Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-08-16
From the American Messenger,
Divine Jud9monts.

| From the American Messenger,
! Divine Judgments.
"Judge not, that We be not judged" is
a divine caution never to be forgotten
There Is no doubt much sin committed in
unjustly thinking our afflicted brethren
and neighbors to be under the marked
judgments of heaven, when they are but
receiving fatherly correction. Jobs three
friends insisted that some great sin was
the special cause Of his sufferings. Those
on whom the tower in Sloan fell, and
those whose blood Plate mingled with
their sacrifices, were by their cotempora-
ries thought to have suffered as they did
because they were more wicked than their
neighbors. This was not SO, as Christ
taught. When Gilbert Tennent's house
was struck, and himself stunned by light
ming, he found many superstitious people
who believed that it was a judgment up
on him. He felt called to preach dis
course to correct this prejudice. Let US
be slow in Judging another mans servant.
Let US remember, that we may show a
censorious and wicked spirit in this as
we'll as in any other way.
At the same time it is impossible to re-
fuse all belief of divine judgments upon
wicked men. Does any pious man doubt
that the miserable end of Achan, of Korah,
of Nadab and Abihu, of Saul, OF Absalom,
of the three Herods, Of Ananias and Sap
phira, were designed by God as proofs Of
his adherence Of their daring wicked
ness?
Of thirty Roman emperors, or high off,
GERS, who were conspicuous in persecu-
ting the early Christians, one became
speedily deranged after an atrocious act of
cruelty; one was slain by his own son
the eyes of one started from their sockets
one was drowned; one was stangled; one
died in miserable captivity one fell
dead in manner that will not bear reci-
tai one died Of so loathsome disease that
several Of his physicians were put to
death because they could not remain with
him; two committed suicide /; third at
tempted it, but had to call for aid to finish
:. his work; five were assasinated by their
own people or servants FIVE others died
in the most horrible anguish, having com.
plication of loathsome diseases, and eight
were killed in battle, or after being taken
prisoners. Lucian barked like dog at
religion, and was devoured by dogs
Bloody and deceitful men shall not live
out half their days."
In more modern times, we have many
instances Of men waxing bold in sin, and
called in very sudden and terrible man
ner into the presence Of God. There are
several instances Of men under oath swear
ing falsely, growing pale, trembling, and
falling dead. One cursed the dice, and
said, if he ever touched them again, he
wished his Maker might strike him dead.
Not long after, he went to play again, but
Tell dead. Some years ago . young man
in pleas on the Sabbath was ad-
vised to come on shore, as cloud was RI
sing. De!ying his Maker, he said, 81 can
steer this boat to hell" In less than an
hour he found a watery grave. A father
and son quarreling, the latter dragged the
former by the hair to the door. "Stop,
stop now," said the old man, shat is as
far as pulled my father by his hair. -
Seest thou that poor helpless man, who
can no longer walk or crawl. That man
was once the strongest in his country
He was great in resting. He once boas-
ted that he could throw Jesus Christ
That very day he ceased to walk. Some
events are SO strange, SO sudden, so mark
cd by condolences, that charity and .scep-
ticism alike admit, that verify there is a
God that judgeth in the earth.
1t is true indeed, and very gladly and
thankfully should we acknowledge the
truth, that mercy triumphs over judgment
in the sordinary administration of Gods
government over the world. Judgmen,
is indeed his strange work." He de.
lighteth not in it. If he did, we should
all be consumed, and that without delay
and without remedy. There is mercy with
God, that he may be feared. But If men
will not be restrained and kept in awe by
mercy, let them know that God has vast
magazines Of storms and plaques, which
at his pleasure he will let loose upon them.
Let the potsherds strive, if they will, with
one another but "wo unto him that stri.
veth with his Maker" Who hath har.
dened himself against God and prosp
ed ?" He shall have judgment withoa,
mercy, who hath showed no mercy."-
He that, being often reproved, harden
eth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed
and that without remedy" What means
these awful words of Scripture, if they dc
not teach that there is point beyond
which mercy will not follow the guilty
but when he is delivered over, as Sodom
was, to the just and terrible avengings Of
him whose name is Jehovah
The right use Of such judgments as God
may visit on others, is to learn from them
to be wise. "When the judgments oil
God are abroad in the earth, the inhabit-
ants thereof shall learn righteousness. -
Who is wise, but he that studies with a
docile temper Gods word and Gods prov
idence? The latter is an exhaustless treas
ure Of wisdom, especially as explained by
the former. (" He that will observe the
wonderful providences Of God, shall have
wonderful providences Of God to OBJ
serve." The volume Of providences is
vast. A new leaf is turned over every
day. Blessed is he whose eyes are to-
wards the hand of God, as the eyes of a
servant are to the hand Of his master.
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