Instructions for a Professing People in Times of Security and Degeneracy, Sermon 2

Instructions for a Professing People in Times of Security and Degeneracy · Sermon 2

p. 21ISAIAH. 26. 9.

When thy Judgements are in the Earth, the Inhabitants of the World will learn Righteouſneſs.

THis Chapter is a Song, Celebrating the Prayſes of God, in his Judgments on his Enemies, and favours to his People; and is full of Spirituall matter.

The Song is appointed to be Sung by the Faithfull at their deliverance from the Babiloniſh Captivity. In this 9^th verſe. The Church Declares;

1. Her own Frame under the Judgements of God: namely an Earneſt and early Deſire after him: In the night, Signifies in the darke and gloomy times of affliction, when they were under the Tyranny and Captivity of the Enemy, ſhut up as it were in darkneſs.

2. What ſhould be the Frame of all that… ſee or hear of Gods terrible doings in the world, it ſhould teach them Righteouſneſs: of which latter we may at this ſeaſon make ſome improvement; and a little to open the Words.

p. 22[When thy Judgments:, &c.] Judgments are Acts of Divine Iuſtice, Vindicative, all Gods diſpenſations to the creature, are called either acts of Mercy or juſtice; Not as if there were a contradiction in theſe two; God is Juſt where he is Mercifull, i. e. his being mercifull doth not infringe or wrong his juſtice at all: and where God is Juſt, he is Mercifull alſo, in this world; becauſe his juſtice is here diſpenſed with moderation; though the time be comeing when he will execute juſtice without mercy:

But wherein any act of Divine Providence, one of theſe Attributes is more viſible to the creature then the other, thence it receives its Denomination.

Judgments, are Judicial acts of Gods Senerity in the World, wherein he declares himſelfe to be ſet against ſin or ſinners; Some tranſlate it Chaſtizements: Judgment ſometimes intend proper acts of Revenging juſtice; when God comes forth to right himſelfe upon his enemies, in their wonderfull deſtruction: Sometimes ſevere afflictions, though intended for the amendment of thoſe who ſuffer them: the word ſignifies properly, a doing right.

[Righteouſneſs] The word ſignifies Truth and Equity: it is oftentimes in Scripture reſtrained to ſecond Table dutyes, and then it is diſtinguiſhed▪ from Holyneſs, which referrs to firſt Table dutyes, but here, as in many other places, it is uſed more largely, to ſignifie a reformation of Life, and univerſal Anaſtaſy, or Reclaiming from their former ſinfull courſes.

[Will learne] This is ſpoken as if ſuch an effect ſhould come to paſs in all that ſhould ſee and hear of Gods judgements; for the Scripture ſpeaks of ſome, that when Gods hand was upon them, they ſinned yet more: thus Ahaz: 2 Chron. 28. 22. but it is ſpoken either,

1. By way of Preſ…mption, as if they ſhould ſay, ſurely they will learn righteouſneſs. or,

p. 232. Expreſſing what ought to be, as if it would be; ſuch a thing ſhould be, and if men were in a right frame, it would be: the meaning is, that there is matter enough in Gods judgements to awaken the world to righteouſneſs. Hence,

Doct. The Judgements of God in the World carry along with them an univerſal awakening call to Righteouſneſs. When God comes forth riding in his fiery Chariot, and diſpenſeth terrible things among the children of men, it ſends forth a loud cry to the world to reform and amend their ways. By way of Explication, Conſider a few things.

Firſt. All judgements are of God, it's ſaid thy judgements, they come from him: here obſerve,

1. Some judgements are more immediate, they come by an▪ unſeen hand and in an unknow… way, we ſee the effects, but are not able to track them in their cauſes; of ſuch as theſe, even an Egyptian Magician muſt ſay, lo the finger of God.

2. Other judgements come mediately by the mediation or efficiency of Inſtruments, ſecond cauſes are the next occaſion of them, and theſe are either.

1. Devils, who have a great ſtroake in many effects of providence, they come by Divine permiſſion, God giving them a licenſe, ſo far as he ſees meet for his own ends; and ſometimes they come with a Commiſſion from God on his errands, who ſhall for us perſwade Ahab to go to Ramoth Gilead and fall? I, ſaith the Devills, go, ſaith God, and proſper, 1 Kings 22. 20. &c.

2. Men, who are many times the meanes of bringing ſore and ſad calamities upon their fellow creatures, being uſed and improved by God to that end, by Warrs, and deſolations that follow therupon, thus God uſed the Philiſtins, Syrians, Aſſyrians &c. to afflict Iſrael and Judah.

3. Bruit beaſts and unreaſonable creatures, who ſerve their great Lord againſt man, when he rebells againſt God, which otherwiſe ſhould have been ſubſervient to him: thus the fiery Serpents in the wilderneſs, the two ſhee Bears, to tear in peeces the mocking children, thus Locuſts, Caterpillers, Palmer wormes &c.

4. Elements, Starrs, Rivers, Vapours, Rain, Drought &c. the Starrs fought in their courſe againſt Si…era, the brook Kiſhon ſwept▪ them away Judg 5.

p. 24By all theſe meanes God may bring ſevere puniſhments upon the creture for his ſin: but all theſe are from God, they are his Judgments, and come of his errand. This appears;

1. From the Supream Efficiency of God; all creatures move as they are moved by him: in the matter of the action, if he give not his Efficiency, they can do nothing at all: in him we live, mo…e and have our being: his Efficiency is the firſt mover, he is as it were the firſt wheel of the great clock of the world, or the ſpring of this watch: Second beings have an operation, but it hath an abſolute dependence upon his Co-operation, ſo that if ſo much as a dog wag his tongue againſt us, there is not only Divine permiſſion in it, but Divin Efficiency alſo.

2. From his Providential Ordering of all the affaires of the world: God ſits King upon the flood Pſal. 29. 10. He is Soveraign diſpoſet of all things, and therefore good and evill comes from him, whoever it be that doth it. Amos 3. 6. God ſaith David, bid Shemei curſe.

