Duty to Stand in Awe of God and not Sin When Under Judgment, Application
APPLICATION.
USE, I. LET us all be Exhorted to ſtand in aw of GOD, and not Sin againſt Him. To ſear GOD, and keep his Commandments.
LET us now fear before the Lord, and ſay as Pſal. 119.120. My fleſh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments. There's the Voice of GOD crying to us in the inflicted and threatned Judgment. Amos 3.6. Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? ſhall there be evil in the city, and the Lord hath not done it? No ſurely, this terrible Judgment is the Work of GOD, and he ſpeaks aloud to us by it, as Joh. 5.24. Sin no more, leſt a worſe thing come unto thee. GOD ſeems to ſay to us in his Providence, I have given you fair Warning, do not further provoke me. Or, as Hoſ. 11.8. How ſhall I give thee up, Ephraim? how ſhall I deliver thee, Iſrael? how ſhall I make thee as Admah? how ſhall I ſet thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. Let us then relent under GOD's Hand, and by an hearty Repentance turn unto him. Turn ye, turn ye why will you die, O houſe of Iſrael. Let us fear the Lord and his Goodneſs; and not after our hardneſs and impenitent Heart, treaſure up to our ſelves wrath againſt the day of wrath, by abuſing the Riches of it. O that we cou'd each of us, with an heart broken for Sin, fly to JESUS CHRIST, who ſaves his People from their Sins! O that we cou'd as a People, Repent, and turn from our evil ways unto the Lord, our Covenant GOD! Then we might Hope that GOD wou'd turn from the fierceneſs of his Anger: But if after all that is come upon us, and GOD hath given us ſuch Deliverance as this, we remain incorrigible, and again break his Commandments, will he not be angry with us till he hath conſumed us, ſo that there ſhall be no remnant, nor ….*Ezra 9.13, 14.
In the Proſane, the Covetous, the Unjuſt and Unclean be ſo ſtill †Here is ſome Enlargement.. … our Caſe be like that of Jeruzalem, which is compar'd to a boyling Pot, whoſe Scum went not out of it, Ezek. 24. i. e. The Filthineſs of their abominable Vices was not caſt out, tho' GOD's fiery Indignation burnt againſt them. I ſay, If this be our Caſe, we ſhall have Reaſon to fear the fulfilment of that awful Threatning upon us, ver. 13. Becauſe I have purged thee, and thou waſt not purged, thou ſhalt not be purged from thy filthineſs any more, till I have cauſed my fury to reſt upon thee. Let the Terrors of the laſt Night then convince us of the Neceſſity of Reformation, and quicken us to fly our provoking Sins, as we wou'd hope to eſcape the amazing Judgments of GOD, yea the Wrath to come. And here tho' I have already mention'd ſeveral Sins which an holy Aw of GOD ſhou'd excite us to forſake, and put far away from us; yet I wou'd further ſay; Let this terrible Judgment of GOD teach us the great Evil and folly of a covetous worldly Spirit, which alas dreadfully prevails in this Land. Our Lord & Judge ſays to us this Day, Take heed & beware of Covetouſneſs. O let us not then immoderately Crave, and with greedineſs purſue this world's Goods: Let us not Truſt in uncertain Riches, when GOD hath caus'd the Earth to ſhake & tremble under us. O do not now pant after the Duſt of the Earth? Do not practically ſay, Your Houſes are for ever, when the Foundation on which they ſtand is mov'd! Leſt you, your Houſes and Eſtates periſh together in the Day of GOD's Indignation.
Now is it not one ſign of the prevailing of this Evil that the weekly Lecture in this populous Town, is often ſo poorly attended? I can't but fear, My Brethren & Nei'bours, that this Omiſſion is provoking to GOD. Certainly we might have a full Aulitory, and yet give large Allowances for the urgent Affairs of the Town, which require preſent Diſpatch. Let us not then be ſo careful and cumbred about many things as to neglect this precious Opportunity. Let us in this particular, Seek firſt the Kingdom of GOD, and other things ſhall be added. I am ſatisfied this wou'd not hinder but promote the Succeſs of our Secular Buſineſs, thro' GOD's Bleſſing. And O that we might be quickned in every Inſtance of Piety towards GOD, and Charity towards our Neighbour, to lay up our Treaſures in Heaven, and to ſeek that Kingdom which can't be moved!
