Duty to Stand in Awe of God and not Sin When Under Judgment, Half title – Title page
Mr. Sewall's DISCOURSE Deliver'd The Evening after the late Terrible EARTHQUAKE, Which was Between the 29th & 30th of October, 1727.
THE DUTY of a People TO Stand in Aw of GOD, And not Sin, When under His terrible Judgments. A SERMON Preach'd at the South Meeting Houſe in Boſton, the Evening after the Earthquake, Which was in the Night between the 29th & 30th of October, 1727.
By Joſeph Sewall, M. A. Paſtor of a Church of CHRIST in Boſton.
Iſai 119.120. My fleſh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy Judgments.
Iſai 29 6. Thou ſhalt be viſited of the LORD of hoſts with Thunder, and with Earthquake, and with great Noiſe with Storm & Tempeſt, and the flame of devouring Fire.
BOSTON: Printed for D. Henchman over againſt the Brick Meeting-Houſe in Cornhill. 1727.
Stand in awe, & Sin not.
PSALM, IV. 4.
Stand in awe, and Sin not —.
GOD Calls upon us this Day to Stand in awe of Him; for He hath terribly ſhaken the Earth under us, and threatn'd to ſend us down quick into the Pit. At the ſame time, He alſo encourageth us to Hope in His Mercy. We might have been ſuddenly deſtroy'd, and that without remedy. Yeſterday might have been the laſt Sabbath, and the laſt Opportunity of hearing GOD ſpeaking to us in His Word; but Adored be the divine Patience & Long-ſuffering! Our gracious LORD hath choſen rather to Warn us by a very awful Providence, and then to give a further ſpace for Repentance. O that His Goodneſs might lead us to …. We are now Aſſembled in His Name and Fear, to humble our ſelves under GOD's Mighty Hand, to Cry to Him to turn from the Fierceneſs of His Angery, and to Praiſe Him for his wonderful Deliverance O that I could speak, and you Hear under the deep impreſſion of thoſe Things!
The Penman of this Pſalm was David; the Occaſion of it is uncertain. It ſeems to have been made when he was diſſreſs'd either by Abſalem, or Saul or by ſome other great and powerful … †The Opening of the Text was omitted in the PreachingThe words of my Text are rendred and underſtood by learned Men with ſome variety. The Word, ſays a worthy Divine ſignifies any moving of the Heart; the Septuagint render it, Be angry, and Sin not. Which Words being us'd by the Apoſtle Paul, Eph. 4.26. are ſuppos'd by ſome to … a Quotation from this Pſalm. Others render it by word which ſignifies to tremble or ſhake for fear Piſcator gives the ſenſe thus; Be mov'd with fear of the anger of GOD. Which is agreeable to our own Verſion, Stand in Awe. There is alſo ſome difference among Expoſitors reſpecting the Perſons to whom theſe words are directed. Some think they are directed to his Enemies, that they ſhou'd fear GOD and not Sin againſt Him by their oppoſition to David's Perſon and Government, who was anointed by GOD's eſpecial Direction and Command. Others rather underſtand the words as directed to his Friends, that they ſhou'd ſtand in awe of GOD's terrible Majeſty under their diſtreſſing troubles, and not ſin by murmuring againſt GOD, or taking any forbidden Courſes to Extricate themſelves. However it is plain, that theſe words are ſpoken to a profeſſing People in a time of Calamity, and I may from them obſerve this Doctrine,
DOCT. IT is the Duty of particular Perſons and of a Profeſſing People in times of great Diſtreſs, to Stand in Awe of GOD, and not Sin.
