass, that deliverances have no moreinfluenceuponus,andhowwebecomesopronetosinafterthem.(1.) It arises from the mighty power that accustomed sins have on the heart.Whenhighest reasons are obliging to leave sin, the force of customandhabit

preventstheiroperation.Whenmenaresoakedinsensuality,fleshedinvillainy,thorough-pacedinrebelliouscourses,what isable tochangethem?Bythis theheart is sodirefullyhardened, theDevil’skingdomso invincibly fortified,andsinitselfsomuchendeared,thatthereisunspeakabledifficultyinconqueringit.Ezekiel16:4,whendelivered fromEgypt it is said,“Theirnavalwasnotcut.”Thenavalisthatbywhichthechildissuppliedwithnourishmentinthemother’swomb.So thisexpressionmeans, Israelwasstilldrawing inEgyptianmannersand superstitions; being accustomed to them, they still hankered after them,notwithstandingtheirgreatdeliverance.Andalthoughforawhileadeliverancemayseemtomakesomeimpression,yetasthewaterheated,reditadingenium,itgrowscoldagain.SoaffectionstoGodwearoff,andmenarehankeringaftertheirformerlusts.SoEzek.23:8,“Neitherleftsheherwhoredomsbrought fromEgypt.”Difficileestabusitatisdesinere,accustomedsinsarehardlydeserted:Sinsoftenrenewed,arehardlyreformed;suddenmercies,thoughneversogreat,willhardlywearoutcontinuedsins.2.Thereasonwhyourdeliverancesworknogreaterreformation,is,becausewefixoureyes toomuchuponsecondcauses,and inferior instruments,withoutadue acknowledgment of the hand of God. Here we are prone to conceiveourselvesmoreobligedtomenthanGodhimself.Howwickedlydomenascribemore to human policy, and heathenish fortune, than to infinite power andheavenlyfavor?Hosea11:3,“TheyknewnotthatIhealedthem.”Nescirediciturqui gratiam non refert. He is ignorant who neither observes nor answers themercifulhandofGod.Attributing deliverances toman, hinders the performance of duty toGod.Thereason whymercies are not seconded with obedience to God, is, because welooktoomuchtosecondcauses;sothoseinHab.1:16,“Theirportionwasfat,andtheysacrificedtotheirnets,andburntincensetotheirdrags.”InthiswaytheAssyrianproudly ascribed all tohimself in Isa. 10:14, “By the strengthofmyhandhaveIdoneit,andbymywisdom;forIamprudent.”HowcanthemercyofGodbeanswered,ifitisnotowned?HowcanwerequiteGodfordelivering,if we deny the receipts of deliverance from him? If we do not look on ourmerciesasgivenbyGod,weshallgiveGodnothingforhismercies.3. Deliverances are no more influentia to reclaim from sin, because of our

unreasonableoblivionofthem.Ourgreatestmerciesarebutpresentimpressions,made by deliverance, and they are soon worn off by neglect of futureconsideration. The sense of our engagements to obedience wearing off, ourinclinations to sin make head. When mercies are new, how frequent is ourremembrance of them? While employed in our daily labors, our minds areadmiring delivering love.When waking in the night, these are the objects ofmeditation;whenconversingwithfriends,thesearethethemeswediscourseof.Now something must be done to requite this kindness; but too sudden aforgetfulness anticipates and prevents the performance of our acknowledgedobedience.Deut.32:17-18,theyarechargedwithabominablesins;anditstandsasa reason,because they“forgot theGod that formed them,and the rock thatbegatthem.”Ifwedidnotforgetourmercies,ourconscienceswouldforceustoforsake our sins. Were our hearts more but repositories for God’s favors, somuch iniquitywould not be lodged in them. ForgettingGod’smercies, is notonly a base unworthy sin, but a breeding sin.Many desperate sins arise fromdespising thekindnessofourGod.AndO!howunspeakablystrange is it, thatwecanforgethim,whodoessomuchtoberemembered?Thatwecansufferhismercies topassoutofourmind,whosemerciesareneweverymoment?Howimpossiblewould it be to live in unlamented sin, didwe live in the sense ofundeservedmercies!Itisherewearesopronetosinafterdeliverances,becausewearesoapttosufferthemtoslipoutofoureasilyalteredmemories.4. This continuance in sin after deliverances, arises frompeople bolstering upthemselves with sinful presumptions that the dangers of destruction are past.Whenmenbegintoapprehendallthingsarewell,theyareapttotakeoccasionto do ill.Whenmen are conceiving the bitterness of death is past, they littlemindtoreformthebasenessoftheirlives.TheycarenothowlittletheylivetoGod,whentheypresumetheyshalllivelong.Eccles.8:11,“Becausesentenceisnot speedily executed, therefore the hearts of the sons ofmen are fully set inthemselves to do evil,” the Syriac version roboratur: their hearts arestrengthened,emboldenedinthemtogooninevil,etc.Becauseofthis,delayingjudgments, theygoonwithafullconfidence, theysinwithcourage.This isaswindtotheirsails,thatdrivesthemonbrisklyinsinfulcourses.WiththisdidthewickedJewsunderdivine threateningshearten themselves in theirways,Ezek.11:3, saying, “It is not near.”God’s abstinence from judgmentswasmade anencouragement for the continuance in sin. So Ezek. 12:21-22, “The days areprolonged.”Carnalpersonsarewillingtogooninsinaslongastheycan.And

whendangersarealittlegoneoff,theymoreboldlygoonindesperatesinning.5. This proneness to sin after suchmercy, arises from flattering expectations,that in renewed returns of distress, they shall ever meet with the samedeliverance. How do men argue from their present safety, to their futuresecurity?HowfondlydomenconceivethatGodwillbeevermerciful,becauseof his present mercies? Didmenwisely consider after deliverance, how soontheymaystandinneedof thesamehelpingarm,howsoontheymaywant thesamemercy,theycouldnotbesoaudaciousastoslightandcondemnit,leftinthenext time tobedeprivedof it.God’spresentdeliverancesareevidencesofhis power to deliver us again, but not assurances of his will to do it. It is agroundlesssuppositionmengoonwhothinkmerciesareentailedonthem,andinseparably annexed to them. We shall experience, if we do not leave offsinning,Godcanleaveoffdelivering.IfwecanstillforsakeGod,hecanatlastforsakeus.6.WeareinthiswayinclinedtosinagainstGodafterdeliverance,aswebeingdelivered,ourheartsarebroughtofffromtheirdependenceonGod,andwearemagnifyingourselvesinsteadofGod.WhenGodhasgivenusourpreciouslivesfromthehandsofdevouringenemies,weimaginewecanliveofourselves,andtherewe are regardless of living toGod.Hosea 13:6, “Theywere filled, andtheir heart was exalted, therefore have they forgotten me.” Their outwardfruitfulness caused their sinful forgetfulness. Our hearts are apt to be set onenjoyments,andnotontheGodthatgivesthem.Hosea4:11,“Whoredomeandwine take away the heart.” The Hebrew word there signifies auferre, to takeaway by force; so those things took away their heart from God by force; oroccupare, to occupy. They occupied and took up that room in the heart Godshould have. In this way when we have worldly enjoyments continued bydeliverances,ourheartsaredetainedbythem,thatwedonotmindGod,donotcarehowwegooninsinagainsthim;donotmindhowlittleobedienceweyieldtohim,asifwecouldlivewellenoughwithouthim.7.Thisproceedinginsinispartlycausedbypeopleapprehendingthemselvestobeinnocent,andtheircoursestobeharmless,fromthedeliverancesGodgivestothem.Carnalpeopleareapttoreckontheirwaystobelawful,becausetheyaresparedandunpunishedinthem.Hosea12:8,“Ephraimsaid,Iambecomerich,Ihavefoundmeoutriches;inallmylaborstheyshallfindnoiniquityinme,that

weresin.”Asmuchastosay,Ifmycoursewereunrighteous,theywouldnotbeprosperous;whatevertheprophetschargemewith,itappearsbythedealingsofGod with me, that my doings are good. If I were so sinful, I should not besuccessful. In this way corrupted people will vainly argue from God’sdelivering; if Iwere sowicked, ifmyactionswere sodispleasing,Godwouldnothavesparedme,buthewouldhavedeliveredmetodestruction.ButO!howvain are these reasonings!God bearswith long-suffering the vessels ofwrathpreparedfordestruction;outofhismercyhegivesaspacetorepentofyoursins.And who is so wicked to conclude, that because God exercises patience,therefore they are not offenders?This is a signofGod’s goodness, but not ofyours.

PROPOSITION3Sinningafterdeliverance,isthemostheinoussinning.Itrenderssinexceedinglygreat, tocommit itaftergreatmercies. It isagreatsin, tocountanysinsmall,thatiscommittedagainstagreatGod.Yetsinhasitsaggravations,andadmitsofdegrees,accordingtothecircumstancesunderwhichitiscommitted.Therearetwothingswhichrenderasinmostabominable;whensiniscommittedagainstlight,andagainstlove.Theyarenotlittlenorlightsins,thatareaggravatedwithconvictions by light. Nor are sins against love of an inferior nature; there isnothingmoreintolerabletomanorGod,thantohaveillwillforgooddeeds.Itissinfultorenderevilforeviltoman,muchmoretorenderevilforgoodtoGod.Whatmoreprovokingsightcanbebeheld,thananimpudentmaninevilunderjudgment,andbarren insomethinggoodundergreatmercies?Affronts to loveare more insufferable than rebellion under displays of wrath. The highestunkindness, is the highest sinfulness. The sin of David is aggravated by therecordingofGod’skindnesstohim,2Sam.12:7-9,“IdeliveredtheeoutofthehandofSaul,andIgavetheethymastershouse—Andifthathadbeentoolittle,Iwouldmoreover have given thee such and such things.Wherefore then hastthoudespisedthecommandoftheLord,todothisevilinhissight?”Tosininthe face of God when smiling upon us with unmerited mercy, is one of thegreatestcontemptswhichcanbecastonGod.Tomanifestoursinfulness,whenwe enjoy the greatest testimonies of goodness, is the height of madness. Towithdrawournecksfromanuneasygallingyoke,torebelundertheseveritiesofa cruel tyrant, to castoff the serviceof an imperiousmaster,mayadmit someexcuse;buttowaxmalevolentundermercies,todespisetheclemencyofheaven,to deny obedience to a loving Father, is an offence indefensible, a crimeunpardonable. When God would lay a people under a conviction of theheinousnessoftheircrimes,herepeatshisgraciousdealingstothem.Jer.2:20,“OfoldtimeIhavebrokenthyyoke,”i.e.whenyouwereinEgyptianbondageunderintolerableslavery,Isetyoufree.Andyousaidyouwouldnottransgress,yetyouhaveslightedmyfavors,andbrokenyourvows;“andundereverygreentree thouwandrestplaying theharlot.”verse22.This isnoted for an indeliblesin;suchsinsasthesearenotwritten,butengraven:theyareofthedeepestdye,andmostpermanentstain.Hosea7:15,“ThoughIhaveboundandstrengthened

theirarms,yetdotheyimaginemischiefagainstme.”Ithasanallusiontomenwithbrokenbones;O!whatwouldtheygiveforahealingsurgeon?Whatpricewould they give to be free from pain? So these in distress would promiseanythingtoGodfordeliverance.But,theLordsays,thoughIboundthemupandexamined them, though I strengthened themagainst the destructive assaults oftheirenemies,yetstillwiththehighestwickednessandunkindnesstheyimaginemischiefagainstme.ThemoreIdidtoengagethem,themoretheyhavedonetodishonorme.Thepeople of Israelwere chargedwith their sinning atGilgal above all otherplaces,Hosea9:15.“AlltheiriniquityisinGilgal.”TheHebrewwordwhichwerender all, signifies summum, praecipuum, i.e. their highest, chiefest, mostnotorious sinwas atGilgal;why there?Because itwas there they received anabundanceofmercies.Herewasthegreatcircumcision,whenthereproachwasrolled away, after they had passed over Jordan, and arrived to the land ofCanaan, Josh. 5:7, here Joshua pitched the twelve stones, the everlastingmemorialoftheirwonderfuldeliveranceoutofJordan,Josh.4:20.Herewasthebeginning of the rest promised to them in the land of Canaan. Now to beinvolvedinsin,whenencompassedwithsomanymercies;tobeforsakingGodaftersuchlateexperienceofhisgoodness,thiswasthehighestcrimeimaginable.NowIshalllaydownsomeparticularaggravationsofsinsafterdeliverances,sothatyoumay lament thoseyouhavecommitted,and labor toprevent themforthefuture.1.SuchsinsmostwretchedlycastablotonthemostHolyGod,asifhewereacountenancer of sin, and a patron to impious people, rather than their severeavenger. Christ was accounted a friend to publicans and sinners, for showingkindness to them. And will not atheistical wretches be ready to asperse thegloriousGodasafriendtosin,forimprovinghispowertodeliversuchpersonsasimprovehisdeliveranceonlyforsin?ItisreportedofoneprofaneDionysius,that when by his covetous pilfering he had preyed on a temple’s glory, andenriched himself with its sacred treasure. After transporting his treasures,escaping a fatal shipwreck of which he was in danger, with the greatestimpudencecriesout,Howdothegodslovesacrilege!Becausehepresumedtheydelivered him as a robber, he imagined they loved robbery. Psalm 50:21,“BecauseIkeptsilence,thouthoughtestmealtogethersuchanoneasthyself,”

i.e.Quod tuismaleficiis delector,Muis.God’s patient forbearance,made himreckonGodunrighteousashimself.Togooninsinwhendeliveredfromruin,ispractically to say, I am delivered to sin. Such an impietywas charged on theJewsinJer.7:10,“Willyesteal,andmurder,andsay,wearedeliveredtodoallthese abominations?” They had not come to that height of profaneness, todeclare it in so many words; but by their ungodly courses after his graciousdeliverances,theydidasmuchassayit.WhatisthisbuttomakeGodanunholyGod?Whatgreateraggravationsofoursinscantherebe,thantocastdirtontheholiness of God, which is the aggravation of all his glory? Certainly, if Godsuffersdishonorbyhisexercisinggoodnesstous,weshallsufferdestructionforourabusingit.Godwillshownofavortothose,whomakehimafavorerofsin.2.Suchsinning issoabominable,because it isa justificationofallourformersins.Thisis ineffect tosay,Wehavedonewellenoughinsinning;Godisnotangrywithus,thereforewewillstillgooninourformercourses,andfollowourold wickednesses. How provoking must this necessarily be to God? Wheninstead of a humiliation for sins, he sees a justification of them. Instead of acontrite lamentation for our evils, he finds an audacious approbation of them.HowcanaholyGodbear thisatourhands?Wecannot justify thebestofouractionsbeforetheLord,howabominablethentojustifythosethatareapparentevils?ItwasverydispleasingtoGodforJonahtosay,“Idowelltobeangry.”And shallwe say,we didwell to be proud and profane, to be drunkards andswearers? And what else is our persistence in sin, but a testimony of ourallowanceofit?3.Suchsinning,impliesadaringprovocationofGodtodestroyus.TodespiseGodsparinganddelivering,istodarehimtosmiteanddestroyus.Nottocarefor deliverance, is asmuch as to say,we do not fear destruction. Isaiah 5:19,“Lethimhastenhiswork thatwemay see it.This impudent expression eitherrespectsGod’s power,q.d. let himdo hisworst,we fear not, asmen that hadover-growndivinejustice,andbecometoobigandtoostrongfortheAlmighty’sarm;oritmaybespokeninrespectofthetruthsandthreateningsdeclaredbytheprophetschallengingGodtotheiraccomplishment.ButwillGodsufferhimselftobedaredbymereworms?Canyoudaunthisunalterablecourage?Canyouhold theAlmighty’s hands, or lay bonds on his judgments, that they shall notdestroyyou?WillGodsufferhiscreaturestoinsultoverhim?Areweoutofhisreach,thatwefearnoruin?Canwematchhimwithequalforces?Surelyweare

nothingtohim.Howthencanheendureachallengefromus?Howcanhesufferour sinsaftermercies?By these sinsweare like those, “Whostretchout theirhands against God, and strengthen themselves against the Almighty,” (Job15:25-26).Butwhoevercontendedwithhim,andprospered?Itwillbedreadfulto fall into thehandsofa livingGod.And thiswillcertainlybe theportionofthosethataffronthimwithsuchdaringprovocations.4.Thesesinsaresoheinous,asbythemthedeliveringmercyofGodishorriblyundervalued.What is our rebellion after the reception of suchmercies, but todeclareweaccountnotourselvesobliged toGodfor them?What is thisbut todisown the greatness of the favors God bestows on us? What greaterdisingenuity can be expressed, than to diminish the greatest favors ofGod, inlove toourdevilish lusts?Everymercy that comes fromsogreat aGod,mustnecessarily be great; but to undervalue the choicest blessings and highestmercies,mustnecessarilybeapointof thehighestwickedness.Was itasmallmercy, that by our late deliverance so many thousands of lives have beencontinued,suchmultitudesofsoulshavebeenkeptoutofhell?Isitnothinginyour eyes to be delivered from Popish slavery? To have the glorious Gospelcontinued among us? Is the security of Church and State, the miraculouspreservationofprivilegesandlibertiesacontemptiblekindness?Shallall thesethingshavenonoticetakenofthem?Shalltheyallbedisregarded?Willyousayitisnotworth-whiletoleavesinningforthese?Dareyoudeclaretheydeservenoobedience? Let your conscience speak, would not this be horrid blasphemy?Couldyoubearsuchundervaluingofkindnessfromfellow-creatures?HowthencanGodfromyou?5. Those sins are the testimonies of the highest ingratitude conceivable.Ingratitude is the worst of sins; and sinning after deliverance is the worstingratitude. This is unkindness that pierces the heart of God, to rebel againsthim,dealingwithusas thedearlybelovedofhis soul.Howungrateful is it toassassinateaPrince,towhosecareweoweourlivesandfortunes?Toripopenthebowelsofher,towhomweoweourbeing?SoisittodishonoraGod,thatisboth our Protector and Benefactor, our Preserver and Deliverer. David wasgreatlyincensedattheingratitudeofchurlishNabalin1Sam.25:21,“SurelyinvainhaveIkeptallthisfellowhadinthewilderness,andherequitesmeevilforgood.” Will not the Almighty in this same way complain of an ungratefulpeople?SurelyinvainhaveIkeptthemfromthehandsoftheirbloodyenemies,

