bondage of Corruption the cords of Vanity the snare of Satan and has both a Will and Power given him to Convert to God and to continue and abide with him 'T is manifest upon all these accounts that the Word has a fitness to be a means of Conversion In the third place I am to tell you what kind of Means the Word is 1. The Word is a Means of Gods own appointing Divine Institution is a thing of very great significancy God indeed can work without means and against them but if he is pleased to appoint them they deserve to be used and shall not be used in vain if they are used seriously God appointed seven Trumpets of Rams horns to be blown and at length the blast is more powerful than a battering Ram the Walls of Jericho fall down to the ground and the City is delivered into the hand of Israel Josh 6. 4 20. God has appointed the Ministers of the Gospel to lift up their Voices like a Trumpet to shew the Transgressours their Iniquities to cry to them to turn The Word is with Power the strongest holds of the Prince of Darkness fall down before it he is cast out his works destroyed where before he had the surest Possession The Word is ordained of God as the Means of Conversion 't is dangerous and a great Contempt of God himself to neglect it and truly after a careless manner to attend upon it is the way to grow more hard-hearted and dead in Sin under it 2. The Word is usually most Powerful when Preached Reading of the word must be granted an Ordinance of great use 〈◊〉 When our Lord was asked by a man what he should do that he might inherit Eternal Life He answers What is written in the Law how readest thou Luk. 10. 26. He that would inherit Eternal Life it concerns him diligently to read the Word which instructs him in the way thither Not only those of a lower condition but those of the highest Estate are to read the Word all the dayes of their lives the Word of God is the best Counsellour even of King◠themselves Deut. 17. 18 19. The way to Heaven is one and the same both for the High and Low. The Word is to be read not only Privately but Publickly such publick reading has a warrant in the New Testament as well as the Old 1 Thes 5. 27. I charge you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I adjure you by the Lord that this Epistle be read unto a◠the Holy Brethren And publick reading is mentioned no less than three times in one verse Col. 4. 16. And when this Epistle i◠read amongst you cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans and that ye likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea Certainly the Scripture is not so obscure but that it may be read before the Congregation to their Spiritual Benefit Yet the Preaching the opening and applying of the Word of God has a special Honour put upon it as to the working of Conversion and Faith Rom. 10. 14 15. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed and how shall they believe on Him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a Preacher and how shall they Preach except they be sent as it is written How beautiful are the Feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace that bring glad tidings of good things They that are sent of God scripturally qualified separated and set apart to the work of the Ministry 't is their great business to Preach the Word to be instant in season out of season to reprove rebuke exhort with all long-suffering and Doctrine 2 Tim. 4. 2. And when in Sincerity with an earnest desire to win Souls they make the Truth manifest and endeavour to commend themselves to every mans Conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4. 2. the Word of God is the more likely to reach the Conscience and to touch and turn the Heart to Him. Glorious things have been done by Preaching The twelve Apostles and if you will add a thirteenth the Apostle Paul how powerful was the Word in their Mouths to the Worlds Conversion They did not as they were slander'd turn the world upside down but were blessed Instruments to turn it to God and to deliver it out of that Idolatry Superstition Ignorance and Wickedness in which it had lain buried for many ages 3. The Word of God is the highest means of Conversion Psal 138. 2. Thou hast magnified thy VVord above all thy Name Here chiefly thou doest make thy self known in the powerful Effects of thy Grace and Spirit and in the accomplishment of the Promises which thou hast made The design of Mercies is that this VVord may be more minded Rom. 12. 1 2. I beseech you therefore Brethren by the Mercies of God that ye present your Bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable which is your reasonable service And be not conformed to this VVorld but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds that ye may prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect VVill of God. Mercies are cords of love to draw us to the Lord and to constrain us to keep his Word and Commandments The end of Affliction is to turn our Eyes and Hearts and Feet into the way of Gods Testimonies The Psalmist tells us Before he was afflicted he went astray but after he kept the VVord with greater care Psal 119. 67. and he adds v. 71. 72. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes the Law of thy Mouth is better unto me than thousands of Gold and Silver Affliction is sent to humble for Transgression to reduce the wandring Soul and to bring it back to the Word of God and when this Word is truly heeded received and highly prized then the Soul is indeed Converted The Word declares the meaning of Mercies the Word is the Tongue that utters the voice and message of the Rod The Word directs what to pray for and how to pray so as to speed and instructs about every other Ordinance 4. If the Word be ineffectual to Conversion alas what is likely to become efficacious When Wisdom had cryed long and upbraided foolish Sinners with their hating Knowledge when they had been called to turn with a proffer of the Spirit to be poured out but they refused still their case is set forth as desperate because the Word being rejected hated and cast behind their back nothing was likely to do or to make them good dreadful and utter Destruction is threatned and instead of being pitied they are told they shall be derided and laught at in their ruine Prov. 1. 20 30. When the Rich man in Hell intreated that One might be sent from the dead to warn his sive secure impenitent Brethren lest they should also come at last into the Place of Torment The Answere first is They have Moses and the Prophets
on Earth take such an Answer Surely it must needs anger the God of Heaven who bids you turn to day to say that seven and seven and seven years after that will be time enough to do it The Spirit urges to present Conversion delay vexes the Holy Ghost and being vexed he may give over striving Gen. 6. 3. My Spirit shall not alwaies strive with man. And if he be quite gone Conversion becomes impossible you never never can or will be turned 3. Delay hardens the unconverted Satans holds are stronger Sin is rooted deeper Conscience is more stupified Custom in Sin more fully takes away the Sense of it And surely the more dead asleep the Conscience is the more unlikely 't is to be awakened the more the Heart is like an Adamant stone the more improbable 't is that ever it should be mollified 4. Delayes are unconceivably dangerous 't is far greater folly to defer thy turning to God than if thou shouldst defer the cutting off a Grangren'd member or than if thy house were on fire and thou shouldst say A twelve month or seven year hence were time enough to put out the flame Martial has an excellent Epigram against delaying the amendment of the Life lib. 5. Epig. 58. Cras te victurum cras dicis Posthume semper Dic mihi cras istud Posthume quando venit Quam longe est cras istud ubi est aut unde petendum Nunquid apud Parthos Armeniosque latet Jam cras istud habet Priami vel Nestoris annos Cras istud quanti dic mihi possit emi Cras vives hodie jam vivere Posthume serum est Ille sapit quisquis Posthume vixit heri The design of the Poet is to shew that purposes of future amendment are idle and vain that to amend presently is late enough and that it would have been true Wisdom to have done it long ago Obj. 10. The last Objection against Conversion is that of Despairing Sinners Oh! say they we are afraid 't is quite too late to turn to God. He has called long but we have as long refused he has stretched forth his hand but we have still been stiff-necked and gainsaying If we had turned sooner we might have hoped but now our Sins are so increased over our heads and we have persisted so long in our rebellion that we quite despair of Pardon and Reception Ans 1. God calls those to turn who sinn'd long and with an high hand nay with their whole might Jer. 3. 5 7. Behold thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest And I said after she had done all these things Turn thou unto me Those that have sliden back with a perpetual backsliding are invited to return to God from whom they have deeply revolted such a call you have Jer. 3. 22. and the call is hearkned to and obeyed Return ye backsliding Children and I will heal your backslidings behold we come to thee for thou art the Lord our God. 2. Some have been Converted very late Grace has recover'd them that have been very far gone in Sin and by Sin have been brought to the very brink of the bottomless pit Some have been Converted not only at the ninth hour but at the eleventh hour nay at the last moment of the twelfth hour of the day To prevent despair we have one instance of a Man that began to live when he was just dying and that was the Penitent Thief upon the Cross his Soul was joyn'd to Jesus by a true Faith just before 't was separated from his Body his Heart was changed not many moments before his great change But do we find any more such instances in Scripture No. One we find to prevent Despair but one to check Presumption and foolish Procrastination That Thief upon the Cross seems though just before so great a Sinner of a sudden to be made the greatest Believer upon Earth a Hic Latro rarum memorabilâ— fidei exemplum altius penetrâ—â— quam Apostoli omnes Christum in patibulo Regem adorat Regnum ejus celebrat in borrendâ plusquam deformi abjectionâ— moribunduâ— pronunciat vitae Authorem Calvin ad Luc. 23 43. As Calvin observes concerning him he did altius peneâ—rare pierce deeper into the mystery of Christ Crucified than at that present all the Apostles did they were all offended at the Cross but this poor Penitent places his Confidence in that which was their scandal and he sees Life and Salvation in Christ when Christ and himself were both dying 3. Though you that have deferr'd Conversion long ought bitterly to bewail your former obstinacy yet add not the Sin of despair to all the rest A great many years spent in wickedness should be reflected on with serious sorrow and self-condemning Yet say not there is no hope for this will neither better your Estate nor you Despair is a greater sin than most are aware of reflecting much dishonour upon the Grace and Mercy of God which 't is his special design to glorifie in the Gospel Eph. 1. 