IT is our Duty at all times to fear that glorious and fearful Name, the LORD our GOD, and eſpecially when He diſplays his terrible Majeſty in awful Judgments, we ſhou'd then look above Second Cauſes, and obey that word which GOD ſpake to his People in a time when their Hearts were ready to fail them for fear, Iſa. 8.12, 13. Say ye not, a Confederacy,— Sanctifie the Lord of Hoſts himſelf, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. We muſt at ſuch a time Sanctifie the Lord of Hoſts — We muſt have our minds impreſs'd with an holy awe, a reverential fear of his terrible Majeſty, and give him the Glory of his infinite Power, Juſtice, Holineſs, Faithfulneſs and Mercy, and other admirable Perfections which ſhine forth in his judicial Diſpenſations; and in that ſeaſonable help which he affords his People under them; Inſtead of being Slaviſhly afraid of Evil, which fear brings a ſnare. We ſhou'd Exerciſe a religious filial fear of GOD as Job ſaid, Job 23.15. When I conſider, I am afraid of him. We ſhould be deeply concern'd, and afraid at the tokens of GOD's diſpleaſure, Even when his Wrath is kindled but a little, and begins to burn; when he gives us to ſing both of Mercy and Judgment. And being mov'd with fear of GOD's diſpleaſure, we ſhou'd put away our Sins which ſtir up his Anger, and are the ground of the Controverſy between GOD and us. We ſhould be afraid of offending GOD by breaking his Commandments, and accordingly ſhould Repent of, and put far away thoſe Sins wereby we have tranſgreſſed his Law. Surely it is meet to be ſaid unto GOD at ſuch a time, I have born Chaſtiſement, I will not offend any more. That which I ſee not, teach thou me; if I have done Iniquity, I will do no more, Job 34.31, 32. It is the Duty of a Perſon or a People thus to ſtand in Awe, and not Sin; to Fear the Lord and depart from Evil. Here, I wou'd in a practical way, and with a particular Application to our ſelves, Conſider ſeveral Sins which a Perſon or People under threatning Judgments ſhou'd put away in the Exerciſe of an holy Awe of GOD, and dread of his righteous Diſpleaſure.
1. WE ſhou'd ſtand in Awe of GOD, and not Sin by Impenitency & Unbelief.
THIS is a very comprehenſive Head, however I ſhall give it a diſtinct Conſideration. When GOD is coming out in Judgments againſt us, We ſhould humble our ſelves under his mighty hand, loath our ſelves for our iniquities, and repent in duſt and aſhes. Thus GOD ſaid to his People of old, Jer. 2.19. Thine own wickedneſs ſhall correct thee, and thy backſlidings ſhall reprove thee: know therefore and ſee, that it is an evil thing and bitter that thou haſt forſaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, ſaith the Lord God of hoſts. Afflictions ſhould teach us the evil of Sin, and make that moſt bitter which is the procuring cauſe of them. When GOD is threatning us we ſhould open our ears to diſcipline, and from an affecting ſight and ſenſe of the evil and danger, the filthineſs and odiouſneſs of Sin, heartily grieve becauſe we have offended GOD by breaking his Law, and putting away our Sin, ſhou'd turn to him. As Ephraim bemoan'd himſelf thus, Thou haſt chaſtiſed me, and I was chaſtiſed, Surely after that I was turned I repented; and after that I was inſtructed, I ſmote upon my thigh: I was aſhamed, yea, even confounded, becauſe I did bear the reproach of my youth, Jer. 31.18, 19. Again, we ſhou'd ſtand in awe, and not Sin by Unbelief. This is a very heinous Sin, 1 John 5.10. He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the witneſs in himſelf: he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, becauſe he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And it is highly diſpleaſing to GOD, and upon the account of it GOD is provok'd to bring terrible Judgments upon a profeſſing People. Thus when the Son of God was manifeſt in the fleſh, and came to his own, they received him not. The Body of the Jewiſh Nation rejected the true Meſſiah, and then GOD caſt them off, and poured out his Wrath upon them in a moſt terrible manner, Rom. 11.20. Becauſe of unbelief they were broken off —. When GOD is come out in terrible Judgments againſt us, we ſhould therefore be convinced of Sin, particularly of this great Sin of not believing in Jeſus Chriſt, and take heed there be not in any of us an evil Heart of unbelief. We ſhould give glory to GOD by receiving the record he hath given of his Son, as a faithful ſaying and worthy of all acceptation, and reſt upon Chriſt and his righteouſneſs as reveal'd and held forth in the word of the Goſpel, for Juſtification and Eternal Life. Let us then ſtand in awe of GOD, while under the tokens of his diſpleaſure, repent and turn from all our tranſgreſſions; ſo iniquity ſhall not be our ruin. Let us, being mov'd with fear fly to Jeſus Chriſt who is the hope of his Iſrael and the Saviour thereof in times of trouble. Let us not give our gracious Lord reaſon to complain as of Jeruſalem, Matt. 23.37. O Jeruſalem, Jeruſalem, thou that killeſt the Prophets and ſtoneſt them which are ſent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy Children together even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings, and ye would not. But let us now fly to Chriſt and truſt under his Shadow, who is an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempeſt: Iſa. 32.2.
