USE I.

See hence, it is a very hard thing for a Corrupt People to be reconciled unto God. When once there is a breach made be­tween God and his People, it is a diffi­cult thing to have it made up. Some­times they suffer abundance, before the the thing is taken up; they are under frowning dispensations for several Gene­rations. When once the wrath of God begins to break out, no man knows when there will be an end. Psal. 90.9. All our dayes are pass'd away in thy wrath. When one calamity is over, another ca­lamity comes. Isa. 9.12. His anger is not turned away, but his Hand is stretched out still. Scarce a year passes but there is wrath. How comes this about, not that people do not desire reconciliation, they are weary of the wrath of God, & could be glad to be quiet, and be let alone: neither is it that God doth lay any un­reasonable terms upon them; for if they [Page 16]will own their faults and turn to Him, He will pardon them. But they are very backward to own their faults: some­times they are restrain'd a little, and held in by Civil Authority, but they are not throughly convinced, nor heartily acknowledge their offences: Sometimes they are restrained by the Judgments of God, and appearances of Anger; but they don't acknowledge their offences: if there be some reformation, it is a forced thing, as 2 Chron. 34 32. They are told of their faults and reproved abundantly, but they go on and justify themselves, Hos. 5.2. Men will stand mightily upon the justification of themselves. Mal. 6 3. Mal. 7. Wherein shall we return? And if they do more readily own some of their offences, yet there be others, that they will not be perswaded to acknowledge;

For,

1. They have many Carnal reasonings to justify themselves. They stir up their wits to plead for their sins: and it is no hard thing to say a pretty deal for many sinful practices. Sometimes they will say, where is any such thing forbid­den in the Scripture, what Rule do they break, they find no Scripture that Condemn [Page 17]such a practise? Whereas there be abundance of sins that are not Toti­dem ve [...]bis, Condemned in the Scripture. Sometimes they pervert some Scripture to prove the lawfulness of their practice; as he, 1 Sam. 24.4 Sometimes they plead Tradition; this has been counted law­ful or duty by our Fore-fathers. Mat. 15. [...] Sometimes they plead there is no harm in such a practise, it is an innocent thing, it is not contrary to justice or ho­nesty, or sobriety, or modesty, or any moral rule Sometimes they plead there is conveniency in it, there is advantage & benefit by it. Sometimes they plead necessity, there is no avoiding of it, with­out incivility; or without wrong to their estate, or without making of themselves ridiculous.

2. They are Proud, and don't love to confess. Men are of an haughty Spirit, and can't endure to do any thing that will touch their Honour, they can't abide shame. M [...]c. 2.6 It will be a great re­flection upon them, if they should own their offences, Reproach is a thing that will break the heart, they cannot bear to be slighted or contemned; this makes them backward to own their offences: If they [Page 18]own this to be Pride, or Covetousness, then they must own that they have been in an Error; they have been Fools these many Years, in judging otherwise: they cannot abide to own as David did, that they have done foolishly. 2 Sam. 24.10. Men will think that they as subject to mistakes as other men, and will lay no great weight upon their judgment: if they should speak confidently in other cases, men will be ready to fling it upon them, that they were confident former­ly, but fain to come back again; it will expose their Profession to contempt, they use to declaim against the Pride of the Countrey, & tell men that they brought down the Judgments of God by their carriages: and if they acknowledge, men will say the like of them, from their own ac­knowledgment; they can't tell how to bear it that others who have contended with them about it, should get the victo­ry over them, that they must stoop and put honour upon them, that have vexed them about that matter many a time.

3. They love their Sins, and are unwilling to reform. If they do acknowledge their sins, they must reform; it would be mad­ness [Page 19]to acknowledge them, and yet per­sist in them: if they should do so, they should expose their Names, and wound their Consciences too: they will lie under a necessity of reformation, and this is hard to comply with; they can't tell how to leave off their ill practises, they have been wonted to them, and much of their comfort depends on them; it is as a right Eye to them: it is hard breaking an evil custome. Their bodies are habituated to some sins, and crave them, they can't tell how to leave them off: they have found a great deal of sweetness in that way, and so hancker after them. Some sins are profitable to their Estates, and they are so Covetous, they can't tell how to leave them off; they are afraid they are afraid they shall come to Poverty. Some sins are for their Honour, and if they should leave them off, they should be despised: if every Body else would re­form, they would be contented, but if they do and others do not, they shall be ridiculous. They are very unwilling to reform. Jer. 8.5. They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return: Hos. 5.4. They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God.