Again, Is not profane Swearing & Curſing become dreadfully Common with ſome ſorts of People? Now this is an heaven-daring & heinous Iniquity, which GOD is wont ſeverely to Puniſh. Jer. 23.10. Becauſe of ſwearing the Land mourneth—. Zech. 5.1. — Behold, a flying Roll.— ver. 3. Every one that ſweareth ſhall be cut off on that ſide. O let not any for the Time to come, dare thus to ſet their Mouths againſt Heaven; but let the dread of GOD fall upon you; Fear an Oath, and do not take GOD's ſacred Name into your Mouths upon every light & trivial Occaſion; do not Call him to Witneſs to a lie, leſt he appear as a ſwift Witneſs againſt you, and ſtop your Breath in a moment. Don't imprecate Curſes on your ſelves or others, leſt the Curſe of GOD fall upon you, and you be ſuddenly ſent down to the Place of Torments, where is wailing and gnaſhing of Teeth for ever.
Again, ARE there not ſuch as ſet light by Father & Mother; who Refuſe to give that Honour which is due to their Parents, their Civil Rulers, Paſtors and the like? If there be any ſuch, be warn'd to fly this heinous Sin. Honor thy Father and thy Mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Remember the Fate of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, that with others of the Children of Iſrael, gather'd themſelves together againſt Moſes and againſt Aaron, (Numb. 16.) and fly this Sin.
Again, ARE there not Evil Cuſtoms prevailing among us, in which we are conform'd to the preſent Age? Tho' GOD forbids this, Rom. 12.2. Be not conformed to this world. Let us ſearch them out, and Reform them, leſt we be condemned with the World another Day.
BEFORE I diſmiſs this USE, I wou'd ask leave to Addreſs ſeveral ſorts of Perſons particularly:†I take liberty to inſert theſe particulars, tho' they were not deliver'd at that time
(1.) LET ſuch as are yet in their Sins, be convinc'd of their extream hazard; and being mov'd with Fear, fly to CHRIST for Refuge.
WE read of a great Earthquake at Midnight, while Paul & Silas Pray'd —, after which the Jailor came trembling — and ſaid, Sirs, What muſt I do to be ſaved? Acts 16.25, 26, — 29, 30. An inquiry very needful for thoſe to make who are yet under the Guilt & Dominion of Sin, now that GOD reveals his Wrath in this amazing Judgment. Knowing the Terrors of the Lord, we pray you in Chriſt's ſtead, be ye reconciled to GOD. O do not go on obſtinately in your Sins, leſt GOD ſend you down to the bottomleſs Pit … O make haſte, make haſte to CHRIST! Lay hold of GOD's ſtrength, and make Peace with him. Do not reſt ſecure in a State of Enmity againſt this GOD who can Arm any of his Creatures againſt you for your Deſtruction, and after he hath kill'd, … power to caſt into Hell, Luk. 12.5. Now make Supplication to your Judge, and cry for Mercy while He is ſeated on a Throne of Grace, and ſays, Come unto me — Look unto me, and be ye-ſaved —. And if there be any awakned, as I hope there are not a ſew, and bro't to cry out, What muſt we do to be ſav'd? The Anſwer given to the Jailor is ready, ver. 31. Believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and then ſhalt be ſaved. Go out to him, truſt in him, and ſubmit to him in all his Offices, and your Souls ſhall live. Here's a City of Refuge, make haſte to it, leſt you be deſtroy'd. Who can tell, but GOD deſigns to make uſe of this ſurpriſing & extraordinary Providence to prepare you to receive and obey the Calls of his Word? O dont neglect this remarkable Day of Grace! You are never like to enjoy ſuch another. To Day then while it is call'd to day, Hear GOD's Voice, and harden not your Hearts. Now! Now! Work out your Salvation with fear & trembling, crying to GOD to work in you to will & to do. If you now reject the Offers of the Goſpel, there will be great reaſon to fear that this Judgment will prove a forerunner of unavoidable Deſtruction. And wo to you if after all, you Periſh becauſe you will not come to CHRIST that you may have life. It will be more tolerable for Sodom & Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for you. The Lord ſpeak to your hearts, and make you willing in the Day of his Power!
