The Childs Portion, Sermon 3
The only ſure way to prevent threatned CALAMITY: As it was delivered in a SERMON, Preached at the COURT of ELECION, May, 24. 1682.
Jer. 26. 12, 13.
Then ſpake Jeremiah unto all the Princes, and to all the People, ſaying, The Lord ſent me to propheſie againſt this Houſe, againſt this City, all the words that ye have heard.
Verſ. 13. Therefore now amend your wayes and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord with repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced againſt you.
SUch is the unhappy entertainment that plain-dealing and open-hearted reproofs do meet with in the World, that when they are moſt needed, they can be leaſt born: The fouler the ſtomack, the more nauſeous is the Phyſick: when the malady is come to a dangerous Criſis, and every ſymptom bodes a ſad and ſudden▪ change men are better pleaſed with … cheating quack, that diſſembleth the d…ſeaſe▪ and engageth all ſhall be well, then with an hone… and faithful Phyſitian, who tells them the diſtemper is malignant, the iſſue dubious, and, without the application of ſome ſpeedy and e…traordinary means, deſperate. He that will …ndertake to lay open the true ſtate of degenerous People, by ripping up their ſins, diſplaying their impenitencies, and applying the threatnings of …ine diſpleaſure, ſhall expoſe himſelf to the hatred and injurious uſage of thoſe for whom he doth this kindneſs: Apoſtacy being a ſpiritual frenzy, and herein expreſſing an affinity with mad…en, in being enraged at none ſo much, as thoſe that in love ſeek their cure. The truth of this our Prophet here experienced; who, being ſent by God on an unthankful errand (for when men love the diſtemper, they do by conſequence deſpiſe the remedy, and hate him that brings it. And I therefore call it unthankful, … from its own nature, for what can be a more obliging courteſie than to give men timely notice of eminent dangers, & counſel how to avoid them▪ But from the diſpoſition of thoſe who were to receive it, whom cuſtom in ſin had wedded to … complacency in it; whoſe pride and preſumptio… had made them inpatient of all threatnings; and in whom deep rooted impenitence had obſtructed the reception of every advice calling them to reformation) being thus ſent, he faithfully and clearly opens their ſtate▪ ſhews them their hazzards, directs to ſuch duties as the preſent circumſtances required, promiſeth them a good iſſue, if they were ſo followed, but denounceth ruine if they were neglected. And now (as if he had been guilty of Treaſon, and had joyned hands in ſome dangerous conſpiracy) the Prieſts, Prophets, and People, in a tranſport of fury, lay violent hands on him in the very Temple, and nothing can ſatisfie their helliſh rage but the Prophets life. The Princes, (who, though poſſibly they had but little, if any thing more of Religion then the reſt, yet pretending to more civility) enterpoſe in this fray, and call the matter to a legal hearing; which (by the over-ruling providence of God) determineth in his delivery out of their hands.
The Principal things obſervable in this tranſaction, are, the Peoples Accuſation, and Jeremiah's Apology. The former is briefly touched in verſ. 11. in which, while they pretend to accuſe▪ they undertake to Judge, and with a full cry pronounce him a man of death. This man is worthy to dye; or, the judgement of death is for this man, as the Hebrew text reads it: Which leſt they ſhould ſeem to have ſpoken of prejudice, they article againſt him for ſedition: For he hath ſpoken againſt this City: nor need witneſſes be ſought, for they themſelves had heard it with their ears. We ſee what different interpretations the words and actions of men ly open unto; how change of times changeth mens opinions of things; how dangerous it is for men to ſpeak the truth in Apoſtatizing times. Micah the Moraſthite delivered a more fearful, becauſe a more poſitive Propheſie, in the dayes of Hizekiah, Mic. …. 12. Zion ſhall be plowed as a field, and Jeruſalem ſhall become heaps, and the mountain of the houſe, as the high places of the forreſt. And yet was not branded for a turbulent perſon, nor proſecuted as a ring-leader of ſedition; but received as a Prophet of the Lord, and his prediction …mproved to repentance, which averted eminent deſolation. Jeremiah ſo threatens calamity, as withal to promiſe mercy, in caſe of ſound repentance; and he is an offender, propheſieth againſt the City, and no leſs than his blood can ſerve to expiate his crime. How happy a thing is it to preach to a pious Generation, who, becauſe they hate their ſins, love their reprovers? How unhappy to come to a People wedded to their wicked waves, who count thoſe their enemies who are ſo to their luſt? As for the Prophets▪ Apology, I need, for the preſent occaſion, to take notice only of the juſt defence which he makes both of himſelf and his propheſie, which is contained in the Text. The Perſons before whom he makes it are the Princes, and all the People; under whom we may liſt the Prieſts and Prophets, unleſs we look on theſe as his accuſers, and the other, as thoſe to whom he appeals as Judges.
The Vindication it ſelf conſiſts of two Parts.
1. A clearing up of the Authority by which he had ſpoken▪ Their Lord (Jehovah) ſent me to propheſie: Divine Authority gives a ſuperſedeas to humane Laws: They may make it Capital to ſpeak againſt their wayes and doings▪ but if God Authorize his Servants to it, it▪ is no Crime in them, but a duty to cry aloud and not to ſpare.