3. Becauſe Prayer to God hath been the meanes of turning aſide judgment, yea even then when Inſtruments have done their worſt▪ the people of God in their diſtreſs. have but acquainted God with it, and ſought him in the caſe, and the buiſineſs hath been done: thus David prayes to God to turn the counſell of Achitophel into fooliſhneſs, and its done; and he who formerly was looked upon to ſpeak Oracles, is now diſregarded: Hezekiah doth tell, go into the the houſe of God, and ſpread Rabſhekah's raling letter before him and leaves the caſe with him; and the next newes is, an Angel is ſent from hea…n, who ſlayes in one night an hundred, fourſcore and five thouſand of his enemies, 2 Kings 19. 35. Hence we have the Churches confidence in Gods protection, enabling them to ſound a chalenge to their enemies to do their worſt againſt them. Iſa. 8. 9, 10. there is their boldneſs, God is with us.

Secondly. All thoſe acts of Divine Providence, wherein God diſcovers his ſeverity in any degree againſt ſin, are properly the Judgments of God: wherever God layes his heavy hand upon a people: whether.

1. In Revenging himſelf upon his enemies, by cutting them off, or ſorely viſiting them.

p. 252. In Puniſhments and Chaſtiſements upon his people, when for their amendment he brings diſappointments and afflictions upon them, for in both theſe God doth 1. Shew himſelf ſet againſt ſin: 2. Do right.

Thirdly, Judgements are either

1. Mere ordinary diſpenſations of Divine Providence, ſuch as are more common; as the uſual afflictions which God brings upon any in way of penalty, viz. Sickneſſes, Croſſes, Loſſes, Poverty, D…ſgrace, Rain, Famine, Peſtilence, &c. theſe are Gods uſual Scourges. Or

2. More extraordinary, when ſome remarkable providence that is not uſual doth befall any, ſuch Caſ…a…ties … are more rare and unfrequent, ſuch as Poſſeſſion by Devils, Deaths by Thunder and Ligh… ning, and the like.

Fourthly, Juagements are either

1. Private and Perſonal, when God ſhews his ſeverity upon perſons or families, who are ſingled out from others to be the ſubjects of affl…ction. Or

2. General and Epidemical Viſitations, when God comes and brings a ſcourge upon a Country or a People.

Fifthly, Judgements are either

1. Outward, when the next and immediate ſubject they ſe… upon▪ is mens Bodies or Eſtates, and damnifie them in either. Or

2. Spiritual, when they ſeize upon mens Souls and Spirits; as Diſtractions, Deſperations, &c. I mention theſe diſtinctions, partly th… we may be the better directed to a careful obſervance, that we may diſcover God coming in his ſeveral awful diſpenſations upon us▪ and partly becauſe we may improve ſome of them in the Application▪

Sixthly, All Judgements whatſoever, and in what way ſoever they come, are Doctrinal, they bring inſtruction and teaching along with them, to thoſe that either ſee or hear of them: they are ſpeaking Providences.

Here conſider, 1. That they are Doctrinal. 2. How far they are ſo.

I. That all Judgements are Doctrinal, will appear, if we conſider,

Firſt, that Judgements in relation to the ſubject of them, are acts of the Soveraign Juſtice of God. There are two things in this Poſition.

1. They are Acts of Juſtice, becauſe God viſits none beyond their ſins deſert: what-ever Gods dealing be to any, he will vindicate him▪ p. 26ſelf that he doth them no wrong, there is ſin enough in the creature to make him to juſtifie God when he judgeth, Pſal. 51. 3, 4. Job 40. 4, 5.

2. They are Acts of Soveraign Juſtice: which appears, becauſe God doth not viſit all alike in the world, whoſe ſins are alike, but picks and chuſeth as he ſees meet, ſome to be monuments of his ſeverity, whiles others are left. Gods Soveraignty herein appears, becauſe he follows no other Rule but his own pleaſure, in making choice whom to diſpenſe Judgements, and whom to leave; ſo that ſometimes he leaves, and lets alone, ſuch as have been greater ſinners in many aggravating reſpects, whiles he takes others that have not been ſo notorious: and therefore our Saviour Chriſt, to them enquiring about the man born blinde, removes the cauſe from them to Gods Soveraignty, Joh. 9. 2, 3.

Secondly, they naturally teach theſe leſſons:

1. That God is a juſt God, that he is ſet againſt ſin, and will not alwayes bear with ſinners: dayes of patience make ſinners forget, yea Atheiſtically think God is not holy and juſt; but he is known in his Judgements, theſe are beginning diſcoveries before the great and general Aſſizes.

2. That God will ſooner or later be revenged upon ſinners: every monument of Divine Reve…ge lectures out what others may look for and expect at the hands of God. Gods Judgements declare that ſin ſhall not alwayes go unpuniſhed, that though there be a day of forbearance, yet there ſhall alſo be a day wherein they ſhall receive their wages.

3. That there ſhall be a great Day of Judgement: for if ſome ſinners are here taken, and others in this world forborn, according to the pleaſure of Gods Soveraign will, this ſhews that there muſt be another day above and beſides all theſe Judgement-dayes, wherein God ſits upon ſome ſinners in this world.

4. That there is no ſecurity in a ſtate of ſin, though we are not ſuch notorious ſinners as others, yet are we under ſin; we lye open and liable to the Judgements of God, and may as ſoon as others be made monuments of it. It is no cloak to ſay, I am not as …ad as ſuch and ſuch: Art thou out from the promiſe of Gods ſpecial grace? thou art every day open to Judgement.

5. That there is no ſafety but in making our peace with God: if …od ſway the S…epter, and act his own pleaſure upon ſinners, we are p. 27in a dangerous ſtate▪ as long as we are not agreed with him, but have him for our adverſary. And hence the concluſion is to teach men righteouſneſs, to forſake thoſe ſins that are provoking to God, and lay hold upon him in a way of true Repentance, in time, for his mercy, leſt we alſo be made monuments of his wrath: this is the voice of all the Judgements of God which they ſpeak to the world.