invainIhavedelayedtheexecutionofjudgment,sinceallmyreturnisdishonorfor deliverance, sinning for saving them?May notGod speak to us, after themannerourblessedSaviorspoketotheJews?“Forwhichofmygoodworksdoyoustoneme?”ForwhichofmygoodWorksdoyousinagainstme?Willyouopposeme,becauseIappearsooftenforyou?Willyouhateme,becauseIhelpyou?Willyourebel,becauseIrelieveyou?Isthisthefruitofmygoodness?TheLordwasgreatlyoffendedwithhisvineyard,Isaiah5,becauseafterallhiscaretomake it fruitful, it brought forthwild grapes. “I looked that it should bringforthgrapes,anditbroughtforthwildgrapes.”WhenGodbestowsanymercieson us, his eye is on us to seewhat improvementwe aremaking of them.Helooks toseewhatyoudowithyour time,your talent;hiseye isonyou, toseewhatuseyoumakeofmeans,deliverances,andallyourenjoyments.Andwhenheusesgoodmeans,helooksforgoodfruit;andifweungratefullybringforthwild grapes, we shall highly provoke him, and to our disadvantage displeasehim. How intolerable a sin must it needs be, to fight against God with hisgoodness?Tomischiefhishonorwithhismercies?Shouldyoubeaninstrumentof raising a decayed friend, and he turn to be your enemy, and use the estateprocured by you to manage mischievous designs against you, would you notcount it intolerablebaseness?Nowwhat less,yes,how infinitelymore isyourabusingthemerciesofGod,tothedisadvantageofhisglory,anddishonorofhisname? Should a neighborly physician freely endeavor the relief of a helplessbeggar,andafterhiscostandcare,whenthismanisrestored,shouldhemakeithis work to study the death of this worthy friend, how intolerable ingratitudewouldthisbeaccounted?WhatelseisoursinningagainstGod,onsparingus?Whatisitbutdestroyinghishonorwhosavedusfromdestruction?Deut.32:6,“DoyethusrequitetheLord,yefoolishpeopleandunwise?”WhenungratefulBrutuswasamongthosethatcametodestroyCaesar,hepatheticallycriedout,EtiamtuBrute!What,thoumySonBrutus!Wiltthoustabme?MaynotGodcryoutonus,whatyou,O!peopleofEngland,willyoustillbeenemies?YouwhomI have so delivered? Youwhom I have so often preserved, shall I meet withthesedealingsfromyou?Ofallpeopleyouareobligedtoloveandserveme,andwillyouimproveallmymerciesagainstme?6.Bysinningafterdeliverance,wemostunjustlydenytoGodthatwhichishisrightandduefordeliveringus.DeliveranceisthepriceofGodforourlivesandservices. When God redeems us, we remain no longer our own, but areespeciallyobligedtobehis.WhatcanwegivetoGodforpreservingourLives,

lessthanourwholelife,andthisisunanswerabletohimfortheexerciseofhiswisdom and power through delivering us. Can we then rob God of his due,without showing this height of injustice? Is not this the most intolerablesacrilege?ThemerciesofGodaretohireustoobedience.Willamastersufferaservant to be engaged in thework of another, when he has hired him for hisown? Is it not a provoking sin, for you to be employed in the service of theDevil,whenGodhashiredyouintohis?TheApostlepressingtheCorinthianstoobediencetellsthemtheyare“nottheirown,butareboughtwithaprice.”Inthiswaymaywe be persuaded to obedience, by considering,God has bought ourlives,bysavingusfromdeath.7. Sinning now is so heinous, as by this God is frustrated of his designs ingranting such favors.WhatmayGod expect, when stretching out his hand tohelp us, but that then we will incline our hearts to honor him?What are thedesigns of God in displays of mercy, but to raise up glory to himself? Heexercises goodness to promote his own interest in theworld, not the Devil’s.Will God exercise mercy to his own disadvantage? Will a national man putweaponsintothehandsofthosewouldslayhimwiththem?Wouldyoudeliveramantodestroyyou?SurelytheLordmayjustlyexpectloveforhiskindnessandduty for his mercy, obedience for his deliverance. Isaiah 63:8-10, “He said,Surely,theyaremypeople,childrenthatwillnotlie;sohebecametheirSavior.”ThisversecontainsakindofexpostulationthatmightbeinGod;whyshouldIsavesuchapeopleasthis?Ihaveenoughagainstthemtodestroythem.Ihavefound their unfaithfulness to their promises, their unanswerableness to mygracious providences, why should I deliver them? Then God comes to aresolution,mercyturnsthescale,goodnessprevails;Iwill trythemoncemore;theyaremypeople,childrenthatwillnot lie;Ihopetheywillnotfrustratemeanymore. I may take this opportunity to cut them off, but I will make anexperiment once more. But proving unfaithful, he became their enemy, andfought against them. How heinous a sin is it to cross God’s ends, to walkcontrarytohim!8.Sinningnowissoheinous,as it isnotonlyaneglectingduty,butdespisingremedy. There are Peccata contra officia, and contra remedia; sins againstduties in omitting things commanded, and sins against remedy, slighting andopposing the means which are designed for recovery from former evils. Andnowwhatsincanbegreater,thantodespisethemeansthatareusedtocureour

bleeding wounds? What aggravates the sin of unbelief, and makes it thedestroyingsin,butbecauseitisthecondemningofthatblessedremedywhichisprovidedformiserablesinners?Herethissinbindsonthesinnersguiltwithaneternal bond, and makes salvation impossible. In this way also slightingdeliverance is thehighest sin, asby thiswebidopendefiance toallmeansofrecovering of us from sin and destruction. Neglecting salvation has a mostprovokinginfluenceonthewrathofGod.Heb.2:3,“Howshallweescape,ifweneglect so great salvation?”Will the Lord bear this affront to hismercy, thatwhenheiswillingtosave,wedeclareweregardnosalvation?Thiswillbeanunpardonablecrime,therewillbenoescapingforus.Tosinwithdeliverance,isnolessthantothrowawaythehealingbalmthatmercyprovides,andresolvetomakeourwoundsincurable.

PROPOSITION4Sins after deliverance have a peculiar influence to procure and hastendestruction. Our present safety is no security against future judgments.Destruction deferred by God’s deliverances, will be hastened by our sinningafterthem.Thosewhomundeservedmerciescan’treclaim,incensedjusticewillspeedilyruin.Themonumentsofthegreatestmercies,havebeenmadeexamplesto declare the severity of justice for their abuses. Such have experienced themost direful suffering, to whom the Almighty has been most long-suffering.Witness thedeplorable stateof thehardened Jews, towhom themost singularfavorwas extended of any people on earth; yet nowwho aremoremiserablethan those rejectedwretches, for their abusing favors? Justicewill frownmostsharplyupon thedisdainful affronters ofmercy.Nopeople are nearer anutterdesolation, than those who heap up sin, when God is heaping up mercies.AlthoughtheLordismostwillingtostrike,yethedoesnotknowhowtosparewhen provoked in thismanner. Jer. 5:7, “How shall I pardon thee for this.—When I had fed them to the full, then they committed adultery,” and verse 9,“ShallInotvisitforthesethings,saiththeLord?”ShallInotbeavengedonsuchaNation as this?These sinsputGod to a stand;hedoesnotknowhow togoabout a pardoning act, although he delights so greatly in it. “How shall Ipardon,” in Hebrew it is parcam, how shall I spare you any longer? I can’twithhold the hands of my justice, I can’t defer the punishment of thesetransgressions.Therefore,inverse10,Godgivesacommissiontoenemies,“Goupon the walls and destroy,” etc. delay no longer; let those feel the smartingimpressionsofJustice,thatdespisethesweetestexpressionsofmercy.ThiswrathofGodagainstdespisersofgoodness, appears in1Sam.12:24-25,“Considerwhat great things the Lord has done. But if ye still continue to dowickedly,ye shallbeconsumedbothyeandyourKing.”Whenonceapeoplerisetothatheightofimpiety,thatthemostobligingkindnessheavencanshowcan’twintheirheartstoobedience,whatcanbeexpectedfromheaven,buttheseverestvengeanceanAlmightyarmcanbringonthem?WillnottheLordsoonrushoutuponapeoplewithwonderfulplagues,whentheyareknockingat thedoor of justice by such impenitent courses? The most gracious prince would

dispatch thatman,who should impudentlypersist in traitorousdesigns againsthim,afteradeliverancefromdeathbyhispardoningofhim.InthiswaywilltheKing of Heaven miserably destroy delivered sinners rebelling against him.DivinepatiencesheathingtheswordofJusticewillatlastdesistitspleadingforitsabusers;andimpatientjusticebyitsrevengefularmwillavengethequarrelofdespisedmercy.Ezekiel16:43,“Becausethouhastnotrememberedthedaysofthyyouth,”q.d.thekindnessandfavorIthenextendedtoyou;thedeliverancesyou had fromme. “Behold, Iwill recompense thyways upon thy head.”Youhavegrievedmewithsin, Iwillgrindyoutopieceswith judgments;youhaverecompensedmewithhatredforlove,Iwillrecompensehatredforyourhatred.InthiswaywillGoddeprivethoseofmercies,thatdeprivehimofthegloryofthem.In2Kings21:13,GodtherethreatenstowipeJerusalemasamanwipesadish,inotherwords,hewouldtakeawayalltheirdelicateenjoyments,asmeatisthrownoutofadish.Theyshallfeedonjudgments,whoweremaliciouswhenfedwithmercies.ButtheHebrewwordsignifies,DeleboIerusalemsicutdelerisolent tabulae.As impressions on tables are accustomed to be wiped out, soshallmy impressionsofgoodnessupon them.Theformer inscriptionsofhonorand prosperity shall no more be seen, but the prints of destroying judgmentsshallbefoundonthem.Itshallnomorebewritten,theseareapeopledelivered,but, these are a people destroyed for abusing deliverance. This fatalconsequenceofdespising favors,maybe illustrated from thewordsofGod inHosea 6:4, “O Ephraimwhat shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as amorning cloud, and as the early dew it passeth away.” Many interpret yourgoodness, as thegoodnessbestowedonyou, oryourmercies. So the sense is,My goodness that I bestow upon you, is but like a morning cloud, that isdissipatedandscattered,anddoesnogoodtoyou,youarenotthebetterforit.And as the early dew it passes away, i.e. Gratiam & misericordiam meammalitiavestraabsorbetis;yousoonwearofftheimpressionsofmymercy,asthemoisteningsoftheearlydewaresoondriedupbytheearth;therefore,verse7,“IhavehewedthembytheProphets,myjudgmentsarebrokenoutuponthem,”orotherwise, the tokensofmymercymakebut short impressiononyou;yourgoodnessfadesaway,yousoonreturntosin.WhatnowshallIdotoyou?Iamresolvedto trynomoremercies;Ihavemadeyougrowwithmykindness likeflourishingtrees,nowwill Ihewyoudown;becauseyouaresounprofitable,Iwillbeunmercifultoyou.Here it will not be amiss to consider, how this persistence in sin after

deliverance,promotesandhastensthedestructionofapeople.1.By this that peculiar respect thatGod has for one people above another, ismadetocease;andtheyarelookedonnootherwisethanthevilestofpeopleintheworld.InGod’sprovidentialdispensations,hebearssomesingularfavortosome, beyond what he does to others, although these may be nothing moredeserving thanotherNations;andfromthis favorheconferssingular temporalblessings on them; and these he calls his people, as especially cared for,preservedandprovidedforbyhim.But thesepeopledespisehiskindness,andcondemnhisgoodness.Hethenunpeoplesthem,andcaststhemoutofhisfavor;andthentheybecomeasliabletojudgments,asthegreatestabjectsintheworld.ItwasinthiswaywiththepeopleoftheJews;theLordseparatedthemfromallthe world for his care and charge. Here he did mighty things for them; butcontinuinglongintheirsins,notwithstandinghismercies,Hosea2:9,hebidstheProphet to tell them,“Yearenotmypeople, IwillnotbeyourGod;”andthisrejection made way for that ruin now on them. In Amos 9 the Prophet isthreatening judgment against that sinful people, against which they fortifiedthemselveswithpresumptuousboastingsoftheirbeingGod’speople,chosenbyhim, and so often owned by deliverances; but for their abusingmercies, Godtellstheminverse7,“AreyenotasthechildrenoftheEthiopiansuntome?saiththeLord,”i.e.NonplurisvosfacioquamAEthiopes,(Grotius).Youarenownomoretomethanthevilestpeople.Youhavebeenundermycare,andnowyouareundermycurse.Youremainunchangeableinyoursins,astheEthiopiansintheircolor, and therefore,youshallbeofnomoreaccountwithme than they.WhatthoughwehavebeenmoretoGodthananypeopleonearth,andreceivedmoreblessings then anynationnear us, insomuch thatwemight be calledhischosen people for his care over us?Will not despisingmercies, sinning afterdeliverances,make him say, asHosea 9:15, “Iwill love younomore?”Whatshallwebemore tohimthantheEthiopians, ifweare like theminsin?Ezek.15:2,“Whatisthevine-treemorethananother?”i.e.ifthevinebringsforthnofruit,what is itmore thananother tree?Whyshould itnotbeburnt?Whateverwe have been, if we are fruitless and ungrateful, why should we not bepunished?Ifwearenotfruitbearingtrees,maynotGodmakeusburningtrees?Ifwearenotbetteredbydeliverance,whymaywenotbedestroyed?2.BythistheLordismadeinamannertorepentofdeliveringapeople.Whenmen have gratified their fellow-creatures with signal favors, and after such

expressionsof respecthavenothingbutungrateful returns, itmakes themwishtheyhadneverbestowedtheir loveonsuchunworthypeople.SotheAlmightyGod,unjustly requited formercies, is said torepentofhisconferringkindnesson a people. But we must observe that golden rule; those things which areattributed toGodafter themannerofmen,mustbeunderstoodasbecome theMajestyofGod.SoGod’srepentingisanimproperallusiveterm,expressingnotachangeinGod’smind,butinhisaction;notimplyingsuchanaffectioninGodasrepentance,butalludingtotheeffectofsuchanaffectioninman.Gen.6:6,“ItrepentedGodthathemademan,”anditgrievedhimto theheart.This impliesGod’swrathfulindignationatman’smiscarriage,butnodisturbingalterationinthemindofGod,whoisever thesame.But tospeakafter themannerofmen,whenapeoplecontinueinsinsafterdeliverance,Godmaysay,O!itrepentsmethatIhavedeliveredapeopleinthiswaytodishonorme;itrepentsmetodosomuchforapeople,todosomuchagainstme.O!howneararesuchapeopletodestruction, of whose deliverance God repents him! How soon will they beinvolvedinruin,ofwhomGodmaybeprovokedtosay,asDavidofNabalin1Sam.25:21,“InvainhaveIkeptallthismanhasinthewilderness;”invainhaveIpreservedthelivesandlibertiesofthispeople,sincethefruitofallisonlytoberebelled against and dishonored by them. If we in this way make the Lordgrieved inhisheart forbestowingmercies,Godwill grieveus inourheart bydestroyingjudgments.3.HerebyGod isprovoked to stopall proceedings inwayofdeliverance, andleaveapeopletounsuccessfulshiftingsforthemselves.Judges10:12-13,“DidInotdeliveryoufromtheEgyptians,andfromtheAmorites?yetyehaveforsakenme;Iwilldeliveryounomore.”SinningafterdeliverancedisengagesGodfromappearinganymoreforus.Andwhatcanbemoredreadful,thantohearGodsayin hiswrath, “O! ye ungrateful people!” I have once and again improvedmywisdomandpoweronyourbehalf,topreventyourruin;butsinceyougoonstillto provokeme,whatever your condition is hereafter, youmust never look forhelp fromme;whoever is your enemy, youmust not look forme to be yourfriend.Iwillneverstandupforsuchrebels,nordishonormynameindeliveringyoutosinagainstme.Wecannot lackcomfortwhileunderpromisesofdivineassistance,andhelpfromheaveninourdangers;butifGodstandsoff,wemustinevitablyfallintothehandsofourenemies,andbecomepreystotheirgreedylusts.IfGodsaysIwilladdnomoredeliverance,thereisnonethatcanpromisedeliverance to us. O!miserable people, whomGod so forsakes in anger!We

shallneverseeanotherdeliveranceiftheLordshouldresolveIwilladdnomore.Weshallneverout-livethedangerswedailylivein,ifGodshoulddeterminetoleaveustothem.Corruptioninourwaysundermercies,willcausetheircessation.Soitwaswiththepeopleof theJews.Hosea1:6,“CallhernameLo-ruchamah,forIwillnotaddanymoretothehouseofIsrael,butIwillutterlytakeaway.”Iwilladdnomore days of prosperity, years of plenty; no more gracious deliverances, orpledgesofmercy,butIwillutterlytakeaway.Ihavebeenfilling,butnowwillIempty you; the Hebrew signifies obliviscendo, obliviscor, in forgetting I willforgetthem.Iwillnomorebefavorabletothem,butforgetfulofthem;thoughtheyperish,Iwillnotrememberthem;theyhavenotmindedmymercies,Iwillnotmind theirmiseries. In thiswayGodputs a stop to the streamsofmercy,locksup the storehouseofblessings, andaddsnomore.Davidprays inPsalm36:10,“O!continuethylovingkindness,”etc.theHebrewsignifies,Pertraha,todrawout,lengthenoutthetokensofyourlove;butthiswillbeonlytothosethatare drawn to God by them. They may call every mercy a Joseph, whichsignifies,Godwilladdmore.But it isnotsowithungratefulsinners,Godwillmakeanendofbestowingmercies,unlesstheymakeanendofabusingofthem.Godwillceasedeliverances,unlessweceasedishonoringhimwiththem.Yes,althoughadeliverancemaybebeguntoapeople,bywhichtheyappearinahappywaytoescape;yetpersistinginsin,Godwillcarryontheworknofurther,but leave them to ruin. Therefore, then, what special care should be used toreformourlives,andrenewourrepentance,unlessourdeliveranceshouldbeleftunperfected?Weareinnobettercapacitytofinishitnowbegun,thanweweretobegin it, ifGodstandsoff.Ourproceedinginsin,willhinderourGodfromproceedinginmercy.Indulgingourprovokinglusts,willendangerourpreciouslives.Thesemercifulbuddingsofprovidencemayeasilybenipped.Thissmallglimmeringlightmaysoonbeover-clouded;ourdoorofhopemaysoonbeshut.ShallweprovokeagraciousGodtosay,Iwilladdnomore?Shallwemakehimcomplainofbeingwearyofdelivering?Whatmakesastop toourdeliverance,but our continuance in sin?ThismakesGod in the posturewe read of in Jer.14:9, “As a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save.” The HebrewPavidus, means as one afraid of us, astonished at our iniquities. A manastonishedwalksupanddownthiswayandthatway,anddoesnotknowwhatcoursetotake;sooursinningwhileGodisdelivering,makesGodatalosswhat