6. Despair is a disparaging of and a Sinning against our Lord Jesus who came into the World to save Sinners and the very Chief of Sinners 1 Tim. 1. 15. and how contrary is this despair unto the holy Spirit the Comforter And as despair is evil in its own Nature and very unreasonable so 't is evil in its tendency it either tends to self-murther Hope was first kill'd in Judas and then Judas kills himself Mat. 27. 4 5. or else it issues in profaneness when Sinners conclude their Case is desperate and that they shall certainly be damn'd at last 't is not unusual for them to resolve to enjoy all the Pleasures and gain of Sin while they may and to endeavour to expell their fad and self-tormenting Thoughts by sensuality and earthly-mindedness Jer. 2. 25. Judah first sayes There is no hope and then resolves upon a continuance and greater eagerness in an evil way I have loved strangers and after them will I go But pray mistake not the Nature of Despair You must despair of Saving your selves by your own Worth and Power you must despair of ever obtaining Mercy if resolved still to go on in your trespasses But 4. If now at last you are but truly willing to turn to turn to God to turn from all Sin and to turn with all your Heart God is much more willing to turn you to turn to you and to shew you Mercy None ever turn'd and was rejected none ever truly desired Grace to turn and went to Hell without it and perisht unconverted When Ephraim cryed Turn thou me and I shall be turned God surely heard him Jer. 31. 18. and v. 20. he sayes Mâ— Bowels are troubled for him and I will surely have mercy upon him Thus I have answered the Objections against Conversion I have endeavour'd to level the Mountains and Hills to fill the Valleys to make the Crooked straight and the Rough wayes smooth and plain that
God is meer madness 't is disobedience to the highest Soveraign 't is base ingratitude against the highest Kindness 't is in effect the charging the God of Grace and Truth with falshood and ill-will 't is a rejecting the best and safest Counsel and 't is the way to engage the great Jehovah to be much more an enemy by refusing to turn and be reconciled to Him. 4. Consider what the Lords design is in requiring you to become Converts He could glorifie his Truth and Righteousness and make his Power known in executing vengeance and in punishing you with everlasting Destruction but he chuses rather to magnifie his Mercy and Grace therefore he waits to be Gracious Isa 30. 18. and if he be exalted that he may shew Mercy his Mercy will be exceeding plenteous and glorious in the blessed Effects of it if you forsake your evil wayes and thoughts and turn to him In turning you to himself the Lord designs to demonstrate that his Grace can superabound where Sin never so much abounds he designs to shew forth the merit of his Sons blood and the Power of his Spirit he designs to new make what sin had marr'd and to produce Vessels of honour out of the corrupt masse of defiled Clay In short he does design to form you for himself that you may be most blessed for ever in himself and both here and eternally shew forth his Praises And what colour or shadow of Reason is there that you should walk contrary to such a God that you should thwart and oppose such gracious Designs by refusing to return 5. Turn ye Why wo'nt you Live Is Alsufficiency to be lookt upon as empty the chiefest good become evil in your Eyes Are you fallen out with the truest felicity as if it were not at all desirable Is the perfection of Happiness fear'd as if 't were Misery Is Heaven shunn'd as if 't were Hell and do you avoid the Path that leads to it that you may be sure never to come thither These are strange Interrogatories but they serve for Conviction that those who will not turn may be sensible they wrong their own Souls Prov. 8. 36. in contemning the tender of Eternal Life and Salvation 6. Turn ye Why will ye Dye Is the Guilt of Sin become a light matter the Wrath of the Almighty easie to be born do you make a mock of that which makes the whole Creation groan and travel in pain together Rom. 8. 22. Is it no longer fearful to fall into the hands of the Living God and has the second Death ceased to be terrible Are the Tears of the Damned dryed up Is their Sorrow turned into Joy Is the never-dying Worm to be hugg'd in your bosoms and everlasting Fire a thing to be play'd with Oh! What do you mean who will not turn Why do ye love Death Prov. 8. ult Why have ye the greatest hand in your own ruine Why are ye Devils to your selves Why do ye desperately rush on in Sin and in the end throw your selves down into everlasting Burnings 7. To perswade you to turn Consider Conversion is a thing that never was that never will be Repented of The Prophane in the other World at farthest repent they did not turn at all the Hypocrites repent they did not turn in truth but sincere Converts are glad they are so and see good reason still to continue so The Apostle tells us that the Gifts and Calling of God are without Repentance Rom. 11. 