The Prophets Commiſſion comprizeth the full of their Accuſation: He might have propheſied againſt other Nations without their offences; but that he doth it againſt this City, this is the provocation: He therefore aſſerts his particular charge, To propheſie againſt this Houſe and this City: Grotius indeed lenifies the expreſſion, and would have the words read, To this Houſe, and to this City: Noting that the propheſie was for them, and not againſt them: And indeed con…cing and awakening preaching would be ſo, if a People had wiſdom and grace rightly to improve it: But ſuppoſe it againſt them, yet if God be againſt a People, and would have them to know it, ſhould the Prophet obey man or God? Eſpecially, if he exceeds not the bounds of his commiſſion, which Jeremiah here further aſſerts for the Lord ſent him to ſpeak all the words which they had heard; he had not added one of his own head: And muſt the Herald be impeached for proclaiming the King's Edicts?
2. The end of his propheſie, viz. if it might be to prevent their ruine, which he therefore delivers in way of Exhortation; Therefore now … mond your wayes and your doings, &c. I name that Exhortation as a branch of his defence, becauſe he doth therein explicate what he had before delivered in the propheſie it ſelf. Verſ. 3. And alſo infinuates that his errand and buſineſs was not to triumph over the…, but compaſſionately to endeavour the prevention of all the evil denounced: It is, q. d. Wherein have I offended? I have only ſtudied your peace and ſafety; only adviſed to means of delivery and eſtabliſhment, and is this a Crime? Muſt I dye for this? He therefore gives them a ſafe direction, and backs it with a perſwaſive encouragement.
The Direction is to Repentance and Reformation, and deſigns the rectifying both … heart and life, projects and practices. Amen… the word is, make good, noteing they had bee… bad, which called for amendment or reformation. Your way and doings: Calvin read… it, your wayes and ſtudies: The word ſignifies▪ thing done by ſtudy, plotting, deſign and deliberation; And obey the voice of the Lord your God▪ The word is, Hear, and is the frequent Scripture expreſſion of obedience: By the voice of God as intended the will of God delivered in his Word, intimating that he brought no new Commands to them, but only ſtudied to reduce them to the obedience of God's Law, of which they profeſſed themſelves the ſubjects (if they would ſtudiouſly conſider, and compare themſelves by it) they might eaſily know their preſent courſe to be Judged and Condemned.
The encouragement is full, and clears the Prophet from the imputation of any ſtudied miſchief, in as much as he gives them to underſtand, that if his Counſel be imbraced and faithfully put in execution all the threatnings of wrath and ruine ſhall ceaſe, as having attained their appointed end.
Hence,
He brings in God as clothed with …umane affection, ready to ſympathize with the miſeries of a penitent People, and reverſe the ſentence paſſed againſt them. The Lord ſhall repent, &c. The word firſtly ſignifies to be grieved and ſor…y for one, and then to repent of any thing we have ſaid or done againſt them, and finally to change ones mind, or alter ones purpoſe. But is God capable of perturbation? Can the infinitely bleſſed Being ſuffer any diſturbance or grief? Or can the immutable and everlaſting will of God be changed? No, but an unchangeable Decree, may ordain changeable Providences, and an immutable God may vary his wor… according to the changes of the ſubject, and al… this agreeably to invariable counſel: And there may be ſuch effects wrought, which, to the conception of men, proceed from a different principle. God had pronounced a ſentence of deſolation againſt Judah and Jeruſalem, but i… they repent the ſentence ſhall not take effect but ceaſe.
Hence.
The Septuagint tranſlates it, he ſhall ceaſe, or deſiſt; which gives the true intent of the phraſe, though not the Grammatical conſtruction of the Word.
There are two concluſions, proper from the Words, and pertinent to the preſent occaſion, offer themſelves to our meditation, viz.
Doct. 1. When God commiſſioneth his Miniſters, to denounce awful threatnings againſt an Apoſtati… ing Generation, they muſt deliver, and theſe ough… to apply them.
It is to the one a warrant for Juſtification, & to the other a warning for ſerious conſideration▪ It is true, it is not every ones place and work. He had need be able to ſay, The Lord ſent me, that will undertake to pronounce a ſentence full of woes upon a whole People; yea, and throughly to ponder every word, that he may be ſure he ſhall have God himſelf to patronize him. But if God do indeed ſay, Go and propheſie, and ſpeak all theſe words in their hearing, it would be rebellion in them to keep ſilence, and will be pernicious for that People who receive them not.
The way indeed wherein the Prophets of old received intimation of the will of God, viz. By Viſions, Dreams, immediate Revelations, &c. As it was extraordinary, ſo it is now ſhut up: But yet there remains a more ſure word of propheſie, and no leſs infallible evidence of God's mind in general, and our call in particular,
For,
1. Chriſt's Miniſters are ſet as Watch-men, under a ſolemn and ſtrict charge, to look out and eſpy all approaching dangers, and give timely warning of them, Ezek. 3. 17, 18. They muſt give the alarum though it be at mid night, when it is like to be moſt ſurprizing, and men are loth to be bereaved of their beloved ſleep. …en naturally love ſecurity, and like not to be …turbed: But what ſhall thoſe Watch men do? …hriſt hath placed them on the Watch-tower, …d put a Trumpet in their hands, charging them …on pain of death to ſound when occaſion calls for it.