WE ſhou'd ſtand in awe of GOD, and … by Neglecting, Corrupting, or Prophaning GOD's Worſhip and Ordinances.
THE Second Commandment ſtrictly forbids … Neglect and Contempt of GOD's Worſhip; and … the Corrupting it by the mixture of humane …. And here GOD declareth himſelf to … Jealous GOD, viſiting the iniquities of the … upon the Children. — GOD's Covenant People are joyned to Him in the bond of an holy Covenant and he Expreſſeth his Indignation againſt all falſe Worſhip, as againſt ſpiritual Whoredom, being the Violation of this Covenant. Ezek. 16.26. — And haſt increaſed thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger. We ſhould then when under GOD's afflictive Hand, ſtand in awe of Him, and take heed we do not uſe or approve any Religious Worſhip not Inſtituted by GOD Himſelf: That we uſe not any Viſible Signs, as Means of Worſhip which GOD hath not appointed, leſt GOD pour out his anger and his fury upon us, as He threatned, Jer. 7.20. Therefore thus ſaith the Lord GOD, Behold, mine anger and my fury ſhall be poured out upon this place, upon man and upon beaſt, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it ſhall burn, and ſhall not be quenched. And then let us take heed we do not neglect any of His Ordinances and Inſtitutions: But look to it that we be in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the LORD blameleſs. Let us Pray to GOD daily in the Name of CHRIST, Read and Meditate on his Word, and carefully improve the Opportunities we have for Publick Worſhip. When GOD gives ſuch, Let us not make light of them, as they who went one to his Farm, and another to his Merchandize, Matt. 22.5. Laſtly, let us manifeſt a high eſteem for the Seals of the New Teſtament. If there be any that have not been Baptiſed, let them obey that Word, Repent, and be baptiſed every one of you in … name of Jeſus Chriſt, for the remiſſion of ſins, — … 2.38. If any neglect to ſeek Baptiſm for their …, Let them awfully conſider of his anger … Moſes, for not Circumciſing his Child, Exod. … 25. — The Lord met him, and ſought to kill …. Or if there are any who live in the neglect … Sacrament of the Lords Supper, who do not … and ſhew forth the Lord's Death at his …, as GOD's Word requires. Let them be Exhorted to prepare for, and come up to that Ordinance, Being moved with fear; for you may bring GOD's Judgments upon you by living in the neglect of this duty, as well as by attending it Unworthily.