USE II. OF REPROOF.

To those that are backward to acknow­ledge their Offences: God has taken great Offences at His People here, and has testifyed against us by many awful judgments, and un­der these dispensations, men run into two ex­treams: Some out of an over-timerous spirit, own guile where there is none; when scared they Condemn this and that practice, and then after a while return to it again: but the more general fault is, that men are backward to fall down as guilty before God; but hold up their heads as they, Jer. 2.35. Thou sayest I have not sinned. There is a self justifying spi­rit, they don't fall under reproof. Mal. 2.7. Ye said, wherein shall we return? They are exceeding backward to acknowledge their offences; they shut their eyes a­gainst the light; when conviction is set before them, they are rejecting of it. Joh. 3.20. They come not to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved. Some men make themselves as blind as Moles: Sometimes they think there be as wise men, who allow this and that practice, as any who condemn it. Jer. 44.17. And they sus­pect, [Page 21]that it is some Corrupt affection, that makes other men to be so zealous a­gainst it. Jer. 43.3. Baruch the Son of Neriah, sets thee on to say, go not down into Egypt They are cavilling away the authority of all Convictions; and devi­sing pretences to bear out themselves in their evil wayes: Besides they harden themselves in their way, and though they discern some evil in it, yet won't fall flat down before God, and abase them­selves, they say these things are small things, and they don't think that the wrath of of God goes out against the Land upon the account of such trifles. So they say that there be abundance in the Countrey that are more faulty then they, others are ten times as guilty as they, and so neglect to humble themselves.

Consider;

1. This is a great hindrance to the Con­version of some men. Some persons wonder what the matter is, that these are not Converted; yea, it may be, the men themselves wonder at it: and they think the reason is, because God don't intend to have Mercy upon them, and so he re­jects all Prayers; but it may be the reason is, because you won't acknowledge your [Page 22]offence So it is with some, there is some evil way that they seek to smother, they hide some Iniquity under their tongue, they don't pour out their Soul like water; there is some way of Pride, or injustice, or voluptuousness that they won't own; if they would confess them, and forsake them, they might be Converted. Prov. 28.13. He that confesseth and for saketh shall find Mercy.

2. This shews a great deal of Hypocrisy in your Religion. You do perform many Reli­gious services, & make many Good con­fessions and prayers, and lament the sin­fulness of the Land if it were all sincere, it would be exceeding commendable, but so far as you are backward to ac­knowledge your offences, so far you have an Hipocritical heart. You pray, as Psal. 86.11. Teach me thy way: but you are unwilling to learn; you bewail your Ignorance, but you are backward to re­ceive Conviction; You lament your Sins, but you are loth to part with them. Then there is much want of Sincerity in the shews that you make; You are not [...] good as you seem to be, and had need at­tend that Rule, 1 Pet. 2.1. To lay aside all Guile and Hypocrisies.

[Page 23] 3. This makes your Prayers less prevail­ing with God. It is a great benifit to have mens Prayers prevail. Men Pray for many things for themselves, their Chil­dren, their Neighbours and the Church of God; but this is a great hindrance to the success of their Prayers. Men are careful that they may not hinder the suc­cess of their Trading and Husbandry: so they had need be careful that they do not hinder the success of their Prayers. But this hinders their success, if you be backward to hear God, He will be back­ward to hear, Zech. 7.13. As He Cryed and they would not hear, so they Cryed, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of Hosts.

4. This is one reason of the continuance of the wrath of God. The anger of God is lengthned out wonderfully, we have but little experience of Publick prosperity; there has been a succession of Judgments Year after Year, for a long time, several means have been used to prevent Gods Judgments, Fasts have been Proclamed, Laws have been made, men have renew­ed Covenant, and yet we are an afflicted people. This is the reason of it, men do not acknowledge their Sins, but stand in [Page 24]the justification of them; they won't own this and that to be a sin, and so the an­ger of God continues, Hos, 5.15. I will return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence.

5. This exposes men to such gress sins, as will bring them to shame. Men run up­on the borders of gross sins, and won't own a fault in it; they are in danger hereby to fall into gross sins: they throw themselves into Temptation, and they provoke God to leave them. Dinah goes a gadding, and gets a blot. Gen. 34.1, 2. Some indulge themselves in dalli­ances, and expose themselves to Fornica­tion. Some indulge themselves in going to Publick Houses, and expose themselves to Drunkenness thereby. Some indulge themselves in lying in Debt, and so ex­pose themseves to Falshood in excusing of it: smaller sins prepare the heart to commit greater; little wedges make way for greater.