II. How far they are Doctrinal: This is conſiderable, either in reſpect of

1. The Judgements themſelves. All Judgements ſerve to teach, they have a voice in them, but ſome cry louder then others. There is a voice in common calamities and diſappointments, but a louder voice in extraordinary Judgements; Natural cauſes bring awful Judgements, but more aw…ul when they are Preternatural; every ſickneſs and diſeaſe, every croſs and loſs ſpeaks, but when God goes out of the ordinary path, here is a more awakening Call. In a word, the more ſtupendious and admirable the Providence is, the louder is the voice of God, and more clear to be heard, for then the Lion roars, Amos 38.

2. Of the Places wherein they are:

(1.) Judgements remote have a voice to us, let them be never ſo far off, if we have any cognizance of them, for the Text limits it to no narrower bounds then the World.

(2.) But Judgements near are more loud: when a fire is in our neighbours houſe, it then bids us to look about us to ſecure our own.

(3.) But Judgements at h…me are moſt loud of all, in our Town, o… in our Families, for then God eries among us, yea the ſtroke of his Rod is upon us, and therefore its high time for …very one to ſee to himſelf.

3. In reſpect of Senſes:

(1.) Judgements heard of are awful, for this is a great ſenſe of diſcipline. But

(2.) Judgements ſeen and felt are more dreadful and awakening; and the Reaſon is, Becauſe theſe S…nſes are more intelligent, and leſs fallacious: we may queſtion the truth of reports, but what we ſee and feel we have leſs cauſe to ſuſpect. If any Senſe can inform without …allacy, it is theſe: as alſo theſe are the moſt affecting Senſes, The eye affects the heart, much more then when the hand of God lyes heavy upon a perſon.

p. 28Seventhly, It is the will and command of God that his Judgements ſhould … men righteouſneſs.

Reaſ. 1. Becauſe he ſingles out ſome to ſhew his judgements upon, and takes not all ſinners as he might do: this ſhews that God would have men improve this day of his patience to Repentance. God hath Pleas enough againſt others, and might have executed his wrath on them, but when he does not, he ſhews that he would have others to get good by it.

Reaſ. 2. Becauſe God in his Word calls men to conſider and obſerve his Judgements; he declares it to be his will, that when he viſits any in ſeverity for their ſins, All Iſrael ſhould hear, and fear, and do no more ſo. When God would reclaim Judah from their vain confidence, and awaken them to repentance, he ſends them to Shiloh, to ſee what waſtes and deſolations he had there made, Jer. 7. 12.

Reaſ. 3. Becauſe none of Gods Providences are in vain, God doth nothing in the wo…ld to no purpoſe.

Reaſ. 4. Becauſe God does▪ by hsi awakening Judgements teach them he intends good to: David profeſſeth, Thy judgements make me afraid, i. e. afraid to ſin, a…raid to be licentious and remiſs in my life and wayes.

Reaſ. 5. Becauſe God doth charge the neglect of this duty upon Judah as a great, grievous, and provoking ſin: when he had executed his judgements upon her ſiſter Aholah (Iſrael, the Ten Tribes) that Aholi…ah (Judah) held on her own old courſes of ſin, and was no whit affected therewithall, nor did by it learn to amend, Ezek. 23.

Ʋſe I. Of Information of our judgements in divers things▪

1. That Afflictions and Calamities are not by caſualty, they are Gods Judgement…, ordered and fore-determined by him; not a Sparrow falls to the ground without him: and therefore let it teach us not to ſlight them, or look upon them in a negligent manner, as things that come promiſcuouſly, and imprudently to paſs, but by the wiſe diſpoſal of God. See God in all that falls out in the world, and adore him.

2. That it is our duty to look beyond Inſtruments in every Judgement that befalls us. It is true, Inſtruments are ſome of them ra…ional, ſome are irrational; and hence ſome Inſtruments may be …lame-worthy, may juſtly be accuſed▪ and if God give opportunity, may in a way of Equity be proceede… againſt: but we muſt not reſt in p. 29the malice of Inſtruments, but look …urther, and ſee the hand of God▪ its a fooliſh dog that runs after the ſtone, and mindes not the hand that threw it. If we look upon the moſt rational Inſtruments, as they be in the …ands of God, and conſider them as under his Soveraign diſpoſal, they are no more then as an Ax or K…ife, or any other inſtrument in the hands of a man: The Aſſyrian …y rod Iſa. 10. 5. Hence God is nevertheleſs to be ſeen for the malice or ſpight of the creature, becauſe he improves even the wrath of man to his praiſe, and the remainder of wrath he reſtrains. Learn we hence in all the Judgements that befall us, not ſo much to ſay what means the inſtrument, but what provokes God, though Syrian before and Philiſtim behinde, yet let Iſrael return to God that ſ…ites him.

3. That times wherein God brings his Judgements among a people, are ſolemntimes, and ought to be entertained with ſolemnity; they are times of ſerious conſideration, Hag. … 5. and humiliation. God when he viſits a people in Judgement, bids blow the trumpet, call a ſolemn aſſembly, return to the Lord with weeping, wailing, and lamentation, Joel 2. 1, 2, 13. We are not therefore before God this day in this ſolemn duty, uncalled for▪

4. That no perſon that ſees or hears of Gods Judgements is unconcerned: if he be an inhabitant of this world, there is a voice to him. Learn we therefore to have a care of diſintereſting our ſelves, or ſaying, What relation hath this or that to me?

5. That the more of Gods Judgements have been among a people, the more God will have againſt them, if they repent not; God will have deſpiſed Judgements to lay to their charge: it will be an heavy aggravation of ſuch a peoples ſin, that they have not onelyonly had and enjoyed Gods Ordinances among them, but thoſe backed with his Truth-confirming Providences, ſpeaking once and again, ſpeaking to many Senſes at once, and yet they have got nothing by them; this is an argument of an exceeding hard heart. Gods Judgements in this world, i… we repent not, will not mitigate but increaſe our judgements and woes in another.

