A41644:197
God's call to England, for thankfulness after gracious deliverances wherein is showed, that our deliverances, not answered with reformation, will be followed with sorest destruction / by Thomas Gouge.God's call to England, for thankfulness after gracious deliverances wherein is shewed, that our deliverances, not answered with reformation, will be followed with sorest destruction / by Thomas Gouge.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
6. May we not justly fear, that as God in his wrath hath dealt with others, he may deal with us? When Judgments on others are not made use of as warnings, […] ⟨image 94⟩[…] ⟨image 94⟩[…] ⟨image 95⟩[…] ⟨image 95⟩⟨p. 156⟩they become but examples and patterns of our own destruction. Luke 13.3. Except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish. The Sword of Justice is not so blunted by wounding others, but it can wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on in sin. The Arrows of Divine Vengeance are not yet spent, there may be many in reserve to pierce our obstinate, hardened hearts. God is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever; the same to love, protect and secure his obsequious people; the same to ruin and destroy rebellious sinners. Ezek. 20.36. Like as I have pleaded with your Fathers, so will I plead with you. The punishments of sin other Nations have experienced, may at last be inflicted on us. The Vengeance of God on others, is a sign to us, Jer. 7.12-14. Go ye now to my place which was in Shiloh, and see what I did to it, for the wickedness of my people Israel; and now because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, therefore will I do so to this house, &c. May not the dealings of God with others, prognosticate his dealings with us? May not the sore Desolations in Germany, the distresses of Protestants in France, the ruins of the Churches we read of in John's Revelations, ⟨p. 157⟩cause us to fear we at last shall experience the same Miseries, and drink of the same cup of Astonishment that hath been given to them? 2 Pet. 2.5, 6. If God spared not the old world, shalt thou escape his judgment? What have we more to secure us? Why should we not be made as Sodom by judgments, that parallel it in sins? Let us take the caution God gave to Israel, Deut. 24.9. Remember what the Lord thy God did unto Miriam by the way, when he brought thee from Egypt. Mind what God hath been doing to other Nations. The Inscription on Sennacherib's Statue may be written on all ruined Nations, [Greek or Hebrew]. Beholding me, learn to be godly. But especially when distresses fall on a people near us, we are greatly to regard them. The Protestants in France are already involved in unspeakable trouble, and as the Poet said,
6. May we not justly fear, that as God in his wrath hath dealt with others, he may deal with us? When Judgments on others are not made use of as warnings, 〈…〉 ⟨image 94⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 94⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 95⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 95⟩⟨p. 156⟩they become but examples and patterns of our own destruction. Luke 13.3. Except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish. The Sword of Justice is not so blunted by wounding others, but it can wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on in sin. The Arrows of Divine Vengeance are not yet spent, there may be many in reserve to pierce our obstinate, hardened hearts. God is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever; the same to love, protect and secure his obsequious people; the same to ruine and destroy rebellious sinners. Ezek. 20.36. Like as I have pleaded with your Fathers, so will I plead with you. The punishments of sin other Nations have experienced, may at last be inflicted on us. The Vengeance of God on others, is a signe to us, Jer. 7.12-14. Go ye now to my place which was in Shiloh, and see what I did to it, for the wickedness of my people Israel; and now because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, therefore will I do so to this house, &c. May not the dealings of God with others, prognosticate his dealings with us? May not the sore Desolations in Germany, the distresses of Protestants in France, the ruines of the Churches we read of in Iohn's Revelations, ⟨p. 157⟩cause us to fear we at last shall experience the same Miseries, and drink of the same cup of Astonishment that hath been given to them? 2 Pet. 2.5, 6. If God spared not the old world, shalt thou escape his judgment? What have we more to secure us? Why should we not be made as Sodome by judgments, that parallel it in sins? Let us take the caution God gave to Israel,
—Tua res agitur paries cum proximus ardet. Thou art greatly concerned when thy Neighbours house is in flames. The Cup passes from one to another.
7. To conclude, Although we may have an escape from final Ruin, and glorious Times may succeed our unhappy ⟨p. 158⟩days, may we not justly fear, that our Mercies may be ushered in with a great deal of Misery, and that a black Storm will precede our glorious Sunshine? The approaches of Mercies may be attended with amazing Terror. Great distresses may justly be expected, before our great Deliverance.