USE III.

Ezamine, whether We in this Countrey do acknowledge our Offences? We have our dayes of Humiliation, and do pretend [Page 25]to acknowledge our offences: it is very well if we do, it is a sign that God hath touched our Hearts, and that mercy is at hand: But if it be otherwise, God will not be reconciled to the Countrey. I would take it for granted that there be a number that have a care in this matter, and though we can do no duty perfectly, yet have an upright and hearty spirit this way. But is this the general Spirit of the Countrey?

In order to our discerning of this;

1. Distinguish between acknowledging the offencee of other men, and owning our of­fences. Some People are very zealous in confessing the sins of their Neighbours, and they bewail the rudeness of Young ones, and the Prophane spirit that is in the Land, and the Licentious courses that do prevail in the Countrey, and mens re­jecting of the Gospel: but it may be, they do not so much as in Secret bewail their own iniquities, their Covetous practi­ses, their breaking their word with men, & other iniquities; they Cry out against the Pride of the Land, but are not sen­sible of their Sins, in suffering Pride in [Page 26]their own Children: they confess the Sins of Rulers, but not their own mur­muring, Spirit, they confess Prophane­ness, but are not sensible of their own froward, stubborn Spirit, whereby they dishonour their Profession: This is not right, 1 King 8.38. Which shall know every man the Plague of his own Heart. Psal. 18.23. I kept my self from mine iniquity.

2. Distinguish between acknowledging the common infirmities of mankind, and owning our own iniquities. There is no man in the world, but has cause to acknowledge himself guilty of all depraved dispositi­ons; the best man in the world is Guilty of Pride, Covetousness, Envy, want of Love to God and Man: And men can bear to have Ministers reprove them for such things and not be angry; but many times if they come to particulars, they are toucht and vext; so men can bewail, in the general, the Corruption of their own Hearts, but there be many particular actions, wherein they manifest a spirit of Unbelief, Covetousness, Envy, Dis­content and Carnal Affection, that they stand up in the justification of: and when they are before God, they say not [Page 27]one word of those things, and in their dis­courses with Men, they justify those actions. Jon. 4.9 I do well to be angry to the very Death.

3. Distinguish between owning some par­ticular gross act of Sin, and those wayes of sin, that we are carried away with. Some­times a man in earnest discourse, speaks something that is false, and he is much troubled and afflicted with it, or he has been dreadfully transported with passion, or he has neglected secret Prayer, and he is very sorry for it; but there be many wayes of Sin that he is addicted unto, his Carriage is generally too light and vain, does not become a man of his Profession: or he is commonly of a pinching Spirit, or he carries Frowardly in his house, or he spends his Time un­profitably, or he don't Govern his Fa­mily as he should, or he is much taint­ed with a proud Behaviour, and don't go Mourning upon these accounts. 2 Chron 15.17. The high places were not taken a­way.

4. Distinguish between owning of Of­fences, and owning them with an excuse. [Page 28]Some men say, it is to be lamented that there are such things; such and such practises are not right; but they can't tell well how to prevent them: they think such dresses are Pride, but they are under a necessity to suffer them; their Children will be ridiculous, and they shall have no quietness if they do­not connive at them. So they think such Liberties are too much: For Maids and others to be abroad in the Night, it is not a fitting thing, but they say, it is the way of the Town, and so they must comply. So they think every man should have his own, but they are Poor and behind hand, and have many neces­saries to provide, they must tarry a­nother Year: And so they hope that God will not impute it to them; if the case were with them as with some others, they would do it; but they have their Excuses. Exod. 21.22. Thou knowest this People that they are set on mischief.

5. Distinguish between owning Old Sins, and such as present Temptations lead to. When the Man is Married, he much Con­dems the wayes of Young People, their [Page 29]running out in the Night, and their wanton dalliances. And when he is Old, he much Condemns the Prodigality of Young ones, and their vain Courses; but there be other things that his pre­sent condition does expose him unto: Now he is so Covetous, that he can hardly find time to Pray; he carries himself impatiently, and is not sensible of his present Sin. 2 Chron. 28.10. Are there not with you, even with you, Sins against the Lord your God?

USE IV. Of EXHORTATION.