Ʋſe▪ II. For Reproof. And here let me come home in this Uſe an… the next, to the caſe and providence which hath oc…aſioned this dayes ſolemnity, the awful Judgement of God that is among us: and the Reproof is, That the Judgements of God that have befallen us, and in particular this great Judgement, is no more nor better made p. 30uſe of by us then it is. Let this conſideration have its weight in humbling us this day before God.

1. We may all chide with our own hearts, that we are no more affected with it, that there is ſo much ice and coldneſs in us, that our affections are ſcarce warmed with ſuch a providence; we may lay our hands upon our mouthes, and be angry with our ſelves, that we finde ſuch a chilneſs upon our affections. But

2. Particularly, thoſe deſerve a Reproof,

Firſt, That make all their application to thoſe whom the Judgement is upon: Oh the ſpirit of cenſure that is in too many, and there they reſt; Surely there is ſome ſpecial reaſon, ſome more then ordinary provocation, why elſe is God come out upon that Family, rather then upon any other Family? I do not here ſpeak to make thoſe whom the Judgement nextly concerns, to be regardleſs of Gods hand upon them; no, let them know that God calls them into the School of Search, and would have them in particular try what is the meaning of his ſo ſevere coming out againſt them, that they may learn to ſit in ſilence, and juſtifie him: But I ſpeak to others, who are apt to judge of perſons by providences, though Scripture teacheth us that all things fall out alike unto all. And therefore let ſuch conſider,

1. This practice is contrary to our Saviours precept, who admoniſheth others by ſuch providences to learn this leſſon, that except they repent, they ſhall likewiſe periſh, Luke 13. 2, 3. it ſeems perſonal application ſuits better, its the wiſeſt way to bring all things home to our own Souls; that might be profitable to us.

2. This is to forget our own ſinfulneſs: whiles we judge and cenſure others, we do tacitly juſtifie our ſelves, and think our ſelves better then others; we interpret our merit rather then Gods mercy to be the diſtinguiſhing cauſe: and is not this to lift up our ſelves too high?

3. This is to forget divine Soveraignty: God all this while is not adored by us in his Supreme uncontrolable diſpoſal which he hath of all creatures, to lay his hand where he pleaſeth, without giving account to the creature. Conſider well with thy ſelf, and it may be thou haſt been ten times a greater ſinner, if all the circumſtances of aggravation were well pondered and weighed, but God for ends beſt known to himſelf hath thus dealt.

4. This is the way to rob God of the glory of his goodneſs to thee p. 31in preſerving thee from this ſad Calamity, whereas if thou reflect inward, thou mighteſt ſee ſo much of provocation in thy own heart, and ſo many grievous obliquities and wanderings, that it would ſet thee into a rapture of admiration, at the unſpeakable favour which appears in thy preſervation, who mighteſt have been choſen in the room of this perſon, to have been hung up as a ſign, and a wonder, and an aſtoniſhment, for others with ſad hearts to have looked upon.

5. This is not to learn Righteouſneſs; for that is onelyonly by drawing concluſions home to our ſelves, and making the caſe our own: yea, this is a way to harden our hearts in wickedneſs. Let us therefore learn to make a better uſe of this tremendous Providence.

Secondly, Thoſe that look not beyond Inſtruments. There is a great deal of enquiry made about the Devils agency, and raiſing of Spirits againſt ſuch as we are ready to think may be his ſubſervient actors in this caſe, but how many are there that look no further. Conſider,

1. This is to forget the Supremacy of Divine Providence; we do not remember that God ſits and rules over Men and Devils, and that in ſuch an uncontrolable manner, that Earth and Hell cannot move to any act upon the creature, unleſs he permit them.

2. It tends to hinder the right efficacy of this Judgement upon the Soul; for it raiſeth; and humbles not the Soul of the creature: it is the way to provocation and exaſperation, to bitterneſs and rage, from the conſideration of the virulency of the enemy, and that we have not deſerved it at their hands, &c. whereas if we looked beyond theſe, to God the prime Efficient, it would teach us ſilence, and holy ſubmiſſion: I was dumb, &c. becauſe thou didſt it, Pſal. 39. 9.

Thirdly, Thoſe that look upon the Providence with ſlighty and common affections, whoſe hearts are not awed by it, but look upon it as a matter of little or no concernment, are as jo…und, as vain, as light, as frothy as ever they were: there are too many of theſe. Conſider,

1. This argues that God is not feared by ſuch hearts, thoſe that fear not God in his Judgements, eſpecially in ſuch Judgements, may well be thought not to fear him at all. Aſſure thy ſelf if this Providence, ſo ſolemn, have left no impreſſion upon thee, thou haſt a heart as hard as a rock.

2. It is impoſſible that ſuch ſhould learn Righteouſneſs: the p. 32Affections are the feet of the Soul, if theſe move not, there is little good to be hoped for in ſuch an one, and therefore never look that ſuch ſhould get any good by it.

Fourthly, Thoſe that have loſt their Affections: it may be many were at the firſt, at the newneſs and ſtrangeneſs of the ſight and ſpectacle, filled for a ſeaſon with conſ…ernation; but now they are gotten to their old wont again, and recovered their frights and am…zements, dried up their tears, and wiped their eyes, and they are where they were before: this ſhews that this Judgement had no depth of efficacy upon your ſouls, it was onelyonly ſomething external; it ſhews what your nature is. Oh, that's of a cold nature indeed, that will freeze while the fire is under it. Let all ſuch conſider, that they contemn God, and harden their own hearts, and if he do not wonderfully ſet in it will be to their own deſtruction.

