I. What the written word of God, the holy scriptures, informs us, concerning the ultimate purpose of earthquakes.
II. What we can learn from profane history.
III. To conclude with our text, that they are strictly and properly divine judgments; because he was wroth.
Ever since the earth began, earthquakes have been look'd on as extraordinary appearances, among the prodigies of nature, and executioners of divine justice. In the case of Korah, the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up; and their houses, and all the men that pertained unto them; and all their goods.
In the miraculous victory obtain'd by Jonathan, and his armor-bearer, over the army of the Philistines, I. Sam. xiv. There was a panic terror infus'd into the Philistines, and an earthquake: it is call'd a very great trembling of God. What the heathen attributed to Pan, an imaginary deity of their own making: the Hebrews rightly refer'd to the true cause, the first, and supreme.
In the new testament, at our Saviour's death, there was a great earthquake, which was altogether miraculous; as much as the eclipse of the sun then. The elements might well sympathize with the God of nature. The sun was darkened, the vail of the temple was rent in twain; the earth did quake, the rocks rent.
Again, at his resurrection, Matt. xxviii. 2. There was a great earthquake. The angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
Matt. xxvii. 54. When the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, they feared greatly. See the consequence of it in one place; and thus in another:
Acts iv. 31. The Apostles, in the infant church, when praying, the place was shaken, where they were assembled together: and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. The heathen centurion feared upon the earthquake: The christians praying, were filled with the Holy Ghost.