todo, so to speak.Sometimeshegoes forwardwithdeliverance, sometimes itseems to stand still, anotherwhile it looks as if itwere set back; and all this,because we amaze God with our daring sins. God told the people of Israel,“admiring he went not on with deliverance,” Isaiah 59:1-2, “My hand is notshortenedthatitcannotsave,normyeardeafenedthatitcannothear;”butyouriniquitiesseparatebetweenyouandyourGod,etc.WedriveGodfromusbyoursins;andhowthencanoursalvationbecarriedon?ShallwemakeGodgobackandrepentof thegoodhehasseemedtodesignforus?Oursinningwilldoit.Jer.18:10,“Ifitdothevilinmysight,IwillrepentofthegoodwherewithIsaidIwillbenefitit.”Shallwenotrepentofsinning,ratherthanprovokeGodinthisway to repentofhispurpose todeliver?Whywill youblast all yourhopesofescape, and wither that flower that’s springing up? O! then, if you desire afurtherdeliverance,desertyourformersins!OrelseGodwillresolvetoaddnomore.Bythismostabominablepersistenceinsin,theLordisprovokednotonlyto stop deliverances, but to step into ways of judgments, and that withunalterableresolutionstodestroy.Insteadofenablingpeopleagainstenemies,heenables enemies against them. Insteadof delivering fromcruel adversaries, hejustlydeliversthemuptothem.Bythishissavingarmbecomesasmitinghand,and mercy itself is made an enemy. By this our greatest Friend becomes animplacablefoe;andwhereoftentimesbeforehehadgraciouslysentcommissionsfrom heaven for deliverance, now in his wrath he dispenses commands, andissuesoutwritstodestroy.ThisseveritytoasinfulpeopleyoumayseeinIsaiah63:9-10,“Inhisloveandin his pity he redeemed them; but they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit,thereforehewasturnedtobetheirenemy,andfoughtagainstthem.”Nowhowcan they hope to escape, that have a victorious God to oppose them! Howmiserablywillthoseberuined,thatbydespisingGod’shelpingpity,convertittodestroying enmity? O! that the terror of divine displeasure for suchtransgressions, so exemplified in others,might have that suitable influence onourhearts,astopreventtheminus!Letother’scorrectionsbeouradmonitions;let God’s vindictive judgments on others, be instructive warnings to us. Rev.15:4, “Whowill not fear thee, thy judgments aremademanifest!” Let othersconfusionbeasubjectofourconsideration;andknow,ifwecontinueenemiestoGod,afterhisfriendly,Fatherlydealings,hewillsoonbecomeourenemy,andfightagainstus;thenthedeepestpolicy,thehighestpowercanbenosecuritytous.

But thatwhich is themostdirefulconsequenceof thishorridsinning, is that itbrings theeternalGod tounmovableresolutions, toaccomplish thedestructionof such a people. He will not be prevailed with to deliver those, whom hismerciescouldnotprevailwithtodesistfromsin.Ifwegrowincorrigibleundermercies,Godwillgrowinexorablewhenunderjudgments.IfadeafearisturnedtoGodwhenbymercieshecallsforduty,hewillturnadeafeartouswhenweinmiserypleadforhismercy.Whateverhopeswemayflatterourselveswith,weshallmeetwithnohelpfromGod,wheninthiswayprovoked.Althoughsuchisthe goodness of God, that he often repents before he destroys, yet suchprovocationswillmakehimwearyofrepenting,andresolvetoruin.Jer.15:6-7,“Thou hast forsaken me, saith the Lord, thou hast gone away backward;thereforewill I stretch outmy hand against thee, I amweary of repenting.” Ihave long indulgedyou,but Iwillnowspareno longer,butavengeyour sins.Some render it,Laboravi rogans, I have taken pains entreating you to repent,until I amweary; but now you that haveweariedmewith your sins, shall beweariedwith judgments.Soverse7,“Iwill fan themwitha fan in thegates,”thatis,Iwillscatterthemaboutasthechaffisscatteredwithafan.Iwillbereavethem of children, and destroymy people, since they do not return from theirways. In this way impenitent sinning brings unavoidable judgments. Divinevengeance will infallibly pursue such as persist in these heinous sins. Nosanctuaryshallshelter theseungratefulwretchesfromthehandsof justice;norshallflatteringentreatiespreventtheruinofsuchunrepentingsinners.Thedeservedjudgments thatbelongto these inhumanoffendersofmercy,willbe threatened with unalterable certainty. So you may see them denouncedagainstanincorrigiblepeopleinEzekiel24:13-14,“BecauseIhavepurgedtheeandthouwastnotpurged,thoushaltnotbepurgeduntilIhavecausedmyfuryto rest upon you.” Because I have purged thee, q.d. I have endeavored topersuade you, and oblige you to leave your filthy sins. Verba quae effectumnotant, saepe de conatu intelliguntur Estius. So God is said to do what herequires, desires, permits, or persuades to be done. In thiswayGod had beeninducing them to obedience, reducing them from sin; but under all, theywereunspeakablyobstinatewhichcaused thesedesperate resolutions inGodagainstthem.Hewouldmakehisfuryrestonthem.Andtheirdoomisconfirmedwiththehighestasseverationsconceivableinverse14,“ItheLordhavespoken,”i.e.I that amofundoubted faithfulness, andcannot lie; of infinitepower, andcan

execute my pleasure; I have spoken it, and it shall come to pass; whateverevasionsyouthinktomake,howeversecureandcarelessyouare,itshallcometopass, and Iwill do it. Iwill undertake the ruinof such as rebel againstmymercies,andabusethegreatestinstrumentofraisingmyhonor,viz.mypatience.Iwillnotgoback,neitherwillIspareorrepent.WhenIbegin,Iwillcarryonmywork;Iwillnotbreakoffmyjudgments,sinceyouwillnotbreakoffyoursins; the sentence is irrevocable, you must expect no reversion of it, nordeliverance from it.Now surelyvengeance threatenedwith somuch certainty,willfallonapeoplewithintolerableseverity.Whenjudgmentsareinthiswaypunctually determined, it cannot be expected they should be a long whiledelayed. What hopes now can we have, if persisting in sin after our manymercifulescapes?Willnotthisgravestonebelaidonus?WillnotaconsumptionbedecreedfromtheLordofHostsagainstus?What,though,wearesparedthisonce, after all our former evasions are we now out of danger? Are there noinstancestobefoundofapeoplepreserved,delivered,asoftenaswe,andatlastthewritsofdestructionas issued forth?Whatdoyou thinkof that example inAmos7inthevisionoftheProphet?ThejudgmentsofGodonthatpeoplewereshadowed by various destructive things. In verse 1 it was by grass-hoppers,meaningthearmyoftheAssyrians,whichwerereadytoinvadethem;butGodfrom his infinite clemency prevented their ruin by them. In verse 3 the Lordrepentedforthis,andsaid,“Itshallnotbe.”Inverse4thepeoplearethreatenedwith another consuming judgment expressed by fire, by which was signifiedeitheradrought,orthedevastationsoftheircitiesbythatunmercifulenemyandelement; or the ruining calamities which they were near involved in byTeglathphalasar;yetnowagainhedeliversthem.Inverse6“Thisalsoshallnotbe.”But this languageis toogoodtoholdalwaystosinnerswhoarenotmademoreholy.Now,therefore,verse7.Godwillwinknolongerattheirungratefulsinning; he now is weary of repenting. “The Lord stood upon a wall with aplumb-lineinhishand,”whichisametaphorfromthosethatbuildwalls.Theyusealinetoproceedexactly.InthiswaytheLorddeclareshewouldnolongertolerate their abuses, nor use his clemency to deliver, but would exercise thestrictest justiceuntil theywere ruined.Therefore,verses8-9 showamiserabledestructionisthreatened,“Iwillpassbythemnomore,”etc.Enemiesshallnowprevail, judgmentsshalleffectually takeplace; Iwillusenothingbutstrictnessandseverity.

NowthisleadsmetothefifthProposition.

PROPOSITION5Destructionforsinningafterdeliverance,willbethemostdreadfuldestruction.What can bemore clear than this, from thewords ofmyText?Ezra 9:13-14,“Andafterallthatiscomeuponusforourevildeeds,andforourgreattrespass,seeingthat thouourGodhastpunishedus less thanour iniquitiesdeserve,andhast given us such deliverance as this; 14 Should we again break thycommandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations?wouldest not thou be angrywith us till thou hadst consumed us, so that thereshouldbeno remnantnor escaping?”Shouldwe againbreakyour commands,wouldyounotbeangrywithusuntilyouhadconsumedus,sothatthereshouldbenoremnantnorescaping?Thatis,nocommoncalamitywouldthenfallonus;noordinarypunishmentwouldbeourportion;butweareexceedingthecommonmeasure and degree of sin, and so you would exceed the common degree ofjudgment.Edulcissimovinoacerrimumfitacetum;Thesweetestwinesmakethesourestvinegar;thestrongestperfumesarefatalaspoisons;abusedmercywillbe avenged with unusual miseries. No mercy is to be expected in judgment,whenmercies are despised that kept off judgments.Kindness not effecting ananswerable reformation, will abundantly aggravate revengeful destruction. InIsaiah29:1-2,GodthreatensAriel,i.e.Jerusalem,thatwonderfuldistressshouldfallon it;and itshouldbe tohimasAriel.Arielwas thealtar forwholeburntofferings inEzekiel43:15,“Nowtoavenge theirabusesofmercies there,Godwouldmaketheircity,oncetherichestoftheirmercies,analtaronwhichtheirbloodshouldbeofferedasasacrifice to justice. In thiswaywhenourmerciesareabused,theymaybecomeknivestoopenourthroats;ourcitiesandtownssooftendelivered,maybeasaltars,aboutwhichourlifelessbodiesmaybeheapedassacrificesaboutthealtar.Thequintessenceofalljudgments,thesubstanceofall plagues, shall be mingled in one cup, with all the dregs of wrath, for thedespisersofclemencyandmercy.Mercy is sweet that isextended tous in themidst of judgments; and judgments severe, when executed on a peopleabounding with mercies. A deliverance cannot bring so great mercies, butsinningafteritwillusherinasdreadfuljudgments.Byhowmuchthegreaterthedeliveranceiswereceive,somuchthegreaterwillbethedestructionforsinningafterit.Athickcloudhasbeenoverourheads,andthefavorablegaleofmercy

haspartlydispersedit;buttheascendingofsinfulvaporswillcausetheLordtoreturn our sins on our heads, with overwhelming inundations of judgments;slightingthegalesofmercy,preventingruin,willbringmostdreadfulstormsofvengeance.Ourfloatofgoodnessmaybeturnedintofloodsofmisery.Oursunmaysetatnoon-day;andourcisterns,nowfilled from theboundlessoceanofunmerited benevolence, may soon be filled from the vials of wrath, with thewaters of Marah. Our destruction adjourned a while, may return withunexemplified terror.TheLord threatened thebacksliding Jews inDeut. 4:25-26, that if after his kindness in conducting them from Egyptian slavery, withinfinitemerciesthroughatiresomewilderness,totheblessedlandofCanaan;(Isay)ifthentheyshouldsinagainsthim,althoughtheyhadremainedalongtimethere,theyshouldnotprolongtheirdaysuponit,bututterlybedestroyedfromoffit.InthiswaynotwithstandingoursinfulNationhasmanyyearsbeenlikeanEden,aPalaceofRoyalglory,aCanaanflowingwithmilkandhoney,atheatreofmercies,anunparalleledmonumentofmanydeliverances;yetcontinuing insin,willdefaceitsenviedglory,andrenderitastagefordestroyingjudgments,andlayitwastewithstormsofsuccessiveplagues;andthenitshallbesaid,thisis the Nation that would never leave sinning, until it forced the Almighty tomakeitaruinousheap,a landdesolateandnot inhabited.Whathightimeis itthentodepartfromsin,exceptanIchabodiswroteonus!whichsignifies,Theirgloryisdeparted.With what terror may we look on those words? Psalm 68:20-21, “Unto Godbelongssalvation,buthewillwoundthehairyscalpofeveryonethatgoesoninsin.”Thoughhewillmultiplysalvationstosuchasservehimthemoreforthem,yetwillheglorifyhisjusticeindestroyingsuchasgooninsinafterthem.TheHebrewwordsignifiesaltèimprimere;Godwillmakeadeepimpressionofthehandsofjusticeonallsuchincorrigiblepersons.Theheaviestjudgmentswillfallonthecondemnersofthehighestmercies.Judgmentwillbewithmostamazingterror,onthecondemnersoftheAlmighty’sfavor.AsGod’sresolutionsagainstsuchsinswillmakedestructionirrevocable,sohiswrathbackedwithunlimitedpower,willmakethemintolerable.NowhereIshallendeavortoshowyouforwhatreasonsdestroyingjudgmentswillbeinthiswayheightenedbyprovokingsinsafterdeliverance.1. Because the longer judgments are coming, the greater severity they are

attended with, when falling on us. The longer a blow is fetching, the deeperimpression is made by its force. If God tarries long before he punishes, thegreater terrorwill be in his punishment.The destruction of the oldworldwasdelayedformanyyears,butatlastitwasaccomplishedwiththegreaterseverity.Deus tardus est ad iram, sed tarditatem vindictae gravitate compensat.Whilesinners ruin is deferred, God is putting himself into postures of judgment,whettinghisglitteringsword,sharpeninghis terriblearrowsfeatheredwithoursins, so that he may make the more sharp and sudden destruction. There isCrudelitasparcens,sparingcruelty,aswellasmisericordiapuniens,punishingmercy.The longer the cloud is gathering, themore of a dripping shower is expectedwhenitfalls.SothegreaterprovocationsaretreasuredupinthedaysofGod’spatience, themoremiserable destructionwill be in the days of his vengeance.Isaiah42:14,“AlongtimehaveIheldmypeace;Ihavebeenstillandrefrainedmyself; nowwill I cry like a travailing woman, I will destroy and devour atonce.”YoushallknowIhavenot lostmypower, though Ihaveexercisedmypatience; though you have shared so much in my mercy, I will at lengthproportion the severity of my justice, to the clemency of my mercy. I willdestroyyou at once; I’ll givenomore alarmingwarnings, awakening calls, ormonitory afflictions; but nowwill I bring ruin on a sudden,with unavoidablecalamities.Job21:31,“Thewickedisreservedtothedayofdestruction;”therewillbeamurderingdayforrebelliousmalignants,theyshallbebroughtforthtothedayofwrath.TheHebrewherewetranslatebroughtforth,andthissignifies,Cummora&pompadeducere, (Mer).To lead them to itwith delay, to bringthemtoitbydegrees,andalsowithsomepompandsplendor.Butwhatisittheyshallbebroughtforthto?Whataretheygoingtowiththeirpompandglory?O!it is but to a dayofwrath;addiem furorum, a dayofwraths and fury; a daymajorumpoenarum,ofgreaterpunishment.This iswhen thewrathofGodforeverysinshallconsumethem,andincreasetheirdeferredtorments.Sinnersarebrisk because judgment is delayed; but alas, sinners, though you go on withsecurity,yetyouarefarfromsafety, thedayofwrathwillcome.Jer.12:1,weread“thewickedprosper;whyaretheynotstoppedintheircourses?”Theytakeroot, theHebrew is they go on.NonposuitDeus prohibitionem, (Vatab).Goddoesnothinderthem;aretheyhappytherefore?Willthisalwayscontinue?No,verse3,“Theyshallbepulledoutlikesheeptotheslaughter,theyaresetapartfor the day of destruction.” When a day is set apart, some eminent thing is

intendedinit.Whenadayissetapartfordestruction,aneminentdestructionisimplied by it. A day is coming when sinners shall feel the pain of Divinevengeanceforabusesofpatience.Thisiscalledtheirday,asdeservedbythem,aspeculiartothem.“Foryetalittlewhile,andthewickedshallnotbe;yea,thoushaltdiligentlyconsiderhisplace, and it shallnotbe,” (Psa.37:10).TheLordknows their day is coming, (Chald).Theydiecalamitatis ejus.Thedayofhissignalanddreadfulcalamityisapproaching;andthelongerthisdayiscoming,themorehorribleitwillbe.Aseternalcondemnationwillbenothingthelessfora present reprieve on earth; so temporal destructionwill be nothing themoretolerable, for a patient toleration and continueddelaybefore it comes.We arelittleawarewhatiscominguponus,nowourdangersarealittleover;butwhileweareinsensiblysinningaftertheexpressionsofunmeritedfavor,thebottlesofwrath are filling, and the clouds of vengeance gathering; andwho knows butsuddenlytheymayeaseandunburdenthemselvesinadelugeofruinuponusanundauntedpeople?Willnot thepunishmentofsinscontinuedagainst lightandlove, distress and deliverance, somanyyears aswehave enjoyed them, be ofthatnaturethatmightmakeourheartstrembletoconceiveit?Willnotthevialsofwrathbeunspeakablyfull,andthestormofvengeancemosthorrible,whichhasbeensolongingathering?Sinningafterdeliverance,rendersthedestructiondreadful,astheymakeitinapeculiarmannerourown.Nowdestructionliesatourowndoor,andweareonlytobearitsblame.InmercyGodbeginsfirst,butin miseries we make the beginning. And what can be a more dreadfulaggravation, than to have cause to say, mercies are gone, God is departed,Enemies prevail?Andwhatmaywe thank but our pride and profaneness, ouringratitudeandungodliness,afterobligingmercies?Whatmakesuptheendlessandintolerabletormentsofdamnedsouls,foreverbanishedfromthecomfortablepresence of the excellent glory, but this, that all thatmiserywas procured bythemselves?Itisobservedofsomebirds,thatthelimeismadeoftheirowndungthatisusedtodestroythem.Thelime-twigsofGod’sjudgments,aremadeofthedung of our own sins. Our sins are the feathers, by which the fatal darts ofjudgmentsfly tous.Propriisconficimuralis,woundedwithourownweapons,with arrows made from ourselves. We do ill unjustly, and then suffer illdeservedly. All the judgments that spring up, are but from seeds of our ownsowing. The garment is ruined by the moth bred in it, and we are also byenemiesofourownbreeding.ItwasgreataggravationtothemiseryoftheJewsthatGod told theminJer.4:18,“Thywayand thydoingshaveprocured thesethings unto thee.” I have delivered you, rescued you frommiseries, and these