Ʋſe III. For Exhortation and Direction. Oh let it be an awakening word of Counſel to us all. We are now come together to affect our ſouls with this ſtupend Judgement of God which is among us, the Lord in mercy grant that it may teach us Righteouſneſs; the voice of God cries aloud by it to this poor Town in a ſpecial manner, the Lord give us an hearing ear: let it be our great requeſt, that he would bore our ear to inſtruction, that it may not paſs by without doing us true and ſaving good. For Motive:

1. Let us conſider the awfulneſs of the Judgement it ſelf: this is none of thoſe ordinary diſpenſations of Gods Providence which are frequent and uſual in the world, to be ſure not among us; it is no common ſickneſs and calamity, and yet if it had been no more it had been our duty to have wiſely conſidered it, and given attention to the voice of it; but it is extraordinary and ſtupendious: it is not uſuall for God to give Satan ſuch liberty and power, ſo to rack and torture, ſo to hurry and perplex poor creatures, and therefore ſomething is in ſpecial to be learned by us, when God thus leaves the common track, and comes in ſo unwonted a way of Judgement.

2. Conſider how nearly we are related unto it above other in the Land: there is a voice in it to the whole Land, but in a more eſpecial manner to poor …; it is not a Judgement afar off, but it is near us, yea among us, God hath in his wiſdome ſingled out this poor Town out of all others in this Wilderneſs, to diſpenſe ſuch an amazing Providence in, and therefore let us make a more near and ſpecial p. 33uſe of it: Let us look upon our ſelves to be ſet up as a … upon a Hill by this Providence, and let thoſe that hear what hath been done among us, hear alſo of the good effects, and reformation it hath wrought among us.

3. Conſider what advantage we have above others to be affected with it: others indeed may hear of it, relations may be carried from one place to another, and that may affect, yet not ſo much as when it is ſeen. Why, we may ſay as Job, I have heard of thee with the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye ſees thee. Reports may be carried various, and that may wound a great part of the credit of it abroad in the world, as not knowing how or where to faſten their belief; however, when never ſo truly reported, it cannot carry the life of the thing with it: but we have ſeen, yea ſeen ſuch things as one would think might melt, or break an heart of ſtone; we may carry about with us every day, the very pourtraicture of thoſe Helliſh and Diabolicall Cruelties, thoſe ſtrange Geſtures, thoſe dreadful Voices: and therefore if we be not awed and affected by it, who ſhould?

4. Conſider how ſaid it will be for us, if we be not awed and affected with this Judgement, if we learn nothing by it: Oh how much will God have againſt us, above others! the nearer he hath come to us, and the more we are concerned in it, and the louder the Cry hath been to us, wi…l all have their particular weight to increaſe our condemnation, God will lay every circumſtance to our charge, and as he hath ſingularly revealed his minde to us in it, ſo he will have a ſingular provocation by it. Oh! little do we know how much this providence ſlighted and miſimproved will adde to the weight of our ſins, and increaſe of our woes. Let it then be a ſolemn leſſon to teach us Righteouſneſs. For Direction:

Firſt, Let us all in general learn ſomething by it, let it afford us ſome practical concluſions, which may be for our uſe and benefit to inſtruct and teach us in wayes of Righteouſneſs; namely,

1. Learn by it that Satan is buſie in places of Goſpel light, to ſeduce and draw away Souls from attending the means of grace. The Light of the Goſpel doth not clear and free places from Satan or his bold Temptations, theſe infernal Spirits of darkneſs will come thither, and there endeavour to raiſe miſts and fogs to ſeduce ſouls; and therefore let us learn not to live ſecurely under the enjoyment of the Goſpel of grace, but to ſpend our time of ſojourning her… in holy fear.

p. 342. That there is no place free, no not the Houſe of God from Satans Temptations: when thou art in Gods Houſe, and thy bodily preſence to attend the Ordinances, the diſpenſing of the Goſpel, Satan will come thither, as he often did to this poor creature, he will do all he can to ſteal away thy minde and meditation, he will begin a parly with thee that ſhall laſt as long as the Sermon, and thou ſhalt go away without receiving one word of inſtruction. Oh how can he pleaſe thy fancy, and delude thy ſoul! and therefore let it awaken thee to be careful to keep thy foot when thou comeſt to the houſe of God, if thou wouldeſt not offer the ſacrifice of fools, Eccleſ. 5. 1. The feet of the ſoul are the Affections, learn to be more watchful over them, to keep them from wandring, leſt Satan meet and make a prey of them, and ſo ſt…al away the ſeed of the Word from thee.

3. That diſcontent layes us exceeding open to the aſſaults of Satan, and gives him more then ordinary advantage to make diſcoveries of himſelf to us: little do we know how we do as it were invite the Devil by it. In any Government, diſcontented perſons are fitteſt for Traytors to work upon: by diſcontent we diſcover a wearineſs of Gods Government, and therefore Satan is emboldened by it to come, yea to make his Apparitions, and ſtrike in to the drawing over of poor creatures to enter a Covenant of Rebellion with him, and a wonder it is if any at ſuch a time eſcape. Learn we therefore to be more watchfull over our own hearts, beware how we give any way to ſecret upriſings againſt the Providence of God.

4. That this world would be a ſad place to live in, if it were not for Gods over-ruling Providence. Oh how buſie is the Devil, that great Adverſary of Souls! and how full is he of Cruelty! did not God reſtrain his rage, he would ſoon make poor Mortals incapable of living here below: By the Claw you may judge of the Lion. We finde in Jobs caſe, he goes to the outſide of his Commiſſion: and here you have a lively ſpectacle of his venome and ſpight; Oh then let it awaken us to ſee by whom we are every day preſerved and protected from the rage of Devils, God onelyonly: Alas! what were we in the hands of theſe infernal Powers, if Gods Omnipotency did not reſtrain them. Let this make God more glorious in our eyes.

5. That there is no ſafety but under the wings of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: he onelyonly is the ſtrong man that can ſecure us from the poſſeſſion of Satan. Satan rules and reigns in this world, and you ſee how p. 35much power he holds over the children of diſobedience. And therefore learn hence both to bleſs God for Chriſt Jeſus, who came into the world to deſtroy the works of the Devil; had he not come to ſet up his Kingdome in this world, the Devil would have reigned Lord and King in all Souls, he onelyonly is able to diſpoſſeſs the ſtrength, and uncaſtle the Powers of Hell: as alſo to fly under the wings of this Redeemer for ſafeguard, that we may be freed from theſe cruel Enemies.