2. The ſpiritual preſence of Chriſt with his faithful Meſſengers abides perpetually engaged to ſtand by them and afford them all the nece… ſary aſſiſtance which their Calling and Du… doth require. Were it not for this their charg… were inſupportable, their burden intolerable for, Who is ſufficient for theſe things? But he ha… given his word for it, Mat. 28. ult. Lo! I am with you to the end of the World.
3. The Word of God is a ſure rule by which to diſcover the true and proper ſtate of any People, ſo far forth as to afford ſufficient light and direction for their warning, if we compare them thereby. It is true, the ſoveraignty of his ſecret will is not there ſtinted, nor can we from thence certainly determine what God will undoubtedly do with theſe or thoſe: Neither did God alwayes diſcover this to his Prophets of old, nor yet did they ſo underſtand him. Jonah upon this very ſuſpicion waved his errand, Chap. …. …. Was not this my ſaying in my Country? Therefore I fled unto Ta…ſhiſh, for I knew thou art … gracious God &c. But yet the Word of God evidently declares, when it is that a People comes with… the compaſs, of the threatning, when they … caſt in common Law. Gods revealed will is o… and perpetual: If men break Covenant … God, and falſify their engagements to him; … they bring themſelves under the threatnings the word, there is a ſentence out againſt them, and thoſe that are God's Watch-men may eſpy it. If then they declare againſt ſuch wayes, and proclaim that there is Wrath gone forth, and Calamities before u… even at the door, and daily to be expected, they herein ſay not a word more than what they have God's warrant and Command for.
4. God ſometimes gives his ſervants a particular, ſpecial opportunity to declare his mind againſt a ſinful Generation. Thus he did unto Jeremiah at this time, when the people were gathered out of all their cityes to one of the great feaſts at Jeruſalem, and there was a general concourſe of them to the Temple. And when it is thus, to omit the improving a price in our hands, is to play the fool egregiouſly. The wiſe-man tells us their is a ſeaſon to every purpoſe, and ſometimes this ſeaſon comes once and no more, the neglect whereof proves i… reparable, and leaves a woful ſting upon the Conſcience.
5. There are alſo ſometimes deep and powerfull impreſſions upon the minds of God's Meſſengers, which by an irreſiſtible impuſſe, conſtrain them to bear open and publick witneſs againſt the ſins of the times and places which they live in. I am far from pleading for, or juſtifying any thing that looks like Euthuſiaſm; or thinking that men ſhould make a ſecret impetus upon their ſpirits the rule and plea of their words and actions. But, if men who are called by God to declare his counſels, advantaged by his providence to proclaim his pleaſure, directed by his word to ſpeak nothing but that is agreeing there unto; are preſt in their ſpirits to a zealous witneſs bearing againſt theſe and thoſe prevailing ſins and ſolemnly to denounce the Judgements of God againſt them, if men repent not. I believe there is much of God in it, and it carrie… a great evidence along with it, that God is about to do ſome ſpeedy, ſtrange work there, if he be not prevented. When we are in ſuch a frame as our Prophet was, Jer. 20. 9. His word was in my heart as a burning fire ſhut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and could not ſtay. Or as Elihu, Job 32. 18. I am full of matter, the ſpirit within conſtraineth me.
And when it is thus, it concerns ſuch a People to apply theſe things to themſelves: It becomes them not now to take exceptions and grow into a rage, but to lay them to heart. Theſe things are of God, and not in vain: They alarum a People to prepare to meet their God; and if by repentance they are not rendred healing to them, they will prove killing words: The ſword of his mouth will hew them in pieces, Hoſ. 6. 5. I have hewed them by my Prophets, and ſlain them by the words of my mouth. God is not wont to let ſuch words periſh, and come to nought; yea, though he may defer to accompliſh, yet he will not diſanul them: They may be deferred a while, but they ly in reſerve againſt the due time.
Doct. 2. Univerſal and through Repentance and Reformation, is an only and ſure way to eſcape the threatned Judgements of God.
Univerſal; both referring to the ſubject, viz. All orders of men from the higheſt to the loweſt. Jeremiah directs his advice to the Princes, Prieſts, Prophets, and People, and in reſpect of the term from which; all ſin, every falſe way: and Through; not in pretence only, or in part. Not like that of Jehu's, who took away Baal out of Iſrael, but retained Jeroboam's ſin▪ Nor only like that of ſome good Kings of Judah of whom it is ſaid, they did that which was …ght, but ſtill the high places were left ſtanding, and the People ſacrificed at them: But like Hezekiah's, and Joſiah's, who ſought to remove every offence: And there muſt be both Repentance and Reformation: A work that reacheth to both heart and life, both inward and outward man. Of what efficacy this is will appear, if we ſhall conſider.
1. That this is the priviledge of a People in viſible Covenant with God, that there is no threatning denounced againſt them, but with a gracious reſerve and room to reverſe it in caſe of Repentance. God ſometimes indeed ſeems to ſpeak poſitively, but then, to lenefie ſuch abſolute threatnings, and render them equivalent to Hypothetical, he ſpeaks after the manner of men, of repenting. God imitates his own Law, for in making of War, he firſt proffers Peace, and preſents men with termes of compliance: When he takes up armes, he would be glad if there were ſome to hold his hands: When he ſaith I will do thus, yet then he wiſheth Iſrael to prepare to meet him, Amos 4. 12. If a People of God ſuffer at his hands, it ſhall be through their own wilfulneſs. God can threaten and never execute, and yet be God unchangeable, alwayes provided his People do truely repent and amend their wayes and doings.