nowcomingonyou,youpulldownonyourselves.Thisisyourwickedness;donot layit to theenemy’spower,donot thinkIamunrighteous; this isallyourown.Howmiserableaconditionis this, tohavenoothercomfort incalamitiesthanthis,tohaveGodtellusthisisourown?Howsadwhenwearedistressedtothink, this is my slighting of mercy, my abusing patience, my persistence indrunkenness,Sabbath-breaking,whenIwasdelivered!O!thatIshouldbesuchanenemytoGodandmyself!O!thatIshouldbringsuchmiseriesonmyself,bydespisingmercies!Nothingmakestheconditionofapeoplemorehopeless,thantheirbringingthemselvesintoahelplesscondition.Hosea13:9,“O!Israel,thouhast destroyed thyself.” You wonder at your destruction, when it is fromyourself.But in me is your help. LearnedDrusius translates the Hebrew here“otherwisethouhadsthadhelpfromme.”Hadenemiesruinedyou,Iwouldhaverelievedyou;butsinceyouhaveinvolvedyourselfinmisery,youmayexpectnomercy from me. I will not be the author of deliverance to them that are sowillfully authors of destruction to themselves.You shall perish in the evils ofyourownprocuring.3. Destruction now will be greatly aggravated, because a people in this waysinning,deservetobeexposedtothenakedfuryofincensedjustice,withouttheleastmitigationoftheirmiseriesbytheinterposingofabusedmercy.Ifwewithungratefulcarriagescondemnthehelpofmercy,wejustlydeservetobeutterlyforsakenandcastoffbyit.Andnow,O!howdreadfulwillitbetodrinkthecupof God’s destroying fury, without any mixtures of relieving mercy! If mercyitselfdeliversusuptothecruelhandsofinexorablejustice,whatthenshallweexperience, but vengeance without clemency, punishment without pity, anddestruction without delay? O! how sad will it be for helpless creatures to lieunderthedisplaysofvengeance,andnonetocoverthem?Tohaveinnumerableiniquitiescryingforjudgments,andnonetopleadforthem?Tohaveinvincibleenemies opposing them, and none to assist them? If mercy is disengaged,howeverfiercelythestormsofwrathmaybepouredoutonus,therecanbenoshelterfromit.Whateverwoundsaremade,therewillbenosalvetocurethem.Ifmercifuldeliverancescannotprevailonustoreformus,willnotmercyceasepleadingforus?WillitnotsayasChristinJohn17:9,“Ipraynotforthem?”Iwill put in no more entreaties for their salvation. Justice, take them, destroythem,ruinthem,Ihavenothingtopleadforthem.Howoftendoesmercypleadas themercifulVine-dresser did for the cumber-ground fig-tree, Luke 13:7-8,“Lord,letitalonethisyearalso.”Donotletyourwrathyetbreakout,donotlet

yourfuryruinthem,butsparethemthistime;willyoutrywhattheywilldowithonedeliverancemore?Butwhennothing is successful,mercygives over; andwhatbutintolerablevengeancewillthenlieonus?But who can speak the dread of destruction, that unmixed anger involves apeople in?Howdreadfulwill it be to fall into thehandsofGod,when armedwith nothing but destroying indignation? How can our hearts endure, or ourhands be strong,when all the attributes of his gloriousMajesty shall conspiretogether to make us miserable? When infinite wisdom shall be exercised incontriving, and infinite power shall be engaged in executing the miserabledestructionofasinfulpeople,itmustnecessarilybeintolerable.Here I shall takeoccasion toshowyou themiseryofapeople,whenmercy isdisengaged from relieving them; so that we may be fearful of deprivingourselvesofthatblessedsuccorwehavesolongenjoyedit.1.Whenmercyisdisengaged,allmiseriesenduredarepurewrath.Suchmiseriesaremuchofthenatureofthetormentsofthedamnedinhell,whoseplaguesarea cup of vengeance without mixture. The happiness of saints in all theirsufferings, consists in enjoying ingredients of love in the bitterest cup that ismixedouttothem.Whenoutwarddistressesaremostunpleasingtosense,theyrefresh themselveswithdelightfulobjects,whichare thenvisible to theeyeoffaith.Psalm94:19, “In themultitudeofmy thoughts, thy comfortsdelightmySoul.”Butwhenmercyisdisengaged,thereisnocordialtosupportus,nosugartosweetenthebitterestcupenforceduponus.Ezekiel7:5,“Behold,anevil,anonlyevilcometh.”Godnever sends judgmentsalone to suchashe favors;butdesigning the utter destruction of a people, he mixes a potion of only fatalpoisonsforthem,thenhesendsonlyevil.2.Mercybeingdisengaged,theloudestcries,andmostimportunateprayersthatapeoplecanputup,willbedeniedandrejected.Godwilladmitnoprayersfromsuchascondemnedhisformerreturnsofthem.Theearsofjusticewillonlyhearthecriesofour sins, toavenge them; it ismercywhichhears thevoiceofourprayers, to answer them; or all the answer we shall have, will be by terriblethingsinrighteousness.Butwhenmercyisdisengaged,wearedeprivedofthatunspeakable privilege of audiencewithGod; and thenwemay swelter in ourmiseries,rollinourblood,despairinourtorments,withoutaredress.

Should we by our impudent continuance in sin, make mercy our enemy, ourmost urgent crieswouldproveunsuccessful; and though joinedwith floodsoftears,wouldbeunprofitable.ForthiswillbringusunderthedoomofthoseasinZech.7:13,“BecausewhenIcalledyouwouldnothearken,thereforealsowhenyou cry unto me I will not hear.” How just a retaliation was this from God,although a most dreadful affliction! Not to have the merciful ear of God inaffliction, is the worst of afflictions. It is dismal now to find our hearts sostrangely shut up, as not be able to pour out prayers.But howmiserable thenshall we be, if when involved in sinking troubles, God should shut out ourprayers,andnotbeprevailedwithbythem?O!thisisaruiningstate,whenweindistress shall be crying, Save Lord, or we perish, and then receive no otherreturn,but,Perishyoumay,andperishyoushall,forthisisallthehelpyoushallhave fromme. These sins somuch overcome hismercy, that our prayerswillneverovercomehisanger.Andasitisanargumentofthegreatestsinfulnessinman, not to pray; so of the greatest anger inGod, not to hear prayers. Theseiniquitiesaresointolerableaslightingofhim,thathewillunmercifullyslightallwedo.O!whatwillbecomeofanation,whenthatkeywhichwasaccustomedtounlock the treasuries of bounty, the storehouse of blessings, can do nothing?Whenthatambassadorthatwasaccustomedtoprevailforagracioustreaty,shallbedenied?Whenthatsuccessfulfriendshallbedeniedadmittancetothecourtofheaven?Whenthatomnipotentenginecanattractnocompassions?Wherenowshallwego,whenaccessisdeniedtoGod?Whereshallwehavesupplies,ifourformer storehouse is shut up? Where can we turn, when he turns away ourprayers?Will not our furious enemies prevail over us,when ourmost ferventprayerscannotprevailwithGod?WhatashakingcomminationwasthatinJer.11:11,“Iwillbringanevilupon them, they shallnotescape;and though theycry,Iwillnothearken.”Godwilltakenonoticeoftheircries,whowouldtakenonoticeofhiskindness.Whatcanbesaidworsetoapeoplethanthis,Iwillnothear?Ifhewillnothear,hewillnothelp;ifhegivesnoaudience,hewillgivenoassistance.Thisspeaksthesumofallevilsinone.Therootofallmiserieslieshere,inGod’snothearing.Thiseffectuallysealsmenupfordestruction.Ezekiel8:18,“Iwilldealwiththeminmyfury;andthoughtheycryinmyearswithaloudvoice,Iwillnothear.”Aslazyprayerswillnotprevailnow,sotheloudestprayer shall not prevail then.Youmay then spend your breath, that now youspendworse,andfindnospeed.Youmaystretchoutyourhands,andyetreceiveanything.But disengagingmercymay suffer like those in Isaiah 1, “When ye

stretchoutyourhands,Iwillhidemyeyes;andwhenyemakemanyprayers,Iwillnothear.”AudireDeiestconcedere,i.e.Iwillnotgrantwhatyouask.Inthedaysofmygraceyoumighthaveprevailed,anddidnotpray,ordiditformally;andnowinthedayofmyfuryyoumaypray,butshallnotprevail.Neithercan theprayersof thegreatestFavorites in thecourtofheavenprevailfor a peopleunder such circumstances.Should thedearest servants pleadwithgreatest fervency, they must be denied when mercy is disengaged, Jer. 15:1,“ThoughMosesandSamuelstoodbeforeme,myheartcouldnotbetowardsthispeople.” Standing is the posture of praying. Though these should endeavor todrawoutmyaffectionstothembytheirimportunatecries,yettheyshouldnevergainmyheart.Icannotlovethem,Icannotyieldittothem.Tantummediocritermalis ob pios interdum parcitur, non ita contumaciter flagitiosis. God onlysparesthosethatareindifferentlywickedforthesakeofthegodly,notthosethatareobstinately flagitiousandungodly.Ezekiel14,“ThoughNoah,Daniel,andJobwerehere,”etc. theyshouldprevailonlyfortheirownsouls.O!Godsays,you think the cries of your prayer shall drown the voice of your sins? Youimagineyourearnestcallswillmakemybowelsyearntoyou;orifyoucannotprevail alone, you will engage others? But I tell you, neither you, nor mygreatest friends thatcanmostprevail, shallpersuademe tosparesoungodlyapeopleasyou;theyandyoushallnotaffectyourdesireswithmeso.3.Whenmercyisdisengaged,thewrathfulblowsofdivinevengeancewillbe(tospeak after the manner of men) inflicted in a careless manner on a mercy-condemningpeople.TheVine-dresser ismost exact and curious in cuttingofftheluxuriantbranchesofafruitfulvine,buthacksandhewstheunfruitfultreeina carelessmanner. In thisway theAlmightyGodmeasures out and limits theJudgments thatareoutofmercytoafruitfulpeople, to increasetheirfruit;butdoes not regardhowhe strikes a barrengeneration, that are only to beheweddown as cumber-ground trees.While tender affections remain in the heart ofGod to a people, he limits the proceedingof enemies, he restrains the rage oftheirfoes;heafflictspondere&mensura,withweightandmeasure.Butwhenonly justice is exercised in judgment, the worst of times, the most fierceenemies, the most astonishing manner is chosen in afflicting. When we areregardlessofaman’slife,wesay,Lethimeat,drink,dowhathewill,Iwillbenohinderance tohim. In thiswaymercydisobliged says,Let enemieswound,massacre,slaywhomandhowtheywill,Ishallnothelp,Iwillnothinder.God

permitsenemiestodotheirworst,togoasfarastheycan,whenhedesignstheruin of a people. The Prophet prays, Jer. 10:24, “Lord, correct me, but withjudgment,notinthineanger,lestthoubringmetonothing.”Inyourcorrectionusemoderation, for theanguishofyouranger is intolerable; theblowsofyourwrathalonewillbringustonothing.TheFatherlyangerofGodisdreadful,butthefiercenessofhisangerisfatal.IfGoddoesnotmoderatehisanger,wecanneversustainitsdreadfulterror.4. When mercy is disengaged, we become under a total impossibility ofreceivinghelpfromanymeans.Ifmercythatshouldstopmiseriesistakenaway,miseriesmustnecessarilyflowin.Whereshallthepoorcreaturego,ifmercyisgone? If we resort to creatures for help, they all say, it is not in me. If Godaffordsyounohelp,Icannot;ifGodwithdrawshismercifulinfluence,Ihavenoefficacy.Psalm3:8,“SalvationbelongstoGod.”ItisthehonorofGod,thathecaneasilysavewithoutanyoneelse,andthatnooneelsecansavewithouthim.However suitablemeansmay be to relieve us, unless there is the harmoniousconjunctionofGodwiththem,theyproveineffectual.Creaturescanneverhelpusindistress,ifmercystandsoff.Thereisacounterpoisingpowertotheabilityof created agents, that may obstruct their success. There are unseencircumstances thatmay invalidate theirattempts.Thereare intercurrentcauses,and unprovided-for accidents, that may be unconquerable hindrances to theirendeavors. The most suitable instruments voluntatem habent, non potestatem,haveonlyanimpotenttruthfulnessorwill,butnoeffectualabilitytohelpus.Anationdesertedbymercy, is like a diseased, dyingman, headof a king, heartfainting,mindconfounded,spiritsconsumed,givenoverbyphysicians, friendsstandbehindthecurtainssobbingandsighing,weepingandbewailing;willingtorelieve,butnotable.ItisinthiswaywithaNationwhenmercyisdisengaged,itisbleedingtodeath,gaspingforlife,itsfriendsdejected,theirheartsmelted;butdie itmust, die itwill, none canhelp it.Letmenbenever so solicitous,mostunspeakablyindustrioustohelpaperishingnation,theywillbewithoutsuccesswithoutmercy, for theyarebutmediadeferentia,nonoperantia, themeansofconveyance,notofefficiency.When mercy is disengaged, there can be no binding the hands of justice, noobstructingitsfatalblows,nostoppingthefloodsofvengeance,nopersuadingtospare,noprevailingtostay,nohinderingitsarrests,noopposingitsviolence;butdestructionwillbeunavoidable.Thehighestprofession,therichestpossessions,

the strongest fortificationswill be no security; no shelter on earth, can securefromthevengeanceofheaven.Theunitedforcesofallcreatures,caninnowayimpede theactsof theirSovereignCreator. Job9:12-13,“He takethaway,andnonecanhinderhim.”IfGodwillnotwithholdhisanger,theproudhelpersmuststoop under. However great the patrons of our causemay be, whatever alliesmay consociate with us, whatever assistants shall appear for us, yet they canneverprospertoprotectus,orsucceedtodeliverusfromthehandsofresolvedjustice. Our helpers must have the assistance of God, or they cannot procuredeliveranceforus.Hadwethousandsasstrongasthatworld-bearingatlas,theycould never uphold us. Had we a world of confederates, they could neverpreserveus,ifjusticedesignsourruin.Themostpotentfriendscanneverdeliverthose,whohavetheOmnipotentGodtobetheirenemy.Ifmercywillnothelpus,wemustnecessarilybehelpless. Job27:22,“Godshallcastuponhim,andnotspare;hewouldfleeoutofhishands.”Heshallstrivetogetoutofhishands,but shall not escape. Neither policy, power, or prayer, can prevail with, orsucceed against God, when not seconded with the aid of mercy. Dan. 4:35,“There is none that can stay his hand.”None can deliver from the destroyinghandsof justice,onlyvictoriousmercy.Whatneed then is there tobecareful,thatwedonot disobligemercy?Whatgrateful carriage shouldwehaveundermercies,unlesswemakethemourenemies?Andifmercyisonceagainstus,allthingswillworkagainstus.5. Destruction after deliverance will be exceedingly aggravated by that self-confounding desperation that will be in our souls when God shall come outagainstustovindicatethequarrelofabusedmercies,toavengethecontemptofformer deliverances. Then we shall not only have God against us, but alsoconsciencewilldirefullytormentus.Thereflectingonformerdeliveranceswillcause as great terror as present dangers. The very thoughts of condemneddeliverances, will damp and destroy the confidence of the soul in renewedmiseries.HowcanamanliftuphisfacebeforeGodtodesireamercy,thathasturnedhisbackonGodwhenheobtainedamercy?HowcanhegotoGodforfreshsuppliesofmercy,whogettingamercy,hasgoneawayfromGod?WhenGodhasliftedyouupfromalowcondition,andyouhavegoneoninawickedlife,withwhat facecanyou lookonGodagain?Canyouexpectagood look,whenyoulooktohim?Whatcanyouexpectbutadenialfromhim,whenyouhave denied obedience to him?O! howwill conscience fly on your face, andcheckyoursoul!Rememberwhenyouwereindistressbefore,youcriedtoGod,

and he delivered you; but you never loved himmore, serve him better for it.Thenwillyouimaginewithyourself,O!howcanIgotoGodagain!HowcanIthink hewill trymewith furthermercies,who have been so unfaithful underthoseIreceived?HowcanIexpecthewillbeprevailedwithtoprolongmylife,when I have heaped up provocations, after his former prolongations?O!whatheart-faintingsandfailingswillasenseofdespisedmercyproduce!Whatahellofmiserywillthisbetoallyourtorments,thatyoudonotdaretoapproachGod?Willnotinwardtroublesbeadreadfulincreaseofdistressintimesofjudgment?And what inward trouble is there more heavy than this, to find our heartscondemningus,andtobecloggedwith thesenseofabusedmercies?WillyounotfearGodwilltellyou,yourprayerisanabomination?Willnotdreadfillyouunlesshesays,asJephthahtotheeldersofGilead,aftertheyhadexpelledhim,Judges11:7, “Areyenowcomeuntome,whenyeare indistress?”What, areyou so impudent after all your unkindness tome, to seek kindness fromme?What,doyouthinkIwillsheltersuchenemiesasyou?WillnotGodsaysotous, when fleeing to him in distress without reform?What, do you that haveforsaken me so long, flee to me now? Do you that despised my formerdeliverance,cometomeforanother?WillnotGodsay,Begone,I’lladmityounomore, I’llhearkenneither toyourprayersnorpromises?Andthenwemaycry out Quid dignius, quid justius? non audivimus, non audimur; nonrespeximus,nonrespicimur.Whatmoremerited,whatmore just?Wehavenotheard God, and we are not heard; we have not regarded, and we are notregarded.Whatconfusionwillthisfillourfaceswith?Whatacalamitywillthisbetoallourmisery?O!takeheedthenofincurringanyfurtherdispleasurefromGod,byabusingdeliverance;unlesswhenreneweddangerscomeonyou,yourmouth should be stopped, your confidence dampened, and your conscience inthiswaycheckingofyou.Butputiniquityfarfromyou,andthenshallyouliftup your face without spot; then shall you have access to the Lord in yourtroubles.Andifdestructionshouldcome,youmaycryfordeliverance,andhavegracious returns. Destruction for sinning under these circumstances will beaggravatedby thatpitiless frame that shall benotonly inGod,but inman, tothose that are involved in suchdeserveddestruction.Godwillnotpity,butbestrangelyhard-heartedtosuchhardenedsinners.Miserycallsforpity;buttherecanbenopity,wherethereisnomercy,orwheremercyisdisengaged.Ezekiel5:11, “Neither shallmy eye spare, neitherwill I have pity.”He laid aside histender compassions; his bowels of mercy were shut up, and now he has notenderaffectionstothem.

