The Quarrel of the Covenant, Sermons · Sermon 1

The Quarrel of the Covenant · Sermons · Sermon 1

p. 1The firſt Sermon Preached at Laurence Church, on the Faſt-day, Septem. 27. 1643.

Leviticus 26.25.

And I will bring a ſword upon you, that ſhall avenge the quarrell of my Covenant.

THis Chapter contains a gradation of ſins, and a gradation of puniſhments; higher degrees of plagues, threatning to overtake higher degrees of Sin. And if you will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then will I puniſh you ſeven times more for your ſins; four times repeated over in this Chapter.

The words read, they are the top, or rather the ſum of both, … violation, the top or ſum of all the evils of ſin mentioned in this Chapter, and the ſword with it's concomitants, the top or ſum of all the evils of puniſhment threatned.

And ſo you have the diviſion of the words before I thought of it: ſcil.

The peoples ſins.

Gods judgements.

Their ſin, the abuſe and violation of Covenant, Gods Judgement, the Sword, &c.

p. 2In the one they walk contrary to God, in the other God walks contrary to them: From whence obſerve;

Doct. Covenant violation is matter of a high Quarrell between God and a people, which God threatens to avenge with the ſword.

You ſee there are two Branches in this Doctrine.

I. Covenant abuſe is matter of an high Quarrell between God and a people.

II. God threatens to avenge this Quarrell with the Sword.

1. For the firſt, That Covenant-violation is matter of high Quarrell between God and a people: Quarrell you finde in the Text, and high you finde it in the ſ…ituation of the Text: This ſtanding as I ſhewed you at a top of the gradation of the ſins here ſpecified, or being the ſumma totalis of them all; Abuſe of Covenant.

It is this firſt Branch I ſhall chiefly purſue; The ſecond I ſhall but touch upon, as time and occaſion will ſerve.

In the managing therefore of the firſt Branch, I ſhall endeavour theſe three things.

1. I ſhall ſhew you what Covenant abuſe or violation is, or wherein it doth conſiſt.

2. I ſhall lay you down ſome demonſtrations to prove the foreign, namely, That it is ſc.

3. I will lay you down the Grounds, which ſhall give you an account of the foreign, namely, how it comes to paſſe, that Covenant-violation amounts to ſuch a High Quarrell between God and a people.

Covenant violation, conſiſts.For the firſt; 111. In wilfull neglect.Covenant abuſe, or violation; conſiſts in theſe three things.

1. In a contemptuous Wilfull neglect and refuſall of it, when God doth graciouſly invite a people or perſon to come into Covenant with him; ſo it is reported of thoſe wicked Ephramites, Manaſſites, and Zebulunites, that when Hez…kiah ſent a gracious Meſſage unto them, to invite them to turn again unto the Lord, from whom they were departed by a grievous backſliding, and to keep the feaſt of the Paſſeover, (which was the ſeale of the Covenant) they added this aggravation to all p. 3their former Rebellions, they refuſed the Meſſage, 2 Chro. 30.9, 102 Chr 30:92 Chr 30:10and laughed the Meſſengers to ſcorne, and mocked them.

2. It doth conſiſt in an undue manner of taking of it, 222. In an undue manner of taking it; as 1. Raſhly. 2 Rottenly. Pſal. 78.36, 37.Ps 78:36Ps 78:37and that in divers reſpects:

Firſt, When people take it raſhly in oppoſition unto Judgement, one of the qualifications required to an Oath, Jerem. 4.2. Of which more hereafter.

Secondly, When they take it rottenly in oppoſition to ſincerity, as it is complained of the Iſraelites. They did flatter him with their mouth, and they lyed unto him with their tongues, For their heart was not upright with him, &c. When men come with their Idols in their hearts, and put the ſtumbling block of their iniquity before their face; that is, When they come to theſe, or the like ſolemne duties with the love of any one ſin upon their hearts, this is to play the Hypocrite with God, and to prophane his Covenant.

3. 333. Unhallowedly.When men come unhallowedly to this duety with unprepared hearts, and unſanctified affections, not labouring to get their hearts into an holy Ordinance frame.

4. When they come Inordinately, with baſe, low, 444. Inordinately.carnall and ſelf-iſh ends, as thoſe Sechemites did in the Gen. 34. v. 22, 23. who were perſwaded to be circumciſed (which was the **Rom 4.10.Rom 4:10ſigne and ſcale of the Covenant of God with his people) upon carnall hopes and expectations of increaſing their ſubſtance, and enriching themſelves by this means. Verſ. 22. OnelyOnly herein will the men conſent unto us, for to dwell with us to be one people. If every Male among us be circumciſed as they are circumciſed. Verſ. 23. Shall not their Cattell and their ſubſtance, and every Beaſt of theirs be ours. This God reproves in his own people, Ezek. 33.31. With their mouth they ſhew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetouſneſſe.

A Covenant in the mouth, but covetouſneſſe in the heart; their own baſe earthly covetous ends they brought with them to the holy things of God.333. It conſiſts in graceleſſe breaking of the Covenant.

Thirdly. Covenant violation doth conſiſt in a graceleſſe and careleſſe breaking of it; either by making a wicked Apoſtaſie from it, or riſing up in a curſed rebellion againſt it. A Wickedneſſe complained of all a long the Scriptures, 1 Kings 19.14. p. 4The children of Iſrael have forſaken thy Covenant, thrown down th…e Altar, &c. Pſal. 78.10. They kept not the Covenant of God, and refuſed to walke in his Law. Verſ. 37. Neither were they ſtedfaſt in his Covenant. Jere. 11.10. The houſe of Iſrael, and the houſe of Juda have broken my Covenant which I made with their Fathers. Iſai. 24.5. They have tranſgreſſed the Law, changed the Ordinance, broken the everlaſting Covenant. It were eaſie to multiply more Inſtances, but theſe may ſerve; And thus much for the firſt Quaere: ſcil. Wherein Covenant-Violation doth conſiſt.

2. Demonſtrations to prove the Doctrine. 1. The Saints beway…ing t…s ſin.The ſecond thing that I undertook, is to give you ſome Demonstrations, To ſhew, That Covenant-Violation is matter of a high Quarrell between God and a People; which will appear if we conſider.

