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

I. Use for Lamentation.

I. Vse for Lamentation.

This Point presents us with abundant matter of Lamentation and mourning over the greatest part of those that sit under the sound of the Gospel; but yet as Christ speaks of the Jews, John •. 37. who have not heard the voice of God at any time; the Ministerial voice of Christ they hear daily; but this Efficacious Internal voice, which makes the Ministerial voice, the Word of Life and Power, they have not heard. The Gospel, to the most of our hearers, is but an empty sound; this is a sad symptom, 2 Cor. 4. 3. If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, &c. This hiding of the Gospel is not opposed to the external administration of it, nor yet to the understanding of the true sense and meaning of the truths delivered by it; but only to that internal efficacy which is here called the hearing of Christs voice. Our people are generally well satisfied when they have heard a Sermon, much more if they can remember something of it; though the Lord hath not spoken one truth they have heard, home to their Hearts. Now this is a sad case, and God grant it be not that very judgment threatened, Isa. 6. 9. Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but ⟨p. 308⟩perceive not. So that hearing the mere voice of Man, without feeling the power of God, is all one as if we heard not. Reflect sadly upon this, you that sit as unconcerned under the Word as the Seats you sit upon. God speaketh once, yea, twice, but man perceiveth it not. Well, the eternal Decrees and Counsels of God are now executing upon the Souls of Men under the Gospel. As many as are ordained to eternal Life, shall believe and feel the power of Gods truths upon their Hearts,