Englands duty under the present gospel liberty from Revel. III, vers. 20

VII. Exhortation.

Seventhly, and Lastly, Let us all bless and admire the Lord Jesus for the continuation of his Patience, not to our selves only, but to that whole sinful Nation in which we live. We thought the Treaty of Peace had been ended with us; many good Men looking upon the iniquities and abominations of these times, considering the vanities and backsliding of Professors, the Heaven-daring provocations of this Atheistical age, concluded in their own Hearts, that God would make England another Shiloh. Many faithful Ministers of Christ said within themselves God hath no more Work for us to do, ⟨p. 126⟩and we shall have no more opportunities to work for God. When lo, beyond the thoughts of all Hearts, the merciful and long-suffering Redeemer makes one return more to these Nations, renews the Treaty, and with compassions rolled together, speaks to us this day, as to Ephraim of old, How shall I deliver thee? Look upon this day, this unexpected day of Mercy, as the fruit and acquisition of the intercession of your great Advocate in Heaven, answerable to that Luke 13. 7, 8, 9. Well God hath put us upon one Trial more, if now we bring forth fruit, well, if not the axe lies at the root of the Tree. Once more, Christ knocks at our doors, the voice of the Bridegroom is heard; those sweet voices, Come unto me, Open to me; your opening to Christ now, will be unto you as the Valley of Achor, for a door of hope. But what if all this should be turned into wantonness and formality? what if your obstinacy and infidelity should wear out the remains of that little strength and time left you, and that former Labours and Sorrows have left your Ministers? Then actum est de nobis, we are gone for ever; then farewell Gospel, Ministers, Reformation, and all, because we knew not the time of our Visitation. What was the dismal doom of God upon the fruitless Vineyard?