Reformation the great duty of an afflicted people. Setting forth the sin and danger…

These things being thus premised, let us take a more particular view of the matter before us and here, (1.) It is supposed that a People thus circumstanced may prevaricate; they may neglect to pay their due Obedience unto God which he requires of them, nay they may despise the Commands of God, and turn their backs upon them, Verse 14, 15. for this is the Hypothesis upon which the threatening is built; and if it were not a thing possible, and that of which there was at least some danger, the threatening would be Supervacaneous, and it is very Obvious that sometimes a People that make a ⟨p. 9⟩great pretence to Religion, will dare thus to do, and that notwithstanding the threatening stands as a thorn hedge to keep them in; they will adventure upon it, although they Scratch themselves. (2.) God threatens to bring awful Judgments upon them in case they do so Transgress, Verse 16, 17. Their Covenant Relation, and their nearness to God by reason of it, shall be no security to them against the Miseries mentioned: Sin will break down this hedge, and let the wild beasts upon them, to devour them. (3.) It is further presumed that these Judgments will not amend them, but that they will for▪all persist in their Apostasy, and proceed yet to greater revolts: and this is supposed from one step to another, unto every one of which there is menaced a process in the way of Judgments, and an Augmentation of their Miseries, till they come to the height: and this is mentioned four times, one whereof is in our Text, of which we may, at present make some improvement for our Instruction.

These things being thus premised, let us take a more particular view of the matter before us and here, (1.) It is supposed that a People thus circumstanced may prevaricate; they may neglect to pay their due Obedience unto God which he requires of them, nay they may despise the Commands of God, and turn their backs upon them, Verse 14, 15. for this is the Hypothesis upon which the threatning is built; and if it were not a thing possible, and that of which there was at least some danger, the threatning would be Supervacaneous, and it is very Obvious that sometimes a People that make a ⟨p. 9⟩great pretence to Religion, will dare thus to do, and that notwithstanding the threatning stands as a thorn hedge to keep them in; they will adventure upon it, although they Scratch themselves. (2.) God threatens to bring awful Judgments upon them in case they do so Transgress, Verse 16, 17. Their Covenant Relation, and their neerness to God by reason of it, shall be no security to them against the Miseries mentioned: Sin will break down this hedge, and let the wild beasts upon them, to devour them. (3.) It is further presumed that these Judgments will not amend them, but that they will forall persist in their Apostasy, and proceed yet to greater revolts: and this is supposed from one step to another, unto every one of which there is menaced a processe in the way of Judgments, and an Augmentation of their Miseries, till they come to the height: and this is mentioned four times, one whereof is in our Text, of which we may, at present make some improvement for our Instruction.