Again, LET us ſtand in awe, and take heed we do not offend the glorious GOD, by a profane irreverent uſe of his Name, or any of his holy Ordinances; for GOD aſſure…, He will not hold ſuch guiltleſs, Thus when … and Abihu were ſlain by fire. GOD ſaid, Lev. 10.3.— This is it which the LORD ſpake, ſaying, I will be ſanctified by them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. If we wou'd not have GOD to be a conſuming fire to us, We muſt glorifie Him in the Manner of our Attending on holy Ordinances. Heb. 12.28, 29. — Let us have grace, whereby we may ſerve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a conſuming fire. If we allow our ſelves to come into GOD's preſence without a due ſenſe of the Majeſty & Glory of GOD, & of our own meanneſs and vileneſs; without a due ſolemnity of Spirit, in a heedleſs cuſtomary manner; we provoke GOD to Sanctify himſelf upon us by breaking out againſt us in terrible Judgments. 1 Cor. 11.29, 30. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth & drinketh ‖or Judgment.damnation to himſelf, not diſcerning the Lords body. For this cauſe many are weak and ſickly among you, and many ſleep.
3. WE ſhou'd ſtand in awe, and not Sin, by Prophaning the Lord's-Day.
THE Keeping of a Weekly Sabbath, or Day of holy Reſt to the LORD is of Divine and Perpetual Obligation, as the Fourth Commandment declares. The Firſt Day of the Week ſince CHRIST's Reſurrection on that Day, is the Sabbath; as appears by the Practice of the Apoſtles who were divinely inſpired, with reſpect to thoſe Matters which were of general concern to the Church: Act. 20.7. And upon the firſt day of the week, when the Diſciples came together to break bread, 'Paul preached unto them —. 1 Cor. 16.1, 2. — Upon the firſt day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in ſtore, as God hath proſpered him —. And this is agreably call'd, The Lord's Day, Rev. 1.10. Now GOD requires his People, to whom He gives his Sabbath as a Sign, to Sanctify it by Reſting from all Unneceſſary Worldly Buſineſs, and from Recreations lawful at other times, And then by ſpending the whole time, unleſs when works of Neceſſity or Mercy take us off, in the Secret, Private & Publick Worſhip of GOD. It is our Privilege that we have the Sabbath, and very ſtrong are our Obligations to Remember, and keep it Holy: unleſs we do it, Religion will languiſh, and GOD will be provoked to bring terrible Judgments upon us. Jer. 17.21, 24, 27. Thus ſaith the LORD, Take heed to your ſelves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath-day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jeruſalem. And it ſhall come to paſs, if ye diligently hearken unto me, ſaith the Lord, to bring in no burden through the gates of this City on the Sabbath-Day, but hallow the Sabbath-Day, to do no work therein. But if ye will not hearken unto me, to hallow the Sabbath-Day, and not to bear a burden, even entring in at the gates of Jeruſalem on the SabbathDay: then will I kindle a Fire in the gates thereof, and it ſhall devour the palaces of Jeruſalem, and it ſhall not be quenched. Let us then take care and Sanctify the Lords-Day. Bleſſed be GOD the ſtrict obſervation of the Sabbath has been no ſmall part of the glory of NEW-ENGLAND, and of BOSTON: O let us take heed and beware of every thing that would ſtain this glory! Let us therefore remember the Sabbath, and bear it in mind, eſpecially when it draws nigh, that we may be diſintangled from all Worldly Cares, and ready to enter into this holy Reſt.
In the Scriptural Account of the Creation, the Darkneſs is reckon'd before the Light of the Natural Day. And the Evening and the Morning were the Second Day, Gen. 1.8. Agreable to this the Jewiſh Sabhath was from Evening to Evening, Lev. 23.32. And Nehemiah commanded the Gates to be ſhut when it began to be dark before the Sabbath, Neh. 13.19. which by reaſon of the Mountains round about and near Jeruſalem, ſeems to have been about Sunſetting at furtheſt. The Chriſtian Sabbath is the firſt Day of the Week. And it muſt begin as other Days. As to the exact Time of CHRIST's Reſurrection, it is not ſet forth in Scripture.