Firſt, That the diſcerning ſervants of God in Scripture, ſuch as have been acquainted with God, and have ſeen into the nature of ſin, have bewailed this ſin with their moſt briniſh tears, and deepeſt groans, and agonies of ſpirit. It is enough to break ones heart, to read with what heart-breaking-ſighes, thoſe holy men of God, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel, have bewailed this ſin, lying in the duſt at Gods feet. Ezra 9.6. O my God, I am aſhamed, and …luſh to liſt up my ſace to thee wy God, &c. So cryes Ezra, &c. And again, Verſ. 13. After all this is come upon us, for our evill deads, for our great treſpaſſe; ſeeing that thou our God hath puniſhed … leſſe, then our iniquities deſerve, and haſt given us ſuch deliverance as this; ſhould we again break thy Commandments, Verſ. 15. O Lord God of Iſrael, thou art righteous, for we remain, yet eſcaped as it is this day: Behold, we are before thee in our treſpaſſes, for we cannot ſtand before thee, becauſe of this. Nehemiah is very Patheticall in the confeſſion of this ſin, all along the ninth Chapter of that Book, weeping out this godly ſorrow, as it were with tears of blood. Daniel is covered with confuſion of face, when he bewailed this ſin of Covenant-Violation in the ninth Chapter of his Propheſie. O Lord, righteouſneſſe belongeth unto thee, but unto us confuſion of faces, Ver. 7. And again, O Lord, to me belongs confuſion of face, to our Kings, to our Princes, &c. Verſ. 8. It is breach of Covenant he bewails p. 5with ſo much confuſion of face and brokenneſſe of heart in that Chapter.

Secondly, Covenant-violation is a ſin, 22Cenſured in and by the very Heathen.highly cenſured in the very poor pur-blind, Heathen: It ſtands as an Infamy, and a Brand upon them in that Catalogue of their ſins, Rom. 1.31. Covenant-breakers: Yea, it was a ſin, that as blind as they were, they were able by the very light of nature, to diſcover in the People of God, and could give it as the accompt of that ruine and diſolation which befell them, demanding of one another as they paſſed by the ruines of Jeruſalem, Jerem. 22. Verſ. 8. Where…or…ath the Lord done thus unto this great City, then ſhall they anſwer, Verſ. 9. Becauſe they have forſaken the Covenant of the Lord their God.

Thirdly, It may appear to be a Quarrell of a high nature, 333. The fearfull judgements, wherewith it is threatned.if we conſider the grievous judgements wherewith the Lord hath threatned and avenged this ſin, as here in the text; The Sword with a black Regiment of other dreadfull judgements, following; Verſ. 25. I will ſend the peſtilence among you, and ye ſhall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. Verſ. 26. I will break the ſtaff of your bread, &c. And yee ſhall eat, and not be ſatisfied. And upon the perſiſting in this ſinne; Behold, ſeven times more evills purſuing of them. Verſ 29. You ſhall eat the fleſh of your ſonnes, and the fleſh of your daughters ſhall yee cat. Verſ. 30. I will caſt your Carcaſſes upon the Carcaſſes of your Idols, and my ſoul ſhall abhorre you. Verſ. 31. I will make your Cities waſt, and bring your Sanctuaries unto deſolation, &c. Verſ 32. I will bring the Land into deſolation, Verſ. 33. I will ſcatter you among the Heathen, and will draw out a ſword after you, &c. Iſa. 30.18. My Brethren, God is a God of Judgement, and doth all his works in weight and meaſure. Nehemiah acknowledged it in his confeſſion, Nehem. 9.33. Howbeit thou art juſt in all that is come upon us; for thou haſt done right, but we have done wickedly: Yea, holy Ezra hath a ſtrain higher then this, in his confeſſion. Ezra 9 13. Our God hath puniſhed us leſſe then our iniquities do deſerve. Behold, theſe great and fearfull judgements, and curſes, purſuing this ſin of Covenant-violation, and yet ſo farre from exceeding, that they fall ſhort of the merit of it; Our God hath puniſhed us, leſſe then our ſins deſerved. Of what a high p. 6nature (think ye) is this quarrell, when ſo many tall judgements, like ſo many Anakims though ſtanding upon the Shoulder one of another, cannot reach it?

Fourthly, 444 The care of Gods people after their recovery, to make up this breachIt may appear from hence, in as much, as alwayes upon the recovery and deliverance of the people of God, from their Captivity, and other Judgements: you ſhall finde their Governours and Prophets, Sollicitous and active in the firſt place, to attone God by taking up this quarrell, and controverſie, between him and his people; as in all the former Inſtances of E…ra, Nehemiah, and Daniel, they knew that as long as this breach lay open, there was no ſafety; floods of wrath and vengeance, might break in upon them at unaware; and therefore they labour in the firſt place to repair this breach, giving us thereby to underſtand, That Violation of Covenant is a quarrell of ſuch an high nature, as there is no ſafe ſleeping under it, no not for a night.

Fifthly, God accounts it his honor to keep his Covenant.Among all the excellencies and perfections that are in God. God ſeems to take high delight and contentment in this, and therefore doth often delight and admire himſelf for it. Deut. 7.9. The Lord thy God, he is God, the faithfull God, which keepeth Covenant and Mercy. Pſal. 89 28. My Covenant ſhall ſtandfaſt. Verſ. 34. My Cevenant will I not break, &c. And as he glori…s in it himſelf; for he calleth upon his people to glorifie him in this his Excellency. Jerem. 9.24. Let him that glory th…glory in this, That he underſtandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which exerciſe, loving kindeneſſe, judgement, and righteouſneſſe in the earth. The righteouſneſſe of God is eſpecially ſeen in keeping Covenant with his people, and in this, he calls them to glory. And ſo they do, It is one of the high and glorious titles that Daniel aſcribes to God in his Prayers: Dan. 9.4 O Lord, the great and dreadfull God, keeping Covenant, and Mercy, &c. Pſal. 105 8. He hath remembred his Covenant for ever. Pſal. 111 5. He will ever be mindfull of his Covenant. It is the Name, for which he is ſo dreadfull in his praiſes, Verſ. 9. He hath commanded h…s Covenant for ever, holy, and reverend is his Name. Now ſurely, That Excellency which God doth ſo admire and magnifie in himſelf; the contrary thereof, his ſoul doth moſt of all, hate, or abhorre, in a people, or perſon; we p. 7ſee it in our own experience, That vice we moſt of all hate in our children or ſervants, the contrary vertue whereof, doth moſt of all pleaſe and delight us in our ſelves.

Sixthly and Laſtly, God acc…unts this an high favour to bring his people into Covenant with him, for 1. It is a promiſe. 2 It is eſtabliſhed by an Oath.God ſpeaks of bringing his people into Covenant with him, as one of the higheſt Prerogatives and choiceſt priviledges he can honour them withall, to that purpoſe you may obſerve.

