The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being…

2. You are more peculiarly concerned in these Judgments. If a reason be asked, why God brings his Judgments on a professing people, the answer is ready, because they neglected to improve the means of grace aright: it is because they who have the title of Children, do not answer their title; Deut. 32. 19. And though every one ought at such a time to say, What have I done? yet such as you have special reason to confess, these Judgments come for our sakes: and should not this put you an enquiring how to obtain peace, and the turning away of Gods fierce anger? nor is there any other hope for this, but in your serious seeking of him.

3. You may expect that if you will not hearken to the Word and Rod, God will have a Sword to cut you off God is in earnest when he takes this course, and he will be glorified by it in the issue; it is his mercy, that when angry, he maketh overtures of peace, and happy they that comply with him: but if Sinners are so foolish and obstinate, as not to give him glory at such a time he will strain for it, and certainly recover it ⟨p. 355⟩if you will not be reformed by the Rod, he hath a Sword to cut you off, and what else should he do with such? Hence that warning, Jer. 4. 4. And that threatening, Isa. 27. 11.

3. You may expect that if you will not hearken to the Word and Rod, God will have a Sword to cut you off God is in earnest when he takes this course, and he will be glorified by it in the issue; it is his mercy, that when angry, he maketh oventures of peace, and happy they that comply with him: but if Sinners are so foolish and obstinate, as not to give him glory at such a time he will strain for it, and certainly recover it ⟨p. 355⟩