1. When all sorts of Sin abound in it. I do not judge that every particular Sin, or kind of sinning that may be named, or may not be named, is required hereunto; ⟨p. 36⟩nor is it so, that there should be the same outrage in public Sins; for instance, in Blood and Oppression, as there hath been at some times, and in some places of the World, the dark places of the Earth being filled with Habitations of Cruelty; nor; is it so, that Sin doth reign at that height, and rage at that rate, as it did before the Flood, or in Sodom, or before the final destruction of Jerusalem, or as it doth in the Kingdom of Antichrist; for in that case there is no room or place either for Repentance or Reformation; God hides from them the things that concern their peace, that they may be utterly and irrecoverably destroyed. But this I will grant is required hereunto; namely, that no known Sin that is commonly passant in the World, can be exempted from having a place in the public Guilt of such a Church or Nation. If any such Sin be committed in the Roll of the Indictment, peace may yet dwell in the Land. It would be too long, and not to my purpose, to draw up a Catalogue of Sins, from the highest Atheism through the vilest uncleanness, unto the lowest Oppression, that are found amongst us. I shall only say on the other hand, that I know no provoking sin condemned as such, in the Book of God, whereof instances ⟨p. 37⟩may not be found in this Nation. Who dares make this a plea with God for it, namely, that yet it is free and innocent from such and such provoking Sins? Produce your Cause sayeth the Lord, bring forth your strong Reasons, sayeth the King of Jacob; let us stand up if we can, and plead for our selves herein. But the only way whereby we may come to plead with God in this matter, is fully described, Isai. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. 20. It must be Repentance and Reformation, laying a ground for pleading and arguing with God for pardon and Mercy, that must save this Nation if it be saved, and not a plea for exemption from Judgments on the account of our Innocency. This is that which of all things God most abhorred in the People of old, and which all the Prophets testified against in them.
1. When all sorts of Sin abound in it. I do not judge that every particular Sin, or kind of sinning that may be named, or may not be named, is required hereunto; ⟨p. 36⟩nor is it so, that there should be the same outrage in publick Sins; for instance, in Blood and Oppression, as there hath been at some times, and in some places of the World, the dark places of the Earth being silled with Habitations of Cruelty; nor; is it so, that Sin doth reign at that height, and rage at that rate, as it did before the Flood, or in Sodom, or before the final destruction of Hierusalem, or as it doth in the Kingdom of Antichrist; for in that case there is no room or place either for Repentance or Reformation; God hides from them the things that concern their peace, that they may be utterly and irrecoverably destroyed. But this I will grant is required hereunto; namely, that no known Sin that is commonly passant in the World, can be exempted from having a place in the publick Guilt of such a Church or Nation. If any such Sin be committed in the Roll of the Indictment, peace may yet dwell in the Land. It would be too long, and not to my purpose, to draw up a Catalogue of Sins, from the highest Atheism through the vilest uncleaness, unto the lowest Oppression, that are found amongst us. I shall only say on the other hand, that I know no provoking sin condemned as such, in the Book of God, whereof instances ⟨p. 37⟩may not be found in this Nation. Who dares make this a plea with God for it, namely, that yet it is free and innocent from such and such provoking Sins? Produce your Cause sayeth the Lord, bring forth your strong Reasons, sayeth the King of Jacob; let us stand up if we can, and plead for our selves herein. But the only way whereby we may come to plead with God in this matter, is fully described, Isai. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. 20. It must be Repentance and Reformation, laying a ground for pleading and arguing with God for pardon and Mercy, that must save this Nation if it be saved, and not a plea for exemption from Judgments on the account of our Innocency. This is that which of all things God most abhorred in the People of old, and which all the Prophets testifyed against in them.