1. That it ſtands in the midſt of a Catalogue of promiſes, E…k. 20.37. I will bring you into the Bond of the Covenant: And you know with what titles of honour the Apoſtle hath enabled the promiſes? Exceeding great and precious promiſes.

2. That it fals under the Sanction not of a promiſe onelyonly, but of an oath alſo. Iſai. 45.23. I have ſworne by my ſelf; the word is gone out of my mouth, in righteouſneſſe, and ſhall not return: That unto me every knee ſhall bow, and every tongue ſhall ſwear? An oath it is the Seal of the Covenant; and this honour God hath challenged to himſelf by an irrevecable Oath. I have ſworne, &c. That to me every tongue ſhall ſwear. Now as it was the honour of the Prieſthood of Chriſt, above the Prieſts under the Law; That whereas they were made Prieſts by the word onelyonly of command; Chriſt was made a Prieſt by the word of Oath, by him that ſaid unto him. Heb. 7.21. The Lord ſware, and will not repent, Thou art a Prieſt for ever after the order of Melchiſedeck. So it is the high honour and dignity of this duty and prerogative of the people of God; That whereas others are conferred upon them, onelyonly by the word of promiſe: This is eſtabliſhed by the word of Oath, by him that ſaid, I have ſwerne by my ſelf, that to me every tongue ſhall ſwear. And by this you may take the meaſure of this ſin, ſince by how much the more high and glorious the ſervice and priviledge is; of ſo much the more vile and hatefull an aggravation muſt the prophanation of it needs be. And this laſt demonſtration may ſerve in generall as a bottome and foundation of the next account I am to make: ſcil.

The foreign. Crounds and Reaſons of the Doctrine..

Of the truth in hand; which is,

The third thing I undertook; Namely,

The Grounds and Reaſons of the Doctrine, how it comes to p. 8paſſe, That Covenant-violation is a matter of ſo High a quarrell between God and his People.

The firſt whereof is taken from the nature of ſuch a Covenant, 111. The Nature of a Covenant. A divine Ordinance. Deut 6.13. Chap. 10.20.Deut 6:13as is here ſpoken of.

Firſt, That it is an Ordinance of God, a part of Divine worſhip, having the ſtamp and impreſſion of divine authority upon it; Thou ſhalt fear the Lord thy God, him ſhalt thou ſerve, and to him ſhalt thou cl…ave, and ſwear by his Name; From which Scriptures it appears not onelyonly to be an Ordinance of Gods appointing but one of the moſt ſpeciall and ſolemne; In as much as …oth here, and in other Scriptures it ſtands for the whole duety of man towards God in the firſt Table.

The Ordinance whereby we ſpecially are ſaid to cl…ave to God, Thou ſhalt cleave to him and ſwear by his Name; We cleave to him by ſwearing to him. Iſai. 56 6. The ſonnes of the ſtranger that joyn themſelves to the Lord. How? It follows, And take hold of my Covenant.

The Covenant is the joyning Ordinance, The joynning Ordinance.It ſtrikes the main ſtroke between God and a People.

In h…aring the word, we learn our Duty.

In Prayer we call in for helpe, for divine aſſiſtance;

But the Covenant, that comes and bindes the bargain. Come let us joyn our ſelves to the Lord, by a perpetuall Covenant. Jere. 50.5.

Yea, The ex…nall … ca… … very …If we conſider the very externall Ceremonies uſed about this duty, it will appear a very ſolemn Ordinance? Whether between man, and man, or between God and man.

When Abrahams ſervant ſwea… to his Maſter, to take a wiſe unto his ſon …anc. He muſt put his hand under his Maſters th…. A Type that the Meſſias muſt come out of Abrahams loynes: Ge…. 24 7. G… 47.….So did Joſeph when he ſwear to Jacob, &c. When God made a Covenant with Abraham; God commands him to take an Heiſer of three years old, a ſhe Goat, and a Ram, and … 9.10. When he hath done, God … betwixt the p…ices, for a Ratification of the Covenant, … 17 Abraham when he takes an Oath, Lifts up his … th… muſt high God.

Theſe and the like Poſt…s uſed about this ſervice, carry a p. 9great deal of reverence and ſolemnity in the very face of them; and this ſolemnity even of the outward Ceremony, God uſeth as an aggravation of Covenant-violation. God layeth it cloſe unto the charge of Zedeziah. That he brake his Covenant with the King of Babylon.

Ezek. 17.18. When loe he had given his hand.

And to the Princes and People of Juda, that they tranſgreſſed the Covenant,

Jerem. 34.18. When they had cut the Galfe in twain, and paſſed between the parts thereof.

And Verſ. 19, 20. for this he threatens to give them into the hands of their Enemies.

And if the externall ſolemnitie adde ſo much aggravation to this ſinne, then how much more doth that inward beauty and glory of it, heap up guilt upon their heads that are found to be prophaners and violators of ſo ſolemn an Ordinance.

A ſecond Aggravation of this ſin, ariſeth from the Mattor of the Covenant.

Covenants betwixt man and man, are in things appertaining to man; The Covenant betwixt God and man, is in things appertaining unto God; which as it doth exceedingly heighten the duty, ſo it doth highly aggravate the violation. It was the honour of the Prieſts under the Law, above other men, That they were ordained for men in things appertaining unto God, Heb. 5.2. And it was the honour of Chriſt above all other Prieſts, that his Prieſthood was imployed about matters of an higher nature, then the Prieſthood of the ſonnes of Aaron.

Heb. 8.6. He hath obtained a more excellent Ministry, by how much alſo he is the Mediatour of a better Covenant, which was eſtabliſhed upon better promiſes.

Now conſider then I beſeech you, how excellent that Covenant muſt be above all others; the matter whereof gave excellency to the very Prieſthood of Chriſt himſelf, and lifted it up above all other Prieſthoods: For as the Apoſtle reaſons concerning Abraham and Melchiſedeck. That Melchiſideck was greater then Abraham, becauſe he bleſſed him.

Heb 7.7. For without question, the leſſer is bleſſed of the better.

p. 10So may I in ſome ſence argue the excellency of this Covenant above the Prieſthood of Chriſt, in as much as this Covenant gives excellency to this Prieſthood. — He hath obtained a more excellent Priesthood, by how much he is Mediator of a better Covenant.

And certainly the excellency of the matter is a tranſcendent aggravation of the violation of the Covenant, for men to triſſle and prevaricate in things of ſuch high concernment, in things ſo immediately appertaining to God, muſt needs be a buſineſſe of an higher provocation, then the ſonnes of men do ordinarily dream of. The Apoſtle reaſons ſtrongly and dreadfully in this very caſe: Heb. 10.28, 29. He that deſpiſed Moſes Law, died without mercy; Of how much ſorer puniſhment ſhall he be thought worthy, who hath counted the blood of the Covenant, an unholy thing, &c.

