Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applied unto unconverted sinners, and saints…Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applyed unto unconverted sinners, and saints…

THE whole matter treated of in general, both as unto the Disease and Remedy, is fully stated in this passage of Scripture; and that in the Experience of the Church, and God's dealing with them: we may therefore receive many plain Directions from it, and a safe Guidance in our Progress, which we shall endeavour to take in the ensuing Observations.

1. THIS Application of God unto Israel, (O Israel return,) was made when the generality of the People were wicked and devoted unto utter Destruction. So it is declared in the last words of the foregoing Chapter, and their Desolation fell out not long after accordingly. Wherefore, no Season nor Circumstances of things shall obstruct Sovereign Grace, when God will exercise it towards his Church: It shall work in the midst of desolating Judgments.

1. THIS Application of God unto Israel, (O Israel return,) was made when the generality of the People were wicked and devoted unto utter Destruction. So it is declared in the last words of the foregoing Chapter, and their Desolation fell out not long after accordingly. Wherefore, no Season nor Circumstances of things shall obstruct Soveraign Grace, when God will exercise it towards his Church: It shall work in the midst of desolating Judgments.

2. IN such a time the true Israel of God, the Elect themselves, are apt to be overtaken with the Sins of the whole, and so to Backslide from God, and so to fall into Spiritual Decays. So Israel had now done, though she had not absolutely broken Covenant with God; He was yet unto her The Lord thy God, yet she ⟨p. 70⟩had fallen by her Iniquity. Times of public Apostasy are often accompanied with partial defects in the best; Because Iniquity aboundeth, the love of many shall wax cold,