But, Secondly. When the Clouds refuse to distil Rains upon us, the Glorious GOD requires the Dispositions of Repentance from us. It is GOD who commands the Clouds to distil no Rains upon us, when we undergo such a Calamity. It becomes us now, with Repenting Minds, humbly to enquire, what Controversy the Holy One may have with us, in such a Calamity? And, what Iniquity it may be, that such a Punishment is inflicted for? 'Tis true; No People under the New Testament are under such a Covenant for External Prosperity, upon Obedience to the Laws of GOD, as the Israelitish Nation were, under the Mosaic Dispensation. The Blessed GOD has not promised unto any People now, That if they will not scandalously Break His Covenant, they shall see no Unfruitful Seasons. People may have the Showers of Heaven, and other such Blessings denied unto them, and be brought low through' Oppression Affliction and Sorrow; And yet be able to say, All this is come upon us, yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy Covenant. We see it, at this very Day. The People that have least of all paid respect unto the Covenant of GOD, yet have not the fewest Showers of Heaven upon them. Nevertheless, when Showers are withheld, it is frequently, it is commonly, a Punishment upon a Land, for having sinned grievously ⟨p. 127⟩when Water-springs are turned into Dry-ground, and a Fruitful Land into Barrenness, it is usually, for the Wickedness of those that dwell therein. 'Tis, as we read; Deut. XXVIII. 15, 23, 24. If thou wilt not hearken unto the Voice of the Lord thy GOD, Thy Heaven that is over thy head shall be Brass, and the Earth that is under thee shall be Iron; The Lord shall make the Rain of thy Land Powder and Dust. Wherefore, under such Fiery Rebukes of our GOD, we should Loathe and Judge our selves for our Miscarriages. Of these, there is especially One, that is a very Comprehensive One; That is to say, Our Unfruitfulness, our Unfruitfulness! How Pertinently, but how Penitently, may this Reflection be made on this Occasion! Lord, We bring forth little good Fruit of the Cultivations which thou dost employ upon us. How fitly, how justly, how wisely, are an Unfruitful People punished with Unfruitful Seasons! Methinks, I overhear the Angel of the Waters making his Acclamations; Thou art Righteous, O Lord, because thou hast judged so! It becomes us to find out our Miscarriages;
But, Secondly. When the Clouds refuse to distil Rains upon us, the Glorious GOD requires the Dispositions of Repentance from us. It is GOD who commands the Clouds to distil no Rains upon us, when we undergo such a Calamity. It becomes us now, with Repenting Minds, humbly to enquire, what Controversy the Holy One may have with us, in such a Calamity? And, what Iniquity it may be, that such a Punishment is inflicted for? 'Tis true; No People under the New Testament are under such a Covenant for External Prosperity, upon Obedience to the Laws of GOD, as the Israelitish Nation were, under the Mosaic Dispensation. The Blessed GOD has not promised unto any People now, That if they will not scandalously Break His Covenant, they shall see no Unfruitful Seasons. People may have the Showers of Heaven, and other such Blessings denied unto them, and be brought low thro' Oppression Affliction and Sorrow; And yet be able to say, All this is come upon us, yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy Covenant. We see it, at this very Day. The People that have least of all paid respect unto the Covenant of GOD, yet have not the fewest Showers of Heaven upon them. Nevertheless, when Showers are witheld, it is frequently, it is commonly, a Punishment upon a Land, for having sinned grievously ⟨p. 127⟩when Water-springs are turned into Dry-ground, and a Fruitful Land into Barrenness, it is usually, for the Wickedness of those that dwell therein. 'Tis, as we read; Deut. XXVIII. 15, 23, 24. If thou wilt not hearken unto the Voice of the Lord thy GOD, Thy Heaven that is over thy head shall be Brass, and the Earth that is under thee shall be Iron; The Lord shall make the Rain of thy Land Powder and Dust. Wherefore, under such Fiery Rebukes of our GOD, we should Loathe and Judge our selves for our Miscarriages. Of these, there is especially One, that is a very Comprehensive One; That is to say, Our Unfruitfulness, our Unfruitfulness! How Pertinently, but how Penitently, may this Reflection be made on this Occasion! Lord, We bring forth little good Fruit of the Cultivations which thou dost employ upon us. How fitly, how justly, how wisely, are an Unfruitful People punished with Unfruitful Seasons! Methinks, I overhear the Angel of the Waters making his Acclamations; Thou art Righteous, O Lord, because thou hast judged so! It becomes us to find out our Miscarriages;