Somenalsothatmaybepreservedfromourcalamities,willhavejustcausetobepitilesstous.ItwassaidofVitellius,whengoingtoexecution,withhishandsbound, divested on robes, thatmen had no pity of him,Namdeformitas vitaemisericordiam abstulerat, (Tacitus). The impiety of his life had taken awaymen’spityforhisdeath.Willnotoursinningafterdeliverancegivesuchcauseof abstaining from pitying of us? Will not men say, They deserve to bemiserable, that will not desist from being sinful. O! dreadful aggravation ofmisery, to have all bowels shut against us! Extrema est miseria, cùm nemomiserivicesdolet.It isextrememisery, theheightofdistress,whenwearenotonlydestituteofhelp,butdestituteofpity.Jer.22:18,“Theyshallnotlamentforhim,saying,Ahmybrother!or,Ahsister!theyshallnotlamentforhim,saying,Ahlord!or,Ahhisglory!”

USE1I shall now endeavor tomake some particular uses ofwhat has been spoken.Usesfromthe1stProposition,UseI.IsitthegreatdesignerofGodindeliveringapeoplefromimminentdangers,tooblige them to break off sin? Let then the remarkable deliverance that theAlmighty God in abounding goodness has lately bestowed on us, effect thisblessedchangeinourlivesandconversationswithreformation.WithwhatfacecanwetrampleonthejustandsacredcommandsofourmercifulGod,whilehesmiles on us with such unmerited favors? Can our hearts be so damnablyobdurate, so insensibly hardened, as not to be melted by such an unexpecteddeliveranceasthis?Shouldweagainbreakhiscommandments?Whatpretensecan favor such impieties?What profession can cloak such wickedness?Whatallurementscanenticeusagainstconscience,reason,andreligion,toobviateandopposetherighteousrequestsanddemandsofsuchapatientGod?Shouldwe again return to our flesh-pleasing security in sin, the fountain andspring of our greatest misery? What but our beastly and besotting stupidityinvolvedus inourdirefuldangers?Andshallwereturn toour formerposture,notregardingtherousingalarmsthelatediscoveriesofmiseryhavesoundedtous,normindingtheawakeningcallstoprepareforjudgments,orturnfromtheimpieties that deserve them?Would not this be an unpardonable crime, and ameansmostinfalliblytoruinus?ShouldweagaindishonorthisdeliveringGod,by profane, licentious courses? Filling our land with the hateful noise of ourcryinginiquities,whenGodhasfilleditwiththeblessedsoundsofunspeakablemercies?What an unworthy, ungrateful, unanswerable carriage would this bedeemedbyallthatbearthetitleofChristians?Would heathens offer to do such things to their feigned gods, or offer suchaffronts to them, could they but do such favors for them? And shall we, toaffronttheMajestyofHeaven,belchoutabominableoaths,andaccountthemaspleasing ornaments of language? Shall we show our despite to our God, byblasphemous expressions against inviolable truths concerning the nature and

beingofGod?Shallwe,toexpresshowlittlewevaluehiskindness,provoketheeyesofhisGlorybyNoon-daydrunkenness,rioting,anddebaucheries?Shallwewitness a cursed condemning of him by impudent profanations of his holySabbaths, as before we have done? Shall not his kindness courting us toamendment,prevail?Shallnothisgoodnessendeavoringourbetterment,operateonus?Isitnotimpossibletobesowicked,aftersuchwonderfulexpressionsoflove?Should we again with greedy minds pursue the perishing enjoyments of thisalluring world, neglecting the profitable exercises of religion, and requireddevotion?Did theAlmighty prolong our expiring lives, to spend them in thisway?Withwhat conscience canwe allow ourselves those large dispensationsfrom holy duties, for the sake of our worldly employments, after we arepurposelydelivered,toaugmentandincreaseourdeservedobedience?Willnotourdaysbeyetshortened, ifweremainsostraitenedindutiesstill?AndifwecannotsparealittleofourstrengthtoworkforGodinreformation,canwethinkthatGodwillimprovehismightystrength,toworkoutanyfurthersalvationforus? If our houses that might have been without people, still remain withoutprayer,maywenotexpectanangryGodwillsoonunpeople them?Ifnowweshallcastoffduty,willhenotsuddenlycastoffus?Shouldweagainberendingandtearingoneanotherbyravenousoppression,andruiningoneanotherbyunhappydivisions,shouldnotthiswonderfulloveexcitesuchbowelsinoursoftenedheartstooneanother,thatweshouldnolongerbemaintainingwithunreasonablerigidnessoneanother’sassumedopinions,totheunspeakableprejudiceofChurchandState?Butratherbesolderingtogetherintoaperpetualharmony,bymutualcondescensionsandcompliances;bythisendingour unprofitable janglings in indissolvible unity. Shall not we, who havepartakenof this favor together, livealways together in thebeautyandgloryofundissembledfriendship,andunfeignedlove?Andifthiseffectshallnotfollowourbeingdeliveredtogether,itistobefeared,theeffectofsuchdisorderswillbenootherthantobedestroyedandcutofftogether.O!thenletthekindnessofGod to us, sweeten our tempers to one another; and let us be so fully unitedtogether, that allouraffectionsmaymakebutonechannelof love, so that theGodoflovemaydwellamongus.Forasthissincereadherencetooneanotherby love,wouldbemosteffectual toprevent thedesignsofenemiesagainstus;(who delight to see and sow our divisions) so it would be so grateful an

improvement of deliverance, that God would more readily continue it to us.Whatthenremains?Butthatweshouldlayasideprideandprejudice,andself-designings;andstanding to thecompleteandunalterable rulesofworship,andprinciplesofreligion,laiddownintheblessedword,fromthistimeforth(Isayweshould)dwellinmostbeautifulunity,andworshipourGodasfarascanbe,inamostdesirableuniformity.Shouldweagainbecomeformalandhypocritical inoursolemnworshipof thegreatGod?WouldthisbeasuitablereturnforGod’sdeliverance,tomockhimwith dissembling services, and weary him with heartless offerings? Areordinancescontinued,andtheglorioussunshineoftheblessedGospelpreservedunclouded; and shallwe requite theLord so otherwise, than by profaning andabusingthem?O! thepriceweshouldset, thevalueweshouldhaveofourordinances!Whatarethesebutthewellsofsalvation,theconduitsofgrace,theensignsofeternalglory, the foodof immortal souls, the pledges andmodels of eternal love, theblessedmountsofglory; inwhichare theclearest resemblancesofheaven, thesweetestrefreshmentsonearth,themostlivelystampsofdivinemajesty,andthemost blessed appearances and comfortable visits of Christ? And can wecondemnsuchenjoyments,withoutabominableingratitude?Aretheygiventousby a new deliverance? Let us show our esteem by a new improvement inreformation.Neverbe sobackward to attend them, so carelessunder them, sounanswerabletothemhereafter.LetGodseethathiskindnessisnotlost,hiscostisnotinvain,butthatyouendeavorafaithfulreturntowhathedoesforyou.But into what a large field am I entering? Let all sins be reformed, let allholiness be embraced; be universal in reformation of known sins, though Icannotbeparticular in theirenumeration;mindeveryparticularduty, though Icannamethembutuniversally;lettheloveofGodindelivering,constrainyou.Andthatthedeliverancemayhaveagreaterinfluenceonyou,Ishalllaydownbeforeyouinafewparticularsthingswhichconcernthegreatnessofit.1. The greatness of our deliverance is manifest and apparent from theconsiderationoftheenemiesfromwhosehandsanAlmightypowerhasrescuedus.Themanagersof thedesigns forour ruins,are the raceofmurderingCain,the bloody offspring of devouring cannibals; whose monstrous cruelties are

divulged in every corner of the world, recorded in innumerable histories;experiencedinmanynations,knowninGermany,feltinParis,foundinIreland;andwearewoefullyacquaintedwiththeminEngland.The most barbarous inhabitants of the world cannot parallel their inhumanmassacres. The most desperate wretches in hell can’t exceed their practicedcruelties. These hell-bred salamanders delight only in ruining fires; thesepatriatingchildrenofthegrandmurderer,lovenodrinklikethefulsomeliquorof some innocent’s blood; these apostates from human nature, can solacethemselveswithnopleasureslikethetormentingbutcheringsofharmlesssaints.How cruel are their tender mercies! How savage is their sweetest carriage tothose that submit not to that burdensomeyoke that neitherwe nor our fatherscould bear!What love can answer the kindness of ourGod in giving escapesfrom these merciless lions, from these pictures of malicious Satan, and fire-breathing dragons of the infernal pit? Can we do less than make ourselvescompleteholocaustsbytheflamesofascendingaffections,toourgraciousGod,whohasdeliveredus frombeingsacrifices to thesemostcruelbeastsofprey?Had not these men been so degenerated frommerciful humanity into beastlyferocity, they could never have attempted the confusion and ruin of suchinnocentunmeritingapeopleaswe.ButtheseemptypretenderstoChristianitycouldneverhaveaccomplishedtheirsinceredesignsofdestroyingus,hadtheynotimpudentlylaidthegroundofallthis wickedness with the orient color of specious religion; and so preserveddeluded souls from the disturbing flashes of unstupified conscience. But theprinciplesoftheiravowedreligionwarrantingitspatronsinsuchimpieties,anddefending suchdamnablecourses,has animated their cruelmindswithmightyexpectationsofrenowningmeritbysuchbloodyexploits.In thisway they transforming themselves into angels of light, have seduced ablindedmultitude,andbythispowerfulenginehavegainedinnumerablealliestopromote a design most diametrically opposite to reason and true religion. Soreligionisusedtodestroythereligious;andpolicyclothingitselfwiththetitleofpiety, insinuates unspeakable vigor into infatuated mortals in the pursuit ofgainful designs through greatest difficulties. And had not the Almightydiscountenancedsuchreligionbyblastingdesignspromotedbyit,theirreligionhadbrought our ruin, and the shadowof religionhad consumed its substance.

Now what favor have we found with God, that he should disappoint acontrivancemanagedbythosewhohadgainedinsomanyconfederatesbythedeluding pretenses of religion?Which is also to make its seduced zealots domorethanthegreatestAllurementsimaginable.Here were the wonderful incitements to that unwearied industry now visibleamongthem,toconfoundanddestroyus.Somedropsoftheirbloodtheycouldundauntedly part with, that they might drink some draughts of ours. Whatcharges could seem too burdensome to them, to discharge the world of suchhereticsasweareaccountedby them?Howwere theirbreasts like threateningthunder-clouds, whose vapors never leaveworking until they vent themselveswithamazing terror to the tremblingworld?Howhave theirheads,hearts,andhands,beenwilling,contriving,preparingformanyyears?Howhavetheybeen,asissaidofthePrincesofIsrael,Ezekiel22:6,“Everyonetotheirpowertoshedblood?”Noharmony,nohelp, nohearts, nohands, nopower, nopursewas along while lacking in attempting this murdering achievement. What greaterdeliverancewaseverbestowedonapeoplethanthis,whenalltheforcesofhellandRomewithitsallies,aredefeated?HowmightImakethisappearfromthewonderfulheightofpowertheywereatbyalltheirendeavorsinwhichtheyarrivedat.Fromthegreatnessofthedanger,as most wickedly kept secret by means of inviolable obligations and oaths,which laid those that were conscious to it, under the greatest incapacity ofrevealing of it. From the familiar converse our fatal enemies had among us.From the abominable engagings of rotten members to destroy the body theybelongedto,andcutofftheheadthatwasoverthem.Fromassistancesofforeignenemies provided and promised against us! But what has been spoken,sufficientlyspeaksthegreatnessofourdeliverance,withrespecttothepersonscontrivingourdestruction.2. It appears from the consideration of that miserable destruction we wereappointed to, all these subtle heads and bloody hands are not at work toaccomplishapettydestruction.Their throats, enlargedashell,wouldneverbesatisfiedwithpersonalrevenge;nolessthananation,yes,nationsofprotestants,can make up a single meal for these savage blood-hounds. These tyrannicalNero’s are for the cutting off the necks of all Christians at a blow. No lessbonfirewouldservetheirturns,thanthehorridconflagrationofawholeNation.

ADioclesian Persecutionwas nothing to this hellish enterprise and attempteddestruction.HowgladlywouldAntichristhavewadedtoausurpedthroneuptotheneckinthebloodofopposingmartyrs!Hasitnotbeenadestructionnoneliketoit?HadnotRomeout-doneitsformerCruelties?Had not this dreadful day been a none-such?Come, and see.Whatshouldyouhaveseen?Hadthisdesignbeenperfected,youhadseenorheard,ifalive, innumerable troops of frightfulwarriors, fierce in countenance,more incarriage,breakingforth, liketheplunderersofTroyfromthatfatalhorse,fromthebowelsofourland.Youhadseenthedisguisingmaskofdissemblingfriendsthrown off, and the distinguishing mark of the Beast’s company, worn bythousandsofourunsuspectedinhabitants.Youmighthaveseenthemultitudeofprofane ones turn Popish, and the Neutralists become absolute Papists. Youmighthaveseenanastonishingforceof foreign idolatersadmitted toenterourEnglishcoastsbythetreacheroushandsofmercenarysubjects.Youmighthaveseen the horrid instruments of undreaded death brought from their unsearchedhoards, ready tobeprovedonyourownbody.Ah, dreadful day, none like it!When those unthought-of enemies had shown themselves inwarlike postures,armedwithinvinciblepower,wingedwithspeedyfury,resolvedwithundauntedcourage,assistedwithlargeauxiliaries;whatthenhadbeenthework?Comeandsee.Thenhadthestreetsbeendiedwithaseaofcrimson-blood,thechannelsrandown with the lives of massacred Christians. Then had our bolted doors innocturnalsilencebeenforciblyopened,andoursleepybodiesdraggedfromtheirresting beds, and butchered by cruel hands. Then had our mangled carcassesbeen strewed in our peaceless streets, to be trampled on like dirt by our foes.Thenhadourweapons,preparedforourdefense,beenmurderingpiecesforourenemy’sservice.Thenhadtherebeensomefleeinginamazement,somefightinginconfusion,some turningoutof fear,sometorturedfornot turning.O!blackandgloomyday!Thenhadourstatelybuildingsbecomeapreytothefiercestofelements,aswellaswetothefiercestofmen.Thenhadthedesireofoureyesbeentakenawaywithablow,weourselvesnotescaping.Thenhadthenoiseofbitter lamentation, though nothing prevailing, been heard in our streets; theshrieksof thewoundedpiercingour hearts, the sight of the dead amazingourspirits.O!what had they done?Come and see.Howhad the places of shelterbeenplacesof greatest dangers!Howhad it been invain for unarmedmen toopposea furiouscrewofwell-equipagedsoldiers!Howfruitlesshad itbeen toflee,whendangerswereunknown!Howsadhaditbeentobeholdtenderinfants

rent from the bodies of their rifled mothers, and cast into their flames!Whocould have endured the sight of sucking-babes snatched from their mother’sbreasts and dashed against destroying stones? Who could have seen themsprawling on the tops of pikes and hurled into cruel flames,without bleedinghearts?O!theghastlyvisagesoftheoncemostbeautifulobjects, that thenhadbeenmarredwithdeformingwounds!O!whatadeliveranceisthis,tobesofarfreed,tobesolongdeliveredfromsuchadestruction!O!letthismercyobtainitsdesign,unlessthethingswehavefearedshouldcomeonus.3. The greatness of this deliverance will appear on the consideration of theconditionwewerein,whoweredesignedtobedestroyed.Considerwebutthedaring provocations we have given the Almighty to forsake us, it appears amirrorofmercythatheshouldspareus.Mighthenotjustlyhavesaid,NowwillIeasemeofmyadversaries,andavengemyselfonmyenemies.NowwillImakeknownthedreadofmyunregardedwrath,fortheirimpenitentsinning.NowwillI show how bitter a thing it is to abuse my patience by rebellion, and mygoodnessbyoffending?Butnowbehold,hisbowelsworkedinhim;hedeliveredusrebels,rescuedussinfulwretches,andwhocanbutlaytoheartthismercy?Howhelplesshadwebeeninsuchadismalsurprise?Themightymenwouldnothavefoundtheirhands,thevaliantwouldhavelosttheircourageoushearts,andweshouldhavebeenbutMagormissabibs,terrorroundabout.Butthemiseryofourconditionhadlaininourunreadinesstohaveencounteredthe King of terrors, to have followed that amazingmessenger to the dreadfultribunal of the Eternal God. How unfit had we been to die at a moment’swarning?Howmiserablehadthousandsbeentowhomallspaceofrepentinghadbeenended,whosepresentmiseryhadbeen thebeginningofeternal torments,whoseunpreparedsoulshadbeensenttotheplacepreparedforthedevilandhisangels? O! then that now we could lay to heart these riches of grace thatcontinues a preparing space. Patientia poenitentiae expectatrix:His Patienceexpects repentance.Do not let our prolonged days be spent in provoking himanylonger;letusnotnowbetreasuringupwrathtothedayofwrath.I might show you the greatness of this deliverance by the nearness of thedestruction;itwasinarticulomortis,allwasalmostconcluded,ourpassing-bellrung, the daywas presumed to be their own, and now delivered, asDaniel, è

faucibusperditionis,fromtheveryjawsofdestruction,fromtheverymouthsofourenemies.O!wonderfulgoodness!Andmost fitlymight Imention themeans of our deliverance.Vna eadémquemanusvulnusopémqueferet.Howdidthissweetesthoneycomefromthelion’scarcass?Menoftheirownpartymustimpartittous;thoseoftheirownconclavearemeans,underGod,todeliverusfromtheirowncounsels.O!thewonderfulauthority of God, that worked on their consciences so long benumed! O! thewisdomofGod, thatworksbycontrarymeans!Noviolenceconstrained them,but what the Almighty used with them; no policy induced them, so much asDivinePower.