The Covenant and the blood of it; the priviledge and the purchaſe, are both trampled under feet in ſome degree or other, by Covenant-prophanation.

Thirdly, A third reaſon, why Covenant-prophanation is matter of ſo high a quarrell, is taken from the Forme of it, which is, an Oath, an Oath on both ſides. The Creature ſwears by God, and God ſwears by himſelf: This is the Forme or Seal of Covenants, between men and men. So Jacob when he made a Covenant with his Uncle Laban, ſware by the fear of his father Iſaac. Gen. 31.53. i. e. That is Objective!

By the God whom his father Iſaac f…ared.

So Jonathan and David ſware mutually by the name of God.

The Oath of the Lord was betwixt them.

So Z…dekiah took an Oath of fealty and ſubjection unto Neb… chadnezzar, King of Babylon, In the name of the God of Iſrael; for which cauſe, Ezck. 17.13. & 19.God calls it, My Oath, and my Covenant.

And hence it is, That God ſo ſeverely threatens the violation of that Covenant, with inevitable deſtruction upon Zedekiah.

Ezek. 17.16. As I live, ſaith the Lord God, ſure in the place where the King dwelleth, that made him King, whoſe Oath he de…piſed, and whoſe Covenant he brake, even with him in the midſt of Babylon, ſhall be dye.

p. 11The King of Babylons Oath becauſe Zed…kiah ſware to him; and Gods Oath, becauſe he ſware by him: And ſee how divine Juſtice avengeth the quarrell of this Covenant.

Zed…kiah ſware to Nebuchadnezzar, and did not keep his Oath; But for this, God ſwears the death of Zedekiah, and will be ſure to keep his Oath.

This Acceſſion of an Oath to the Covenant, a people or perſon ſwearing, By the moſt high God, and calling ſo holy and dreadfull a Majeſtie to Witneſſe, muſt needs wonderfully heighten the ſin, and aggravate the quarrell; by this means, Covenant Breach, becometh a double ſin; a ſin twiſted of two ſins (and thoſe, no ſmall ones, neither) of lying and ſwearing: Jere. 23.10.Jer 23:10The lye being the prophanation of the truth of God, and the Oath the prophanation of the God of trueth; ſins for which (take them ſingly) a Land doth often mourn; Hoſ. 4.2.Hos 4:2Of how much higher provocation are they, when they meet, yea, when they meet, and are met into one, communicating their malignity one unto another, and thereby bigning, and aggravating one another: The Lye making the Oath greater, and the Oath making the Lye greater; and out of both there ariſeth an aliquod tertium, a third ſin of a monſtrous nature; namely, perjury, which is a blaſphemy againſt the Truth of God, and againſt the God of Truth, while His Sacred Name is ſworne by, and himſelf cald in, to witneſſe to a Lye, and ſo that ſin, or ſins, which in reference to the Law of God, is diſobedience; in reference to love of God, inviting, pardoning, healing, is rebellion; in reference to our promiſe, is treachery; is now at laſt in reference to the Oath, aggravated into perjury and blaſphemy.

This is much, but this is not all.

Reaſon. 4 Conſider the Parties entring this Oath, and you will finde a fourth, and yet a ſtrong ground and reaſon, The parties ſwearing.why Covenant-violation is ſo high a quarrell; The parties ſtriking this Covenant which are God and his People, and this doth exceedingly aggravate the ſin: ſince by how much the parties intereſted in the Covenant, are more high and honourable, by ſo much the more ſolemne and venerable is a Covenant eſteemed.

So Covenants entred into, between Kings, and Kings, and between Kingdoms & Kingdoms, are accounted more ſolemn and p. 12ſacred then thoſe that are paſt between private perſons: What is it then think ye, when a Kingdom, yea Kingdoms, on one ſide and the great Almighty God on the other ſide, ſwear mutually one to another.

And the more Sacred the Covenant, the more prophane the Violation.

Oh, for a People to ſwear, not onelyonly By God, but to God, and yet dally or prevaricate, this muſt needs be a mockery of an high provocation. If God ſo threaten the breach of Oaths, wherein he was but witneſſe, how impatient will he be of thoſe forſeitures, wherein he is both Witneſſe, and Partie? A People or Perſon, ſwearing By God, to God?

Reaſ. 5 And yet once more conſider the End of a Covenant between God and a People, 111. End of a Covenant.and you will ſee more matter of provocation in the prophanation of it.

Now the end is twofold,

Primarie or Eſſentiall.

Secondarie or Conſequentiall.

The Primarie or Eſſentiall End is to knita ſure indiſſoluble knot, Jer 50.5.Jer 50:5between God and his people. Come let us joyn our ſelves to the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant, &c. Let us joyn.

A Covenant is the joyning Ordinance, the Marriage knot, as it were, wherein God and a People are made one; for as in Marriage, 1 Cor 6.16, 17.1 Cor 6:161 Cor 6:17two, ſaith he, ſhall be one fleſh; ſo in a Covenant, he that is joyned to the Lord, is one ſpirit.

Thoſe be high and glorious expreſſions which our Saviour uſeth in that heavenly Prayer, John 17.21, 22, 23.

That they may be all one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they alſo may be one in us, That the world may know that thou haſt ſent me.

And the glory which thou gaveſt me, I have given them, That they may be one, even as we are one; I in thee, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one.

All one, and one in us, and one as we are one, and made perfect in one. Theſe be expreſſions and priviledges of unſpeakable worth and excellency; and theſe are the fruits of a Covenant, rightly ſtruck between God and a People, when both ſides do p. 13it with all their heart, and with all their ſoul; as God himſelf renders it, more then once or twice in Scripture.

I will be their God, and they ſhall be my People;Jere. …4.7. c. 31 33. c. 30.22. c. 32.38.Jer 4:7

i. e. I will be to them what they can expect from a God, and they ſhall be to me, what I expect from a People: All I am, and have, ſhall be for their good; And all they are, or have, ſhall be for my glory; and ſo the Spouſe triumphs.

Cant. 2.15. chap. 6.3. I am my Beloveds, and my Beloved is mine.

This is the firſt and main end of a Covenant.222. End.

And the ſecond is like unto it; which is, to put an end to all ſtrife.