2. God therefore ſends his Ambaſſadours to plead with his People about their ſins, and publiſh his Judgements, that they may have motive and opportunity to repent. Divine threatnings are Expoſtulatory and awakening: They are to convince men of their ſin, and to put them in aw: They are to ſee if words will do, that blows may be ſpared. After threatnings therefore God hearkens, Jer. 8. 6. I hearkened and heard, but they ſpake not aright. God might elſe ſtrike as well as menace; yea, it were as eaſie, nay and as merciful for him ſo to do, were it not that he had rather men ſhould live than dye.
Hence therefore,
The Proclamations of War which God makes againſt a revolting People are to be annumerated to his long-ſuffering.
3. This only can put a ſtop to the wrath of God from proceeding; for, as the promiſe is full to the Penitent, ſo the threatning is as Poſitive, and as much without reſerves to thoſe that are impenitent. When a People ſay, either with their tongues or with their practices, there is no hope, but they will follow after their own courſes, God alſo faith, there is no hope, but he will poure out his fury upon them. So that when God hath a purpoſe of mercy to a rebellious People, and is reſolved to exalt his Grace upon them, and alſo makes known theſe purpoſes in thoſe diſcoveries which we call abſolute Promiſes, he doth it ſo as not to croſs this Rule of his Covenant with People, and therefore engageth not only to give deliverance from his Judgements; but alſo to do it in ſuch a way, as withal to give them the condition, Iſa. 57. 18. I have ſeen his wayes, and I will heal him, &c. If therefore Repentance be (under and after much forbearance) neglected, it is both a reaſon why, and ſign that the decree, when it hath gone out its full time, ſhall certainly bring forth.
4. God expreſſeth himſelf better pleaſed at the Repentance of his People, and thereby extinguiſhing of the fire of his anger, than if it had burnt up and conſumed them. He therefore gives oath that he delights not in their death, profeſſeth that he rejoyceth in their returning: like a tender Father, who is glad if any means will reclaim his refractory, and diſobedient Son whom he loveth, and for whoſe good he longs.
Hence,
Pſal. 81. 14. Oh, that my People had been obedient unto me, and Iſrael had walked in my wayes. And we may truly apply that of Solomon unto Jeſus Chriſt as the Antitype, Pro. 23. 15. My Son, if thine heart be wiſe, my heart ſhall rejoyce, even mine. He reckons himſelf to have gained a greater conqueſt, when he hath won the hearts of his People to fear and ſerve him, than when he hath broken his enemies as Potters ſhreds, with the Scepter of his Power.
USE. That I may render theſe truths practicable, and accommodate them to the uſe and benefit of this People, give me leave to deal in all plainneſs and integrity. As I would not give flattering words, leſt God ſhould deſtroy me, ſo neither would I deſignedly provoke or move any to anger, except it be at his ſins. I ſhall therefore endeavour to ſpeak words of truth and ſoberneſs; and yet chuſe rather to offend man than provoke the moſt high.
There are two Uſes I have to ſuggeſt, unto which I ſhal reduce thoſe few words which I have to ſpeak; the one by way of Conviction, the other of Exhortation.
1. For Conviction: Let us ſolemnly conſider, and rightly weigh whether or no thoſe words which have been ſpoken againſt this Place and People on ſuch occaſions as this, were not ſuch words as God commanded thoſe that delivered them to come and ſpeak. I muſt confeſs, when I ſeriouſly look upon this People in their conſtitution Civil and Eccleſiaſtical, molded in the one under wholſome Laws, in the other under ſtrict and ſacred Covenants: When I conſider that the management of theſe is under the hands of Pious and Prudent Magiſtracy, a godly and learned Miniſtry: When I think how many there are whoſe hearts are upright with God, and do not wickedly depart from his Covenant: When I mind that by the very confeſſion of unprejudiced ſtrangers, here is more of ſobriety and honeſt converſation, then almoſt in any place they have occaſion to be converſant in: It ſeems hard to believe that God who is full of Mercy and Pity, who knows this frame of ours, and minds that we are but duſt, ſhould declare againſt us, though many infirmities ſhould appear in the midſt of us: And could be willing to think that all the warnings & menaces which have been uttered by theſe or thoſe, were nothing elſe but the miſtakes of an irregular) though well minded) zeal, or the dumps and night viſions of ſome melancholick ſpirits, and thus indeed were the Prophets of old cenſured. But when I throughly weigh all circumſtances in an equal ballance, I dare not but conclude that the Lord hath ſent them to ſpeak all theſe words. What they have ſpoken is for the moſt part upon Record, and commended to us in Print: Wherein we are impeached for degenercy, threatned with the Judgements of God if we amend not; and thence ſolemnly adviſed and invited to Repent. If they underſtood the mind of God, then are we far from being ſafe and ſecure from eminent dangers. I know they have been condemned by ſome, contemned by many more, ſcarcely believed by any, if we are to take the evidence of mens faith by their works. But if we ſhall ponder ſuch things as theſe, they may leave conviction behind them.
1. They were the Lords faithful Watch-men, who gave this Alarum. Not men that came upon their own heads, but were ſet up by the will of God to deſcry and give notice of his mind to his People: And theſe are ſuch as God is wont to make known his counſels to, Amos 3. 7. Surely the Lord will do nothing, but he revealeth his ſecrets to his Servants the Prophets: They were ſuch as truly feared God, and would not dare to propheſie lyes in the name of the Lord.