6. That viſible Priviledges are no ſecurity from Satan: it's not enough to be baptized with water, un…s we be alſo baptized with the holy Ghoſt, and with fire; it's not enough to be a Member of the viſible Church, if we be not alſo of Chriſts inviſible Flock: Satan is not te…ified by theſe outward things, he is not afraid to aſſault thoſe that are Chriſts nominally, and to endeavour to make them his own really. Let it teach us then to beware that we truſt not in lying words, have a care of crying The Temple of the Lord; Satan deſires no better advantage upon us, then to draw us to reſt ſecure upon this bottom. Bleſs God for our Priviledges, but reſt not in them; prize, but do not deifie them, if you would not be made the prey of Satan.

2ly, Let us all in particular learn righteouſneſs by this monument that is before us, let it awaken us all to reform our hearts and lives, to be more careful to and over our ſelves for the time to come; let it indeed appear that we have been proficients in this School of Gods Judgements, that God hath brought Correction and Teaching together, that ſo in the winding up it may be found an happy Judgement. Let us therefore apply it to our ſelves in our particular reſpects.

I. Let it be a Doctrinal Providence to Young and Old.

Firſt, To you that are Elder, and more grown up in years, let it awaken you.

1. Conſider how many more provocations God hath had from you, then he hath had from this poor creature; how many more Ordinances and Providences have attended upon you, then ever did upon her; think how long you have lived in Gods world, and yet have done him little or no ſervice ſince you came into it: and therefore let this awaken you to ſee how it ſtands with you, how the matter goes between God and your Souls, whether you are ſecure under his wings, and at peace with him. When you ſee one ſo much younger then you thus viſited, Oh think upon what ground you ſtand, fear p. 36the like or worſe, if you are yet in an uncertain ſtate. Let it in a ſpecial manner awaken old ones to make their calling and election ſure, conſidering how much danger you are in.

2. Let it teach you how much you have had of the patience of God exerciſed towards you, that God hath born with and forborn you ſo long; you have lived a great while longer in the world, and it may be have been more enormous and flagitious in your lives-thenever this poor creature was: poſſibly you have lived in ſcandalous ſins, and grievous pollutions: if you ſhould conſider, and ask a Reaſon why God hath taken her and not taken you, you may ſee and ſay, that if God had gone according to outward appearance, or extremity of rigour, there had been tranſcendently more ground why he ſhould have come upon you. Oh then, when you ſee one ſo young, and one not obſerved to be guilty of any flagitious crimes taken, while you are by Gods goodneſs ſpared, learn to admire at, and worſhip the patience of God towards you.

3. Let it therefore teach you to amend your wayes, and reform your lives, and that ſpeedily: it may be a great argument to quicken you up no longer to uſe delayes, nor put off God coming to you in his Word, and perſwading you by his Spirit to repent and return to him. Oh ſee in this lecture upon what ſlippery and dangerous ground you ſtand, and have ſtood all this while, and if God had been ſevere towards you, you had not had this opportunity of being called to Repentance; and then learn to ſhake off all delayes, to put by all excuſes, and bleſs God that you yet have an opportunity.

Secondly, You that are Young ones, behold here one of your Tribe and Form, as I may ſay, one of your own years pickt out of you by the wiſe Providence of God, to be made an object of Gods ſeverity, and mans pity. Out of doubt there is an eſpecial Cry to you Young ones, to Remember your Creator in the dayes of your youth: you have been often counſelled and admoniſhed in the Houſe of God, yea earneſtly and compaſſionately intreated to devote your young time to God, to give up the prime of your years to him; but you have ſlighted and diſregarded ſuch Counſels and Calls, and have taken up firm reſolutions that you would have your childiſh and youthful vanities, let God by his Meſſenger ſay what he would to you: Well, now God hath ſingled you out in his Providence, and thunders out his minde to you in this ſad Object, and what do you now ſay to it? will you hear p. 37Gods voice, or will you forbear? are you ſtill reſolved in your vain courſes, or will you learn Righteouſneſs? if you would but encline your ears, you might here obſerve God ſpeaking ſomething to you.

1. Learn, that there is no ſafety in dallying with the Spirit of God; who comes early to beſpeak your Souls for God. God ſhews that he hath a quarrel with the Youth for ſl…ghting and deſpiſing Counſels and Reproofs; he would that you ſhould know he is in haſte for an anſwer, and will not wait long if you trifl… away your time: God looks that where there is ſo much of Goſpel light… and ſo many endeavours uſed by Church and Common-wealth for the inſtruction of Youth in the Wayes of God, there ſhould be anſwerable improvement made, and will have you to know that his patience will not wait ſo long as in places of ignorance. Let it therefore teach you to beware how you preſume upon hereafter, and promiſing your ſelves that there is time enough, you may follow your vain courſes yet a little longer: W…les you are thinking it is too ſoon to repent and amend, how ſoon may God come and declare that it is too late, that his patience is ſpent, and there is no more room left for Repentance.

2. That either God or the Devil will have your young time: you are here at your choice, God by his Word and Spirit is tendring you to receive you into his ſervice, and declaring how acceptable and pleaſing it will be to him, but if you will not give your time to him, you will to a worſe Maſter, the Devil ſtands waiting, yea endeavouring for you, and if Gods yoke pleaſe you not, he will eaſily perſwade you to take his; and though that may ſeem delightful for the preſent, yet know it, it will be bitterneſs in the latter end.

3. That if Young ones will not have Chriſt to reign over them, he may give them over into the hands and power of Satan: if Chriſts ſweet government do not pleaſe you, you ſhall be left under the tyranny and cruelty of the Devil. Oh then learn hence not to deſpiſe and contemn the Calls of the Goſpel, leſt God come out in Judgement againſt you, and put you into the everlaſting poſſeſſion of that cruel Enemy of your Souls.

II. Let this Providence teach both Parents and Children: Here is ſomething for both.

Firſt, Let it be a teaching Providence to you that are Parents, do you learn Leſſons of Righteouſneſs by it.

