down as the mire of the streets: sively employed in smiting them : howbeit he meaneth not so, neither the rod of correction, or sword of doth his heart think so." Isaiah vengeance was changed, but the x. 5-7. Hezekiah and his princi- hand that used it was the same. pal assistants in reforming Judah Nay, when domestic usurpers, tywere very sincere and zealous: 2 rants, or persecutors, like Ahab, Chron. xxxi. 20, 21. but many of Athaliah, or Manasseh, brought cathe princes, priests, and people had lamities upon them, the Lord made been mere dissemblers in their ap- use of them as his instruments. parent concurrence. The Lord" Shall there be evil in the city, therefore determined to employ and the Lord hath not done it." Sennacherib, to execute judgment Amos iii. 6. The evil of sin is on them for their hypocrisy; and wholly from the creature, but the when he had fulfilled that commis- evil of suffering from the Lord, who sion, he meant to take still more thus punishes the transgressions of signal vengeance on him. It is vain his offending subjects. Whether then for us to expect success against afflictions come immediately from our enemies, merely because they the hand of God, as sickness, famine, are infidels or atheists, if we be only pestilences, and earthquakes, or by nominal Christians; for the Lord the intervention of men, the case in commonly employs such men to this respect is not altered. The correct or punish his hypocritical Chaldeans and Sabeans unjustly worshippers. Executioners, in ge- seized on Job's property, and slew neral, are not the most respectable his servants; fire from heaven concharacters; and a malefactor would sumed his flocks; and the wind act absurdly who should hope to threw down the house upon his escape the sentence denounced children; yet he made no distincagainst him, because he supposed tion, but said in general, "The the person appointed to inflict it, more criminal than himself. For the man might be spared till he had done his work, before he was called to account for his crimes.

Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

Whether, therefore, our present public distresses and dangers be The Lord smote Egypt with de- the natural consequences of provisolating plagues; and flies, lice, dential dispensations; or whether locusts, and frogs were his instru- the misconduct of men have been, ments, in pouring contempt, as well and is in any degree the cause of as vengeance, on haughty Pharaoh. them, we must asknowledge that it But in smiting the Canaanites, he is the Lord who smiteth us. A gave Joshua and Israel a charge scarcity and dearness of provisions, against them. These nations de- decay of trade, and various hardserved their doom; and an express ships, are generally complained of; commission, sealed by undeniable and many imagine that they are miracles, fully warranted all that occasioned by the mistakes, or was done against them. But in crimes of this or the other descripgeneral, the instruments of punish-tion of men. Now, in a political ment are unrighteous, though the sense, it is a matter of great importLord be righteous in the judgments ance to investigate and develope they inflict. When the Israelites this point, and to use proper meprovoked him, the Philistines, Mi-thods of counteracting every atdianites, Syrians, Assyrians, Chal-tempt of such a nature: but as a deans, and Romans, were succes-religious concern, it is not in the

smallest degree material; for, on civil war, or anarchy, to gratify every supposition, the hand of God their own ambition or rapacity; the should be acknowledged. I am Lord permits them to practise and not competent to determine what prosper, in order by them to scourge grounds there are for such suspi- an hypocritical or ungodly people. cions or censures; nor is this the If David were left in vainglory to place for so much as giving an opi- number Israel, and this made way nion on the subject: but as a mi- for the desolations of a pestilence: nister of religion, I must declare, the nation had first provoked the that, till proper methods of disco- Lord by their sins to leave the king vering and removing the distresses to that pernicious project. 2 Samuel we feel, be used and prospered, the xxiv. 1. He must therefore be acrighteous Lord continues to smite knowledged in all the miseries thus us, whether unjust men be his in- occasioned: but this neither excuses the sins of those, who indulge their

struments or not.

"The Lord's voice crieth unto corrupt passions to the ruin of their the city, and the man of wisdom neighbours: nor renders it improshall see thy name." The power per to employ every equitable and and perfections of God are perceived prudent method of redressing pubby men of wisdom in all public ca- lic grievances. lamities. "Hear ye then the Rod, When we recognise the hand of and who hath appointed it?" Micah the Lord in our sufferings, we must vi. 9. The Rod calls us to repent- not only view his power, but submit ance: but unless we recollect who likewise to his justice. "We are it is that hath appointed it, we consumed by thine anger, and by shall not hear and obey the voice thy wrath are we troubled: thou of the Rod, however we may smart hast set our iniquities before thee, and groan under its repeated strokes. and our secret sins in the light of I insist the more fully on this point, thy countenance." Psalm xc. 7, 8. because Satan successively contrives We should not only consider sin, to confuse the minds even of serious but our own sins, as the cause of persons about it. They are told, our afflictions. It is a common, but and they believe, that this or the a most absurd mistake, to profess other description of men, by their humiliation before God for national folly or knavery, occasion the pub- crimes as the cause of public judglic distresses and others dispute ments; and yet to think only of the with them and vindicate men and sins committed by other men! But measures. But in the mean while," are there not with us sins against "the Lord's hand is lifted up, and the Lord our God?" "Wherefore they will not see;" he smites, and doth a living man complain, a man they refuse to humble themselves for the punishment of his sins? Let before him being employed in us search, and try our ways and disputing about the rod and the turn again to the Lord. Let us lift sword. up our heart with our hands unto