Heb. 6.16. An Oath for confirmation is an end of all ſtrife.

i. e. If here be any doubts, or haeſitations, or diffidence on either ſide; an Oath by the ſwearing party, is, or ſhould be, the removeall of that doubt, or diſtruſt whatſoever; It ſhould (I ſay) be ſo managed and entertained, as that it ſhould put the matter out of queſtion; to make all ſure? Whether it be in matters of fact, de praeterito, for the time paſt, or engagements, de futuro, for the time to come; ſo it is between God and man.

Man ſwears to God, to ſecure God as it were, that there ſhall …e no more tergiverſations, or treacherous dealings, as in times paſt. Let us joyn in a perpetuall Covenant that ſhall never be forgotten. q. d. Other Covenants have been forgotten, this ſhall never; we will backſlide no more, break Covenant no more; or rather a People or Perſon ſwear to God to ſecure themſelves againſt themſelves to prevent, and ſhut the dore, againſt all future ſollicitations, importunities and Temptations whatſoever; That when any of their old Lovers ſhould come and beſpeck their affections, they may be able to put them all by, that there might be no poſſibility of yeelding or hearkning to the voyce of this Charmer, charm he never ſo wiſely; while the ſoul may anſwer them all, as ſometime Jepthah did his daughter (though with more warrant, and leſſe trouble of minde.)

Judg. 11.35. I have opened my mouth to the Lord, and I cannot go back.

p. 14And with David. Pſal. 119.106. I have ſworn, and will performe it (I will be as good as my word, though I die for it) That I will keep thy righteous judgements.

And again, Thy vows are upon me, O God, I will render praiſe unto thee.

I am not mine own to diſpoſe of; I have given my heart, and my loves, and my ſelf unto another; and I do not repent of what I have done, if it were to do again, I would do it, and were I worth a thouſand times more, then I am, he to whom I have ſworn, ſhould have it all.

And ſo on the other ſide, God ſwears to his People, That (…s I may ſo ſay) he may leave himſelf no poſſibility of recanting or recalling his word, Heb. 6.13. Verſ. 16.Heb 6:13if he had a minde to it. The Ap…ſtles expreſſion hints ſuch a kinde of ſuppoſition; God, when he could ſwear by no greater, ſwore by himſelf: Why? That by two immutable things; ſc. His Word, and his Oath, in which it was impoſſible for God to lye. Impoſſible for him to lye; A very ſtrange expreſſion; As if God would lock up himſelf under an Oath from all poſſibility of lying or recalling the word out of his mouth, he would not truſt himſelfe (as if the Apoſtle ſhould ſay) with making a bare promiſe, but claps an oath upon it alſo, that ſo if be would, yet he could not go back. This ſeems to be implyed in this expreſſion, out the truth is, though we need ſuch bolts and locks to keep us from ſtarting, God doth not; he hath as much and more mind to keep his word, then we have that he ſhould: But for our ſakes, for our ſakes altogether, is this written, becauſe of the unbelief of our bearts, to ſecure our unbeleeving objecting ſpirits, againſt all fear and jealouſie, of ſo much, as a p…ſſibility of going b…k from his word, or failing of his promiſe, and ſo indeed it is after expreſſed. Verſ. 18. That by two immutable things, by which it was impoſſible for God to lye, we might have a ſtrong Conſolation, &c. To ſtrengthen our weak hands, and feeble knees, and drooping ſpirits in the expectations and belief of the undoubted accompliſhment of all his promiſes.

Now then (Beloved Christians) this being the end of Covenants and Oaths mutually between God and his People; p. 15ſc. To Ʋnite, and Secure the one to the other; when a People or Perſon, haffle, or break with God after all this, the end of the Covenant is fruſtrated and defrauded; The bands are broken, the ſecurity diſſolved; all falls in ſunder, as a bundle of Arrows, when the bond is cut, and then in comes fears, doubts, and jealouſies; which oft do no ſmall miſchief in the ſoul, while they even take a poor People, or Perſon Captive, and ſpoil them of their precious treaſure, that they can hardly recover their former comforts, or confidence again, in a long time; Theſe breaches do ſo wound their ſpirits, and ſhrink up their ſinews (I ſpeak of the People of God themſelves) that with their Father Jacob, they go halting (peradventure) to their very Graves.

And now look upon the Covenant under all theſe Aſpects and Notions

Of Nature.

Of Matter.

Of Forme.

Of Parties.

Of End.

And then you will eaſily be able to give an account; Why Covenant-Violation ſhould be a matter of ſo high a quarrell, between God and a People, in all the three kindes of it.

Contemptuous refuſing.

Graceleſſe prophaning.

Perfidious deceiving.

Not onelyonly of the Covenant of God, but of the God of the Covenant; A People of Perſon mocking God, and deluding themſelves, breaking with God; and doing what they can to make God break with them, and to break them all to peeces.

Now for the ſecond Branch of the Doctrine.The 2. Brand of the Doctrine.

This Quarrell God threatens to av…nge with the ſword.

There be but two things which I need handle heer.

1. De facto, To ſhew, How God hath made good this threatning, in the diſpenſations of his providence and Juſtice, by overtaking this ſin of Covenant-Prophanation, with this judgement of the ſword, and its concomitants.

p. 162. De jure, To vindicate and aſſert Gods Juſtice in theſe diſpenſations of his, by ſhewing the equity and righteouſneſſe of ſuch proceedings.

But both theſe are done, if not ſo fully as might be, yet ſufficiently already: The Inſtances given of the ſin, in the very ſame places for the moſt part holding forth alſo examples of the Judgment; beſides ſo many other Inſtances in Scripture, ſo known, That who ever is not a ſtranger to his Bible, may turn to them with a wet finger.

And the Demonſtrations and Reaſons, that ſet forth unto you the greatneſſe of the ſin, the highneſſe of the quarrell, do upon the very firſt view, Vindicate, and Juſtifie the Equity of Gods proceedings in avenging this ſin and quarrell with ſo grievous a judgement, as the ſword; And ſince the ſervants of God, who have well weighed both in the ballance of the Sanctuary, have acknowledged not onelyonly the ſin to have equalled the Judgement; [Thou art juſt O Lord in all that is come upon us.] Nehe. 9. Ez…a 9.But infinitely to have weighed it down; our God hath puniſht us leſſe, then our iniquities deſerve.

This therefore ſhall ſuffice for the ſecond Branch of this Doctrine; and ſo we will improve the time that might be ſpent in the further proof, and enlargement thereof, in making Uſe of what hath been delivered already in that Doctrine.

Ʋſe.

THe firſt Uſe that we may make of this ſad truth, may be according to the work of this day, to diſcover to us what cauſe we have to afflict our ſouls, and to abhorre our ſelves in duſt and aſhes, before the Lord.