1. Let it affect you with the dangerous caſe and ſtate of your poor p. 38Childrens Souls: here you may ſee how open they are by nature to Satans temptations, how they every day go in danger of thoſe ſly and ſubtile aſſaults of this politick enemy of their Souls: let this lye near your hearts.

2. Hence let this teach you to be careful in Educating them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, which is the onelyonly way and means to prevent this adverſary. If you have hitherto been remiſs, learn now to be more careful and vigilant about it, let it be a quickning providence to rouſe you up from this neglect, by teaching you the great weight of the duty, even of as much moment as the precious lives of their poor ſouls.

3. Let it teach you to begin with them betimes, do not defer inſtructing of them too long; you ſee Satan will ſet upon them early, he will not delay long before he comes and uſeth his endeavours to draw your Childrens ſouls away after him: and therefore if you would prevent him, do not you delay, but be dropping in inſtruction as they are able, and as ſoon as they are able to underſtand any thing.

4. Whitherſoever they go, bear a holy jealouſie over them, leſt they ſhould offend God, and provoke him to leave them to the Devil: you cannot be alwayes with them, nor conſtantly have them under your eye, but where-ever they be, be ſure let your hearts go along with them, have a righteous fear concerning them: you ſee Satan is ready to take all occaſions to inſinuate himſelf into them, and therefore for ought you know they may have the Devil in their company. let that direct your ſouls to heaven for them, that God would look to them, and preſerve them: Job offers Sacrifice for his Children, when met in lawful recreation, leſt they had ſinned, and curſed God in their hearts, Job 1. 5.

5. Be more watchful over them hereafter, then you have been heretofore; have a care of letting them have their ſwing…, to go and come where and when they pleaſe, and eſpecially in the night; be ſure take an account of their buſineſs, and hold your Parental Authority over them, keep them within their bounds, you had better bear their hard thoughts of you now, then ſee them made vaſſals of Satan, and left up to Gods Judgements. If your Children reſiſt or contemn your Authority, the Will of God is that you ſhould not bear with them, nor ſpare them; it is a great deal better they ſhould live in p. 39Bridewell under reſtraint, then in your Families at their liberty.

6. See to your own lives, that they be exemplary to your Children, if you teach them never ſo carefully, yet if you unteach them again by your vain converſation before them, its little the better: think how much advantage you put into Satans hands againſt your Children, to draw them into ſin by your example, he knows well enough what a taking argument this is with Children.

7. Reſt not ſatisfied, but be conſtant and earneſt with God for your Children till you ſee Chriſt formed in them, as knowing that till then they are in Satans Kingdome, and under his Juriſdiction. Oh what bowels of affection, what earneſt requeſts might this providence arm us withall! how ſtrong might it make us with God for our Children! O pity them in a ſtate of unregeneracy Chriſtleſs ſouls are naked ſouls, and therefore lye open to the enemy; ceaſe not therefore night nor day begging for them. See in this providence their danger, and let it quicken you to importunacy.

Secondly, Children do you learn ſomething hence alſo.

1. Learn to hearken to the loving and wholeſom Counſels of your Parents, and not to ſlight or deſpiſe their Admonitions and Reproofs. You ſee here how open you are to Satans aſſaults, and if you will not hear God ſpeaking to you by your Parents, it is juſt with God to leave you to the Devil, to hear him: know it, when your Parents ſpeak to you, and adviſe you for your good, God ſpeaks to you by them, and if your eye deſpiſe them, God may ſuffer theſe infernal Ravens and Eagles to pick it out, and …at it. One would think this Monument might make you fear and tremble.

2. Learn hence not to truſt to your Parents Covenant, or to think that you ſhall be ſaved by their Faith, or by it ſecured from Satan: it is true, you may fare the better by them and for them, but if you reſt upon their godlineſs for your ſecurity, you are deceived: you may be the natural Children of godly Parents, and yet the ſpiritual Children of the Devil, Joh. 8. 43, 44. Know it, it is not enough to be the Children of godly Parents, unleſs you do inherit their graces: ſeek therefore that, or elſe Satan hath you at his beck.

3. Reſt not upon your Parents Prayers; think it not enough that your godly Parents pray for you to God, and therefore you are ſafe: true, Parents Prayers are a great benefit to Children, but if they be truſted to, they will prove a meer deluſion. Abraham prayes for p. 40Iſhmael, but he prayes not for himſelf: God may anſwer your Parents Prayers in another way, they ſhall not loſe them, but yet if you reſt there, they may but increaſe your woes. Let this therefore call upon you to make your own peace.

4. Learn to obey your Parents in all their lawful Commands, and that in obedience unto God: acknowledge their authority and juriſdiction over you, and though they reſtrain you from that which you may think to be a lawful liberty, yet be obedient in all things lawful, for though the thing be a matter indifferent, yet if you diſobey and diſpleaſe your Parents in it, be ſure you lay your ſelves open to Satan.

III. Let it teach both the Regenerate, and Ʋnregenerate.

Firſt, You that are Regenerated, and brought home to God, you may learn ſomething here.

1. Let this providence teach you to magnifie Gods grace, that hath taken you out of Satans Kingdome, and tranſlated you into the Kingdome of his own Son. When-ever we ſee any left by God, and in any wayes in the hand of Satan, and under his power, how ſhould it fill us with God-glorifying thoughts, at the conſideration of his wonderfull love to us. Now is a time to conſider who made the difference between two pieces of the ſame clay, to remember how oppoſite we were to any ſaving good, what pains God took with us, what perſwaſions he uſed, and how contumeliouſly we often handled his Spirit; to conſider that if his love had not carried him againſt our hatred, had not he pitied us, when we did not, could not pity our ſelves, we had yet to this day been under the dominion of Hell.

2. Let it awaken you to walk worthy of your vocation; you now ſee your calling, you are called one of Satans kingdome, you are delivered from the powers of darkneſs, labour then to walk no longer in the vanity of your mindes: Are you Gods Children? Live in holineſs, 1 Pet. 1. 14, &c. Oh that this Providence might awaken thoſe that have given up themſelves to God and his Service, to conſider whether we have not too much gratified Satan, by being too light, too vain, too exceſſive in taking liberty in worldly mirth and vanity, too little ſpiritual in our courſe and converſation among men. Let it then be a word of Warning to us to be more ſerious and cautious to our ſelves and wayes for the time to come.