:

But if some men be infatuated in God in the heavens. We have their counsels, or others intoxicated transgressed and have rebelled : by extravagant projects; if one set thou hast not pardoned." Lam. iii. of men will be rich at any rate; 39-42. Did we thus search and another try to abuse power in ty- try our ways, and compare our past ranny and oppression; or a third and present conduct with the law would throw a nation into confusion, of God; we should soon be con

vinced of our personal criminality, lity, a spiritual mind, increase of and should both join in the service faith, and other holy dispositions, of the day, and do it heartily and we in effect pray for chastisement; earnestly. No suffering which any and we should therefore acknowman endures as sharing in national ledge the Lord's faithfulness to his calamities, is more severe than his promises, and his wisdom and love sins deserve the criminality there- in answering our prayers, in way fore of others should not prevent we did not expect, but which was our acknowledging the righteous- best suited to promote our most ness of God, in his most afflictive important advantages.

dispensations.

II. Then we proceed to show, that it is our duty and wisdom under affliction to turn to the Lord, and to seek his favour.

His mercy indeed should also be noticed in our chastisements. It is very merciful in him to correct us for our sins, and not to leave us to be hardened by prosperity. To If men smite us we may resist "fare sumptuously every day," or retaliate; we may flee or attempt without warning or rebuke; and to hide ourselves; but we cannot then to be cut off at once, and to resist omnipotence, or conceal ourlift up the eyes in hell amidst hope-selves from him who is omniscient less torments, is the most dreadful and omnipotent. Neither can we case imaginable. "Whom the Lord stand before him in judgment, or jusloveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth [tify our conduct in his sight: so that every son whom he receiveth :" and we have no possible way of escaping all our present sufferings are suited to induce reflections and teach repentance.

his righteous vengeance, except by fleeing for refuge to lay hold on his mercy. Whether the Lord contend We should also be thankful that with an individual or a nation, he the Lord chastens us so gently; for will overcome; and he will continue "it is of his mercies that we are smiting till we turn unto him. Obnot consumed." Instead of our stinate impenitence is therefore a present light afflictions, we might species of insanity: it is a perversejustly be left to all the horrors of ness which prolongs misery, and famine, during which tender mo- provokes the Lord to lay aside his thers have eaten their children; our chastening rod, and take his avengfields and cities might have been ing sword. "Wen I kept silence ravaged by fierce invaders; all our my bones waxed old through my comforts and hopeful prospects groaning all the day long. For day might have been removed, and and night thy hand was heavy upon every conceivable distress accumu- me; my moisture is turned into the lated. We ought therefore to own drought of summer. I acknowthe mercy of God in exempting us ledged my sin unto thee, and mine from the most excruciating anguish iniquity have I not hid. I said I that can rend the human heart. will confess my transgression unto Nay, we should remember the words the Lord, and thou forgavest the of the Psalmist, "I know O Lord iniquity of my sins." Psalm xxxii. that thy judgments are right, and 3-5. The Lord of Hosts or armies, thou in faithfulness hast afflicted who is able to save and destroy, me." Psalm cxix. 75. Corrections calls upon us by every suffering or are needful, and are promised as calamity, to turn unto him and seek blessings: when we pray for humi- reconciliation before it be too late;

that we may escape his intolerable not your garments, and turn unto wrath, and be secure and comfort- the Lord your God; for he is graable under his omnipotent protec- cious and merciful, slow to anger tion. He still "waiteth to be gra- and of great kindness, and repenteth cious:" he may be found upon the him of the evil. Blow the trumpet mercy-seat through Jesus Christ by in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn the cry of penitent faith; and he assembly. Gather the people, sancnever casts out those who humbly tify the congregation, assemble the call upon him. Let us hear his elders, gather the children and those words by the prophet: "I will be that suck the breasts; let the brideunto Ephraim as a lion, and as a groom go forth of his chamber, and young lion to the house of Judah: the bride out of her closet. Let the İ, even I, will tear and go away; I priests, the ministers of the Lord, will take away, and none shall res- weep between the porch and the cue. I will go and return to my altar; and let them say, Spare thy place, till they acknowledge their people, O Lord, and give not thine offence and seek my face; in their heritage to reproach; wherefore affliction they will seek me early. Come and let us return unto the Lord; for he hath torn and he will heal us. He hath smitten and he will bind us up." Hosea v. 14, 15; vi. 1. The Lord declares the plan on which he determines to proceed with his offending people; and the prophet grounds the suitable exhortation and encouragement upon it. Thus he says likewise in another place, "O Israel return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words and turn unto the Lord; say anto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously; so will The passage that hath been read we render the calves of our lips. demands our most particular attenAsshur shall not save us, we will tion; for it teaches us in what mannot ride upon horses; neither will ner a people should "turn to him we say any more to the works of that smiteth them." We must reour hands, Ye are our gods; for in turn to him with all our heart, with thee the fatherless findeth mercy. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from him." Hosea

