Moreover, it is known that every Israelite was oft to renew this Covenant with God: yea all the Body of the People often together did it in Moses days, and they owned God continually in Sacrifices, and other Holy Worship. Moreover consider, that the People at that time seem to be generally or mostly ⟨p. 305⟩such as were not of the strain that now we are enquiring about, viz. Notoriously ungodly. To evidence this, Observ. 1. That they had holy, excellent Teachers, Moses, Aaron, &c. and God among them in signs and wonders. 2. They were generally zealous in their way of Religiousness, which was very costly and laborious in comparison of what is now commonly done. 3. That they had most strict Laws, prohibiting all uncleanness; yea even Ceremonial, to teach them the evil of the greater Moral uncleanness. 4. They are oft called a Holy and peculiar people: and God frequently chargeth them to hold to it, and remember that he was a Holy and Jealous God. 5. There were more severe penalties then, and less indulgence to Offenders then is under the Gospel. 6. Even Balaam testifieth for them, that God saw not iniquity in Jacob, nor transgression in Israel; that is no such Idolatry or ungodliness as was among the Heathen. 7. Note that the visible sins which they are most at that time accused of, and destroyed for, seem to be but either some particular Facts under Temptation, or some sad discoveries of their Mutabil•y and wavering not in the main; Whether they should renounce their God (or at least they did not actually and visibly renounce him) but about his Power in a strait and difficult case, or some the like: From which a man could not conclude them notoriously ungodly, though their sin was very great, and God that knew their hearts might discern ungodliness in them, and men might suspect them, and fear the worst. 8. Note also, that even for such particular sins before they could manifest fixed impenitency and obstinacy, or a course of ungodliness, God usually let loose against them his Jealousy, and by some destroying Calamities cut them off. 9. When the Psalm•st doth aggravate their sin Psal 78. and 104. it is particular sins, and unsteadfastness of heart, but still with professions of Repentance and Returning under their frequent afflictions. 10.
Moreover, it is known that every Israelite was oft to renew this Covenant with God: yea all the Body of the People often together did it in Moses daies, and they owned God continually in Sacrifices, and other Holy Worship. Moreover consider, that the People at that time seem to be generally or mostly ⟨p. 305⟩such as were not of the strain that now we are enquiring about, viz. Notoriously ungodly. To evidence this, Observ. 1. That they had holy, excellent Teachers, Moses, Aaron, &c. and God among them in signs and wonders. 2. They were generally zealous in their way of Religiousness, which was very costly and laborious in comparison of what is now commonly done. 3. That they had most strict Laws, prohibiting all uncleanness; yea even Ceremonial, to teach them the evil of the greater Moral uncleanness. 4. They are oft called a Holy and peculiar people: and God frequently chargeth them to hold to it, and remember that he was a Holy and Jealous God. 5. There were more severe penalties then, and less indulgence to Offenders then is under the Gospel. 6. Even Balaam testifieth for them, that God saw not iniquity in Jacob, nor transgression in Israel; that is no such Idolatry or ungodliness as was among the Heathen. 7. Note that the visible sins which they are most at that time accused of, and destroyed for, seem to be but either some particular Facts under Temptation, or some sad discoveries of their Mutabil•y and wavering not in the main; Whether they should renounce their God (or at least they did not actually and visibly renounce him) but about his Power in a strait and difficult case, or some the like: From which a man could not conclude them notoriously ungodly, though their sin was very great, and God that knew their hearts might discern ungodliness in them, and men might suspect them, and fear the worst. 8. Note also, that even for such particular sins before they could manifest fixed impeni•ency and obstinacy, or a course of ungodliness, God usually let loose against them his Jealousie, and by some destroying Calamities cut them off. 9. When the Psalm•st doth aggravate their sin Psal 78. and 104. it is particular sins, and unstedfastness of heart, but still with professions of Repentance and Returning under their frequent afflictions. 10.