3. Let it move in you earning bowels of compaſſion towards thoſe p. 41that are yet in Satans Kingdome, and under his ſpiritual Juriſdiction: you may here ſee a little, though but a little, yet ſo much appears here viſible and demonſtrative, as may give a glimpſe of diſcovery how ſad and doleful the condition of poor unregenerate ſinners is, who are ſpiritually poſſeſt by Satan. Let it then rouſe up in you bowels of pity, when you look in the faces of any ſuch, let it make you to mourn over them, and pray for them, and counſel and adviſe them as God gives you opportunity, that if it may be, you may be helpful to their eſcape out of the paws of the devouring Lion.

4. Let it awaken you to watch your wayes and actions, to be carefull to your lives and courſes, how you carry it before them who are yet in their vanity, leſt Satan make you his Stales to allure poor ſouls by. If the Devil can belye the people of God to encourage others to hearken to him, be ſure he will make his market of your failings, negligent walkings, and whatſoever is done amiſs by you at one time or other, to draw others more ſearieſly after him; and will it not be a ſad thing that ſouls ſhould follow Satan to their eternal ruine and perdition, and you the live-birds that have drawn them into this net? For the Lords ſake, for the love you bear to poor ſouls, if there be any pity, any compaſſion, any deſire to Gods glory, or others Salvation, look to your wayes, and ſee they be exemplary.

Secondly, You that are Ʋnregenerate, labour to hear the voice of God in this Providence, and learn by it.

1. Let this Example teach you how cruel a Maſter you ſerve: you ſee here, that Satan (whatever pretences he makes, and fair promiſes he ſeeks to delude poor ſouls withall) is in his heart ſet againſt all mankinde, and he ſeeks only to deſtroy them; and if once God lets him looſe, and gives him liberty, he will ſoon ſhew his own nature, and give evidence of his Cruelty. This you have ſeen is but a little of that bitter ſpight he will exerciſe upon thoſe who ſhall be wholly delivered into his hands. You have little cauſe to boaſt of your condition, its a cruel bondage, you are in the hands of one whoſe tender mercies are cruelty. Oh that this might make you weary of Satans government, that it might make you begin to diſcover his policies, and flee from him.

2. Let it ſhew you the great danger you go in every hour of being made a prey to Satan. Conſider how ready this Adverſary is to faſten his T…lons upon poor creatures, if God permit him: and conſider p. 42that thou haſt no ſecurity, no ground to promiſe thy ſelf that God will defend thee from him, no not for a moment, it is Gods goodneſs that▪ he hath hitherto afforded thee his protection, but thou haſt no promiſe that he will continue it: Yea conſider, how many Calls and Counſels, how many Providences and Ordinances thou haſt deſpiſed, how often God hath come to thee, and wooed earneſtly for thy ſoul, uſed heart-breaking intreaties with thee, endeavouring to inſinuate himſelf into thy very ſoul, and yet thou haſt hardned thy heart againſt all, and reſolutely refuſed: think then, what haſt thou to ſay for thy ſelf why thou mayeſt not ſpeedily hear God ſay to the Devil, Take the full and everlaſting poſſeſſion of ſuch a ſoul? and what will become of thee then?

3. Hence let it be a loud Cry to you to Repentance: You have had many Cries in your ears from the Word, but you have not believed the report which Gods Meſſengers have brought. Oh that you would believe when God addes ſuch a Confirmation to the truth of his Word! reade your own ſtate in this poor Monument, and think by what you ſee in her, what is like to become of you in the ſtate you are in; hearken, and you may heat God crying to you by her, Except ye repent, ye ſhall all likewiſe periſh.

Laſtly, let me return once again to all that are here in Gods preſence this day to humble themſelves before him: learn we hence, for this day, and hence-forward, theſe two Leſſons.

1. Let us all examine by this Providence what ſins they have been, that have given Satan ſo much footing in this poor place: ſure the voice of God is loud to us, and bids us to bring this matter upon ſearch; for though God be Soveraign. yet it is to us a time of Conſideration when Gods hand is out againſt us, Hag. 1. 7. Let it then bring us upon a ſerious Triall of our ſelves and wayes, that we may be able to trace God in his Providence, and acknowledge his righteous Judgements; let us ask whether our Contentions have not ſet open this door, and invited Satan in? I am ſure theſe carry a very great reſemblance of the Devils Cloven Foot. Have not our Heart-Diviſions grieved away the Spirit of God, and given Satan this advantage? I am ſure they leave a people faulty, Hoſ. 10 2. and therefore lay them open to ſevere puniſhments: theſe have been too generall ſins, and what have been in particular? What a deal of Worldlymindedneſs in the elder ſort? the vanity and looſeneſs in the younger, p. 43increaſed to ſuch a height of impudency. Let me adde, the general light eſteem there hath been among us of Gods holy and precious Ordinances, and contempt of his Meſſengers: theſe are crying ſins, and therefore may well be anſwered with loud-ſpeaking Providences.

2. Let us all joyn heart and hand to drive this Enemy out again. Let that be our great buſineſs this day to implore God, and beg his aſſiſtance and direction in ſo great a Work as this is; and let us forthwith ſet upon it, and follow it might and main: and that in repentance of, and humiliation for what is paſt, and reformation for the f…ture, let us ſearch and try our wayes▪ and turn again to the Lord; Let us lay aſide Envy and Malice, throw down our Contention & Strife, and take up Peace and Love. Let the Aged reform their Earthlymindedneſs, and the Youth their Vanity, their Night-walkings, and me…ry Drinking-meetings; let the Judgements of God awe our hearts, and leave ſuch impreſſions behinde them, as may powerfully lead us in wayes of Righteouſneſs, that God may delight to dwell among us, and tread Satan under our feet.