2. They were ſuch as loved, and laboured for the peace and proſperity of this People: Who could truly (with the Prophet) appeal to him who knows the heart, that they deſire not that woeful day: Friends, and not Enemies to our Zion, who loved and ſtood up for the way of theſe Churches, who prayed for the peace of our Jeruſalem; Who mourned in ſecret for the ſins of the land, and to their ability ſtrongly endeavoured to ſtop the courſe of them, and to prevent the eruptions of God's Wrath: Who preached the diſpleaſure of God with pitty and compaſſion, entreating and encouraging to Repentance.
3. They delivered not theſe meſſages, without many heavy pangs and throes, upon their own ſpirits. This roll was bitter to them, and with a great deal of reluctancy and unwillingneſs did they declare themſelves. I my ſelf have heard ſome of them expreſſing what Combats, what Wreſtlings they have had in their own minds, how loth to ſpeak, how fearful about their meſſage, how well they could have been content to enjoy the good-will of the People, and how greatly unwilling they were to be an occaſion of adding to the guilt of thoſe that had already run too deep on account with God: And, could they have ſo ſatisfied their own conſciences, and been clear of blood, would have altogether held their peace: Yea, ſometimes had ſaid as the Prophet, Chap. 20. 9. I will not make mention of him, nor ſpeak any more in his Name.
4. There hath been great harmony and concurrence in theſe Teſtimonies. It hath not been the voice only of one or two, but ſuch things have been told us from year to year▪ And though God may put a lying ſpirit into four hundred falſe Prophets, yet he is not wont ſo to deceive his own ſervants. If they all are miſled, what ſhall we do? or where ſhall we ſeek for the Word of the Lord? or would not that it ſelf be a clear evidence of Gods great diſpleaſure againſt his People, if it be indeed arrived at this, that there is no Prophet, nor any one that can tell how long?
5. God himſelf hath ſealed the truth of their warnings with many awful Providences: The language wherof, had there been no interpreter, hath ſpoken his anger with cleareſt demonſtration. The Rod hath ſpoken as well as the Word; and every Rod hath come after ſuch ſolemn Words of warning as have been too generally entertained in the quality of tales and falſhoods. And if God hath in part accompliſhed the predictions of his ſervant, may we not rationally and Religiouſly Judge, that the remainder ſhall have their time of accompliſhment too, except we ſhall attend to the due means of prevention?
6. The Grounds and Reaſons of theſe threatnings are found in the midſt of us. They have not only declared the anger of an holy and jealous God, but alſo drawn up our indictment, and entered God's Plea againſt us, and fully anſwered all our reaſons of appeal: They have ſhewn Judah their Tranſgreſſions, and the houſe of Jacob their Sins; yea, ſuch ſins as according to the word of God (that rule of procedure between him and his People) are found to be incentives of Divine diſpleaſure; ſuch as raiſe up God's jealouſie, and kindle his anger againſt thoſe that are ſo found guilty of them: Nor yet have they done this of their own meer ſurmize:
But,
7. We have, at leaſt verbally, acknowledged a Judgement in many, yea, the moſt, if not all which they have charged us withal: Witneſs the propoſed grounds for many days of faſting, iſſued out from thoſe who ſtand as the repreſentatives of this People: Witneſs the confeſſions and acknowledgments which have been on ſuch dayes made unto God: And that which will ſtand up for a full clearing of this truth againſt us, witneſs the Records of the laſt Synod, in which we ſhall find the full and free conſent of the Elders and Meſſengers of theſe Churches, acknowledging that the hand of God is out againſt this People awful in tokens of wrath; and giving him the Glory, by confeſſing that there are theſe and thoſe ſins, not only fallen into through infirmity, but ſo prevalent in the midſt of us, as to acquit, not only a juſt, but a merciful God too in all his ſeverities againſt us. And ſhall we not yet believe? Or ſhall we ſay to Jeremiah, the Lord ſent thee not, but Baruch ſtirreth thee up? Shall we ſay, we have ſuch a Magiſtracy, ſuch a Miniſtry, ſuch Churches, and therefore what need we to fear? When did Micah ſay, Zion ſhall be ploughed as a field? Was it not in the dayes of good Hezekiah? When did God ſay I will remove Judah out of my ſight? Or when did Zephaniah deliver his terrible propheſies, but in the dayes of godly Joſiah? All I ſhall here add is thus much: If God's faithful Meſſengers are to be believed when ſpeaking from God himſelf; if the Word of God be to be credited which they have delivered to us; if the concurrence of ſo many (divers of whom are now with God) be of any weight,; if Providence may be thought to ſpeak any thing, and the Rod have a voice in it; if to be ſelf-Judged and Condemned be of any efficacy; then there is an hand-writing of God given out againſt us; and therefore let it be.
2. For Exhortation: Be we perſwaded to make it our▪ ſerious endeavour, by an univerſal and through Repentance to ſeek a way to eſcape the after effects of God's diſpleaſure. Let us obey the voice of the Lord our God; let us amend, and God will repent.
I might urge many things ſtrongly argumentative to preſs the great neceſſity of this Duty, let it ſuffice to give ſome brief hints.