LET us then diſpatch our Worldly Buſineſs towards the Evening, before the Sabbath Day. Such as are in Trade, ſhou'd take Care that their Shops be ſhut ſeaſonably. Such as have Meat or any other things to buy, ſhould take Care to do it before Night. Or whatever Secular Buſineſs is to be done, we ought to finiſh it ſo that we may not be cumber'd about it, when we ſhould be keeping an holy Reſt to the Lord. On the Lord's Day Morning, we ſhould riſe early, if our bodily Health will allow it, and take Care that we and our Houſholds ſeparate a whole Day for the Service of GOD; and that we do not thro' Covetouſneſs allow them in any unneceſſary worldly Labour. There muſt be no Burden born on the Sabbath, No! not ſo much as to ſetch or carry any wearing Apparel: yea on this Day the Beaſts muſt Reſt from Labor … Thou ſhalt not do any Work, thou nor thy Cattle partly to teach us to exerciſe Mercy toward the brute Creatures, partly becauſe the uſe of Cattle muſt have drawn along with it the Attendance or Employment of Men. The Reſt of Man and Beaſt muſt not be interrupted without weighty Cauſe. We muſt look to it that it be a Work of Neceſſity or Mercy, or elſe we may not employ Men about it.
Again, As we muſt take Care that our Children and Servants be not Idle at home; ſo that they attend the Publick Worſhip. GOD requires that we & ours appear before him to do him Homage on this Day, and we muſt take Care to go up to the Houſe of the Lord; and we muſt not neglect the Aſſembling our ſelves together on this Day: We muſt ſee to it that our Seat be not Empty; and that our Children & Servants do not abſent themſelves; unleſs when Sickneſs, the neceſſary Occaſions of the Family, &c. require it. And tho' it be true, that the Sabbath is but one Day in the Week: yet there is Prudence to be uſed on the Evening after the Sabbath-Day, that we do not loſe what we have wrought or got on the Lord's Day, by going Abroad into vain Company, by viſits of meer Ceremony, &c. but rather Employ the Time in Catechiſing our Children & Servants, &c.
LET us then be Exhorted to Keep the Sabbath holy. Let us turn away our foot from the Sabbath, from doing our Pleaſure on GOD's holy Day. Let us call the Sabbath our delight, the holy of the Lord honourable, and honour him, not doing our own ways, nor finding our own pleaſures, nor ſpeaking our own words. And let us be awakened to great Diligence & Care herein from the Warnings GOD hath given us, and by the ſhakes of his Rod over us. GOD lately Viſited us with a terrible Storm on the Evening before the Sabbath Day-light; And … with an amazing Shock of an Earthquake, on the Evening after it. O let it not be ſaid that GOD ſpake once, yea twice, and yet we regarded it not!
4. WE ſhou'd ſtand in aw, and not Sin by the Neglect of Family 'Duties.
IT is our Duty to reſolve with Joſhua, As for me and my Houſe, we will ſerve the Lord, Joſh. 24.15. And with David, Pſa. 101.2. I will walk within my Houſe with a perfect Heart., We muſt walk as in the fight of GOD, and approve our Hearts to him by a conſcientious diſcharge of Family Duties, particularly when his Judgments have an eſpecial threatning Aſpect on our Houſes. We ſhou'd be moved with an holy Fear to put all Iniquity far from our Tabernacles, and to ſerve GOD in them. For GOD threatens the Wicked, Job 27, 28, 29. The heaven ſhall reveal his iniquity: and the earth ſhall riſe up againſt him. The increaſe of his houſe ſhall depart, and his goods ſhall flow away in the day of his wrath. This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.
