Remains of that excellent minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine being a collection…Remaines of that excellent minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine being a collection…

Fourth Prop. That for the discovering of Gods favour or anger, we must consult rather the book of Conscience, and of Scripture, than the book of providence.

Fourth Prop. That for the discovering of Gods favor or anger, we must consult rather the book of Conscience, and of Scripture, than the book of providence.

First Proposition. That a person or people may verily think themselves to be in Gods favour when they are indeed under his anger and displeasure. This is an awakening consideration, and therefore should be duly laid to heart. A Church may think her self in a very good and safe condition, and yet Jesus Christ may loath it, and be ready to spue her out of his mouth. As of the Church of the Laodiceans. Men may cry to themselves peace and safety, when sudden destruction may come upon them. And may say, Is not the Lord among us? No evil can come unto us; and yet be upon the very brink of destruction. Men may have great hopes of the presence of God with them, and yet evidences of Gods departing from them. And may cry the temple of the Lord, when God is even casting them out of his sight. We read of some that had a great deal of confidence of Gods favour; they would still lean on the Lord, and were confident that he had favour for them; and yet the Lord was ready to break out upon them to their destruction, Micah 3. 11, 12. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity &c. Yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, is not the Lord among us? None evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Zion for your sakes be ploughed as a field. They may think that because the ordinances of God are among ⟨p. 87⟩them, that God is among them; when God may be turning them up as a field that is ploughed. This ought to startle and awaken men. Sirs, it is not your Confidence, but your evidence that will carry it. Many times there are none so confident of Gods favour, as those that are marked out for the objects of his eternal wrath and displeasure. The carnal Jews, they would not be beaten out of their carnal confidence. And though the prophet told them of the wrath of God that was coming against them, yet they would not hear him, till wrath came upon them, and there was no remedy.