Oh!1 so it is many times (my Brethren) That at that time when people have some enlightening, and they think that now light is breaking out, 2when after a long night of darkness, then Gods displeasure breaks forth upon them. We cannot but acknowledge that the Lord hath granted us a morning light, but let us fear and tremble; for the time of Gods displeasure, sometime it is in the morning; when we think we have light breaking forth, God may have other ways to bring ⟨p. 515⟩darkness upon us than we are aware of; we know how dreadful a day it was with Sodom after a Sun-shine morning. It's very observable, the difference of Gods dealing with his own People, and with those that are carnal and of the world:3 compare this Scripture with Zach. 14. 7. Here, In a morning shall he be utterly cut off. But in Zach. 14. 7. where God is speaking of mercy to his People, he speaks of a day that should be known to God, and saith he, At evening time it shall be light; He comforts his People thus. But when he threatens the wicked (saith he) When the morning comes it shall be darkness. The Lord doth use to turn the darkness of the Saints into light, and to turn the light of the wicked and ungodly into darkness. Oh! let us learn to fear that God then that is able to turn light into darkness,4 and darkness into light. Amos, 5. 8. Seek him (saith the text) that turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night. He can turn the shadow of death into morning. Suppose there be the greatest darkness upon you, God can make that a morning of light: and suppose there be a morning of light, God can turn that into darkness. Many men they set upon some ways, and because they have a morning they bless themselves and think all must needs go on according to their way; it is a very ordinary thing in the hearts of men, especially that are compassing some notable design of their own, if it doth prosper in the beginning they think all will go on: Oh! thou mayest be utterly deceived, thy designs may have a morning, and then God may cut thee off and thy designs, and all thy thoughts may then perish. We read that Saul had many Victories after that God had pronounced that he should be rejected. And therefore we had need fear that God, that can turn the morning into darkness, and darkness into light.
Oh!1 so it is many times (my Brethren) That at that time when people have some enlightening, and they think that now light is breaking out, 2when after a long night of darkness, then Gods displeasure breaks forth upon them. We cannot but acknowledge that the Lord hath granted us a morning light, but let us fear and tremble; for the time of Gods displeasure, somtime it is in the morning; when we think we have light breaking forth, God may have other waies to bring ⟨p. 515⟩darkness upon us than we are aware of; we know how dreadful a day it was with Sodom after a Sun-shine morning. It's very observable, the difference of Gods dealing with his own People, and with those that are carnal and of the world:3 compare this Scripture with Zach. 14. 7. Here, In a morning shall he be utterly cut off. But in Zach. 14. 7. where God is speaking of mercy to his People, he speaks of a day that should be known to God, and saith he, At evening time it shall be light; He comforts his People thus. But when he threatens the wicked (saith he) When the morning comes it shall be darkness. The Lord doth use to turn the darkness of the Saints into light, and to turn the light of the wicked and ungodly into darkness. Oh! let us learn to fear that God then that is able to turn light into darkness,4 and darkness into light. Amos, 5. 8. Seek him (saith the text) that turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night. He can turn the shadow of death into morning. Suppose there be the greatest darkness upon you, God can make that a morning of light: and suppose there be a morning of light, God can turn that into darkness. Many men they set upon some waies, and because they have a morning they bless themselves and think all must needs go on according to their way; it is a very ordinary thing in the hearts of men, especially that are compassing some notable design of their own, if it doth prosper in the begining they think al wil go on: Oh! thou maiest be utterly deceived, thy designs may have a morning, and then God may cut thee off and thy designs, and all thy thoughts may then perish. We reade that Saul had many Victories after that God had pronounced that he should be rejected. And therefore we had need fear that God, that can turn the morning into darkness, and darkness into light.
- 1Obs.
- 2Use for England.
- 3Zach. 4. 7. compared with the text, & explained.
- 4Amos, 5. 8.