Now then, that GOD hath cauſed our Houſes to ſhake under us, and threaten'd to bury us in the Ruins of them; let us be excited to Worſhip GOD conſtantly in and with our Families. Let us offer to him the Morning & Evening Sacrifice of Prayer. For ſurely, If it be a Duty, to Pray always in every thing, at all times, and with all Prayer, we can't neglect Family Prayer without great Sin. Let us not then practically deny that GOD who ſets the Solitary in Families, by refuſing this part of Social Worſhip, for which we have daily Occaſion as well as Opportunity. Let us with David, Bleſs our Houſhold. Let us thus Fear God with all our Houſe, and expreſs our religious Fear by Praying always, as Cornelius did Acts 10.2. Leſt we provoke GOD to Conſume us in his Wrath according to that dreadful Imprecation, Jer. 10.25. Pour out thy Fury upon the Heathen that know thee not, and upon the Families that call not upon thy Name. If the word Family be here taken in a large ſenſe, it includes particular Houſholds. O let us join together in asking GOD's Protection and Bleſſing on our Houſes, in ſeeking the Pardon of our Family Sins, and in Praiſing GOD for Family Mercies, leſt we provoke GOD to conſume us together. Again, Let us Read the holy Scriptures in and with our Houſes, and teach our Children & Servants the good knowledge of the Lord. Let us as 'twas ſaid of Abraham, Gen. 18.19. Command our Children and Houſhold after us,— that they may keep the way of the Lord. Let us ſet them Examples of Sobriety, Righteouſneſs and Godlineſs: and then uſe our Authority to Reſtrain them from all Sin. GOD threaten'd Eli, that he would judge his Houſe, i.e. Condemn, Puniſh it — for the iniquity he knew, becauſe his Sons made themſelves vile, and he reſtrained them not, &c. 1 Sam. 3.13. O let us then take heed we do not connive at Sin in our Children or Servants; but do our utmoſt by ſeaſonable Admonitions & Corrections when needed, to Reclaim them, left GOD be provok'd to enter into Judgment with us, and Puniſh us for the Sins of our Houſes. Let us bring up our Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. And let us do our Duty towards our Servants alſo, even the meaneſt of them, conſidering we have a Maſter in Heaven, and there is no reſpect of perſons with him. Job 31.13, 15. If I did deſpiſe the cauſe of my manſervant, or of my maid ſervant, when they contended with me: What then ſhall I do when God riſeth up? and when he viſiteth, what ſhall I anſwer him?
BEFORE I diſmiſs this Head, I wou'd ſay, We muſt ſtand in aw, and not Sin by being Unjuſt in our Family Buſineſs, or by taking any indirect Courſes to Provide for our Families. We muſt take heed there be no Fraud, Unrighteouſneſs or Oppreſſion in our Trading; the Eighth Commandment requires Juſtice in Commerce between Man & Man, our rendring to every one his due; and forbids "whatever may unjuſtly hinder our own or our Neighbour's Wealth & outward Eſtate." There is a flying Roll which is call'd the Curſe, and GOD ſays, it is for every one that Steals, and threatens to bring it into the Houſe of the Thief, and that it ſhall conſume it, Zech. 5.2 — 4.
5. WE muſt ſtand in aw, and not Sin by Quarrelling & Contending one with another. When there is reaſon to ſay, What means the heat of GOD's Anger? Then GOD's People ſhould avoid all unchriſtian Heats, Heart-burnings & Animoſities one againſt another, and endeavour to unite as one Man, in ſeeking to turn away GOD's Anger from them. It's dreadful indeed for Men to be caſting fire Brands, Arrows & Death. For them to ſeek in their Wrath, in any ſort to hurt & wound their Neighbour, either by bitter Words, or injurious Actions. Inſtead of this, we ſhould do our utmoſt to extinguiſh the Fire of Contention; that we may lift up pure hands to GOD without Wrath in ſervent Supplications, and unite hearts and hands in the great Work of Reformation. Let us then obey that word, Eph. 4.31, 32. Let all bitterneſs, and wrath, and clamour, and evil-ſpeaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Chriſt's ſake hath forgiven you.