For behold, God is contending with this Kingdom by fire; the fire of the ſword (ſo called often in the Scripture) is ſent upon us, and marcheth through the breadth of the Land, in the wideſt extent of the Kingdom, even from the furthermoſt parts of the Weſt, to the uttermoſt parts of the North: A Sword, I ſay, the worſt of all Judgements (witneſſe the ſad Catalogue of evills here that do accompany it, ut ſupra;) yea, a Civill Sword, the worſt of all Swords; a Forraign Sword hits at randome; But this knows whom to ſmite, and where to p. 17make the deepeſt wounds, Brother embrues his hands in the Brothers blood, and a mans enemies are theſe of his own houſe; and therefore the more enemies, becauſe of his own houſe. No Quarrell ſo fierce, no fewd ſo mortall, as thoſe are between the neereſt relations, when Coals of diviſion are once kindled amongſt them.

This Sword, I ſay, is drawn, and much fleſh it hath devoured already, and drunk much precious blood. Nationall blood, Chriſtian blood, Fraternall blood; while we cry to it, as once Jeremiah did.

Jerem. 47.6. O thou ſword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? Put up thy ſelf into thy Scabbord, reſt and be ſtill.

But the Sword either gives us no Anſwer, or ſuch a one as follows there in the next verſe.

How can I be quiet? Seeing the Lord hath given me a charge againſt England?

Yea, we may fear that God is ſaying concerning us, as once to his Prophet Ezekiel, concerning Iſrael.

Ezek. 21.9, 10. A Sword, a Sword is ſharpned, it is ſharpned, and alſo furbiſh'd. Tis ſharpned to make a ſore ſlaughter, ſhould we then make mirth? No, When God ſends a Sword upon a People, the times are times of mourning, and not of merriment. Read on elſe.

Verſ. 10. It contemneth the rod of my ſon, as every tree.

Verſ. 11. And he hath given it to be furbiſhed, that it may be handled: This Sword is ſharpned, and tis furbiſhed to give it into the hand of the ſlayer.

Verſ. 12. Cry and howl, ſon of man, for it ſhall be upon my People, it ſhall be upon all the Princes of Iſrael: terrours by reaſon of the Sword, ſhall be upon my People. Smite therefore upon thy thigh.

Verſ. 13. Becauſe it is a tryall, and what if the Sword contemn the Rod?

The rod of God has been upon us; the rod of a more inferior and gentle correction; but it has done us no good, Folly is ſo bound up in our hearts, that it is not a rod of correction that will fetch it out. We will not yet ſtoop, nor ſubmit unto the p. 18Government of Jeſus Chriſt; therefore we may fear, that now the ſword comes to contemn the rod, to deſpiſe the rod; ſaying as it were, What does this ſilly Rod do here? Will they not ſtoop? Will they not put their ne…ks under the yoak of Chriſt? Let me come Ile make them either bow or break; Ile make them either yeeld, or Ile have their blood. Thoſe his Enemies that will not have him raign over them, bring them hither, That I may ſlay them before his face. Ah my Brethren, we may fear, That God is ſpeaking againſt us in ſome ſuch bitter language as this is; and what think you may be the cauſe? What the Quarrell? Surely, there is cauſe enough, The Parliament tell us of a fearfull Catalogue of horrible provocations.

Contempt of Gods holy Ordinances, and of holyneſſe it ſelf; Groſſe and affected ignorance, under the glorious light of the Goſpel cleerly ſhining among us; unfruïtfulneſſe under the precious means of Grace; ingratitude for mercies; incorrigibleneſſe under judgements; multitudes of Oaths, and blaſphemi…s; wicked prophanations of the Lords day, by ſports, and gamings, formerly encouraged even by Authority.

All ſorts of uncleanneſſe, Luxury, and exceſſe in eating or drinking; Vanity, Prid, and Prodigalitie in Apparrell; Envy, Contention, and unnaturall Diviſions, Oppreſſion, Fraud, and Violence; from divers of which ſins, and many other, not one Perſon throughout the whole Nation, can ſay, That he is wholly Free; Beſides that, all muſt confeſſe, That they have contributed toward the great ſtock of Nationall ſins, and ſo have increaſed the treaſure of Wrath, againſt theſe dayes of Wrath.

But eſpecially, they tell us of two horrid crying ſin, Idolatry, and Blood: Idolatry, which as it was the ſin of our Anceſtors; ſo it is the ſpreading ſin of theſe latter times, while by a generall connivance, and almoſt toleration, it hath been ſeverall wayes fomented and encouraged. And for that other crying and cruell ſin of bloodſhed, That calls alouà for veng ance, it went hand in hand, with the abhominable Idoll of the Maſſe, in the dayes of Queen Mary, and ſome of her Predeceſſors; when many hundreds of the dear Martyrs, and Saints of God, loſt their precious lives in flames and priſons.

p. 19Theſe are the ſins and provocations which our Parliament Worthies give us notice of; which ſurely may amount to a very High quarrell.

But to all theſe without controverſie, England hath added this Quarrell in the Text, to make up the meaſure of our iniquities; even Covenant-Violation.

Witneſſe all theſe ſeverall wayes and branches of this ſin, mentioned in the entrance.

Which of them doth not this Land ſtand guilty of this day before the Lord? All ſorts of Covenant violation found among us. Wilfull rejection.For

1. Are there not found among us multitudes of ſuch prophane Ephramitiſh and Zebulonitiſh ſpirits, that do reproachfully and contemptuouſly, refuſe and reject the Covenant of God; that deals with the Parliament Injunctions, and the Miniſters of the Goſpels invitations to this ſervice; as they did with King Hezeki…hs Meſſengers, laugh th…m to ſcorn…; lade them with Calumnies and Reproaches? What more Covenants yet? Will they never have done Covenanting? Will they ſend us to Hell quick, with their Protestations, and Oaths, and Covenants?

Theſe, and the like voices of murmure and rebellion, God hath heard in our Tents, and his anger is kindled?

Oh what ſhiftings and ſhufflings, what baſe unworthy tergiverſations hath God found among us, to elude and envade this ſolemn ſervice! Indeed he ſaid, he would bring his People into the Bond of the Covenant, but if he would have the moſt part of the People among us, enter into Covenant with him, he muſt drive them into the Bond of the Covenant. Are not theſe of the kindred of the Scribes and Lawyers, of whom it is ſaid, when they were invited unto Baptiſm, Luk. 7.30Luke 7:30which (was the Seal of the Covenant) they rejected the Counſell of God againſt themſelves, being not Baptized, &c. And may not the Miniſters of the Goſpel anſwer this Generation in ſome ſuch Language; as the Apoſtles did the unbelieving Jews, who ſpake againſt the things which were ſpoken by Paul, contradicting and blaſpheming, Acts 13.45.Acts 13:45even as theſe men do.

