Leviticus 26

This chapter, which mostly corresponds with Deut. xxviii. is quished in him, and the covenant of God stands fast with them for ever and ever. But how dreadful the punishment of such as are obstinate in wickedness! While they wickedly proceed from evil to worse, the judgments of God justly increase in their number and degree; and such as remain, unhumbled under afflictions from God, and convictions from their own conscience, have nothing to expect but wrath to the uttermost. Such as dare to contend with their Maker will find the struggle most unequal. Disappointments, diseases, evil beasts, sword, famine, pestilences, captivity; and, in fine, death and hell; wait his call to destroy them. How dreadful then is the nature of sin! How certain the ruin of impenitent sinners! Aggravated is their guilt whom mercies cannot engage or corrections deter: and God will be just to give up those to despair and death in sin, who give up themselves to work wickedness with greediness. But behold how all who return to God, even though late, are graciously received by him! It is his grace, concurring with his afflictive providences, that softens the stupid and hardened heart, and humbles the sinner; that renders him patient under his troubles, but earnestly anxious to escape from his sins;—renders him more solicitous to have the end of afflictions answered than to have the burden of them removed; and then marvellously God remembers mercy in the midst of judgments; and opens to the believing mind a firm foundation of hopes, and gracious source of blessings, in Jesus and his covenant of grace! Amidst such fulness of merit, and freedom of promise, none need despair, relying thereon. Blessing God for my pious ancestors, and the benefits I enjoy through them, following in their steps, let me deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Fire Christ 1490