Thus the Heart of this Man relented under the Word assisted by the Rod. Ah, 'tis good that God take such a course with some sinners, else the Word would do them no good; and to this purpose is that in Job 36. 8, 9, 10. And if they be bound in fetters, and holden in cords of affliction; then he showeth them their work and their transgression, that they have exceeded; and openeth their Ears to discipline. This is that rough course, the obstinacy of Men's Hearts makes necessary for their recovery; and therefore it is very observable that some words of God have lain dead in some sinners Hearts for years together, and at last have begun to work under some smart and close Rod. Alas, while all things are pleasant and prosperous about us, the Word hath but little operation and effect, Jer. 22. 21, 22. I spake unto thee in thy prosperity, but thou saidst I will not hear: this hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice. The wind shall eat up all thy pastures, and thy lovers shall go into captivity; surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness. q. d. Your Eyes are so dazzled with the beautiful Flowers, and your Ears so charmed with the Siren Songs and Lullabies of earthly delights, that my Word can take no place upon you. Let an East-wind blow, and wither up these Flowers; then the Word shall work and Conscience resent the concernments of Eternity; this course God is feign to take with many of you; here you sit from Sabbath to Sabbath under the Word, and nothing ⟨p. 147⟩takes place upon your Hearts. Will you not hear the voice of my Word? go Death, saith God, and smite that Man's Child dead, I will try what that will do; go Poverty, and blast his Estate, and see what that will do; go Sickness, and smite his Body, and shake him over the Graves mouth, I will see what that will do. Thus God sends to sinners, as Absalom sent to Joab, who refused to come near him, till he set fire to his field of Corn, and then away comes Joab, 2 Sam. 14. 29, 30, 31. And thus the Lord opened the Heart of the Jailer, by putting him into a fright, a panic fear of Death, Acts 16. 27. And thus doth the Lord devise means to bring back his banished.
Thus the Heart of this Man relented under the Word assisted by the Rod. Ah, 'tis good that God take such a course with some sinners, else the Word would do them no good; and to this purpose is that in Iob 36. 8, 9, 10. And if they be bound in fetters, and holden in cords of affliction; then he sheweth them their work and their transgression, that they have exceeded; and openeth their Ears to discipline. This is that rough course, the obstinacy of Men's Hearts makes necessary for their recovery; and therefore it is very observable that some words of God have lain dead in some sinners Hearts for years together, and at last have begun to work under some smart and close Rod. Alas, while all things are pleasant and prosperous about us, the Word hath but little operation and effect, Ier. 22. 21, 22. I spake unto thee in thy prosperity, but thou saidst I will not hear: this hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice. The wind shall eat up all thy pastures, and thy lovers shall go into captivity; surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness. q. d. Your Eyes are so dazled with the beautiful Flowers, and your Ears so charmed with the Syren Songs and Lullabies of earthly delights, that my Word can take no place upon you. Let an East-wind blow, and wither up these Flowers; then the Word shall work and Conscience rescent the concernments of Eternity; this course God is feign to take with many of you; here you sit from Sabbath to Sabbath under the Word, and nothing ⟨p. 147⟩takes place upon your Hearts. Will you not hear the voice of my VVord? go Death, saith God, and smite that Man's Child dead, I will try what that will do; go Poverty, and blast his Estate, and see what that will do; go Sickness, and smite his Body, and shake him over the Graves mouth, I will see what that will do. Thus God sends to sinners, as Absolom sent to Ioab, who refused to come near him, till he set fire to his field of Corn, and then away comes Ioab, 2 Sam. 14. 29, 30, 31. And thus the Lord opened the Heart of the Iaylor, by putting him into a fright, a panick fear of Death, Acts 16. 27. And thus doth the Lord devise means to bring back his banished.
