A41644:47
God's call to England, for thankfulness after gracious deliverances
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.
REASON 3.
God proceeds in these gracious methods, because of the experienced ineffectualness of destroying judgments to effect a sincere Repentance, and produce an unfeigned obedience. Mercy hath ever prevailed more with sinners than wrath. Severity in exercising judgments, may curb a head-strong sinner from outward enormities; but the bent of his will, and ⟨p. 18⟩the inclination of his heart still remains to commit it. These usually have no farther influence, than to render men like roaring Lyons confined by Iron grates; like ravenous dogs restrained by heavy chains; only making an impediment from acting, not an amendment as to the will to act. A lock may stop a Thief, yet it alters not his mind.
God proceeds in these gracious methods, because of the experienc'd ineffectualness of destroying judgments to effect a sincere Repentance, and produce an unfeigned obedience. Mercy hath ever prevailed more with sinners than wrath. Severity in exercising judgments, may curb a head-strong sinner from outward enormities; but the bent of his will, and ⟨p. 18⟩the inclination of his heart still remains to commit it. These usually have no farther influence, than to render men like roaring Lyons confin'd by Iron grates; like ravenous dogs restrain'd by heavy chains; onely making an impediment from acting, not an amendment as to the will to act. A lock may stop a Thief, yet it alters not his mind.
This ineffectualness of judgments, hath often been evidenced in the devilish behaviour that hath appeared in many under them. How many in blasphemous enraged passions, have belched out most execrable Oaths and reproachful speeches against Heaven, and the instruments of Divine vengeance, Et quem oderunt perire cupiunt; wishing the destruction of the God that destroyed them? As the Cilicians made War against Mount Atna, spitting out sulphureous flames upon them: with such madness do rebellious wretches contend with the Almighty, consuming them by the fire of deserved vengeance.