29. when he effectually Calls any and gives Converting Grace to them it is such a Gift that God never repents of bestowing neither ever does he take it quite away again It is such a Gift as Man never repents he has received but has good cause to desire that God would perfect what concerns him and not forsake the work of his own hand Psal 138. ult 8. Conversion will make you great Blessings in the places where you live Converts are the Horse-men and Chariots of Israel because as so many Princes they have power with the God of Israel Solomon tells us that Righteousness exalts a Nation Prov. 14. 34. The more Converts to Righteousness there are the more the Nation is beholding to them but Obstinate Sinners are not only their own but the Nations greatest Enemies When Gods Anger has been exceedingly provoked so that he has doom'd a Nation to Destruction Conversion even in this Case will do a kindness Jer. 18. 7 8. At what instant I speak concerning a Nation and concerning a Kingdom to pluck up and to pull down and to destroy it If that Nation against whom I have pronounced turn from their evil way I will repent of the evil that I thought to do to them Though England at this day has many Enemies whose Power and Policy is engaged against it yet it is chiefly endanger'd by its sins and wickedness A speedy and general Conversion to God would certainly be Englands security and establishment 9. If you are Converts in truth the News of it will be heard and known in Heaven and occasion Joy there Luk. 15. 10. I say unto you there is Joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one Sinner that repenteth The Angels did Sing at the Birth of a Saviour Glory be to God in the highest on Earth peace good Will towards Men and they rejoyce at the New-birth of all that are saved 10. Consider the vast difference that is between the End of Converts and those that dye Vnconverted They that are wise look not only at the begininng but to the end of things and they cannot think well of that which must needs end ill And Vnconverted Sinner dying is one of the saddest spectacles in the World he is leaving all his good things all his Consolation behind him he and his hopes dye together and whither does Death send him to the Bar of an Holy and Righteous God. 'T is a terrible Clause in the Statute of Dying After this the Judgment Heb. 9. 27. And how can the wicked Man who would live and did dye in his Sins be able to stand in Judgment Death comes to the Unconverted armed with a Sting with a Sting did I say nay the Stings are thousands and millions for every one of his Sins is a Sting in his Death and his Sins being more in number than the Stars of Heaven when Death seizes him how many Stings will pierce him and put him to Pain which will be Eternal If he dyes stupid 't is so much the worse for Hell being not fear'd or thought of when felt will be the more woful If he dyes in horrour alas the greatest Despair and Anguish on a Death-bed is no more to be compared with the Agonies of the Damned Spirits than a Whisper is to be compared with Thunder or the smallest Spark of fire is to be compared with those devouring Flames that in -66 did burn down London But on the other side how ends the Convert Death is a fall
I done with all the Doctrines but yet I have not done with you Words of instruction Solomon compares to Nayls Eccles 12. 11. I shall add a few strokes more to drive them home How can I with patience see any of you secure in Sin still fast asleep Under Satans power and upon the bottomless pits brink And every moment in danger of tumbling down into it Though some of you make light of Hell and more light of Sin that does deserve it yet I foresee how you will change your minds when once you feel what 't is to be there and I would fain prevent your going thither What shall I say how shall I do to prevail with you to become willing to a sincere Conversion and so escape eternal Misery and Confusion Once more I cry as loud and earnestly as I am able Tâ—rn ye Turn ye O ye youngest that are here turn to God Your whole time is short enough to provide for Eternity begin early to redeem it Can you be too soon safe and happy safe in being under the Wing of Christ happy in having the Lord to be your God and Father Oh ye Children become Converts Christ is ready to embrace you in his Arms and bless you I should not at all fear the Gospels going if I could behold much of the Work of Regeneration among the young generation O ye oldest Sinâ—rs Turn to God the door of Mercy is not quite shut though you have lived so long in Sin 'till you have one foot in the Grave Admirable Mystery and Miracle of Grace when those are in a spiritual sense New Born who were old both in Years and Wickedness Turn ye O you that have most Righteousness of your own for your Righteousness is filthy raggs and you have Sin enough to ruine you Turn ye O you that have been guilty of the greatest Transgressions for in the Lord is superabâ—ndant Grace enough and enough to save you If you will not Turn you gratifie the evil One the Enemy of your Salvation you Consent to be his Slavis and Prey and chuse rather to dwell with him in Torment than with the Lord in Glory If you will not turn you are Sâ—lâ—-haters not Accessariâ—s only but Principals in the Murthering of your own Souls It was a true saying of Salvian Nemo nobis Crâ—â—â—â—ior nobis none more Cruel