USE2IsitthedesignofGodindelivering,toreducefromsin,andobligetoholinessinour reformation? Let us then examine ourselves, whether we have answeredtheseholydesignsofourgraciousGod.O!reader,faithfullyaskyourownheart,HaveInotbeenaslooseandprofane,asvileandvain,ascarnalandformalaseverIwasbefore?Whatinducementhasthisgraciouspreservationbeentothereformation ofmy life?What sin have I faithfully forsaken?What displeasinglusthaveIunfeignedlyleft?WhatspiritualobediencehaveIclosedwith,sinceIenjoyedthisunspeakablemercy?Doesnotyourconscienceaccuseyouofyourregardlessnessofit?Doesnotyourhearthurtyou,fornotobservingthedutiesyouareobligedtobyit?AhasueruswouldknowwhatwasdonetoMordecai,forthegooddeedhehaddonefortheKingdom.Askyourself,whatgoodhasbeendonetoGodforallthegooddeedshehasdoneforyou?Whathasbeendonetohimforhisdeliveringofyou?Haveyounotsinnedmoreagainsthim,andturnedhis grace into immorality? Is that a good requital for his kindness?Are pride,drunkenness,sensuality,fitvotivetablesforourmercifulescapes?O!donotletthismercybelostforlackofimprovement,unlessyouneverenjoysuchanother.Remember, exoneratio supplicii est oneratio officii; the laying off and freeingyoufrompunishment,laysobligationsonyoufordutifulobedience.Merciesaretobelikeshowersonvalleys,makingthemfruitful;asagrainofcornsownintheuntiledearth,bringingforthaplentifulcropofexpectedfruit.Godhassowntheseedsofhismercies,donotlettheDevilreapacropofsin.O!howmightIpleadwithyou,aslovingJonathanwithhard-heartedSaul,1Sam.19:4,“Donotlet theKingsinagainstDavid, forhehasnotsinnedagainst thee;andbecausehisworksaregood.”O!donot letus sinagainstGod; letusnot rebelagainsthim;heneverdealtunjustlywithus,buthisdeedsaregood.Heiseverworkingforus.Heiseverheapingupmercies,shallwesinagainsthim?Itwillbebetternottoreceiveamercy,thannottobebetteredbyit.O!comenowandconsiderwith yourselves, say with yourself, has God in his providence made me afreeman fromPopish Slavery, and shall Imakemyself a slave to lusts, and avassaltotheDevil?ShallGodcontinuemylife,andshallIcastitawayasworthnothing? O! examine yourselves how you have acted. Plato, seeing anyonedisorderly,wouldsay,Numegotalis?AmIsuchaone?Youseemanygoonin

sin,soaskyourself,amnotIsuchaone?DonotIgooninsin?Whatafollyisit in us, that we utimur perspicillis plusquam speculis, use spectacles to seeother’sfaults,more than looking-glasses toseeourown?Learn theartofself-reflection,andthatisthewaytoself-reformation.

USE3

Is it God’s design and desire to reduce us from sin by these merciful

methods? Then let us not foolishly cause the Lord to use more forcible andfearfulmeans, to effect this in us. Let us not force a graciousGod out of hisdelightful ways of mercy. Why should we make him be doing his works ofjudgment,sincehedeclareshisunwillingnesstoit?Shallweturnhisscepterintoarod?Shallwedriveawaythosepreciousmerciesbysinfulcourses,which,withmournfulheartsandwringinghands,weshallbegladtoberecalling?Shallwemakeour showersofmercy end in floodsof vengeance?Shallwewrestle theswordofjusticeoutofthesheathofpatience,andviolentlypulldownvengeanceonourownheads?WillyoutelltheLord,youarewearyofhismercies,andwillneverregardthembyreformation?WillyoudeclareinthepresenceofGod,thatif hewill not pour out his vengeance, and display his justice, andmake yourplagues wonderful, that you will not fear him, nor break off sins? Is yourstrength so great to stand before his anger, that you are resolute in provokinghim?Willnothingserveyourturnbutdestruction,anddesolation,andundoingjudgements?Youmusteitherceasesinning,orGodwillceasewaiting,andgiveoverfavoringofyou.Godspeaks,Ezekiel6:9,“howtheJewshadbrokenhimwith their whorish heart;” that is, he tells them, they should remember Eumquasi objecta quadam violentiâ à proposite abductum, & invitum planèadductum essë eorum persidia ut interrumperetur cursus misericordiae,(Calvin),thathewasturnedfromhisgraciouspurposes,withtheviolencetheirsinsofferedtohim;andthatitwasbytheirperfidiousnessthathewasbroughttobreakoffthecourseofhismercies.InthiswayGodisbrokenofffromwaysofmercy,byournotbreakingoffourwaysofsin.

TheholyGodisresolvedtomakeusleaveoffsinningonewayorother.Ifhisgoodnesscannotgainus, ifhismerciescannotinduceus,his justicewillcomeout against us, and by hismighty power hewill rule us.Ezekiel 20:33, “As Ilive, saith the Lord, surelywith amighty hand, and an outstretched arm, andwithfurypouredout,willIruleoveryou.”Godwillbringusintosubjectionbymerciesorjudgments;hisfuryshalldowhathisfavorwillnot.Butwhyshould

wecausetheLordtobesoseveretous?Wewearyman,butwillyouwearyGodalso?Letusbeconstrainedtoamendmentbyhislove,orelsehemustcurbusbytormentingpunishments.ItwassaidofIsraelinPsalm81:11,“Israelwouldhavenoneofme.”Shall itbesosaidofEngland, thatwerefusedandslightedwhatGodgives,andwhathedoesinwayofmercy?Shallitbesaidwewillhavenoneofhismercies,noneofhisdeliverances?Shallwenotthenhavehisjudgments,andfeelhisvengeance?

USE4Is this the design of God in delivering? Then wisely make use of this as anargumenttoinvalidateallfuturetemptationstosin.Whensinfuloccasionsofferthemselves to you, damp their hurtful influence by objecting to yourself theunreasonableness of sinning, after suchmercies conferred on you. In thiswayJoseph did invalidate the eager assaults of his wicked mistress in Gen. 39:9,“HowcanIdo thisgreatwickedness,andsinagainstGod?”Hedidnot rashlyadmitthetemptation,butconsultedconscience,andrepelleditwiththisweightyargument.HowcanIsinagainstaGodthathasoflatebeensofavorabletome,hasdeliveredmefromdeath,andadvancedmetohonor?O!Icannotslightsomuchkindness,topleaseasinfulmalady.Iwillneverdoit.Whenthenyoumeetwith allurements to sin, take to yourself this corroborating dissuasive from it,andcourageouslyopposeallunworthymotionstorebellionbyponderingonit.Inferences from the secondProposition concerning our proneness to sin afterdeliverances.1.HereweseetheabsolutenecessitythatthereisofDivinePower,torenderanymeanseffectualtobringusfromsin.Howeverprobablemeansmaybetoeffectthisend,theyarenotpowerfulenoughwithoutthecooperationofanAlmightyarmsuperaddedtothem.Ifrationalargumentsweresufficient,suchasaredrawnfrominfinitemercymightbeenoughtocharmourwillstoaloyalobediencetoourGod;butweseethatoutwardmercies,notconferringinwardgrace,cannotaccomplish such difficultwork of reformation.The chiefest engine that drawstheheartofmanfromsin,ismercy;butitisthearmofGodthatmustfastenittotheheartofman,andDivinePowerthatcanonlyattracthimbyit.Merciesareonlycords,whichDivinePowerusestodrawmenfromsin.Ifmoralpersuasionsweresowonderfullyeffectualinconvertingsinners,assomewouldhavethem,itis strange that men cannot overcome themselves to forsake their sins by theconsideration of the merciful preservations, and gracious deliverances theAlmightybestowsonthem.ItisstrangethatmencannotbepersuadedtoceaseprovokingGodtojudgements,bythedeclaringhisunwillingnesstothembytheexperiences of deliverances from them. But how do we experience the

ineffectualnessofoutwardmercies,whatevervalidmotivesmaybedrawnfromthem!Whatneedthenistheretoapplyourselvesmostfrequentlytothethroneofgrace,forheavenlyInfluencesonearthlyblessings?How should we earnestly crave the concurrence of God’s omnipotence, forbetteringusby the confluenceofmercies bestowedonus? Isaiah48:17, “TheLord teaches to profit.” In the greatest abundance of means and mercies, weshallhavenoprofit,withouttheaidsandassistanceofGod;hemustteachustoimprovedeliverances,togainbyhisgoodness.Whencordsofmercyareputintoourhands, letus liftupourhearts to theFatherofmercies,andcry,Drawus,and we will follow you. When mercies are sown like precious seeds mostplentifullyamongus, letus implore theshowersofdivineblessing tomakeusfruitfulbythem.Whensuchinvaluabletalentsareputintoourhands,letusseektotheAlmightyforstrengthtoworkwiththem.PleadwiththeLordtodeliveryou from sin, by his deliverances; to give you the incomes of his grace, toimprove your life miraculously continued to you. Do not leave the throne ofgrace, until grace is given to you to leave off your sins. Do not cease toimportunetheAlmighty’shelpagainstyoursins,untilhehasdeliveredyoufromthem,ashehasdonefromyourenemies.Acknowledgeyourownweakness,andsoyouwillengagethestrengthofGod.Tellhimwithholyboldness,thatnowhehasgivenyouhismercies,youcannotbecontentwithouthisblessingwiththem.Lettemporaldeliveranceedgeyourappetiteafterspiritualandeternalblessings.Youhavebuthalfamercy,untilyoursoulisbetteredbyadeliverance,whetheritisfromenemies,orsickness,oranyotherdistressordanger.2.Arewe so prone to sin after deliverance? Then here bewarned to be verywatchfulontheenjoymentofsuchamercy.O!thatwe,whoenjoysoeminentescapesfromdanger,mightuseourgreatestindustrytopreventourproceedinginsin!Letusfortifyourselvesagainstsuchanevilpractice.Makeconscienceofwhatyoudoinadeliveredcondition.Letusnolongercarelesslyrunoninoursins, but seriously consider the inducements we have to a holy life ofreformation.Nowinorder topreventourproceeding insin,admit this seriouscounsel,andobservethesedirections:1.Makefrequentreflectionsonthegreatdeliveranceinpart bestowed on us.When the Creator of the ends of the earth surveyed hisgloriousworks,he saw theyweregood, anddelighted in them;andhegreatly

delights that we should be frequent in meditations of his glorious works ofcreation and providence, and live in perpetual admiration of them, applaudingtheshinesofhispower,wisdom,andmercyinthem.TheleastofGod’sworksdeservetheadmirationofthegreatestangelinheaven.Inconsideratepeoplegainlittle advantage by the most considerable mercies. Were our hearts morethankful, we should make a particular computation and exact chronology ofdaily and yearly mercies. The forgetfulness of mercy is the ground of ourforsakingGodafterthem.Itismightyeffectuallytoballastourheartsagainstourimpetuousinclinationstosin,tobemuchinconsideringwhatGodhasdoneforus.HerethepeopleofIsraelwereadmonishedtobefrequentinreviewingtheirsadcondition in Egyptian bondage, with the blessed escape given them from it.Deut.26:1-2,5,etc.“When thouartcome into the land—thoushalt speakandsay,aSyrianreadytoperishwasmyfather,andhewentdownintoEgypt,andbecame there a great nation,—and theEgyptians treated us ill,—and theLordbrought us forth out of Egyptwith amighty hand, and outstretched arm, andwith great terribleness,” etc. In this way they were to make a frequentcommemorationoftheirmiserablestate,andmercifulescape.Inlikemanneritisnecessaryforustolookbackonwhatwelatelywere,andsay,alittlewhilesinceIwasatthegatesofdeath,bythesubtlecontrivancesofPopishenemies;alittletimepastIhadnearbeendevouredbythejawsofthosepreyinglions.Somefewmonths are past since the nation was in danger of being involved inincomparable miseries; it has almost been made a stage for acting a bloodytragedy,analtaronwhichhadbeensacrificedinnumerablepreciouslives,apreytoRomanfury;andnowbehold(blessedbetheLord)thesceneischanged,thecurtainsofsecrecythatcoveredthenastyvaultofPopishconspirators,ishappilydrawnaside;theGodofourlives,byhisover-awingmajesty,hasinfluencedtheheartsofenemiestodetect thesnaretheyoncedidendeavortolay.Shouldwenotthenargue,shouldIthatwassolatelyinsuchdangeroflosingmypreciouslife, now squander it away as a contemptible thing? Should I so latelyexperiencing mercy from God, manifest myself by wicked courses to be arebellious enemy to him? Should not the thoughts of the death, danger, andmiserablecalamityGodhasbroughtmefrom,bringmeunfeignedlytolovehim,andconstantlytoyieldobediencetohiminreformation?Let us therefore, to prevent proceeding in sin, reflect on the kindness ofGod.

Seriouslythinkhowmiserableyouwouldhavebeenwithoutthedeliverance.O!miserable state, had it not come! Enemies raging, if not reigning; the Gospelcorrupted,ifnotremoved;livesendangered,ifnotdestroyed.Howhadwebeenfleeingonmountains,hidingindens,orburninginflames,torturedwithracks!Howhadwebeenwithoutbreadtoeat,housestolodgein,orelseallrobbedbythosepilferingPapists,ifnotburntbytheirhorridmalice,whichisenoughtoputthewholeuniverseintomiserableconflagrations!Howshouldwemeditatehowseasonably deliverance came!We helpless, careless, and ignorant, then itwasthathismightyarmbroughtablessedsalvationtous.Behold,howunworthywewereofsuchamercy,ofsuchadeliverance!Asinfulrebelliouspeople,forustopartakeofsomuchfavor,isthegreatestmirrorintheworld.Nowcanweforgetthisgoodness?Ifwehavenomemoriestoretainmercies,wesoonmayhavenomercies to retain inmemory.Orcanwesin in thesightofsuchkindness?Weshallneverseesuchagloriousdeliverance,ifwesininthefaceofthis.O!letusoftensayasthoseinNumbers23:22,“WhathastheLordwroughtamongus!”O!what a gloriousworkwas this, embroideredwithmercy, set forthwith theshinesofwisdom,andillustriousbytheimpressionsofinfinitepower!O!donotforget thiswork! Ifwe forget deliverances,Godmay forget to deliver. Isaiah17:10-11,“TheyweremadedesolateforforgettingtheGodoftheirsalvation.”Itisknownthatthebreaststhataffordthesweetestmilk,willdryup,ifnotdrawn;thebreastsofmercywillbecertainlydriedup,ifnobenefitisdrawnfromthembyaseriousremembrance,andfaithfulimprovingofthem.Prayersandtearsarethebestmeans toobtainmercies,anda thankfulremembrancewillbe thebestwaytohavethemcontinuedtous.2. To prevent your proceeding in sin, think with yourself what promises andobligations,what pleas and arguments youwouldhavemade to theLord, andurgedhimwith, tohave inducedhim tohavegivensuchadeliveranceas this.Wouldyounothavepromised,thatifitshouldpleasehimtoexercisehispowerinsavingofyou,youwouldengage,thattotheutmostofyourpoweryouwouldservehim?O!whatgreatobligationswouldyouwillinglyhavelaidyourselvesunder,tobefreedfromsodreadfuladestructionasyouwereappointedto?Whatobedience, service, love, and respects, do sinners vow to God on a bed ofsickness, languishing to death?Whatwouldwe have promised then,when nolessthanawholenationwaslanguishing,andeveryenjoymentreadytogiveupthe ghost?O!what solemn engagements to all possible obediencewould thenhave been made! Would you have promised these things, and will you not

perform them? Let the readiness of God to do it without these engagements,makeyoumorereadytodothosethingsthanifyouhadengagedtodothem.Consider also what pleas youwould have usedwith God to spare you; thinkwhat arguments might have prevailed with him to deliver you; and let themprevailwithyoutoforsakesin.Youwouldnothavesaid,Lord,sparemetogoonawhilelongerinrebellionagainstyou;cutmenotoffuntilIhavedishonoredyourgloriousNamealittlemore;givememylifetobeadrunkard,swearer,liar,sabbath-breaker, yet a while longer. You could never have the impudence toplead in this way, you could never imagine these arguments could prevail;therefore,usetheconsiderationsofargumentswhichyouthinkwouldprevailtocurbyourheart fromsin,asyou thinkwouldhavebeenproper toprevailwithGod to deliver you.Andwhat are those?O! spareme, that Imayprepare fordeath!O!givemetheabilitythatImayrepentofmysins,andreform!Andletyour carriage be such now in part delivered, as may answer suchmotives asthese,whichwouldhavebeenusedwithGodtodeliveryou.3. Consider how you would act to a man, if you received a thousand timessmallerkindnessesfromhim.O! the thanks thatshallbereturned tomanforasmallfavor!Whatreadinessthereistodosomethingforman,whenheisdoingforus?Shouldamanbutsaveusfromperishing,howgrateful,howserviceableshouldwebecometohim?Andshallkindnessfromsinfulcreaturesmakesuchimpressionsonourhearts,andtheaboundinggoodnessof thegloriousGodbedisregarded?Welovemanlovingofus,andshallwenotlovealovingGod?Wedevote ourselves to the service of our earthly benefactors, and shallwe be sodevilish as to deny obedience to the greatGod, under all his benignity to us?Shall God haveworse dealings from us thanmen?Would you not offend anearthlyfriend,andwillyouoffendaheavenlyfriend?WillyoumakenothingofdispleasingGod,whenhegivesyousuchmerciesasallthemenonearthcannotbestowonyou?O! letbut thisbeconsidered,andsurelyyoucannotpersist insin.

