Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

SECT. III. Awful consideration of the Majesty, Justice, and Goodness of God.

Powerful Conviction of Sin, which leads to Salvation, takes its be∣ginning, and is carried on by the help of due consideration, of the Ma∣jesty, Justice, and Goodness of God. To which purpose the Lord cal∣leth upon the Wicked, Psal. 50. 22. after this majestick manner, Consi∣der this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to de∣liver you. The Prophet Habakkuk, upon contemplation of the Majesty of the Works of God, shews the Effect it produceth; Chap. 3. 16. When I heard, my Belly trembled; my Lips quivered at the Voice; rottenness entered into my Bones, and I trembled in my self, that I might rest in the day of trouble: When he cometh up unto the People, he will invade them with his Troops. Here we are moved to consider the Majesty and Justice of God, from the observation of what he did to his implacable Enemies of old time, and thence to learn, that he will certainly punish Iniquity: Yea, how often are the Children of Men stirred up to consider what God did to Phara∣oh, Baalam, the Egyptians, and the Midianites, that so they might be∣ware of provoking the Eyes of his Jealousie, by sinning against him. Yea, and from these his proceedings with Sinners, is his Righteousness understood, as we read, Micah 6. 5.

It is the Son that considereth, which turneth from the sinful way, Ezek. 18. 28. whilst the careless and forgetful Fools consider not that they do evil, Eccles. 5. 1. When God would convict Israel of Sin, he doth it by provoking them to consider their ways, and his Judgments that were upon them for Sin, Hag. 1. 5, &c. He that doth not consider that God, in whose Power is the Breath of his Nostrils, will never turn to him, but flatters himself with a perswasion, that God is such an one as himself, Psal.

50. 20. Or else, that their doings are not very ill, though never so wicked, Mal. 4. 13. What, have we spoken so much against thee? But con∣trariwise the considerate Soul cryeth out, Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight, Psal. 51. 4. Certainly, the want of Consideration staves off Conviction, and makes Men give their Souls wicked counsel; as may be seen, Luke 12. 19. Soul, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry: Which may provoke God in justice, even at that very time, to take away their Souls. Let Men therefore consider the se∣verity of God, who (however they flatter themselves) hath said, I will reprove thee, and set thy Sins in order before thee. And again, God shall wound the Head of his Enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his Trespasses, Psal. 68. 21. Let us therefore behold, and consider the goodness and severity of God; his severity to them that fell from him, his goodness to them that continue in his goodness; otherwise they must know a time of cutting off.

The consideration of the brevity of our Life, is a strong motive to Conviction; and hence God himself breatheth forth these Expressions, O that they were wise, that they would consider their latter end, Deut. 32. 29. That David might know how frail (infirm and weak) he was, prays that God would make him to know his end, and the measure of his days, Psal. 39. 4. It is in vain for any to hope for Remission of Sin, who have not been convicted of, and humbled for it in this World; for when our Savi∣our saith, Except ye repent, ye shall all perish, Luke 13. 3. He points us to a Work which we must pass through before our end come.

The most important Motive to this powerful and effectual Conviction whereof we speak, is that unspeakable Goodness of God manifested in Christ. For how canst thou see the condescension of thy God to send his Son to die for thee, and thou not consider what manner of Love this is? Shall God stretch out his hand all the day long, and wilt thou not regard it? Doth he beseech thee to be reconciled to him, and wilt thou not observe him to comply with such tenders? 2 Cor. 5. 20. Wilt thou harden still thy impenitent Heart, and so treasure up to thy self Wrath against the Day of Wrath? Rom. 1. O foolish People and unwise, do ye thus requite the Lord? Is not He thy Father that hath bought thee? &c. Consider therefore how great things he hath done for you, Deut. 32. 6. 1 Sam. 12. 24.