none so cruel to sinful Man as he is to himself The very Prince of the Devils has not so great an hand in his Destruction If you will not turn immediately this very day hour moment it may quickly be too late Abused Mercy may go away for ever and God may now at last foreit who has long waited to be gracious The Axe before another Sabbath may be laid to the root of the Tree which bears nothing but the Grapes of Sodom and the Clustâ—s of Gomorrah A Sentence may be pronounced from Heaven Hâ—w down such a strange and degenerate Plant and cast it into fiâ—e unquenchable But if at last you see with with your Eyes and hear with your eaâ—s and understand with your hearts and turn to the Lord the Father will receive you with open arms of love and kindness his tenderest Bowels will be troubled for you and sure Mercies shall be yours Tâ— Lord Jesus will see of the travel of his Soul to his Satisfaction rejoycing that Children of Regeneration are born into his Church whâ— shall be Heirs of Glory The Comforter who was grieved and vexed at your resistance will be much pleased to see you yield and will delight to dwell in you and to fill you both with Grace and Peace Converting Grace whenever wrought on Earth causes a Neâ— Triumph above in Glory The Thrones Dominions the Cherubim the Seraphim that are there will sing a New Song of Praiâ— they will give glory to God in the Highest when more Sinners are begotten again to a lively Hope they will ascribe Blessing and Honour to the Lamb when more Souls are redeemed by his Blood. Have I been speaking unto Stocks and Stones or unto those who have Senses Souls and Reason If you will not turn that you may be saved I must confess 't were well if you had no Souls to lose for ever It was a Custom among the Ancient Romans to keep dead Bodies above ground several dayes and often to cry in their ears with a loud Voice to see if they were dead indeed And these were called Corpora conclamata Bodies that had been cryed unto in vain and then they were carried to their Burial May not your Souls O unconverted Sinners be called Animae conclamatae Souls that have been often cryed unto to turn and live But if you still refuse 't is a sign you are very dead indeed and you may quickly be buried in the fiery Tophet out of which you shall never rise more But alas all Pleadings Intreaties Arguments will be to little purpose unless there come a convincing Light a converting Power from above Cachedram habet in coelo qui corda docet in terrâ He has his Chair in Heaven who teaches hearts on Earth Oh that the glorious Spirit would come and breath upon the dead dry bones and inspire a Life that may never end That he would cause All even the most hardned and dead in sin to become Alive to God and have their fruit unto holiness that the end may be everlasting Life Let God arise and let his enemies be scatter'd Let Sin Satan and Mammon be forced to flee before Him that all Hearts possest by them may now submit to Him When the tongues of Men and Angels cannot prevail one powerful word from God can convert a multitude of Souls though they have been never so disobedient and gainsaying If the Lord will fill his Sanctuary with his Glory it will be to all unconverted Ones that are here the place of their new Birth and the very Gate of Heaven FINIS A WARNING GIVEN TO Secure Sinners TO Prepare for Judgment TO Flee from Wrath to Come AND Turn from All Sin BUT Especially the Sin which does most easily beset them By NATHANAEL VINCENT M. A. Minister of the Gospel Ezek. 33. 7. O Son of Man I have set thee a Watchman unto the house of Israel therefore thou shalt hear the Word at my Mouth and warn them from Me. LICENSED March 17th 1688. LONDON Printed by J. Astwood for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and three Crowns at the lower end of Cheap-side near Mercers-Chappel 1688. THE Epistle to the READER Reader WHen I Preached these following Sermons I had not the least thought of Publishing them They were taken from my Mouth by a dexterous and nimble hand that wrote almost every Word I utter'd I was very much sollicited to Print them and the Notes being written out fair and brought to me I have look'd them over and now they are presented to thee with a sincere Design that they may be beneficial to thee and not without Hope they will be so
was Sacrificed for us the Destroyer has power over them and they fall into eternal Predition In the third place I am to vindicate the Righteousness of God in thus dealing with and eternally punishing them that will not turn to Him And here 1. Let the Majesty and greatness of God be consider'd against whom all Sin is committed How much greater a Crime is it to strike a Prince upon the Throne than to strike a Peasant How much is Sin greatned being committed against the Highest Majesty of all who is infinitely Superiour to all other Powers Psal 104. 1. O Lord my God thou art very great thou art Cloathed with Honour and with Majesty Psal 145. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised and his greatness is unsearchable Sin is a Transgression of a Law enacted by the King of Heaven and is indeed a disowning of his Soveraign Authority as if he had no right to rule the Sinner Think of the infinite distance between the God who is offended and Man that is the Offender and how much Sin offends for it disowns his Government and strikes at his very Being for the Sinner wishes there were no God to be subject to I say think of all this and you will perceive that Sin deserves everlasting Punishment The carnal Mind thinks Hell too much for a Sinner to feel because it measures God by it self and thinks too little of the Glorious Jehovah 2. Sinners can never by all that they suffer themselves satisfie for their Iniquities therefore their punishment in Hell is justly endless No meer Creature can make satisfaction for Sin. If Christ the Mediatour had not been over all God blessed for ever by his Death and all his Sufferings he would never have made Peace His God-head put a real and infinite value upon the price he paid and made it sufficient for our Redemption The Damned in Hell cannot satisfie the Justice of God for their Transgressions therefore they justly are kept eternal Prisoners there It is above five Thousand Years ago that the Evil Angels were cast down to Hell by the punishment they have undergone have they made any Satisfaction for their offences No no still they have continued in their Enmity and deserved more punishment And from Satans utteâ— alienation from God and all goodness we may infer that Hell is not a place to mend any but Sin is hight'ned those that were bad on Earth become worse in Hell and are unalterably confirm'd in Evil. 3. The punishment of Sin in Hell is justly Eternal because Sin is insatiable Suppose a Sinner could live in this World to Eternity there is corruption enough in his Nature to make him an Offender of God unto Eternity If he were an everlasting Liver upon Earth he would be an everlasting Transgressour If the Carnal Heart would but speak out that would be its Language I would desire no other no greater happiness than that I might live here for ever that I might Sin here for ever This insatiable Nature of Sin this inclination and desire of the Sinner is known to the Heart-searcher therefore the punishment he inflicts is very Righteous tho 't is everlasting 4. For the Vindication of the Righteousness of God take notice what has been offered unto Sinners and rejected Christ is offered his justifying Righteousness his unsearchable Riches all his Fulness all the Benefits which he has purchased at so dear a Price and yet the offer is made light of How much is contemn'd when Christ is Contemn'd and how much of Sin is there in the Contempt The blessed God in the Glorious Gospel does call to Sinners to turn to him and what does he offer His own all-sufficient-self I my self am yours if you will turn to me and become sincerely mine I will be a God to you all my attributes shall be for you I will be your Shield and your exceeding great Reward and your Portion for ever Now for a Sinner to turn a Deaf Ear to all this is such a Sin as does deserve the Eternal loss of what is offer'd and the feeling of everlasting Wrath is just since such infinite and everlasting Goodness has been despised I might also add that the Sinner is told of this Eternal Punishment before-hand therefore if his Lusts are so dear that he will venture to be Damned rather than part with them when those Lusts that War against his Soul have quite undone him and brought him down to Hell indeed he cannot charge God with Injustice but he must blame himself because when warned of Hell and Wrath he would not fear and Flee from it I come now to the Applacation I begin with some Inferences that may be drawn from the Doctrine 1. If Sinners that will not turn shall be brought down to Hell certainly Sin is another kind of thing than is commonly imagined Oh Sin how much art thou mistaken Thou art very little understood on Earth In Heaven thou art better understood by Saints and full glad they are they are quite rid of thee In Hell thou art better understood by Sinners and they must Groan for ever under the weight of thee O all of you Study Hell more if you would know Sin more fully Gods severity towards Man for Sin argues it a very vast Evil. I am perswaded that all the Men upon Earth that all the Saints and Angels in Heaven since they cannot comprehend the greatness and goodness of God neither can they comprehend all the Evil that is in Sin And if God alone does fully understand how Evil Sin is he alone is the competent Judge what Punishment is due to it O exceeding sinful Sin Rom. 7. 13. thou canst not be called by so bad a Name as thy own is 2. Learn from hence the Misery of unconverted Sinners Are there none unconverted here I wish there were not Are there not many unconverted in this place I fear there are Seriously consider in what State you are You walk upon the Brink of Hell you Eat and Drink upon the Brink of Hell in your Shops at the Exchange you are still upon the Brink of Hell when you lye down at Night you Sleep upon the Brink of Hell. Oh what Hearts are yours that you can Sleep securely Is such a perilous State to be rested in In such danger and depths of Misery how should you cry to the Lord for mercy Psal 130. 1. Davids words are proper for a Sinner to make use of Psal 51. 1. Have mercy upon me O Lord according to thy loving kindness and according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my Transgressions 3. Hence I infer That they who refuse to turn to God are certainly besides themselves else the broken Cisterns would not draw them away from the Fountain of living waters and a little gain and pleasure would not make them venture to lye in Flames unquenchable God sayes Turn ye turn ye Will you turn or will ye not If you will you shall live if