To acknowledge your Offences. I have no reason to urge you to acknowledge any thing for offences that are not offences, but what is indeed Sin should be acknow­ledged whether it be little or great, whether it be personal or Publick: what­ever estimation others have of it, there is no reason that you should bear up your up your selves in any thing that is offen­sive to God: the want of this has been the great Wound of the Countrey. Jer. 3.13. Only acknowledge thine Offence. This is that which prolongs our sorrows, let [Page 30]men reason never so long, and find out never so many presences, that which is Sin, will be Sin, they can't change the Nature of it, neither can men blind God, with their carnal reasonings; it is abundantly better to fall flat down and acknowledge our Offences. This must be in order to Reconciliation Hos. 5.15

Consider here a few things, that may be useful in order to the owning of your Offences.

1. It is a poor way to defend your selves that such things as you do are not in their own Na­ture Evils. Men say, they can't see that such and such Practises are utterly Un­lawful: they don't believe that Periwig are unlawful, they are a comely means to supply the defects of Nature. And they don't believe that going to a Tavern is unlawful, if it be, why are they allow­ed by Authority? And they don't believe that this and that Dress can be proved to be unlawful; but suppose it be so, this is no defence. A great part of the Sin of this Land, lies in the abusing of lawful Liberties, and doing that which is in it [Page 31]self lawful, under such circumstances as render it utterly unlawful. Herein lies their sin, that to them that do it, and as it is done, it is unlawful. It may be lawful in one case, and very sinful in another. So Davids numbring of the People. 2 Sam. 24.1.

2. It is of great advantage toget Holy dis­positions, and an Heart willing to do your Duty. Many times men say, that such and such things don't seem to them to be un­lawful, they see no hurt in them: a man may have Charity to believe them, though the things be very bad; for they are under the power of strong Corrup­tion. A Covetous man thinks his Co­vetous actions to be good Husbandry: and a Proud man thinks his Pride to be suitable to his place; their lusts blind their Eyes. Isa. 5.20. They call good evil, and evil good. Their Consciences are darkned: they have sinned away a great deal of the light of Nature; Sin has got power not only over their Affections, but their Judgments. Yea, many of them [...] themselves, whether the things be [...]ns or no: They would do them [Page 32]if they knew they were sins. The way for such men is to get Holy dispositions, and a Tender Conscience, then they wonld more easily discern what is amiss: as David, when his heart smote him for cutting off the skirt of Sauls Garment. 1 Sam. 24.5.

3. It is good to consider whether you could like the thing in other persons. Some persons stand upon their justification, and yet they would utterly dislike the thing in others: They reproach others, and are not sensible of any Irregularity in it; but if others serve them so, they Cry out of it. They will do damage themselves but they can't bear it in others: They lie in other mens debts, and find great fault that others lie in theirs; They wonder what other men do with their Conscien­ces, they think they can't answer it. This shews that whatever these men do pre­tend, yet their Consciences do Condemn their Practises Rom. 2.1. Thou art inexcu­sable O Man, whosoever thou art that judgest, for wherein thou Judgest another, thou Con­demnest thy self, for thou that judgest doest the same things.

[Page 33] 4. It is a sign that you know your are Guilty, when you don't like it that men should say those things of you, that you do. You can't endure that men should say of you, that you are a shuffling man in your dealings, and that you love strong Drink; that you are a Pot Companion, or a bad Pay-master: You are vext and angry with them that say so: though you know the thing to be true, the rea­son is because your heart tells you that it is not right, you know in your Con­science that it is no commendation, but a discommendation. The Thief is ashamed when he is taken. Jer. 2.26. So it is hero.

5. It is a poor way to justify your selves from such arguments, as you despise in other cases. Men justify themselves because some Good people do allow it, and be­cause some Ministers think there is no hurt in it; or because those that charge them with sin, are very faulty themselves in some other things; or because those men were mistaken in some other cases: but if men should argue thus with you, you would count it a ridiculous way of [Page 34]arguing; You would say, such arguments conclude nothing: You would say, how often are Good Men and Ministers mista­ken. Barnabas was carried away with the [...] [...]ulation Gal. 2.13.

6. It is good to mind what your Heart saves in the most solemn times. Many times men are not in a frame to judge, they are carried away with impetuous affections, and have a violence upon their Spirit, they are in their Career & there is no stopping of them: as it was with Joab, 2 Sam. 18.14. But there be other times, when men are afraid of going to Hell, when they have a Terror on their Spirits, and are apprehensive of Judgment and Damnation; and then they judge after another manner. So there be times of Afflictions, when Relations Die, and the hand of God goes out against th [...], and then they have another sence of things: So Josephs Brethren say, We are verily Guilty concerning our Brother. Gen. 42.21 So they are cast upon a Bed of Sickness, and then they judge quite otherwise of their Carriages.