Signs of God's Impending Judgment (2)

(Sign 4) When sin grows ripe, and abounds in a land or nation, at such time as this a man may know there is some fearful judgment approaching. But when is sin ripe? When it is impudent; when men grow bold in sin, making it their whole course and trade of life. When men's wicked courses are their common lifestyle, and they don't even know how to do otherwise. When sin grows common and spreads far. It is an ill plea to say, 'Others do as I do.' The more sin, the more danger. When men are secure in their sinning, it is as if they are daring the God of heaven to do his worst. The old world was very secure in their sinning. They mocked at holy Noah when he made the ark, as if he was a doting old man. Notwithstanding, he foretold them of the wrath to come. Our Saviour said, 'Before the end of the world it will be as in the days of Noah' (Matt. 24:38). If we have the same course and security in sinning, we must look for the same judgments. Compare times with times. If the times now are like the former times, when God judged them, we may well expect the same fearful judgments to fall upon us.
(Sign 5) Unfruitfulness threatens a judgment upon a people. God expects and looks for fruitfulness. The fig tree in the gospel had some respite given it by reason of the prayers of the vinedresser; but afterward, when it brought forth no fruit, it was cut down and cast into the fire. Beloved, who among us would endure a barren tree in his garden? That which is not fit for fruit is most fit for fire. We can endure a barren tree in the wilderness, but not in our orchards. When God, the great husbandman in his church, sees that upon so great and continual cost bestowed upon us, we remain yet unfruitful, he will not allow us long to burden the ground of his church.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Church's Visitation, Works, vol. 1, pp. 379-80
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