2. The Note of attention Behold is used and again repeated and the instant of time Now is also ' twice mentioned God is pleased Now to Call it concerns Man in point of Duty Wisdom and Safety Now to Turn When the Holy Ghost sayes To day if ye will hear his Voice harden not your Hearts Heb. 3. 7 8. He plainly signifies that no Sinner in the World when he hears the Gospel Call should deferr his Conversion so much as one Day longer When the Psalmist turned He made haste and delayed not Psal 119. 60. which shewed that he turn'd indeed To make haste in Conversion is to resemble a Condemn'd Man who hastes to take out a proffer'd Pardon because every moment he is in danger of having the Sentence past upon him put in Execution 't is to resemble a Man that makes haste out of a City that is all in Flames 7. Conversion that is true is without any deceitful Reservations The sincere Convert has not an Heart and an Heart he does not divide it between God and Mammon between Christ and Belial between Grace and Sin but consents to be wholly the Lords and at the Lords command and dispose That Conversion which is not with the whole Heart is but a feigned Conversion Jer. 3. 10. He that turns in truth does not thus capitulate with God. Such and such sins I will cast away but some I resolve to keep and live in still because my Constitution strongly inclines me to them because I have much Wealth by them and take much Pleasure in them such and such Commands I will observe but some Precepts are too strict for me and these I will cast behind my back I am willing to suffer a little for Christ some reproach some loss I am content to undergo but I must be excused from Obedience when I am called to lose all that I have in the World and my Life too Commands thus to suffer are hard sayings who can hear them These reserves argue reigning and damnable Hypocrisie The sound Convert is perswaded that God requires no more but what is just and equal and really for the good of them that are to obey hereupon without any limitation or exception he sayes Lord Let thy Will be done by me in me and upon me for thy Will is my Sanctification and whatever thou command'st me to do or suffer my Obeeience whether active or passive will turn to thy Glory to my own Comfort and Salvation 8. Conversion is an inward thing Rom. 2. 29. He is a Jew that is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the Heart in the Spirit and not in the Letter whose Praise is not of Men but of God. There is that in Conversion which the eyes of those that are about us cannot see but 't is apparent to Him that searches the heart and tries the reins and has pleasure in uprightness Converting Grace reaches the inward parts pierces into the very Soul and there the greatest change is wrought there is a new light in the Mind and Conscience there is a new bent and disposition in the Heart the Soul has Wisdom put into it that before was foolish becomes true to God and to it self that before was false and unfaithful unto both there is a spiritual mysterious Life in the Soul which before was dead and this Life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3. 3. He whose religion lies all in the outside he may look like a Convert but never was Converted Colour and Form he may have but he wants depth and substance The Heathen World saw a necessity of inward Religion One says that God is Purâ mente colendus To be Worshipped with a pure Mind Another sayes Compositum jus fasque animo sanctosque recessus Mentis c. Honesty and uprightness of Heart and a moral Life is more pleasing to God than the costliest Sacrifices 9. Conversion though an inward thing yet shews it self visibly in an answerable Conversation Grace is an active Principle and where 't is wrought in the Heart 't will have an apparent influence upon the outward man 1 Joh. 3. 7. Little Children let no man deceive you he that doth righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous As the Apostle sayes Shew me thy Faith by thy VVorks so may I say Shew me thy Conversion to God by thy godly Conversation If the Heart be turned Grace will shew it self in the Eyes by looks that are humble and modest a Covenant being made with them that they turn away from beholding Vanity Grace will breath out at the lips in Prayer Praises holy and edifying Communications And the Tongue will be laid under the law of Love and Kindness Grace will tye up the Hands from being employed in the unfruitful works of darkness but active they shall be in deeds of Righteousness and open and liberal in acts of Charity and Mercy Grace will hinder the Feet from running to evil the Path shall be ponder'd and the VVayes stâ—all be established 10. Conversion is gradual We read in Scripture of different degrees of Grace All Converts are not of the same Age Strength and Stature The Apostle speaks of little Children of young Men and of Fathers 1 Joh. 2. 12 13. The little Child has as truly the Nature and all the Parts of a Man as he that is grown up unto full maturity but the grown Mans Parts and Members are much stronger than those of the other The young Convert has all the Parts of the new Creature he is renewed in the whole Man after the Image of God though he be not wholly but only in part renewed And 't is the Work of God who has begun this good VVork of renovation by degrees to perfect it The weakest Converts that are true are not disregarded Mat. 12. 