xiv. 1-4.

should they say among the people, where is their God? Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people." Joel ii. 12-18. You see, my brethren, that the ordinances of this day are most perfectly scriptural, and that all orders of men are in duty bound to attend on them: nor will the misconduct of any persons whatever exculpate those who neglect them. Assuredly the Lord will not condemn us, however men may censure us, for complying exactly with the proclamation of our sovereign, provided our services be not hypocritical.

"

unfeigned submission to his righteousness, and repentance of our sins; praying earnestly, "Turn thou us, and so shall we be turned: create in us a clean heart, and renew a right But another prophet more fully spirit within us.' This should be inculcates the duty of a nation under accompanied with fasting, and other great distress. "Therefore also tokens of humiliation. Abstinence now, saith the Lord, turn ye even from every animal indulgence, and to me with all your heart, and with from food, as far as health and cirfasting, and with weeping, and with cumstances will admit, is a scripmourning; and rend your heart, and tural acknowledgment, that we have

The words of the apostle like

forfeited our most common mercies; alas, how little does the observance and that sin hath imbittered them of a fast in London resemble that to us. It implies that our minds proclaimed at Nineveh! are too much occupied with matters of the highest importance, to attend wise demand our serious consideraon such low concerns; that we wish tion. Submit yourselves to God. to avoid all interruption of our sa- Resist the devil and he will flee cred duties; that we mean to chasten from you. Draw nigh to God, and ourselves with fasting, as a token of he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse our submission to the Lord's cor- your hands, ye sinners, and purify recting hand; and that we would your hearts, ye double minded. Be use all means of crucifying the flesh afflicted, and mourn, and weep; let with its affections and lusts. your laughter be turned into mourn

If we be indeed suitably affected ing, and your joy into heaviness. with the consideration of our own Humble yourselves in the sight of sins, and the crimes and miseries the Lord, and he shall lift you up. of our countrymen; we shall turn Speak not evil one of another, breunto the Lord with godly sorrow thren." James iv. 7-11. Instead which worketh repentance unto of reviling or condemning other salvation not to be repented of. men, every individual should be Outward expressions, however em- employed in confessing and lamentphatical, will not suffice; we shall ing his own sin, in humbly deprerend our hearts in deep contrition cating the Lord's indignation, and and self-abasement, perceiving that using every means of overcoming we have no hope but in the Lord's evil habits, and forsaking sinful unmerited mercy, which we shall courses. supplicate with fervency and impor- This accords also with the extunity. And when princes, sena- hortation of the prophet. "Seek tors, magistrates, ministers of reli-ye the Lord while he may be found; gion, and the people in general, call ye upon him while he is near. laying aside all other employments, Let the wicked forsake his way, unite in thus humbly seeking the and the unrighteous man his Lord of Hosts, a crisis may be ex- thoughts; and let him return unto pected in public affairs. Then the Lord, and he will have mercy will the Lord be jealous for his land, on him.' Isaiah lv. 6, 7. But and pity his people." without true repentance and works In this manner the king of Nine- meet for repentance, no appearveh and his nobles, with all the ances of strictness, humiliation, or inhabitants of that immense city, grief, will constitute such a fast as sought the Lord when he threat- the Lord hath chosen. "Whereened to smite them; encouraged fore have we fasted, and thou seest merely by a peradventure, "who not? Wherefore have we afflicted can tell, if God will turn and re- our soul, and thou takest no knowpent, and turn away from his fierce ledge?-Behold, in the day of your anger, that we perish not?" Jonah fast ye find pleasure, and exact all iii. Surely that heathen city will your labours. Behold, ye fast for rise up in judgment with this Chris- strife and debate, and to smite with tian land and condemn it; for it re- the fist of wickedness." Isaiah lviii. pented at the preaching of Jonah ; The substantial and permanent and doubtless our religious advan- effects of repentance and faith in tages are inconceivably greater; yet, God's mercy, must be manifested