6. WE ſhould ſtand in aw, and avoid the Sins of Drunkenneſs & Uncleanneſs.
I put theſe together, and indeed they often go together, the former being an eſpecial Provocation to the latter, and therefore forbidden in the ſeventh Commandment. Prov. 23.31, 32. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red —. At the laſt it biteth like a Serpent, and ſtingeth like an Adder. Thine Eyes ſhall behold ſtrange women. Now that GOD hath fulfilled that word, Iſa. 24.20. The Earth ſhall reel to & fro like a Drunkard; let us avoid this Sin, and obey that word, Eph. 5.18. Be not drunk with wine — but be filled with the Spirited. Let us take the Warning, and not inflame our ſelves with ſtrong Drink: Let us not indulge this Sin in our ſelves, or connive at it in others; but avoid all Temptations to it, and be ready in our ſeveral Places to bear our Teſtimony againſt it. Let the Civil Authority be intreated to take Care that Taverns, and other Houſes for Retailing ſtrong Drink, do not grow ſo numerous as to become a publick Scandal and hurt to the Religion, and the Morals of our People: And then to keep a ſtrict watch over them, that good Orders may be maintain'd in them. Let ſuch as ſell Strong Drink, take heed & beware of being partakers with others in this Sin, by ſuffering Perſons to drink to Exceſs. O do not make a gain of the Sins of others, leſt you be drowned with them in Perdition. In a word, Let the Inhabitants of the Town be Exhorted to avoid all needleſs frequenting of Taverns! O do not accuſtom yourſelves to go to ſuch Places when you have no Call to it! O do not ſpend your precious Time, and your Eſtates there! O do not tarry long at the Wine, to the diſhonour of GOD and the hurt of the Religion and good Order of your Families; leſt GOD be provoked to make your Houſes deſolate.
Again, LET us ſtand in aw and not Sin by burning with Unclean Luſts, and gratifying our carnal Inclinations.
SODOM was infamous for the Sins of Uncleanneſs, and the Lord rained upon them Fire & Brimſtone from the Lord out of Heaven, Gen. 19.24. Yea they ſuffered the Vengeance of eternal Fire, Jude ver. …. As Sodom & Gomorrah giving themſelves over to Fornication, &c. are ſet forth for an Example, ſuffering the Vengeance of eternal Fire. O let us then fly all degrees and kinds of Uncleanneſs, all Temptations and Provocations thereunto! For Whoremongers & Adulterers God will judge, Heb. 13.4.
7. WE ſhou'd ſtand in aw, and fly the Sin of Pride.
EVERY one that is proud in Heart, is an abomination to the Lord, Prov. 16.5. Pride, whereby Men entertain too high tho'ts of themſelves, and ſeek to exalt themſelves above their Fellow-Creatures, yea above GOD himſelf, is a very provoking Sin, which GOD threatens with terrible Judgments, Iſa. 3.5. — The Child ſhall behave himſelf proudly againſt the Ancient.— ver.8. Jeruſalem is ruin'd, & Judah is fallen. ver. 16. Moreover, the Lord ſaith, Becauſe the daughters of Zion are haughty. ver. 17. Therefore the Lord will ſmite —. Let us then bring every proud Imagination into ſubjection to the Will of GOD. Now that GOD threatens to level us with the ground, yea to lay us under it, let us lie low in deep Abaſement before him. 1 Pet. 5.6. Humble yourſelves under the mighty hand of God. Hath not this Sin been declar'd by many, in their high Looks and haughty Carriage, in their ambitious purſuits of the great things of this World, and the Exceſs of their Apparel and the like, whereby they have ſought to make a greater Appearance than their Eſtates wou'd allow? The Lord ſubdue this Luſt, which is ſet firſt where the Sins of Sodom are nam'd, Ezek. 10.49. GOD now ſpeaks aloud, and ſays to us, Rom. 11.20. Be not high-minded, but ſeer.
THUS I have in weakneſs and fear, mention'd ſome of thoſe Sins from which an holy Aw of GOD, ſhould deter us.