7. To conclude, Although we may have an escape from final Ruine, and glorious Times may succeed our unhappy ⟨p. 158⟩days, may we not justly fear, that our Mercies may be ushered in with a great deal of Misery, and that a black Storm will precede our glorious Sunshine? The approaches of Mercies may be attended with amazing Terrour. Great distresses may justly be expected, before our great Deliverance.
The shorter the time of enemies reigning is, the greater will be their rage. A Cloud ushered in the presence of God to the Tabernacle; Christs coming to redeem his people, appears in a cloud. The darkest hour is a little before the dawning of the glorious day. The sorest conflicts Israel had, was on their entrance into their blessed and promised Canaan. Mercies of greatest excellencies, have proportioned difficulties. Josephs pearled Crown, & Chains of honour, had answerable links of trouble. We have just cause from Gods promises to expect some glorious days, but certainly a gloomy day will be first. The earth will be shaken when Babylon shall fall. Before we can be happy, the filth of England must be washed away with the spirit of judgment and burning. We may be dealt with as is spoken of the Jews, Zech. 13.8, 9 Two parts ⟨p. 159⟩may be cut off, and the third refined. I may confidently assert, God will bring more glorious days than yet the world enjoyed; but as Balaam said, Alas, who shall live when the Lord does this? Numb. 24.24. Thou or I may be cut off, with millions more; and seeing this time is at hand, be not secure. The only way to secure any future deliverance, is by improving this. The way to have future salvation, is to make use of this you enjoy, to mortify sins. For the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and to those that turn from iniquity in Jacob, Isa. 59.20. So then let us no longer abuse the patience of God; but since he is an indulgent Father, let us become obedient Children; that so we may hope, that he that hath delivered, and can deliver, will still be continuing deliverances to us.
The shorter the time of enemies raigning is, the greater will be their rage. A Cloud ushered in the presence of God to the Tabernacle; Christs coming to redeem his people, appears in a cloud. The darkest hour is a little before the dawning of the glorious day. The sorest conflicts Israel had, was on their entrance into their blessed and promised Canaan. Mercies of greatest excellencies, have proportioned difficulties. Iosephs pearled Crown, & Chains of honour, had answerable links of trouble. We have just cause from Gods promises to expect some glorious days, but certainly a gloomy day will be first. The earth will be shaken when Babylon shall fall. Before we can be happy, the filth of England must be washed away with the spirit of judgment and burning. We may be dealt with as is spoken of the Iews,
SOLI DEO GLORIA.
FINIS.
PREFACE. Page 6. line 14. for health read hearts.
BOOK. Page 21. line ult. read [Greek or Hebrew] p. 22 l. 10. r. multiplicavi. p. 47. l. 24. for willing, r. unwilling. p. 59. note, that at the twelfth line begins a fourth head. p. 73. note, l. 5. begins a second head. p. 90. note, l. 13. begins a fourth head. p. 100. l. 26. for also, r. able. p. 103. l. 3. for usurped, r. envied.
BOOK. Page 21. line ult. read 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 p. 22 l. 10. r. multiplicavi. p. 47. l. 24. for willing, r. unwilling. p. 59. note, that at the twelfth line begins a fourth head. p. 73. note, l. 5. begins a second head. p. 90. note, l. 13. begins a fourth head. p. 100. l. 26. for also, r. able. p. 103. l. 3. for usurped, r. envied.
Twelve Books lately published by Mr. Tho. Brooks, late Preacher of the Gospel at Margarets New-Fish-street.
TWelve Books lately published by Mr. Tho. Brooks, late Preacher of the Gospel at Margarets New-Fish-street.
1. Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices, or Salve for Believers and Unbelievers Sores: being a companion for those that are in Christ, or out of Christ.
1. Precious Remedies against Satans Devices, or Salve for Believers and Unbelievers Sores: being a companion for those that are in Christ, or out of Christ.
2. Heaven on Earth: Or a serious Discourse touching a Well grounded Assurance of Mans Everlasting Happiness.
3. The unsearchable Riches of Christ held forth in 22 Sermons.
4. Apples of Gold for young Men and Women, or the happiness of being good betimes.
5. A String of Pearls: or the best things reserved till last.