(2.) LET this rouſe up GOD's Children, and awaken them out of their ſleepy Frames.
THE Wiſe Virgins may ſlumber & ſleep, Matth. 25.5. But what a Cry is now heard to awaken you? Behold, The Lord ariſeth to ſhake terribly the Earth. Ariſe then, and trim your Lamps; Prepare to meet the Lord in the way of his Judgments. Know it, Your Sins may help to pull down Judgments upon GOD's People. Aaron's & David's did ſo. Pray therefore, as Pſal. 143.2. Enter not into Judgment with thy Servant —. Live in the continual Exerciſe of Faith & Repentance, and Cry to GOD to ſpare his People. Stand in the Gap, and make Interceſſion to the Lord of hoſts for your People. You may do much to turn away wrath, while you Exerciſe a ſtrong Faith in the Redeemer, and plead his Merits before the Lord. GOD ſaid to Moies, Let me … that my wrath may wax hot againſt them, Exod. 32.10. But then you muſt Watch as well as Pray, and uſe your beſt Endeavours to promote the neceſſary Work of Reformation, according to the Place you are in, and in the faithful Improvement of the Advantages GOD puts into your Hands. You muſt have no fellowſhip with the unfruitful Works of darkneſs; but rather reprove them. O look to GOD then for freſh Influences of his Spirit, and ſtir up the Grace of GOD in you. Be zealous & active in GOD's Service, and Exemplary in all holy Converſation. Such Perſons are under GOD, the Strength and Safety of a People. Had there been ten Righteous in Sodom, GOD wou'd have ſpar'd it, Gen: 18.32. I hope there are many hundreds in in this Land. The Lord increaſe their Number, and pour out the Spirit of Grace and Supplication more abundantly upon them.
(3.) LET our Young People Fear the Lord, and flee youthful Luſts.
HERE is a loud Call to you, to Remember your Creator in the days of your Youth; for you lie as much expos'd to this threatned Judgment as the Aged, and can no more eſcape it. O turn at GOD's Reprooſ then, leſt he laugh at your Galamity, and mock when your fear cometh, when your fear cometh as deſolation — Prov. 1.26, 27. You are apt to preſume of many days; but now GOD teacheth you that ſudden 'Deſtruction may come upon you. Do you then hear and fear and turn to the Lord. Seek CHRIST early; Receive him without delay, That you may have power to become the Sons of GOD, Joh. 1.12. Then you may go to GOD as to your reconciled Father when in diſtreſs. But if you now deſpiſe the Son of GOD, and neglect his great Salvation, there will be dreadful Reaſon to Fear, that GOD will utterly forſake you in the evil Day. Be intreated therefore, O young People, to conſider of your ways, and turn your feet to GOD's Teſtimonies. GOD in his Word and by his Providence ſpeaks to you as, Eccl. 11.9. Rejoyce, O young man in thy youth, and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the ſight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all theſe things God will bring thee into judgment. It is at your utmoſt Peril if you go on in the ways of Sin, after ſuch loud Calls and fair Warnings. Now then, forſake the fooliſh and live; hearken to the Lord, that you may dwell ſafely, and be quiet from fear of Evil, Prov. 1.33.
IN a word, LET us all be quicken'd to make ready for the Coming of our Lord.
WE learn from this ſurpriſing Providence that we know not how ſuddenly our Lord may come to us by Death, and call us to appear before Him. Let us not then be at reſt till we can in ſome meaſure ſay with the Apoſtle Paul, Acts 21.13. I am ready to die. And who can tell how near the glorious Appearing of the SON OF GOD may be? Earthquakes are nam'd among the Signs of our Lord's Coming, Matth. 24.7.29, 30. Great Events have been attended with them; as our Saviour's Crucifixion, Matth. 27.51, 54. Upon which they ſaid, Truly this was the Son of God. His Reſurrection, Matth. 28.2. And are we not directed to expect terrible Convulſions in Nature before our Lord's ſecond Coming, 2 Pet. 3.10, 12. And that it will be very ſudden and ſurpriſing to a ſecure World. Matth. 24.36,—39. O let us then ſtand with our Loins girt, and Lamps burning, as they that wait for the Coming of the Lord! Let us be diligent that we may be found of our Judge in Peace, without ſpot & blameleſs.