Verſ. 26. It was neceſſary that the Word of God ſhould firſt have been ſpoken unto you; but ſince you put it from you, and p. 20judged your ſelves unworthy of everlaſting life; loe, we turn to the Gentiles; ſo we to theſe men.

It was our Commiſſion and Compaſſion to ſpeak to you, and perſwade you to enter into this ſolemn League and Covenant with God and his People; but ſince you put it from you, and judge your ſelves unworthy of ſo great a priviledge; loe we turn to other People, and other Churches, we will trouble you no more; God will have a People that ſhall accept of this Grace of his, and think themſelves highly honoured to, by the moſt high God.

2. Of them that do take it, how few be there that take it in a due manner, according to the Laws and Rules of ſo holy and ſolemn an Ordinance. For

1. Raſh and unadviſed entring into Covenant. Eccle. 5.1Eccl 5:1How many be there that take it Raſhly? Hand over Head, as we ſay, not conſidering what they do?

The ſin of former times in England hath been, That our Fathers knew not this ſervice; they regarded it not; it was hid from them; they enquired not after it; and theſe times of ignorance God winked at; or God lightly regarded them.

But it is the ſin of theſe latter times, that we ſlight, this Ordinance; That we know not, or regard not, to know the Laws of this Ordinance; the goings in thereof, and the comings out thereof, That we come to ſuch an extraordinary duty with ordinary (hardly ſo much as ordinary) Conſideration and Preparation.

Indeed ſuch care and Caution hath not been uſed for the informing and preparing of People, for ſo ſolemn a ſervice, as was meet; whereby it hath been expoſed to unſpeakable prophanation, and the moſt of People have but offered the ſacrifice of fools, while they have made their addreſſe thereunto. The Lord convince and humble thoſe, whom it doth more eſpecially concern to have prevented this ſin, by their providence and diligence; for concerning this ſervice we have juſt cauſe to acknowledge with holy David.

1 Chron. 15.13. For becauſe ye did it not at firſt, The Lord our God made a breach upon us (yea many breaches in the Weſt, and in the North, &c.) For that we ſought him, not (herein) after the due order.

p. 21We keep our Faſts (for the moſt part) as if nothing were required, but to hang down our head for a day; and we take Covenants, as if all that is to be done, were but to hold up the hand for a day.

2. Again, How many have taken it, Vnſoundneſſe of heart.Rottenly and Hypocritically, their hearts not being **Pſa 78.37. Verſ. 3.Ps 78:37upright with God in this matter, while ſome have come with their Idols in their hearts, with their baſe Luſts in their boſomes. Some have taken it, if not with a purpoſe to break it, yet with no purpoſe to keep it; They did but flatter him with their mouth, and lye to him with their tongues. And others have taken it with their own evaſions and limitations, and reſervations; ſuch a Jeſuiticall ſpirit is got in among us; by which means it comes to paſſe, that by that time men have pared off, and left one, and put what interpretations they frame to themſelves, there is little left worth the name of a Covenant.

3. In the third place, How many prophane this Ordinance, by ſetting up baſe and earthly and carnall ends, and aymes to themſelves? How many come to this Ordinance with Shechemitiſh ſpirits?

Shall not their Cattle and their ſubſtance, and every Beaſt of theirs, be ours.

If I take it not, ſaith the Malignant Citizen, I ſhall have my Wares plundered.

If I take it not, faith the Malignant Gentleman, I ſhall have my Eſtate ſeized.

If I take it not, ſaith the Malignant Parſon, I ſhall have my Living ſequeſtred, and my perſon it may be caſt into Limbo Patrum, &c.

To ſuch baſe and dunghill reſpects, do men of vile ſpirits, proſtitute this pure and heavenly Ordinance.

4. But laſtly, Have we not all conſpired together as it were, Unſaithfulneſſe in keeping Covenant.from the higheſt to the loweſt, from the greateſt, to the leaſt, to break the Covenant of our God?

How may God and his Miniſters renew all thoſe complaints over England, that were formerly poured out over Iſra…l?

Pſal. 78.10. They have forſaken thy Covenant.

p. 22Verſ. 37. They kept not the Covenant of their God; they were not ſteafast in his Covenant.

Verſ. 57. They turned back and dealt unfaithfully; they were turned aſide like a deceitfull bow.

Alas, what have we done with all the Covenants, we have made with God? Our Baptiſmall Vows, renewed (perhaps) Mon…thly at the Lords Table; our ſick Beds engagements; Parliament Pretiſtations and Covenants with thoſe often Monethly, W…ckly, almoſt daily repititions of Covenants in the dayes of Humiliations and Thankeſgivings; what is become of them all? Have we not dealt with them in ſome ſuch like manner, as Moſes dealt with the two Tables; who went up into the Mountain, to receive them from God; but as ſoon as he came down to the bottome, threw them out of his hands, and brake them: So have we done for all the world; we have gone up into the Mountain of the Houſe of the Lord (ſo is the place of publike worſhip called) to make and renew our ſolemn Vows and Covenants, Iſai. 2.3.Isa 2:3which we have Sealed under an Oath and a Curſe before, and with the moſt high God; but no ſooner (all moſt) have we come down into the Valley of our ordinary walking and converſation; but we have thrown them out of our hands, and broken them all to peeces.

Vow Reformation to day, and within a few dayes, be drunk again; and ſwear again, and be unclean again; and worldly, and wanto…, and ſe…ure again; as tooſe, vain, unſavoury, and unſenſible of pul like ſin and miſery as ever.

Swear our Eſtates to day, and perhaps deny at wentieth part of them to morrow; Worth thouſands, and deny to lend an hundred, a ſ…or…, &c.

Swear to live and dye with the Parliament, and the Cauſ, to day, and ſp…ak againſt both to morrow.

Swear to aſſiſt th…m to day, againſt all Oppoſers, and Malignants; and it may be within a few dayes after, aſſiſt Oppoſers and Malignants againſt them. Help them off with their Taxations, though never ſo indifferent and eaſie. Cou…y, conc.…l their Goods and Treaſur…, though never ſo juſtly forfeited to the State. Get their Mon yes, Arms, Horſes, Proviſions reſtored, p. 23though never ſo lawfully ſeized by ſufficient Warrant, and the induſtry, and piety of faithfull Officers, who venture their Eſtates, their lives, their All, in the ſervice.

