exalted in due Time: in God's Time, not their own. Wickedness ruins Nations by degrees i Reformation may reftore them by degrees. An imperfect Reformation will be likely to bring forth but imperfect Fruits. And the completest Reformation of a Few may prove infufficient to fave the Whole. Still these are Reasons, only why All should repent: not why None should, unless All will, which it is impoffible to foresee. For be the Generality ever fo incorrigible, and their Destruction ever fo abfolutely decreed on that account : there is Encouragement enough, notwithftanding, for those who do humble themselves, and return to a better Mind. Seek ye the Lord, all ye Meek of the Earth, which have wrought his Judgment. It may be ye shall be hid in the Day of the Lord's Anger *. At least, whatever such may fuffer in common with others, far from being a Mark of his Anger towards Them, will contribute largely to improve their Virtues, and increase their future Reward. So that in every Event they may caft all their Care on God, for he careth for them. Undoubtedly they will feel the Uneafinefs, which human Nature must from whatever is painful to it: † 1 Pet. v. 7. * Zeph. ii. 3. and 1 and in particular, a tender Concern for Multitudes, who have none for themselves. But ftill they will fubmit with Composedness and reverent Approbation to the fevereft Sentences of Heaven ; and reflect with Joy, that their chief Interest is safe, though inferior Comforts be loft. Let us therefore acquaint ourselves with God, and be at Peace*: For he will keep thofe in perfect Peace, whofe Mind is ftayed on Him. Whoever they are, that, fenfible of their Offences and their Weakness, apply for the Pardon obtained by Jefus Chrift, and the Grace communicated by the Holy Spirit: who, in their private Capacity, honour God, study to be harmless and useful amongst Men, and govern themselves by the Rules of Virtue; who alfo, in their public Capacity, earnestly pray for and impartially seek the Peace of Ferufalem ‡, the Welfare of their Country, civil and religious; not led by Intereft, Resentment, or Vanity, but having at Heart real common Good; and who in their whole Conduct encourage and restrain themselves, as the Cafe requires, by the Faith of a future Recompence: whatever may befall the Society, of * Job xxii. 21. + If. xxvi, 3. ‡ Pfal. cxxii. 6. which they are Part, it fhall be well with Them. Whatever elfe they may undergo, others will have nothing to reproach them with, they will have nothing to reproach their own Souls with; and in the Darkness Light fhall arife unto them*. All fuch Perfons therefore, after doing confcientiously what is incumbent on them, not only may, but ought to be without Solicitude: and should let the Foundation of their Peace be known; that all around them may perceive, how vaftiy preferable the Confolations of Religion are to every other Method of making themselves eafy. The pious Man doth not labour to quiet his Thoughts by obftinately fhutting his Eyes, or plunging into Exceffes, or taking off his Attention by Amusements: but can with Tranquillity look towards the evil Day, and see it coming: wait for it, and bear his Share of it, less or greater; being affured, that all Things work together for his Good. A very different State from theirs, who know they have deferved the Judgments of God, who know they have contributed to bring them down on their own and others Heads; who have nothing to cheer them, when the Clouds gather on every * Pfal. cxii. 4. Rom. vii. 28. Side of them; nothing to direct them, when the blackest Tempest pours upon them, but the momentary Glimmerings of human Hope, ftruck out by their own Imaginations; and if they should escape, if they fhould outwardly profper again for the prefent, will only be tempted by it to treasure up to themselves hotter Wrath against the Day of Wrath*, and final Judgment. But hear, I intreat you, how the Word of God expreffes the Cafe of each: and. may its enlivening Exhortation to the former, and its terrifying Admonition to the latter, fink deep into your Breafts. Who is among you, fearing the Lord, that walketh in Darkness, and hath no Light? Let him trust in the Name of the Lord, and ftay upon his God. Behold, all ye that kindle a Fire, and compass yourselves about with Sparks; walk in the Light of your Fire, and in the Sparks, which ye have kindled: this shall ye bave of mine Hand, ye shall lie down in Sorrow †. + Ifa. 1. 10, II. * Rom. ii. 5. |