A Day of Darkness

Copy examin'd,

per J. WILLARD, Secry.

An ELECTION-SERMON.

A Day of Darkness.

ZEPHANIAH was sent to GOD'S people in the days of Josiah king of Judah, whose reign was vastly different from that of his father Amon. Of Amon we read, [2 Kings 21 20] That he did evil in the sight of the Lord, served idols, and forsook the God of his fathers: But when Josiah his son came to the Throne, instead of treading in his father's steps, he soon set about a work of reformation among the people, and was greatly succeeded in his endeavours for that end.— But yet after a while, the time p. 6came, when this great and good work abated, and the people shamefully return'd to their old sins again— Upon this, God sent his servant the prophet to them, to reprove them for their sins, warn them of the judgments that were coming on them, and to persuade them to repent of their evil deeds, that so God might turn from the fierceness of his anger, and repent of the evil, he had tho't to do unto them.

THE particular judgment they were threatned with was the coming of their BABYLONISH enemies, who should make great havock, and slaughter among them; which is here call'd the day of the Lord's sacrifice [context. verse 8.] . because much blood would then be shed, and the slain of the Lord be multiplied—and left they should put this evil day far away, the prophet assured them, that it was near, and hasted greatly. [verse 14.] And that he might thro'ly awaken them, he speaks of this day of their calamity, which was hastening on them, in all the expressions of dread and terror that can be. He therefore calls it, the Day of the Lord, the great day of the Lord, a day of wrath, of trouble, and distress; a day of wasteness, and desolation; and in the words I have chosen for my text— a day of darkness, i. e. a day of great calamity, and distress, a day when every thing round them should look with a dark and melancholly aspect on them.

p. 7Now, as this was the case of God's people then, so it also sometimes is, of a people at this day; and I can't but think, that they whose hearts are wise to discern time and judgment, look upon this to be very much our own case, and think the present day, a day of darkness with us. And if so, then I hope, it will not be tho't, altogether foreign to the business of this day; if, instead of discoursing of the divine original of civil government, and how great a blessing it is to mankind; of the qualifications of civil rulers, and their duty to the people under their government; and also, the duty of a people to those in civil authority over them; (which are subjects that have been so often handled, on this anniversary solemnity) I should come to you with a few meditations, on the words I have pitched upon for my text—a day of darkness.

p. 7HERE in discoursing from them, I shall endeavour, by divine help, to consider, and shew these two things.

1. WHEN it may be said to be a day of darkness with a people; or when their case may be dark and melancholly.

2. WHAT is the duty of a people at such a day.

1. WHEN it may be said to be a day of darkness with a people; or when their case may be p. 8dark and melancholly. And here it may be said,—it is such a day with them,

1. WHEN it is a day of great apostacy and declension, and many heaven-provoking sins are to be seen in the midst of them.—So contrary both to the law and nature of God is sin, that he can't but be provok'd with it, and it is peculiarly offensive to him in his own covenantpeople; nor will he let it go unpunish'd in them. You only have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore will I punish you, for all your iniquities. [Amos 3.2.] Shall I not visit for these things saith the Lord? shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? [Jer. 5.29.]

ISRAEL were a peculiar people to him, and a people for whom he had done more, than for any other nation under heaven; but they became very sinful and apostate: and therefore he bro't that charge against them, [Isa. 1, 2, 3, 4.] I have nourish'd, and brought up children, but they have rebelled against me; the ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his masters crib, but my people doth not know, Israel doth not consider; and the lamentation made over them; Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, &c. And the heaven and earth were called to witness against them, and to stand amaz'd at their ingratitude and rebellion, — Be astonished, O ye heavens at this, and be horribly afraid; be p. 9ye very desolate, saith the Lord; for my people have committed two evils, they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water. [Jer. 2.12; I3.]

AND as that was the case of God's antient people, so it may be the case of a people at this day; and when it is so, they are in a very sad and melancholly one; for what can have a darker, aspect on them, than the abounding of drunkeness, prophaneness, uncleanness, covetousness, injustice, extortion, oppression, &c? verily, when this is their case, they may well tremble for fear of God, and be afraid of his judgments—These and such like sins, may turn the smiles of providence into frowns, and pull down the judgments of heaven on them, and herefor, God may be provoked to make them desolate, a land not inhabited.

p. 9Again,

2. SUCH a day it is also with a people, when religion, pure and undefiled religion, which was once their glory, is apace languishing and dying; among them—Religion is an honour both to particular persons, and also to a people …