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

5. Hence, as long as they remain not bettered hereby, their benefit and his Glory is concerned in his proceeding further in the course of his Judgments. Their benefit is deeply interested in it: for they are no whit bettered by these Afflictions, till they are wrought up unto Reformation. The Physic that is Administered unto men, works not for them, as long as it doth but irritate the disease, and makes the ill humours to work more strongly, but doth not remove them▪ then it works kindly, when it conquers the malady. And truly, if God leaves off Afflicting before such a people be reformed, they are apt to be thereby the more hardened; and when God is weary of smiting of them by reason of their obstinacy, it is a sad sign that he is about to give them ⟨p. 71⟩up as desperate, Isa. 1. 5. Psa. 81. 11, 12 and 95. 10, 11. And when God lays by his Rod after he hath been using it, before his People are amended, it bodes that he intends next to take up the Sword, when he hath let them alone a while without check to fill up their measure. His Glory also is here concerned; He is in honour bound to bear a Testimony against the Apostasies of his People; and he must and will be at length too hard for them, one way or other his glory is trampled upon by their impenitence, his holiness cannot endure that it be always so: and therefore we are told that if after all endeavours, and utmost patience drawn forth into long suffering, their returning be not obtained, at last it must come to extirpation, and scattering of them into the corners of the earth. The sum is, either Gods name must suffer; or else a people that are departed from their Covenant Obligations, and will by no means be reformed, must be cut off; and so made the monuments of his righteous revenge, because they would not, hearken to his voice; Math. 23. 37, 38. How often would I have gathered you, but you would not; behold your house is left unto you desolate.

5. Hence, as long as they remain not bettered hereby, their benefit and his Glory is concerned in his proceeding further in the course of his Judgments. Their benefit is deeply interested in it: for they are no whit bettered by these Afflictions, till they are wrought up unto Reformation. The Physick that is Administred unto men, works not for them, as long as it doth but irritate the disease, and makes the ill humours to work more strongly, but doth not remove them then it works kindly, when it conquers the malady. And truly, if God leaves off Afflicting before such a people be reformed, they are apt to be thereby the more hardned; and when God is weary of smiting of them by reason of their obstinacy, it is a sad sign that he is about to give them