1. Remember your Profeſſion to the World. How oft have you given it out that your deſign, and main buſineſs here is to promote the ſervice of Chriſt, and maintain the intereſt of the Goſpel? Which is then only upheld when a People ſtick cloſe to the Law and to the Teſtimony, walking by the holy Rules of Scripture, in conformity to the revealed will of God in his Word, and can only be your Glory among the Nations, and will be ſo if you thus do, otherwiſe your very profeſſion will be your ſhame.
2. Remember your Covenants, and ſolemn Engagements to be the Lords. How you have called God to witneſs, and bound your ſelves in an oath and a curſe to ſerve God, and him only: How you have avouched him to be your Lord and Law-giver, and renounced the guidance of your own wills and luſts. And if you ly under breach of Covenant, and can ſo content your ſelves, and not return again to the Lord, how can you eſcape from bringing your ſelves under the dreadful guilt of taking his name in vain. To the vindication whereof, his holineſs ſtands firmly engaged.
3. Forget not your own Confeſſion. How oft have ye made large and full declarations againſt your ſelves? Such hath been the evident and notorious declination of the power of Godlineſs, and manifeſt growth of iniquity, that we have been conſtrained to confeſs it, God hath exto…d it out of our mo…ths: And know this, that ſins confeſſed and not repented of will be an heavy indictment againſt a People, profeſſing themſelves the ſervants of God, when out of their mouths they ſhall be Judged, and man… ſtripes ſhall be inflicted on ſuch as knew the Lords will and did it not.
4. Think how many Calls you have had to Repentance. The mercies of God to our Fathers▪ and continued to our ſelves; by theſe God expoſtulates, Jer. 2. 5. What iniquity did your Fathers find in me, that ye are gone ſo far away? And verſ. 31. Have I been a Wilderneſs to Iſrael, a land of darkneſs? The Judgements of God which have been upon the land; theſe are Doctrinal, Iſa. 26. 9. When thy Judgements are in the Earth, the Inhabitants of the World ſhall learn Righteouſneſs. The Patience of God wherein he hath given you a ſpace to repent, this is not forgotten, Rev. 2. 21. I gave her a ſpace to Repent, and ſhe Repented not. The continual cry of the Miniſtry by powerful convictions, ſevere comminations, gracious promiſes followed with earneſt and unwearied entreaties; God keeps a Regiſter of theſe, Jer. 25. 4, 5. The▪ Lord hath ſent unto you all his Prophets, riſing up early, and ſending them: They ſaid, turn again every one from his evil way, &c.
5. God hath thoughts of good for you, if you will Repent. He hath not forgotten the love of your Fathers, who followed him into a Wilderneſs, a Land that was not ſown: He hath a reſpect for the faithful in the land: Though the A… be up, and ready to fall, yet he ſees a few cluſters, and will ſay ſpare it, for there is a bleſſing in it. And I cannot but be perſwaded that God hath good things yet in reſerve for New-England; but he expects your reformation, and that you acknowledge and turn from your ſins. And yet I am afraid there is more to do, and ſome ſevere tryals to befal us in order to this: For God will do for his People in wayes ſuitable to his own ends, and ſuch which ſhall recommend him to be a God glorious in Holineſs.
6. Know it, there yet wants ſuch a Repentance as God requires; and that notwithſtanding all that he hath ſaid or done. Though he hath convinced us, counſelled us, warned, threatned, ſmitten, renewed his Judgements with breach upon breach, altered his courſe, tryed us in one fire, and after in another, the old ſcent yet remains: This may be the burden of the Song, and make up the period of every plea, yet have ye not returned to me, ſaith the Lord.
7. Our perſent condition and exigencies call for ſpeedy Repentance. It will be our wiſdom and can alone be our ſafety,: Men are againſt us, and that which is moſt awful, to conſider, is, God ſeems to be againſt us too. Providences look to an eye of reaſon, as if they were conſpiring to bring a further day of trouble upon us. On all the Glory, whereon there was ſometimes a defence, there now appears to be a blaſt. We are brought low in our outward affairs, and low in ſpirirual things, and ſome ſudden and dolef… change looks as if it were at the door. But if we may recover Gods gracious preſence, and reengage his protection, all ſhall be well: Yet if not now done, a few dayes may ſumme up and cancel our felicity, and we be left to ſigh out our Ichabod.
I ſhal not need to be prolix in the directive part of this uſe, ſince divers that have gone before me, have largely unfolded our particular eſtate, and preſcribed rules for our recovery: Both informed us what there is of ſin prevailing, and wherein we may ſo teſtifie our Repentance as to obtain a repeal of that ſentence which hath been paſt againſt us. Yet if I could help to drive home any of theſe nails, I ſhould think it labour not in vain. I need but ſay, if you will believe the Meſſengers of Chriſt; nay, if you will but believe your ſelves and your own confeſſions, there is work enough cut out for your reformation: Do but amend cordially what you have acknowledged to be amiſs, and I dare affirm that God will accept it, I ſhall not ſo far treſpaſs on the time, and other occaſions as to urge every particular: It may ſuffice to hint at ſome things which ſeem eſpecially to call for our ſpeedy and extraordinary endeavours, and theſe do more immediately concern.