AND now, LET us Cry to GOD to pour out his Spirit upon us, that we may Obey his Voice, and make an holy Improvement of this awful Diſpenſation.
THE moſt extraordinary Means will be ineffectual without GOD's Bleſſing communicated by his Spirit. And ſurely, It is time to ſeek the Lord, till he come and rain Righteouſneſs upon you, Hoſ. 10.12. We are undone without this; for we ſhall grow worſe and worſe under the moſt awakening Judgments, till we are ripe for Ruin. Let us then thirſt after this comprehenſive Bleſſing, and ask it of our Heavenly Father, who is ready to beſtow it upon diligent Seekers, Luke 11.13. And let us offer up our Requeſts to GOD in the Name of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, who hath received the Promiſe of the Holy Ghoſt. We read, Acts 4.31. When they had prayed the Place was ſhaken where they were aſſembled together: and they were all filled with the Holy Ghoſt. O that this ſhaking we have felt might be follow'd with a plentiful Effuſion of the Spirit, to convince us of our many heinous Tranſgreſſions, to Convert & Reform us! This wou'd take away the ground of the Controverſy, and give us good reaſon to expect all needed Salvation from the light of GOD's Countenance. Ezek. 39.29. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my ſpirit upon the Houſe of Iſrael, ſaith the Lord God.
USE, II. LET us bleſs GOD who hath not bro't upon us the Deſtruction we fear'd, but deliver'd us from going down to the Pit.
THIS amazing Judgment hath in a great meaſure deſtroy'd other populous Towns. They have ſunk under the weight of GOD's Anger, and been ſwallow'd up. When as we are ſhaken indeed and terrified; but without any great Damage. Let our Hearts then be deeply affected with this wonderful Deliverance, and our Mouths fill'd with the high Praiſes of the great GOD our Saviour. But let us not grow ſecure, as if the bitterneſs of Death was wholly paſt; for GOD can eaſily cauſe the Judgment to riſe up again, and as an overſlowing Scourge that ſhall bear down all before it, and make the Land deſolate. O let not our Ingratitude under ſo diſtinguiſhing a Mercy, provoke Him; but let us render to the Lord according to his Benefits.
USE, III. LET ſuch as ſtand in Aw of GOD, Encourage themſelves in him, and hope in his Mercy. Pſal. 147.11. The Lord taketh pleaſure in them that fear him, in thoſe that hope in his mercy. You that dread GOD's diſpleaſure, and fly from Sin as the worſt of Evils, ſhou'd fear nothing with amazement; but ſhou'd have your hearts fixed truſting in the Lord, Iſa. 41.10. Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not diſmayed, for I am thy God: I will ſtrengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteouſneſs. GOD is your Father; and your Redeemer is mighty, having all Power in Heaven & Earth. Do you therefore receive and obey that Command, Joh. 14.1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe alſo in me. Truſt and Rejoice in CHRIST JESUS, who ſaves to the uttermoſt. Depend on his watchful powerful Providence, who is the Head over all things to the Church. And then, Let your Hearts be in tune, to ſing the 46th Pſal. God is our refuge & ſtrength, a very preſent help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, tho' the earth be removed, and tho' the mountains be carried into the midſt of the ſea. For GOD will help you, and that right early. You that fear the Lord ſhou'd Truſt in the Name of the Lord, and ſtay upon your God, Iſa. 50.10. Even in your darkeſt Hours; for he is a preſent help in Trouble. Thus you may Live in holy Security & Peace, without being tormented with anxious Cares & Fears, and may ſay with the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 4.8. I will both lay me down in peace, and ſleep: for thou Lord only makeſt me dwell in ſafety.
FINIS.
End of the text · Joseph Sewall, Duty to Stand in Awe of God and not Sin When Under Judgment (1727)