Preventing God's Judgment on Our Nation (2)
When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry.—Esth. 4:1
(4) If we would have God to shield us and be a hiding-place in the worst times, let us mourn for our own sins and the sins of the times in which we live. Let us keep ourselves unspotted by the sins of the world; let us not make the times worse by us, but better. Let us not only mourn for the sins of the times, but labour also to repress them all we can, and stand in the gap, endeavouring by our prayers and tears to stop God's judgments.
(5) We should esteem the treasure of the gospel at a higher rate than ever we have done. We see how it is slighted by most of the world; how they shake the blessed truths of God and call them into question. It is fitting for us to store up all the sanctified knowledge we can, and to take heed we yield not to any that would either weaken our judgment in religion, or our affections to the best things. We should, everyone in his place, labour to stop dissensions in this kind, and knit our hearts together as one man in unity and concord. Unity makes strong, but division weakens any people. Even Satan's kingdom (Matt. 12:25, 26), divided against itself, cannot stand.
What is the glory of England? Take away the gospel, and what have we that other nations have not better than ourselves? Alas, if we labour not to maintain truth, we may say with Eli's daughter, 'The glory of God has departed from us' (1 Sam. 4:21). I beseech you, let us highly esteem the gospel, while we do enjoy it. If we allow that to be shaken in any way, our peace and prosperity will leave us, and judgment upon judgment will come upon us. If we will not regard the truth of God, which he esteems most, he will take away outward prosperity, which we esteem most.
(5) We should esteem the treasure of the gospel at a higher rate than ever we have done. We see how it is slighted by most of the world; how they shake the blessed truths of God and call them into question. It is fitting for us to store up all the sanctified knowledge we can, and to take heed we yield not to any that would either weaken our judgment in religion, or our affections to the best things. We should, everyone in his place, labour to stop dissensions in this kind, and knit our hearts together as one man in unity and concord. Unity makes strong, but division weakens any people. Even Satan's kingdom (Matt. 12:25, 26), divided against itself, cannot stand.
What is the glory of England? Take away the gospel, and what have we that other nations have not better than ourselves? Alas, if we labour not to maintain truth, we may say with Eli's daughter, 'The glory of God has departed from us' (1 Sam. 4:21). I beseech you, let us highly esteem the gospel, while we do enjoy it. If we allow that to be shaken in any way, our peace and prosperity will leave us, and judgment upon judgment will come upon us. If we will not regard the truth of God, which he esteems most, he will take away outward prosperity, which we esteem most.
Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Church's Visitation, Works, vol. 1, pp. 382-83
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
The Church's Visitation, Works, vol. 1, pp. 382-83
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
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