1. The body of this People conſidered as inveſted with liberties, and engaged as one man for the upholding of them in wayes according to God. Let me tell you that for the Diviſion of Reuben there are great ſearching of heart. Theſe jealouſies and ſuſpitions one to another, thoſe minings and counterminings that are among you, thoſe aſperſions and defamations which you caſt one upon another, and upon your beſt friends, thoſe endeavours to ſtrengthen a party, and countermand your brethren, are provoking to God, and like to prove ruinating to your ſelves. It is not a ſin only, but a Judgement too, and that which tends to iſſue in miſery, Hoſ. 10. 2. Their heart is divided, now ſhall they be found guilty. Gal. 5. 15. If ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not conſumed one of another. Your ſecurity is in being one for God: your ſafety is only in unity. There are enough abroad who watch for your halting, you need not your ſelves lay open one anothers infirmities: And one would think it might ſufficiently awaken you to think how little Gods work goes forward, or his Glory ſtrenuouſly promoted, whiles men ſpend their little zeal in oppoſitions and invectives one againſt another, as if herein lay the life of Religion. This picks out the cement, and crumbleth away the mortar, which is the ſtrength of the building, and when gone, with what eaſe may it be made to fall? To remedy this, put on charity. When God's People agree in the end, though for a while they may not Judge alike of the means to it in ſome critical points and circumſtance, it is far from a Chriſtian ſpirit ſo to abound in our own ſenſe, as to proclaim or declare ſuch enemies to the cauſe of God, that ſpeak not in every punctilio with us. Men of the largeſt charity here, are the beſt friends to this Cauſe. It is Gods will and wiſdom that his People ſhould in many things beat out their way by debates: But men that may not be thwarted in their own private ſentiments, are dangerous Coals, fitted to kindle a deſtroying fire among us.
2. Theſe Churches as tyed up in the ſtricteſt bonds of Covenant to be the Lords: Whoſe great receding from, and manifold notorious breaches of this Covenant of God, do ſtrongly call for, and vehemently urge, ſolemn and ſerious renewals of it before him. Eſſayes towards this, I confeſs, have been made by ſeveral Churches: But what damps and demurs are caſt on the work by the many that hold back, is matter of lamentation: And truly the reaſon rendred by many makes it ſtill the more lamentable, viz. Left it ſhould encreaſe the guilt of the Churches through neglect of performance. If indeed it be come to that, that we are reſolved to mend nothing, then Covenants of Reformation will prove dangerous things: But may we not upon the ſome plea raze out our old Covenant, caſt off our Religion, reſolve to be under no engagement to God at all, and ſay to him, We are Lords, and will come no more unto thee? All I will here urge is this; if theſe Churches are not prepared to renew their Covenant with God, they are not prepared for mercy: If the way of our Anaſtaſie be more dangerous than our ſtate of Apoſtaſie, our danger is tremendous: If all confeſs that ſpiritual ſlumber, luke-warmneſs, earthlymindedneſs, ſlighting of Ordinances, undervaluing of the Meſſengers of Chriſt, carnal compliance with the World, and many the like evils are crept into, and prevail much over our Churches, and the Covenant-People of God are not capable of a reſolute, ſtrenuous, and voluntary engagement to the rooting of theſe out, our wound is next to incurable.
3. To the repreſentative body of this Government aſſembled in General-Court; on whom it lyes as an indiſpenſible duty to endeavour the maintainance of God's Glory, and to put forth utmoſt care for the ſecuring of the intereſt of the true Religion, and extirpation of that which is falſe. The prevalency of corrupt Doctrines, and impudent boldneſs of many in proſecution of them, calls for your vigilant and reſolute induſtry in the ſuppreſſion thereof. I am not ignorant to how much calumny I expoſe my ſelf in mentioning this point; but it is in Gods cauſe which I may not decline for fear of reproach. I have often heard (though, I muſt needs confeſs, not without ſome ſecret regrets) the Encomiaſtick titles put upon this Government, as if it were ſingularly a Theocraſy, and carried in it a glorious ſpecimen of the Kingly Government of Chriſt: But I fear, if this Government decline, or think it not their concern vigorouſly to extend their power in upholding the duties of the firſt Table, and ſecure them from the invaſion of perverſe men, theſe will be found no more than a few empty Hyperbolies. I confeſs, your legiſlative power is limited, and muſt take its meaſure from your Charter; nor do I adviſe to exceed that which God's providence hath inveſted you withal. I believe it ſhal never be charged as a ſin upon you, that you did (with grief of heart) bear with thoſe things which you could not regularly confront. But if men, upon pretence of Conſcience (and who will not pretend it, if they may find it a ſhelter againſt Juſtice,?) If thus, I ſay, they may be ſuffered (though it be in your hand to oppoſe them) without any reſtraint to run to and fro. Diſſeminate their erronious principles, make breaches in Churches, undermine and ſeduce ſilly ſouls, ſet up their Poſts by God's Poſts, enjoy as free and publick liberty to carry on their own wayes, as thoſe Churches of Chriſt whom you profeſs to countenance and defend, and that by a total ſilence, and a full connivance; if thus you can tolerate the diſhonour of Chriſt, let me boldly ſay, I believe he will ſoon and ſignally teſtifie his diſlike of it.
