Verse 7

VER. 7.

The days of Visitation are come, the days of Recompence are come. And of Recompence.

God has his set time for the execution of judgment.

What good is it to a malefactor that he is let alone a while in the prison, when he knows that at such a day of the month must be the day of his execution?

The day of Visitation and Recompence, that is, of enquiry for all your evil.

Your judgments they are none other but recompences; you may have vain pleas and reasons to justify yourselves, but when God comes to visit you he will deal with you in a way of recompence proportionable to your ways. If you would fall down and acknowledge your sins and your need of mercy, then it may be you may find mercy; but if you will stand to justify yourselves, then expect that God when he comes, will come in a way of recompence.

And now my brethren, Oh! what a desperate venture is this, that men will venture to deal with God in a way of recompence, whereas you may be dealt withal in a way of mercy?

You will say, Who are those that will deal with God in a way of recompence?

Certainly those that will plead and justify themselves, and will say, God knows I do what I can, and this is not so much my fault as others: then expect that God when he comes to deal with you he will have your pleas to be fully examined, and if it prove that your pleas will hold, you shall have accordingly; and if it prove that your pleas shall be found false, then you shall be dealt withal in a way of justice. Will you venture? Dare any of you venture upon your pleas to stand it out? If you say, you do what you can, you will be tried by it, and you shall be recompenced accordingly; and if it be found indeed that you do what you can, you shall be saved; but if it be found you have not done what you could, you shall perish eternally. Will you venture? Certainly, whatever you stand pleading to justify yourselves by, you may expect that God will deal with you in a way of recompence.