USE5Seeheretheunconquerablestubbornnessofman’sheart.O!howdoourheartsstandoutagainstGodunderallhisdealingswithus!Weareanunpersuadablegeneration.O!wonderfulobstinacy, that the sweetestmelodyofmercycannotcharmus!O!whathardened souls are inus,when thepleasantdistillationsofshowersofmercyonuscannotsoftenus!O!whatstrongholdshavesin,thatthecordsofmercycannotdrawus fromthem!O!howhard is it togainavictoryovercorruptednatureandaccustomedsins!O!strangeaffectionsthatwehavetosin, that the strongest engagements can’t bring us from it! Such is thestubbornnessofunchangedsouls,thatwhetherGodwalksinwaysofmercy,orpathsofjudgment,theywillgocontrarytohim.O!thehardnesstobelamentedthatappearsamongus!ThoughtheAlmightyhasdonesomuchforus,wehavenot to this day been duly affected with what he has done.We have gone onfrowardly,whenGodhasdealtmostkindlybyus.Wegoontoprovoketheeyesofhisglory,whenhehasmadesomuchofhisgloriousgoodnesspassbeforeus.O!stubbornsoulsthatwillnotregardthemeltingkindnessofGod!Buttheydo,as it were resolve, whatever God does, they will sin against him. Though heseeksreconciliation,theywillfollowwithrebellion.Thoughhestrivestoout-dotheirrebellionwithmercy,theywillnotlaydowntheirarms,butbeavengedonhismanymercies.Inferences from the third Proposition concerning the heinousness of sin afterdeliverance.1. Is sinning after deliverance such heinous sinning?Behold thenwhat cryingsinsaretobeseenamongus!Havewenotsinsofthegreatestmagnitude,whohavemerciesofthehighestnature?ArenotoursinsworsethanSodom’s,whenourmerciesareenjoyedabundantlymorethanthat?SinsinEngland,aregreaterthan sins in other nations, that have not partaken of such signal favors aswehave. We wonder why God bears with Antichristian Rome, with foreignidolaters;alas,theirsinsarenotofthatnaturethatoursare.Oursins,itmaybeareminorisinfamiae,of lesserinfamy,butmajorisreatus,ofgreaterguilt thantheirs. Our sins are double; and the more our mercies increase, the more

abundantaggravationsbelongtooursins.Arewenotsinnersaboveall,thathavefavorsbeyondany?Oursins thataresmall inabstracto, consideredabstractly,aregreat inconcreto,considering thecircumstancesof them.Ifsmallsinswillnotstartleus,herearegreatsinsthentoamazeus.O!letoursinsthatwehavecommittedbemorebeforeus, so that the senseof theirgreatnessmaypreventourproceedinginthem!2.Hereseewhatneedwehaveofgreatrepentance;anordinarysorrowwillnotanswer our extraordinary sins. Gravissima peccata gravissimis lamentisindigent.Greatestprovocationscallforgreatestlamentations.O!whattearsandlamentationscanbegreat enough forourhorrid sins?What sighscanbedeepenoughforanationsodeeplyinvolvedinsin?ShouldnotourmourningbeasinthemourningofHadadrimmon,intheValleyofMegiddon,everyfamilyapart,every person apart? Should not Nineveh be our president? Should not ourEngland become a Bokim, and our island be overflown with tears? O! whatfloods of tears is there need of, to wash away our abominable pollutions! O!whatwailingandweeping shouldbe in anation livingandwallowing in suchiniquities?Aut poenitendum vel pereundum. Repentance only can prevent ourruin;onlyrepentancecanmakejusticetoretreat;onlyrepentancecandeliveruswho are now physically delivered.Butwhere shallwe find it?Where are theweepingeyes,themourninghearts?O!thatrepentancemightappearamongus,unlessjudgmentsappearagainstus!O!thatwecouldlayourselvesdownatthefeet of mercy by humiliation, that we may not be laid down in a dreadfuldesolation,bythehandsofjustice!O!thataheartyrepentancemightpreventourhasteningruin!O!thatwemightlieinbreathingsweatsofgodlysorrow,thatwemaynotlieswelteringinourblood!Oursinsreachuptoheaven,letoursorrowreach to our heart. O! that each part of unfeigned repentancemight be reallyactedbyus!Letusmakeastrictinquiryintoourfins,communewithourhearts;letusgothecircuit of our hearts and lives, and see the abominable sins to be condemnedthere. Let us read theBook of Conscience, and see what sins we there standindictedfor,asletterswrotewiththejuiceoforangesarenottobereadbutbythefire.Insomewaysomehavetheirsinswritten,andwillnotreadthemnow;butshallatlastreadthembythefireofhell.Lam.3:40,“Letussearchandtryourways.”O!wearesenselessofoursins;butaegernonsentienspericulosiuslaborat;asenselesssickmanismostindanger.O!openyoureyesthen,andsee

whatdisorders inheart,whatwickedness in life!Donot refuseasightofyoursinsnow;onedayGodwillsetthembeforeyoureyes.Donotdisownthechargesthatareagainstyouwithoutreason.Letusnolongersewfig-leavesonoursins.TheimpartialJudgeofheavenandearthknowsourcrimes.Let us therefore return and say,Father I have sinned. In thiswaydidthoseinLam.5:16,“Woebetous,wehavesinned.”DavidyieldedthecasetoNathan, I am the man. May you not justly say, I am the man that has beennothingthebetterfordeliverance;Iamthemanorwomanthathasgoneoninpride,sensuality,withoutrepentance,andreformation?Donotdefendyoursinsby excuses, but own them;be convincedwithout further demur, and condemnyourself as a guilty malefactor. Then let us pour out our tears, and open theflood-gates of godly sorrow; and if we would escape, let us be like those inEzek.7:16,“Whowerelikedovesin thevalleys,mourningeveryonefor theirowniniquity.”O!thatourproudheartsmightyieldtothiswork!Ourdryeyesbefilledwith tears.LetusfillGod’sbottlewithour tears!What isweepinggoodfor,buttotestifyoursorrowforsin?Itcannotrecoveradyingfriend,itmayadyingnation.Itcannotstopthecourseofdeath,itmaythecomingofjudgments.Openthenthewindowsofheaven,andbreakupthedeeps,andletusmakeusaheartyweeping,asmayprevent theheavy judgmentsourgreatsinsarecallingfor.Then let usmake a holy resolution, in the strength of theAlmighty, to ceasefromoursins.SayasholyJobinJob34:32,“IfIhavedoneevilIwill,doitnomore.”Withholy indignation rejectyour formervillainies.O! letour soulsberaised to a deserved hatred of these great iniquities, and do not let anythingcontentus,but theutterruinofourruiningsins.Letusnotbedismayedat thedifficultyattendingthatblessedwork.Itishardtodestroysin,butwillitnotbehardertobedamnedforit?Ifitishardtobearthelaunchingofthoserankeredwounds, what will it be to bear the pain of the envenomed arrows of divinejustice forever? Know also, you may do all things through Christ thatstrengthensyou; thencarryyour sinswith the solemnityofpenitential tears totheir eternal funeral.Andunless this reformation shall attendyour repentance,yourepentwithanabsurdcontradiction.Optimapoenitentiaestnovavita:Thebestrepentanceisanewlife.Thisistherepentanceourheinoussinsrequire;andallthisistobedoneinamorethanordinaryway,becauseofthegreatnessofoursins.

3.Ifsinsafterdeliverancearesogreat,hereseehownearjudgmentsmaybetous,becausethemeasureofouriniquitieswillbesosuddenlyfilled.Thepatienceof heaven will soon be worn out with these daring provocations. As we areheaping up sin, the Almighty is heaping up wrath; and the greater sins, thesoonerthetreasuresofwrathwillbefull.Themorefuelwebring,thesoonerthefire will be kindled to consume us. The Lord in his mercy is waiting to begracious,backwardtojudgment;butsuchiniquitieswillsoonwastehispatience,andprovokehiswrath.WereadinGen.15:16thattheLorddelayedpunishment,becausetheiniquityofthe Amorites was not yet full. Themeasure of sin and wrath are often fillingmanyyears;andaccordingassinsareaggravated,judgmentsapproachfasterorslower.InthiswayJoel3:13says,Godcallsforsicklestobeputin,becausetheharvest was ripe, the presses were full, and the vats did overflow. God willsuffersinnerstostanduntiltheyarecometotheirfullstatureinsin,andthenhecuts them down, andmakes an end of them. In thiswayChrist speaks to theScribesandPharisees inMatt.23:32,“Fillyeup themeasureofyourfathers,”i.e. youwill be filling up themeasure of their sins, until theLord comes andmeasuresout judgment toyou,according to themeasureofyour sins.O! thenwhatcausehavewetofear,unlessthevialsofwrathshouldsuddenlybepouredoutuponus!Isnottheharvestofsinalmostripe?Orwillnottheseshowersofmercysuddenlyripenit?Andthenthesicklemustbeputin;abloodyenemyletinamongus,thatshallcutusdownasthereapersdothecorn.O!letusdreadtheapproaches of vengeance under the increases of sin and wickedness! Themeasuresofwrathhavebeenlongafilling;theiniquitiesofourfathersarelaidupforus,andmayberewardedonourheadswhenthemeasureisfull.Weripenapaceforjudgmentsnow;destructionmaybeatthedoorsoonerthanweknow.

INFERENCESInferences from the fourth and fifth Propositions concerning the destructivenatureofsinningafterdeliverance.UseI.Maydestructioncomeafterdeliverance?Thenherewemay learn, thatpresentimpunitycanbenoevidenceofourfuturesafety.Merciesarenotsoinseparablyentailed on us, that justice cannot deprive us of them. Present prosperitymayhaveamournfulendingindismaladversity.National,aspersonalsalvationfrompresentdangers,mayend indestruction.Thewingsofour featheryconfidencehadneedbeclipped,whenwefondlypresumetheAlmightytobeeverboundtodeliversuchapeopleaswe,becausehehasoncemoregraciouslydoneit.2Pet.2:9 says thatGod“reserves theunjust to judgment.”Thebird that escapes thefowlers net for once, may be afterwards caught. We that are wonderfullypreservedfromthesnaresofhellishplotters,mayatlastbemadeaprey,ifwegrownomorewatchful.Ourcloudyheavensthreatennewstorms.Theworldisvery full of great and unexpected mutations. The turnings of the wheels ofprovidenceareveryswiftandvarious.Wemaynowassuddenlybedestroyed,aswehaveoftenbeendelivered.Jude1:5,afterdelivered,“Goddestroyedthosethatbelievednot.”Theshipthatevadesthedangersoftheseamorethanonce,maybeswallowedupinitssands,orshatteredbyitsrocksatlast.Thereprievedmalefactormayjustlyexpecthisdeservedexecution,afteralittlespace afforded for preparation. And in truth, the relief our offended God hasgiven us, seemsmore like a reprieve, than a deliverance; and we have causemostseriouslytofear,thatnotlongweshallexperiencethatjusticecandestroy,asmercycandeliver.OurimpunityisnotfromGod’simpotency,butpatience;and thatmay soon be expired.We have cause to dread that awakeningword,Joshua24:20,“IfyeforsaketheLord,thenwillheturnanddoyouhurt,afterallthegoodhehasdoneyou.”Ournotreturningundergoodmercieswillmakehimturn todousharm.Proceeding in sinwill interrupt thecourseofmercies,andintroducesuccessionsofjudgments.Youmaybesurprisedwithsuddenmiseriesinthemidstofyourfeignedsafety.Godwillnotalwaysdrawwithcordsoflove.Hosea11:3-5,“Idrewthemwithcordsofaman,withbondsoflove;”etc.,thatis, I dealt with them in the most gracious manners, striving to draw their

rebelliousheartsintosubjection;butsinceIcannotprevail,verse5,“TheyshallnotgodowntoEgypt,theyshallhavenoshelterthere,buttheAssyrianshallbetheirKing,andtheswordshallabideintheircities,anddevourhisbranches.”Inthiswaymay thedealingsofGodbe changed, and cordsof lovebe turned tochastising rods, to lash the backs of stubborn fools. We cannot ensure thecontinuanceofmercies,butbyourcompliancewiththedesignsofGodbythemthat which was spoken to Ephraim, may fall upon us, Hosea 9:11, “As forEphraim, his glory shall flee away like a bird.”We imaginewe havemerciessureasabirdinthecage.Butasthedoorbeingopenedthebirdfliesaway,somercieswilltaketheirwings,andbegonefromasinfulpeople.Donottrustthentoyourpresentfreedom,youmaybeenslaved;donotflatteryourselvesinhopesofperpetualdeliverance,destructionmaycomeatlast.3.Will thispersistenceinsinhastensuchcertainandmiserableruin!Thenseewhat reason there is to shake off our pleasing but hurtful security, admittingsome fearful thoughts, and affecting our hearts with apprehensions of oureminent danger.We are unwilling to admit of such truths near our decoyinghearts,whichmay affect uswith fear or grief.But it is far from thenatureofwisdomtoflatterourselvesintoruin;ortofancyourselvessecureinagloriousparadise, untilwe aremiserable in a desolatewilderness.Three things,Luthersays,willundoanation;oblivionofmercies,politicalcontrivances,andcarnalsecurity.Wellwillitbe,ifthesedonotproveourruinatlast.O!whatafearlessagedowelivein?Wesleeponpillowsstuffedwiththefireofdivinevengeance.Wecry,Peace,Peace,anddestructioniscoming.Howdowestupefyoursenses,fearourconsciences,lockupourunderstandings,tokeepoutallfearsinthemidstofmostdreadfuldangers?WhatstupefyingopioidshastheDevil persuaded us to swallow, that makes us so mindless of approachingmiseries?Howdowefortifyourselveswithmostfondpresumptionsagainstthethreats of vengeance denounced from heaven? Can fancied safety deliver ournation from enemies, when we have nothing else to secure us? Can emptyboastings of conceited ability to defend ourselves, prevent the assaults ofenemies, or deliver our land from the ruin designed?Will security in sin besufficientguardtopreserveusfromallconspiracies?CanneitherGodnormandousanyharm,whileweimagineourselvesoutofdanger?O!nosmiserrimos!O!miserableEngland!Howdowesurfeitwithmercies,andbecomesickwiththekindnessofheaven,andyetsay,Itshallbewellwithus?Howdowewound

ourselves, when the Lord is healing; and destroy ourselves, when the Lord isdelivering,andyetsay, theLordwillgoon todeliver?Whatprosperitydowepromiseourselves,whileGod is threateningour ruin?Whatpeaceful timesdowevainlyexpect,thoughmiseriesarereadytoseizeus?O!thedreadfuldoomsthat are threatened to so stupid a people in theword of the Lord!O! the sadcalamitiesthathavecomeonapeopleinthiscondition!Isnotthisthepostureourenemiessogreatlydesiretofindusin?Whatistheirwork,but to lullusasleep,and then tobebutcheringofus?What is thegreatcontrivanceat thisdayof thePapists,andsuchasaffect them,but tosuppressour fears by cheating devices? Knowing our deepest security will be theirgreatestadvantage.Theyknow,ourthroatswilllieopentobecutbytheircruelhands, when once we have emptied our hearts of solicitous thoughts ofdestruction.Here,itishere,instrumentsareactivetoinformusdeceitfully,thatwe are sufficientlyprovided against them.For this they instruct theirs and theDevil’smartyrs toobtrudeontheworldthehighestprotestationsof innocence.Forthistheystraintheirthroatstoswallowrenouncingoaths,whichtheywillascertainlykeepasevertheyintended,whichIfearwasnotatall.Heretheyforcethemselves toaParish-Church, thatwemaycertainlythinktheycannotbelongtotheRomishMother;andthatwemayfancy,theycannotgotheretocontriveourmiserableruin.O!thenifthisistheirplot,howhavetheygotusbyit?Howdowepleaseourenemies,andpromotetheirdesigns,byoursinfulsecurity?Butshall we not fear the hammer and nail will kill us, when Sisera-like we aredrolled into sleep with a lordly dish of butter and honey?Youmay certainlybelievethisstupefyingopiumwillbelikethepoisonofsnakesatlast.Isnotthistheposturemosthavebeenin,whenjudgmentscameonthem?Whatwastherebutcarelessandsenselessdoings,whenthatdreadfuldelugesurprisedtheworldofold?ConsiderMatt.24:37-39,““ButasthedaysofNoahwere,soalsowillthecomingoftheSonofManbe.Forasinthedaysbeforetheflood,theywere eating and drinking,marrying and giving inmarriage, until the daythatNoahenteredtheark,anddidnotknowuntilthefloodcameandtookthemallaway,soalsowillthecomingoftheSonofManbe.”HowunexpectedwastheruinofSodomandGomorrah?HowincredulousweretheJewsoftheirsadcaptivities,andoftheirutterdesolationatlast?Observebuttheframeofpersonswhenjudgmentshavebeenrainedfromheavenonthem,andweshallfindtheywerefearlessofanystorms,andconceitedlysecurefromanymiseries.Whenthe

massacre broke forth in Paris, the cruel butchering was acted in Ireland, theruiningpersecutions anddistresses fell onGermany, theywere all involved inlethargicaldistempers,infatuatedwithfatalsecurity.Thisisthetimethebeastsof prey have ever gone out to glut themselves with fattening blood. This hasbeen the season ever selected to manage the overthrow of Kingdoms. Yetexamplesdonotwarnus,butwefoolishlyseemresolvedtogratifyourenemieswitha suitable season to ruinus. Isnot this theposture thatGodhas severelythreatened inhisWord, towhichhewilleverbe faithful? Isaiah22:13-14,“InthatdaytheLordofHostscalledtomourningandweeping,andbeholdjoyandgladness: and it was revealed in my ears,” Surely this iniquity shall not bepurgedfromyouuntilyoudie.Nothingurgesjusticemoretoconfoundapeoplewithfloodsofvengeance,thanEpicureanstupidityunderawakeningalarms.Hasnot theLord threatened inProv. 29:1, “He that beingoften reproved, and stillhardenshisneck,shallbedestroyedsuddenly,andthatwithoutremedy?”Whythendoweflatterourselves,andcrypeace,peace?Shallwesayasthose?Zeph.1:12,“TheLordwilldoneithergoodnorevil.”WillnotGodthensay,asverse13,“Thereforeyourgoodsshallbecomeabooty,andyourhousesadesolation?”Whatevermaybe thefoundationoursecurity isbuilton,so longasprovokingsins are heaping up wrath, security hastens our misery. It is possible we areincredulousthatjudgmentscaneverdestroyapeoplerenownedinprofessionaswe; but since our profession is but as Samuel’s mantle, under which areshroudedmost devilish sins, or as a carpet cast over themouth of hell, it canneverbeashelter forus,butstirsup theLord tovengeance.Externalholinessand mocking formality renders our condition worse. Micah 3:11-12, “TheyleaneduponGodinwaysofsin,andsaid,IsnottheLordamongus?dowenotprofesshim,andworshiphim?ThereforeshallZionforyoursakesbeplowedasafield,andJerusalemshallbecomeheaps,andthemountainsoftheHouseoftheLord,asthehighplacesoftheforest.”TheArkoftheLordcouldnotsavetheIsraelites sinning;Zionwillbeno shelter forhypocrites. It is invain to flatterourselveswithconceitsofsafetyinanoutwardshowofgodliness;thathayandstrawcanbenofencefromtheruiningflamesofDivineVengeance.Awake then from brutish security, and fall to work to prevent the threatenedruin,byrepentanceandamendment.Donotfancyyourselvesbeyondthereachof judgments, but tremble in yourselves, that youmayhave rest in the day oftrouble.MaketheAlmightyyourfriend,thathemaynotbeaterrorinthedayofevil.Beafraidofallhisjudgments,forifyouwillnotlearntofearthatgreatand