4. To the Honoured Magiſtrates, and all ſuch as have an Executive power in their hands. It is an obſervation of one, that nothing is more dangerous and diſgraceful than to ſuffer Laws to ly by unprofitable, for want of Execution. the beſt Laws, if only promulgated and not purſued, will not promote a Reformation. Some indeed are of the mind, that it is good to have Laws as a Teſtimony of your diſlike of ſuch & ſuch practices though never proſecuted againſt the breakers of them: But, beſides that the violating of one …aw with impunity, will naturally embolden to a like violation of others, under the ſame preſumption; ſuch Laws will indeed be a witneſs, not for, but againſt a People, that they thought, and were in conſcience perſwaded it was their duty, but had not courage or zeal enough to put it in execution. There are many ſins, ſome very crying; profane and ſcandalous Sabbath breaking, beaſtly drunkenneſs, deſperate curſing and ſwearing, woeful and miſerable idleneſs: There are good and wholſome Laws againſt thoſe ſins, let there be ſuch a check and reſtraint laid upon them, that our ſtreets may not be witneſs of them: If theſe do prevail, God hath ſaid that the Land ſhall mourn for them: Great induſtry and zeal is needful here when ſin is grown impudent; the exerting of it will be your honour, and by doing theſe things, you ſhall verifie the title God hath dignified you withal, that you are Shields of the Earth.
5. To the Reverend Elders, the Meſſengers of Chriſt, that you be faithful to God, to this People, and to your own Souls: in particular much to ſtudy and preach the ſins of the times and places you live in. God hath placed us as Watch-men to deſcry danger, and give due warning of approaching evil. Let us be faithful in our places, vigilant in our work, much in contemplation, ſeeking to find out the mind of God, and not afraid with boldneſs to declare it though the times may ſeem hardly to reſent us. We have an account to give for Souls and God will demand of us what is become of thoſe who were committed to our charge. Above all let us take care to do as we ſay, and be enſamples to the Flocks: It may be, by this means you ſhal not only ſave your ſelves, but alſo thoſe that hear you. Beware of being Idol-Shepherds; they are evil times we live in, men love to be let alone and encouraged in ſin, but let us have no fellowſhip with their works of darkneſs, but rather reprove them. In all your dealings with men be plain and faithful: Some may for that ſay with Ahab, Art thou he that troubleth Iſrael? But be not angry but compaſſionate, and mourn in ſecret for them. Let us ſtudy to be men of knowledge, fixed in principles, holy in converſation, in a word, let us do all we can (more than we do) if it be poſſible, to ſave a Generation from the wrath of God, and impending Calamities: Let us be ſtill more plain, more particular, more ſerious in this great work.
To haſten towards a Concluſion, I ſhall ſtrike but one blow more on theſe nails, to faſten them, and ſo recommend all unto him who is the great Maſter of the Aſſemblies. It is an opinion which ſome ſeem ſtrongly to be built upon, and it renders them ſtrangely preſumptuous, viz. That the foundations of this People are unmovable; that our civil conſtitutions, and Church Covenants have ſo engaged the preſence of God with us, that we ly out of the reach of forraign miſchief. Thus the Athenians once chained down the Image of Minerva, their Tutelary Goddeſs, to her ſtation, and ſo thought they had ſecured themſelves from all dangers of being ſubjugated by any enemy, or oppreſſed with any evil. And to think to oblige the true God with verbal Covenants, and formal profeſſion, is no other than to make him an Idol: Yet thus the cry of many ſpeaks in the language of thoſe Jews, Jer. 7. 4. The Temple of the Lord are theſe▪ Forgetting how many wayes they have diſobliged, and giving God juſt reaſon to be aſhamed to own or acknowledge them. How fond ſuch thoughts as theſe are, the …uinous heaps of many renowned places, which once enjoyed as much of Gods preſence with them as any in the World, do ſtand for monumental witneſſes, The more of God hath ſometimes been among you, the greater is your ſin, and the ſpeedier may be your Calamity, If growing weary of his Government you abuſe all your liberties to deſperate licentiouſneſs. There is nothing ſo dear or precious unto God, or ſticks ſo cloſe and near unto him, but if it once comes to interfear with his Glory (which is his beloved end, and he will upon no pretence part withal) he can remove it far enough from him. See, Jer. 22. 24, 25. You have here the only remedy to recover a ſick and dying People,; this will, nothing elſe will affect it. True Repentance, and through Reformation never come in vain, though when Judgement was gathered into a thick Cloud and ready, yea, beginning to drop down in a ſtorm of fury, but it hath blown it over. This God proffered Judah here when they were almoſt ripe for ruine; and this God once again this day proffers to you. Oh, be not proud and ſtiffnecked! be not obſtinate and rebellious! Why will you dye? Obey the voice of the Lord, do what he bids, do what your Conſciences ſay you ought to do, do what you have before God confeſſed your ſelves guilty for, becauſe you have neglected to do it: Do what all reaſon and equity requires, and for the omiſſion whereof you have no juſt ground or pretence; do this and live. Be willing and obedient, and you ſhall eat the fruit of the Land. Be grieved for Sin and Apoſtacy, and it will grieve God to put you to grief. But if all that is ſaid from time to time, be diſregarded; if theſe counſels prove as water ſpilt upon a rock; and though you can lend an ear to hear theſe words with patience, yet will not do them, but can ſlightly caſt them out of your minds, and throw them behind your backs; they will ſtand on record againſt you, and become a farther aggravation of your guilt: And in that day when all thoſe things ſhall come to paſs, of which you have been ſo frequently and ſolemnly warned, and the Lord ſhall ſuffer none of the the words of his Servants to fall to the ground. Then ſhall you know there have been Prophets among you.
FINIS.