Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

And as this is the way to prevent Judgments when upon their way, so to remove them when they are already come. For the proof hereof you have a famous instance, in Numb. 25. The Case was this: The People did double their Transgression, in committing Idolatry and Whoredom at once. It is indeed no cause of wonder to see Spiritual and Corporal Uncleanness going together in Company. This kindled the Wrath of God against them, which rose to that height that it brake out into a Plague. The Plague did not stop the Sin; wicked ⟨image 170⟩men will harden themselves against God, and run upon the mouth of the Cannon, on the bosses of his Buckler. Notwithstanding the Judgment Zimri, one of the Children of Israel, a Prince too that should have set a better Example, impudently and daringly brought a Midianitish Woman in the sight of Moses, and of all the Congregation of Israel, while they were weeping before the door of the Tabernacle. While the Congregation was drowned in Tears these two Wretches burned in Lust. Phinehas was an eye-witness of it, and his Heart was hot within him, upon the sight thereof he took a Javelin in his hand, entered their Tent, and ran both of them through. With this remarkable Act of Justice and holy revenge God was exceedingly pleased. As appeared by the happy consequences, which were two, healing Mercy upon Israel, with a Blessing upon himself and his Posterity. You may read what God himself said upon this occasion, Numb. 25.10, 11, 12. The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Phinehas the Son of Eleazer, the Son of Aaron the Priest hath turned away my wrath from the Children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the Children of Israel in my Jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold I give unto him my Covenant of Peace, and he shall have it, and his Seed after him, even the Covenant of an Everlasting Priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the Children of Israel. Do you stem the Tide of profaneness, and in so doing you will stop the Bottles of Divine Wrath. And then hereupon it followeth,

And as this is the way to prevent Judgments when upon their way, so to remove them when they are already come. For the proof hereof you have a famous instance, in