The dead saint speaking to saints and sinners living in several treatisesThe dead saint speaking to saints and sinners living in severall treatises

And when Judah did justify the sin of her Sister Israel, exceeding her in Idols, what trouble was it to God to cast her off! How willing was he to receive her after all her adulteries? Jer. 3.1. Thou hast plaid the Harlot, &c. And when she would go on in her adulteries: yet how unwilling still was he to give her up? till at last it grew so high, that there was no Remedy, 2 Chron. 36.16. he must needs do it.

And when Judah did justifie the sin of her Sister Israel, exceeding her in Idols, what trouble was it to God to cast her off! How willing was hee to receive her after all her adulteries? Jer. 3.1. Thou hast plaid the Harlot, &c. And when shee would go on in her adulteries: yet how unwilling still was hee to give her up? till at last it grew so high, that there was no Remedy, 2 Chron. 36.16. hee must needs do it.

And when he had done it, how exceedingly was Gods heart moved, that he must be forced to deal so hardly with them he loved so dearly? read Jer. 12.7, 8.9, &c. See how God laments over the loss of that which their sins would not give him leave to keep. — I have forsaken mine house! I have left mine heritage! I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies! And what was it that forced God to deal so hardly with them he loved so dearly? Why it was sin, 2 Chron. 36.15, 16. He sent Messengers, because he had compassion on them: They mocked the Messengers of God, and despised his words, and mis-used his Prophets; until the wrath of the Lord arose against his People, till there was no Remedy. And which of these hath remained to be done among us? How hath our Sun been darkened, the Stars lost their light! How many burning and shining lights have been taken out of our Candlesticks, and planted in others! How many blown out by the rage of wicked men!