A True ACCOUNT of the BEHAVIOUR OF Thomas Randal< no role > , Who was Executed at STONE-BRIDGE , For Killing the QUAKER, On Wednesday the 29January1695/6 .

On the Lord's Day, after the Condemnation of the Criminals, the Ordinary Preacht on this Text. viz.

PSAL. xc. Vers. II. Who knows the power of thy Anger?

The Doctrinal Observation.

THO God's Anger be infinite in it self, and be the Declarations of his just displeasure against Sin and Sinners, yet it is no otherwise feareo, than as it works upon Mens Hearts, to amend the miscarriages of their Lives, and as it forms them to Reverential sincere Obedience to his sacred Laws.

In treating of this Observation, I shall shew these Particulars.

1. What is Anger properly in God.

2. In what respects God's Anger is declared in the Severity of it.

3. How Mens Presumption declares it self, in provoking God's Anger against themselves.

4. What is the difference 'twixt shavish Consternations at the penal effects of God's Anger, which vanish without any Impression of Reformation, and the genuine Fear of holy Persons.

5. From the whole Discourse, I shall set down some Rules and Motives to the Condemned, how they may not fall under the stroke of God's Severity.

First. What is Anger in God? It is not an Impotent Passion, as in Men, but an holy, well regulated Declaration of his Hatred against Sins in the just punishment of Sinners. This is without any disturbance of his Essential Blessedness, in the serene Injoyment of himself, and without any Injuriousness towards Men.

2ly. Tho God be infinitely arm'd with Power to destroy Sinners, yet he stirs not up his whole displeasure till Sinners despise the Riches of his Mercy and Goodness, design'd to lead them to Repentance and Amendment.

Men by hardning their Hearts in an obstinate Course of Sinning, fit themselves for eternal Destruction.

Thus final wilful Inpentiency lifts up its Head above all other Impieties, triumphing as it were over the Mercy and Goodness of God.

Such know not the Power of his Anger, who by an insensible Security plung their Souls in sensual Pleasures, till God's Justice suspend all Tenderness, and Triumph in their Destruction.

Second Head.

God's Anger in the Severity of it is declared in three Respects,

1. In wounding the Consciences of the most insolent audacious Sinners, when they most bless themselves in their Impieties, as presuming that they shall defeat the stroke of Vindictive Justice.

2. In Punishing Sin with Sin, with Blindness of Mind, Hardness of Heart, desperate Obstupifaction in the Conscience.

This is not only an assuring Pledge of Eternal Torments, but the saddest Anticipation of them, as Sealing up inpenitent Sinners to the day of Wrath.

3. By punishing Sinners beyond the Grave, in subjecting them under an infinite and eternal weight of Wrath, ever coming and abiding, as the Curse on all incorrigible Sinners: The Hell of Hell being the perfect Consummation of their Wickedness.

Yet these dreadful effects of Divine Anger, tho infinite in it self, and eternal in those Punishments which it inflicts, makes little or no Impression on Mens Minds, Hearts, and Conversations, to awaken them to Repentance and Reformation.

Third Head.

How Mens Presumption declares it self, in provoking Gods Anger against themselves.

O consider the Power of God's Anger in time, lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you.

The stoutest Sinners have neither power nor fortitude of Mind to bear up under, much less to grapple with ahe wrathful Indignation of the Almighty.

What is this? It is not only God's Anger breaking forth into a flame of Wrath, but the utter loathing and Abhoring of the perverse Sinner, in the utter Rejection of him, so as to leave him justly to himself in filling up the measure of his Iniquities, till he be ripe for Destruction.

Is it any wonder, if the utmost severity of the Lord, take hold on such, who strengthen themselves in their Wickedness, yet are Impudent and Shameless, in sporting with those very Thunderbolts, which strike others dead, as Monuments of God's fiery Indignation? who is able to abide the day of the Lord's Wrath? Yet Presumptuous Sinners treasure it up, as If they were covetous to intaile Damnation on themselves. Let such consider, that Holy Persons dread the excellency of God's purity, when he comes to Search and Try the most innocent passages of their Lives; to refine them in their Conversations. Here argue thus: What Fearfulness will surprize all Hypocrites, to whom the just Lord arm'd with Fury, will not be a resining, but a consuming Fire, in the utmost Efforts of his vindictive Wrath to all eternity.

Fourth Head.

I shall to undeceive Hypocrites, state the difference 'twixt slavish Consternations, at the penal effects of God's Anger, which vanish without-any Impression of Reformation, and the genuine fear of holy Persons.

1. A true Penitent is troubled at the very remembrance of God's Holiness, as being vile in his own account, when he is most exact in his Obedience.

2ly. He grieves for the least Offence of God, even when he hath sealed his pardon, and is pacified towards him.

3ly. The true fear of God, is a settled Reverential Observance of him, which over rules a Saint. to a perfect hatred of the least Sin; it maintains an holy strict Discipline, in mortifying the inordinate Lustings of the Heart.

4ly. A real Penitent cannot enjoy himself with any Peace of Mind, unless he devote himself to serve the Lord in Reverential Love of him, for his Divine Excellency and Perfections: Thus the true fear of the Lord flows from Love, and is guarded by an holy humble Wariness, not to displease God by the least Remisness in any Circumstance of his Duty.