God's call to England, for thankfulness after gracious deliverances

By this most abominable persistence in sin, the Lord is provoked not only to stop deliverances, but to step into ways of judgments, and that with unalterable resolutions to destroy. Instead of enabling people against enemies, he enables enemies against them. Instead of delivering from cruel adversaries, he justly delivers them up unto them. Hereby his saving arm becomes a smiting hand, and mercy it self is made an enemy. Hereby our greatest friend becomes an implacable foe; and whereas oftentimes before he had graciously sent Commissions from Heaven for deliverance, now in his wrath he dispenseth commands, and issues out Writs to destroy.

By this most abominable persistence in sin, the Lord is provoked not onely to stop deliverances, but to step into ways of judgments, and that with unalterable resolutions to destroy. Instead of enabling people against enemies, he enables enemies against them. Instead of delivering from cruel adversaries, he justly delivers them up unto them. Hereby his saving arm becomes a smiting hand, and mercy it s•lf is made an enemy. Hereby our greatest friend becomes an implacable foe; and whereas oftentimes before he had graciously sent Commissions from Heaven for deliverance, now in his wrath he dispenseth commands, and issues out Writs to destroy.

This severity to a sinful people you may see, Isa. 63.9, 10. In his love and in his pity he redeemed them; but they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit, therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and fought against them. Now how can they hope to escape, that have a victorious God to oppose them! How miserably will those be ruined, that by despising Gods helping pity, convert it to destroying enmity? Oh, that the terror of Divine displeasure for such transgressions, thus exemplified in others, might have that suitable influence on our hearts, as to prevent them in us! let others corrections be our admonitions; let Gods vindictive judgments on others, be instructive warnings to us: Rev. 15.4. Who will not fear thee, thy judgments are made manifest! Let others confusion be a subject of our consideration; and know, if we continue Enemies to God, after his friendly, fatherly dealings, he will soon become our enemy, and fight against us; then the deepest policy, the highest power can be no security to us.