Swear and unſwear, do and undo; proteſt for Chriſt to day, and accomodate for Antichriſt to morrow; and when told of it, either they forgot; or which I tremble to think of, and bluſh to mention, ſome (and theſe no ſmall ones) put in minde upon ſuch occaſions of their Proteſtations, and their Covenant, have not feared to reply, Alas, That was broken long ſince. As if breach of our Covenant did diſſolve our engagements; and becauſe we have broke once with God, we were never bound afterward to keep our word, our Oaths: Surely, That were an eaſie way of getting looſe.

But this God hath ſeen and heard among us; and me thinks I heat that angry queſtion ſounding in mine ears.

Ezek. 17.15. Shall he proſper? Shall he eſcape that doth ſuch things? Or ſhall he break the Covenant, and be delivered?

And if the quarrell were ſo high, and God ſo angry for the breach of the Covenant that was but between man and man; yea between a people in externall Covenant with himſelf; and a profeſſed enemy; a Tyrant an Ʋſurper; what may ſuch a People, for whom God hath done, and is doing ſuch great things; expect upon Covenants, ſo religiouſly and ſolemnly made, and ſworn, not onelyonly before, but with ſo holy God; and ſo ofter, and ſo treacherouſly, yea, ſo deſperately abuſed and trampled under feet! I may ſay unto you therefore, as ſometime good Joſiah did to his Servants.

2 Chro. 34.21. Go, enquire of the Lord, for us, Humiliation for this ſin.and for the remnant that are left in Iſrael, and in Judah; for great is the wrath of the Lord, that is powred out upon us, becauſe we have not kept the word, and Oath, which we have uttered to the Lord our God.

It is without all queſtion, the Quarrell of the Covenant, which the Sword is this day a venging upon England, with ſo much wrath, and fury powred out; Woe unto us, out God is grievouſly angry, what ſhall we do?

When David ſaw the Angel of the Lord ſtanding between the Heaven and Earth, Chro. 21.16.having a ſword drawn in his hand ſtretched p. 24out over Jeruſalem: Verſ. 16.It is ſaid, Then David and the Elders of Iſrael, who were cloathed with Sackcloth, fell upon their faces: And David ſaid, even I it is that have ſinned, and done evill indeed; but as for theſe ſheep, what have they done; let thine band I pray thee, Verſ. 18. and 26.Oh Lord my God, be upon me, and upon my Fathers houſe, &c. And by the direction of the Angel, he built an Altar, and offered Sacrifices upon it unto the Lord, and the anger of the Lord was pacified towards his people.

Let us do ſo this day, and in all our publike and private Humiliations.

The Angel hath his ſword drawn; ſtretched out over the whole Land; Even the ſword threatned in the Text, to avenge the Quarrell of the Covenant; Let us fall down upon our faces, and lye in the duſt; draw water, and poure it out before the Lord; take up Jeremiahs wiſh, and Lamentation. Jere. 9.1. O… that my head were waters, and mine eyes a Fountain of Tears, That I might weep day and night for the ſlain of the Daugh…er of my People: Yea, That we might weep bitterly for the ſin which hath …ain ſo many precious ſons of Sion; even this ſin, Covenant-Violation.

And, oh you that have ſtood out in refuſing the Covenant of God, do not ſtand out in refuſing to be humbled for your refuſalls.

You that have been Raſh and Rotten, ſleight and Carnall, and hypocriticall in taking the Covenant, be not ſo in your confeſſions of, and humiliations for this great ſin of yours, whereby God is provoked; labour to be deep and down right; ſerious, ſolid, and ſubſtant all in your mournings and lamentations, over your ſin, your ſelves and the Kingdom.

You that have broken the Covenant of your God, over and over again, Lach. 12.10labor to get your hearts broken for this ſin: and to that end look upon him whom you have pierced; whoſe skin, and whoſe fleſh, and whoſe heart, and whoſe ſoul, you have broken by Covenant breaches, Heb 6.6.Heb 6:6not while he hung upon the Croſſe onelyonly, but as the Apoſtle, Have crucified him a freſh to your ſelves, and put him to an open ſhame.

Oh look upon him, his tears, his wounds, his blood, &c. Till vour eyes run down with tears, your hearts be wounded; and p. 25your ſouls even melt into blood within you. And from thence even turn your eyes alſo to look upon them, whom ye have pierced; your ſlain, wounded Bretheren: Behold thoſe many thouſands that lye ſlain in the high places of the field; Behold, thoſe many hundreds thatly ſick and bleeding almoſt to the death, of the wounds which your ſins, eſpecially, your treacherous dealing in the Covenant of God, have made upon their bodies.

Oh cry with David, I have ſinned; theſe poor ſheep what have they done; Let thine hand I pray thee, Oh Lord my God, be upon me, and upon my fathers houſe.

Oh would it not melt any heart, that were not harder then the Rock in the Wilderneſſe, to ſee ſo many poor Creatures bleeding, languiſhing, dying, ſlain, under the guilt of our Covenant-prophanation?

I may ſay unto you, as once Pharaohs ſervants ſaid to him.

Knoweſt thou not yet, that Egypt is deſtroyed.

Know you not yet, that England is almoſt deſtroyed?

Oh it would break your hearts to hear the reports of the Weſtern, and many of the Northern parts of the Land. How ſad, how black, how deſolate! What a face of ruine, and deſtruction, there is to be ſeen upon them! The Beaſts of the field cut off; The wayfaring man ceaſeth; The Inhabitants driven from their habitations, and the little remnant ſtript naked & bare, ſeeking for Bread to relieve your ſouls, with perill of their lives, Lam. 5 9.Lam 5:9under unſpeakable miſeries and afflictions; doubtleſſe to ſee what thouſands feel, it would make us weary of our lives; while (in a word) thoſe Countries and places which before the Deſtroyer were, as a Garden of Eden; behinde him are as a deſolate Wilderneſſe.

Bretheren, we have almoſt broken the Nation in pieces, there is yet a little life left: Oh lift up your voices for the remnant that remains. Labour to break your hearts into a thouſand pieces. A broken heart is the ſacrifices of the Lord. Pſal 52.17.Ps 52:17So many pieces, ſo many ſacrifices. Oh take theſe, and upon the Altar which God hath ſet up, (The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is our Altar;) upon this Altar, let us offer theſe Sacrifices: And the Lord poure out upon us the Spirit of Compaſſion and Compunction; p. 26the Spirit of Grace and Supplication; That this day (as the reſt) may be a day of Attonement and Reconciliation, wherein our God may be pacified towards us, and reconciled unto us, in the Lord Jeſus. A broken and a contr… heart, O God, thou wilt not deſpiſe.