dreadfulName, theLord thyGod, thenwill hemakeyour plagueswonderful,“You shall carrymuch seed out to the field but gather little in, for the locustshall consume it,” (Deut. 28:38). Is not destruction coming after deliverance?Are not dreadful days approaching to us? Consider these few particularsfollowing, and you will see what cause we have to shake off security, andprepare ourselves to meet the Lord in ways of judgments, who have so longenjoyedtheshinesofmercy.1.Maywenot justly fear our ungrateful carriage towardsGodwill hastenhisformidabledeparturefromus?Unkindnessshowntofriendscomingtous,willcertainly discourage them from abiding with us. The happiness of a nationconsistsaboveall, inthefruitionofthefavorablepresenceofGod;andifbyaregardless carriage, or displeasing behavior, we provoke him to depart, oursudden ruinwillbe theconsequenceofhisdesertingofus.Hosea9:12, “Woealso to themwhenIdepart fromthem.”There is thatabsolutenecessityof thepresenceof theLordwithapeople, toconduct thembyhiscounsel, toprotectthembyhispower, tosucceedthembyhisblessinginuseofsavingmeans, todelivertheminunconquerabledangers,thatifhewithdrawsitfromthem,noneof these thingscanbedonebyanotherhand.Here theLord,unwilling to ruinJerusalem,with bowels of compassion cries out in Jer. 6:8, “Be instructed,OJerusalem,lestmysouldepartfromthee,andthylandbecomesdesolateandnotinhabited.” The soul of a man is the vivisect principle, on the separation ofwhichfromthebody,thereensuesadeath;allstrength,counsel,beauty,leavesthebody. In thiswaywhen theLorddeparts, thesoulofanation isgone,andthenthenationisonlyamolderingheap,andasalifelesscarcass.Wecertainlyloseallgood,whenthepresenceofGodiswithdrawnfromus.IfwebyoursinsmaketheAlmightygoaway,heforoursinswilltakeawayallkindsofmerciesfromus.Deut.31:17,“Iwill forsake them.”Theregardlessatheistsofouragewill say, Let him go, and what then? O! says the Lord, “Then shall ye bedevoured,andmanyevilsandtroublesshallcomeuponyou;so that theyshallsayinthatday,”havenottheseevilscomeonus,becausetheLordisnotamongus?NowmaywenotfearthatGodwilldepartfromapeoplethatbehavethemselvessounkindlyasweat thisday?Weslighthispresence,abusehiskindness;canwethinktobeblessedwithhispresencelong?WereadinHosea8:3,“Israelhascastoffthethingthatisgood.TheHebrewisIsraelhasdrivenfromitGodthe

onlygood,hasmadeitskindBenefactorgoaway(soGrotiussaysaswell).O!havewenotdonethis?HavewenotbeendrivingGodawayfromus;aswearyofhisordinances,tiredwithGospel-proffers,nauseatingmercies,anddespisingdeliverances?How canwe thinkGod, canwalkwith us any longer,whenwewalksofrowardlyandcontrarytohim?Amos3:3,“Howcantwowalktogether,unlesstheybeagreed?”BythisGodshowsthemhowimpossibleitwasforhimtocontinue inwaysofmercy to them, since they refused towalkwithhim inwaysofduty;whichis thesweetharmonyGodexpectedfromthem.TheLordsays,Youwouldhavemetowalkwithyou,andblessyou,yetyedepartfromme,andblasphememyName.HowcanIlongerwalkwithyou?InthiswaytheLordthreatensapeople,Lev.26.21,“Ifyewalkcontrarytome,Iwillwalkcontrarytoyou.”Verse24,“Iwillbringseventimesmoreplaguesuponyou,accordingtoyoursins.”O!howperverselyhavewewalked!Howcontraryisdisobediencetodeliverance,sinningtosalvation,cursingtoblessing!AndmaynotGodjustlyleaveus toruin,andsufferourdestructionwhodeal in thiswayunanswerablywithhim?2.Maywenot justlyfear thatourprovokedGodin justicewillset thewickedover us,who have despised his righteous and blessed government?Augustinesays,God sets upwicked oppressors, cum judicat res humanas talibus dignasdominis; when he judges a people meriting such masters. When Religion iscountedasanintolerableyoke,underagovernmentthatdecreesitsobservance,wemaywithterrorexpectayoketobelaidonournecksthatshallbesoheavy,that we shall see our unspeakable folly in accounting the service of God aslavery tohim.Havewenotcause to fear thatdreadfulword?Deut.28:47-48,“Because thou servedst not theLord thyGodwith joyfulness and gladness ofheart in the abundance of all things, therefore shalt thou serve thine enemieswhichtheLordshallsendagainstthee,inhunger,andthirst,andnakedness,andinwantofall things;and theyshallputayokeupon thyneck,until theyhavedestroyed thee.”Our nasty spirits under sometimes-a-prosperous rule,may behumbledbytheseveritiesofeitherforeignPrincesprevailingorhome-enemiesreigning.God punishing the iniquity of a people, is said inHosea 13:11, “Togivethemakinginhiswrath.”WhenGodsetsthewickedoverapeople,itisamanifestindicationofhisanger.Godoftensetstheworstofgovernorsovertheworstofpeople.AsaholymanpleadingwithGodaboutonePhocasmadeanEmperor, Cur Domine Phocam Imperatorem constituisti? responsum datumaccepit, Quia non inveni pejorem. Why Lord hast thou made Phocas an

Emperour?hewasanswered,BecauseIcouldnotfindaworse.Maynotourhearts thendread the fatal effectsof removingourpresentKing?(whomGodcouldpreserve.)ShouldGodinangerdoit,whatbloodyconfusionmay follow in thisnation?Andwillnotour sins in theabundanceofmercies,makehimdestroybothusandourKing?Prov.28:2,“ForthetransgressionofaLand,many are thePrinces thereof,” that is, the continuance ofKings on thisaccountisshortened,andforthepunishmentoftheirvillainiesthelivesoftheirKingsareabbreviated,andoneissetupafteranother;whichgreatmutationsareoftenattendedwithgreatconfusions,andinnumerablecalamities.3.Maywenot justlyfear, theLordmaysuspendhisdivineinfluencefromthecouncilsof thisnation, thatsincewehave little regardedwhathehasdoneforus,theablestadvisers,themostpoliticalcounselors,maybedisabledfromdoingthosethingswhichmaybeprofitableforus?HowoftenhavethecounselorsofanationdesertedbyGod,beenunprosperousintheirenterprisesandundertakingsforapeople?NotwithstandingthecareourvigilantSovereignhastakenormaytaketosuppressthegrowingpowerofPoperybyhisRoyalProclamations;andalthoughtheheartsofourParliamentmaybefilledwithsincerestintentions,toact for the advantage of the nation, yet they may fail in the means, and bedisappointedoftheend,ifGodshoulddesistfromconcurringwiththem.Whatiftheircounselsshallnothaveacceptance?Whatiftheiradvicemayseemunsafe, and others must necessarily be chosen? Will not the enemies of ournationbeworkingallthiswhile?Willnotourfoesbecontrivingandhasteningour ruin, unless we have counsel to prevent it? Would not this be a heavyjudgment?Andmaynot thisbe fearedbyus,whohaveseenhowhard it is togiveacceptablecounselinthesedifficultanddangeroustimes?WhatiftheLordshoulddotous,astothecounselorsofapeopleofold,Isaiah19:14, “Hemingled a spirit of perverseness in themidst of them.”Therefore,they became as a drunken man that staggereth in his vomit. They staggeredabout,werealwaysunfixed,everunstable,butreeledthiswayandthatway,notknowingwhat todo,orwhere togo.Should thisSpiritofdivisionbemingledwith ours, what shall we find but the breach made wider, the distress madegreater?Privateanimositieswouldbethedestructionofpublicadvantages.Theblessingthathasbeenpromisedtothegodly,hasbeenlackingtocounselorsin

our age, Psalm 1:3, “Whatsoever he doth shall prosper.” But has not amiscarryingwomb,anddrybreasts,beenthecurseoftheLordonus?WhatiftheLordshouldsufferthemtomistakethemeansofourrecovery,orfallshort inwhat theydo?Sometimesithasbeenknownthatgovernorshavebeentoosparingtothewicked,totheirownruin.TheKingofIsraellosthislife,forsparingBenhadad that shouldhavedied,1Kings20:41, “Thus saith theLord,Because thou hast let go out of thine hand amanwhom I appointed to utterdestruction,thereforethylifeshallgoforhislife,andthypeopleforhispeople.”It seems Ahab had too great a kindness for Benhadad, who deserved to die,being an implacable enemy to them. And are there not such enemies to bedestroyedatthisday?HealsoheldbytyrannyplacesbelongingtotheIsraelites,and therefore, deserved death. And are there not those who are seeking topossess what belongs to us, that ought to be cut off for their maliciousenterprises?Hewasalsoone thatGoddidmanifesthisdispleasureagainst,bydestroying 100,000 footmen of them, by which he might understand God’sdispleasure against him. Now for him to spare this enemy, to entreat sohonorably thispublicadversarywhengiven intohishands,broughthimunderthis threatening. Should our enemies be even spared like him, should we notsufferafterthismanner?Andwillnotthisbeabadexchange,togiveourlivesfortheirs?Willthisbeaworthydeed,tospareathieffromthegallowstocutourthroats? See 1 Sam. 14:21-23. There is little trusting such enemies, whateverpretenses theymake.Judaeobaptizato,& lupodomestico,nonest credendum.WemustnottrustabaptizedJew,beinganinwardenemytoaChristian;norahouse-wolf,thatwillstillmakemurderamongthesheep.Sometimesintheworldithasbeenknown,thatasmenhavebeentoosparingtothewicked,sotoocrueltothegodly.Therodhasbeenlaidonthewrongback,asthePoetsaid,Datveniamcorvis,vexatcensuracolumbas.Theinnocentdovesarecensured,whilsttheravenouscrowsarepardoned.TheChristiansmartyrsinformerdayshavebeenclothedwithbears-skins,and thenbaited.Somepeoplearemisrepresented,and thenmore severely reprehended than thosea thousandtimesmoreguilty.WereadinScripturehowAhasuerus,thatmightyPrince,wasbroughttodecreetheruinoftheJews,bytheaspersionsHamancastonthem,asif theywereapeoplenot fit to live,and that itwasnot for theKingsprofit tosufferthem;andbythismeansthisinnocentpeoplehadutterlybeendestroyed,had not a wonderful providence prevented. Therefore, sometimes it has been

experienced,thatapoorafflictedpeoplehavebornthepunishmentsdesignedforanddeservedbyothers,onlyfromthemisprisionsofprejudicedpersons.Shoulditthenbeeverinthiswaywithus,howsoonwouldourruincomeuponus?Howwould the hands of enemies be strengthened, and the nation disabled fromhelpingitself?4. May we not justly fear that our enemies have now set forward, by theirdoubled diligence, that design which was set back by the discovery of theiraccursed plot? Our enemies may be like the Devil, qui surgit armis quibusdejicitur, rises by the weapons by which he is cast down. So these politicalwretchesmayimprovethediscoveryoftheirdesigns,tomakefortheadvancingofthem,bylayingtheirplotsmorecunningly.Wehaveoftenheardofrepulsedarmies gaining force, and at last become triumphing conquerors.Our enemiesmayyetberallyingonus,andthatwithamoreinvinciblefury.TheFowleroftenremoveshissnares,understandingthebird’sperceptionof it;ourenemiesmaychangeorremovetheirsnares,andyetbeasneartoslayandundousasbefore.Andwhenwearemostsecurefromit,wearenearest toit.ThedreadfulbattlewasagainstGibeah,whenhedidnotknowsuchanevilwasnearhim, Judges20:34.Those serpentswill not die because their tails are cut off.Those grandpoliticianscancontrivemoreways thanone. It ispossible their faintingheartshavehadsomecordials fromRome to revive them.Francecanhelp thematadeadlift;andtheirghostlyfatherwillpreventtheruinofhiscursedbrats,ifallhecandocanruinus.Maywenotfear thingsarebrought tobestatusquo,astheywerebefore,orratherworse,ifthatispossible?Ifeareverygapisnotyetstopped,bywhichourenemiesmaypossiblyinvadeus.Ithinkitmaybefearedourenemiesarenotyetsomuchimpaired,butthattheyareabletorecovertheirlossofsomearmstheyhadtospare,andsomementheywillnotmissamongsttheir thousands. Do they not cry in the stoutness of their hearts and pride ofspirit,asIsaiah9:10,“Thebricksarefallendown,wewillbuildwithstones;thesycamoresarecutdown,wewillbuildwithcedars?”Wehavebeentooremissthisonce,butnowwewillbemoreinvincible.Thewatercastontheirfire,maymake itburn themorefiercely,andvexatiousdisappointmentswillmake themmorediligent.5.Maywenot justlyfear therelief thatwehave,maybenoother thanafaintcheering before amiserable death?How often dowe seemen laboring underdeadlydiseases,revivealittle,andgiveuptheghost?Howoftendoweknowa

littlecalm,beforearagingstorm?Apeoplemaygeta littleheart immediatelybefore their ruin.2Kings17:4comparedwithHosea1.8.WhenLo-ammiwasborn,thetentribesthatbeforeweredispirited,andbypresentsdidhomagetotheKingofAssyriayearbyyear,begintobejolly,andhopetocastofftheyokeofbondage, and bring presents no longer; but joined in confederacywith Egypt,whichwas immediatelybefore their rejection.Godbegins to savewith a littleescape,butitmaybebutalittlelightningbeforedeath.Thedolphinsportsmuchbefore a storm.Men in jolly and fearless condition, is a dreadful presageof aruining storm. It is so true inmaximâ fortunâminima licentia. In the greatestprosperity,wearenotallowedtheleastsinfulliberty.Godthreateningtobringdown judgments on Israel, says, hewill feed him as a lamb in a large place,Hosea 4:16. To enlarge a people’s bounds, is in Scripture taken to free themfromtroubles;soGoddesigninggreatdistress,wouldforawhilefreethemfromtroubles.Itisametaphortakenfrombutchers,whoabouttoslaytheircattle,firstput them into largepastures to fatten them; soGodabout todestroyapeople,oftengives thema freedomfromdistress,and leaves them to fillupapace themeasuresoftheirsins,andthenbringsthemouttoslaughter.HearMerc.ontheplace; Nunc Israelitas copiosè pascet, ut mox saginati hostibus dedanturtrucidandi. He feeds the Israelites most plentifully with mercies, that beingfattedup,theymaybecomeapreytotheirbutcheringenemies.O!howfastdowefatten!Howsoonshallwebereadytobesacrificestoourenemies?6.Maywenotjustlyfear,thatasGodinhiswrathhasdealtwithothers,hemaydealwithus?Whenjudgmentsonothersarenotmadeuseofaswarnings,theybecomebutexamplesandpatternsofourowndestruction.Luke13:3,“Exceptye repent, ye shall likewiseperish.”The swordof justice is not sobluntedbywoundingothers,butitcanwoundthehairyscalpofeveryonethatgoesoninsin.ThearrowsofDivineVengeancearenotyet spent, theremaybemany inreserve to pierce our obstinate, hardened hearts. God is the same yesterday,today,andforever;thesametolove,protectandsecurehisobsequiouspeople;the same to ruin and destroy rebellious sinners. Ezek. 20:36, “Like as I havepleadedwith your fathers, sowill I pleadwith you.” The punishments of sinothernationshaveexperienced,mayatlastbeinflictedonus.ThevengeanceofGodonothersisasigntous,Jer.7:12-14,“GoyenowtomyplacewhichwasinShiloh,andseewhatIdidtoit,forthewickednessofmypeopleIsrael;andnowbecauseyehavedoneall theseworks, saith theLord, thereforewill Idoso tothis house,” etc. May not the dealings of God with others, prognosticate his

dealings with us?May not the sore desolations in Germany, the distresses ofProtestantsinFrance,theruinsofthechurcheswereadofinJohn’sRevelation,causeustofearweat lastshallexperiencethesamemiseries,anddrinkof thesamecupofastonishment thathasbeengiven to them?2Peter2:5-6,“IfGodsparednottheoldworld,”shaltthouescapehisjudgment?Whathavewemoretosecureus?WhyshouldwenotbemadeasSodombyjudgments,thatparallelit in sins?Let us take the cautionGodgave to Israel,Deut. 24:9, “RememberwhattheLordthyGoddiduntoMiriambytheway,whenhebroughttheefromEgypt.” Mind what God has been doing to other nations. The inscription onSenacherib’sstatuemaybewrittenonallruinednations,Beholdingme,learntobegodly.Butespeciallywhendistressesfallonapeoplenearus,wearegreatlyto regard them.TheProtestants inFrance are already involved inunspeakabletrouble,andasthePoetsaid,—Tuaresagiturpariescumproximusardet.Thouart greatly concernedwhen thyneighbor’s house is in flames.The cuppassesfromonetoanother.7.Toconclude,althoughwemayhaveanescapefromfinal ruin,andglorioustimesmaysucceedourunhappydays,maywenot justlyfear, thatourmerciesmay be ushered in with a great deal of misery, and that a black storm willprecedeourglorioussunshine?Theapproachesofmerciesmaybeattendedwithamazing terror. Great distresses may justly be expected, before our greatdeliverance.The shorter the time of enemies reigning is, the greater will be their rage. Acloud ushered in the presence of God to the tabernacle; Christ’s coming toredeem his people, appears in a cloud. The darkest hour is a little before thedawning of the glorious day. The sorest conflicts Israel had, was on theirentrance into their blessed and promised Canaan. Mercies of greatestexcellencies,haveproportioneddifficulties.Joseph’spearledcrown,andchainsof honor, had answerable links of trouble. We have just cause from God’spromisestoexpectsomegloriousdays,butcertainlyagloomydaywillbefirst.TheearthwillbeshakenwhenBabylonshallfall.Beforewecanbehappy,thefilthofEnglandmustbewashedawaywiththespiritofjudgmentandburning.WemaybedealtwithasisspokenoftheJews,Zech.13:8-9,“Twopartsmaybecut off, and the third refined.” Imay confidently assert, Godwill bringmoregloriousdaysthanyettheworldenjoyed;butasBalaamsaid,“Alas,whoshalllivewhen the Lord does this?” (Num. 24:24). You or Imay be cut off, with

millionsmore;andseeingthistimeisathand,donotbesecure.Theonlywaytosecureanyfuturedeliverance, isby improving this in reformation.Theway tohavefuturesalvation,istomakeuseofthisforyoutoenjoy,tomortifysinsinreformation.“FortheRedeemershallcometoZion,andtothosethatturnfrominiquity in Jacob,” (Isa.59:20).So then let usno longer abuse thepatienceofGod;butsinceheisanindulgentFather,letusbecomeobedientchildrensothatwemayhope,thathethathasdelivered,andcandeliver,willstillbecontinuingdeliverancestousinourgloriousreformation.

SOLIDEOGLORIA.FINIS.