The saints everlasting rest

3. You are guilty also of all those judgments, which those men's sins bring upon the town or country where they live. I know, you are not such atheists, but you believe it is GOD that sendeth sickness, and famine, and war; and also that it is only sin that moveth him to this indignation. What doubt then is there, but you are the cause of judgments, who do not strive against those sins which cause them? GOD hath staid long in patience, to see if any would deal plainly with the sinners of the times, and so free their own souls from the guilt: but when he seeth that there is none, but all become guilty; no wonder then if he lay the judgment upon all. We have all seen ⟨p. 227⟩the drunkards, and heard the swearers, in our streets, and we would not speak to them: we have all lived in the midst of an ignorant, worldly, unholy people; and we have not spoke to them with earnestness, plainness, and love; no wonder then if GOD speak in his wrath both to them and us. Eli did not commit the sin himself, and yet he speaketh so coldly against it, that he must bear the punishment. GOD locketh up the clouds, because we have shut up our mouths. The earth is grown as hard as iron to us, because we have hardened our hearts against our miserable neighbours. The cries of the poor for bread are loud, because our cries against sin have been so low. Sicknesses run a pace from house to house, and sweep away the poor unprepared inhabitants, because we swept not out the sin that breedeth them. As Christ said in another case, Luke xix. 40. If these should hold their peace, the stones would speak: so, because we held our peace at the ignorance, ungodliness, and wickedness of our places, therefore do these plagues and judgments speak.

4. Consider, What a thing it will be, to look upon your poor friends in those flames, and to think that your neglect was a great cause of it! And that there was a time when you might have done much to prevent it. If you should there perish with them, it would be no small aggravation of your torment; if you be in heaven, it would sure be a sad thought, were it possible that any sorrow could dwell there, to hear a multitude of poor souls there to cry out forever. O if you would but have told me plainly of my sin and danger, and dealt roundly with me. I might have escaped all this torment, and been now in rest! O what a sad voice will this be!