20. A bruised reed shall he not break and smoaking flax shall he not quench 'till he send forth judgment unto Victory The bruised reed signifies the Converts great Infirmity the smoaking flax the noysom mixture of much Sin with that little Grace he has received yet that Grace is not though small despised but cherished and increased and hereby our Lord shews himself the true Messiah a Saviour to the uttermost Thus Judgment is brought forth to Victory and Truth The strongest Converts are still to grow stronger There is some remaining Sin in the best of Saints which they are still to be turning from and purging out neither are any of them come so near or become so like to God but they may be much nearer and liker to him At first breaking of the Day there is much darkness with the light but by degrees the light increases prevails against and expels the darkness An apt Similitude to Illustrate the matter in hand and to shew how that Conversion is by degrees compleated Prov. 4. 18. The path of the just is as the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day 11. Conversion may be known to be
Majesty and Holiness of God especially considering he is alwaies by you and tryes your very Hearts and Reins The greatness of that God with whom you have to do should make you afriad to dally and trifle with him If you think he will be mock't you will find to your cost that you deceive your selves Oh stoop with the most profound Submission to this glorious Sovereign of Heaven and Earth 'T is the heighth of Madness for you that are so infinitely below Him and so wholly under his Power to refuse subjection to Him. He is Glorious in Holiness Exod. 15. 11. He can as soon cease to be himself as cease to be an Hater of the workers of Iniquity A fuller Perswasion of Gods Holiness and that his Holiness is his Glory will make you more sensible of the Necessity of turning from Sin and that Holiness will be your Glory and Perfection He that is changed and made a Convert is made a Glorious Creature and as this change is carried on there is still a Progression from Glory to Glory by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. Gods Nature is pure every Word of God is pure He is Righteous in all his wayes and Holy in all his Works Psal 145. 17. Oh cry incessantly that you may partake of a nev of the Divine Nature that a clean heart may be created in you that your Lips may be Pure your Words true and Gracious and that you may be Holy in all manner of Conversation Are not Gods eyes upon your wayes does not he hear all your words does not he weigh your very Spirits your whole man is under his Observation let there be a turning to God with your whole man. Sincerity in Conversion and hypocrisie are both known and only Sincerity has Gods love and liking 7. When you turn to God behold him as he is in Christ else there is no access to him nor acceptance with him After Adams fall the Mediator is presently revealed the Seed of the Woman that was to break the Serpents head Gen. 3. 15. The old Serpent by Sin had made a Rupture and breach between God and Man Now Christ the Mediatour is He that makes up the breach again and so destroyes the work and frustrates the design of Satan If God be lookt upon in Christ there is all manner of Encouragement to return to him He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11. 6. He is good and ready to forgive and plenteous in Mercy to all that call upon him Psal 86. 5. The Prodigals Father was not more forward who ran to embrace his returning Son than God is to receive returning Sinners If you would return to God indeed you must take Calvaâ—y in your way you must know Jesus Christ and him Crucified 1 Cor. 2. 2. The Saints of old that were in Heaven before the Son of God was manifested in the Flesh as well as those that went thither afterward were all brought nigh to God by the Blood of his Cross Col. 1. 20. You cannot know and turn to the only true God so as to be received by him unless you know and receive Jesus Christ whom he has sent But if you behold God in Christ unbelief appears unreasonable despair is a monstrous absurdity You may perceive Love in the Lords looks his Justice fully satisfied his Anger all gone his Repentings kindled his Bowels yearning and you cannot so much desire Mercy as He delights in shewing it The true Convert to God must be a Believer in Jusus who is the way to the Father As God will not draw nigh to Man so Man cannot draw nigh to God any other way 8. With great earnestness implore the Spirits aid Be sure to grieve that you have grieved Him and acknowledge 't is just that for your grieving him he should leave you to your selves but beg his presence and his assistance that he would help you and make you truly constantly willing to be helped Adams Body was formed of the Dust of the Ground but was a lifeless Corps till God breathed into it the Breath of Life Till the Spirit of Life enters into you you are without Life or Motion towards God therefore with all seriousness ask the Spirit You come to God through the Son as the Mediator that procures access and opens the way but 't is by the Spirit as by Him who both inclines and strengthens you to come to Him Eph. 2. 18. The Promise of the Spirit is of ancient date implied in the Promise of the Messiah and very frequently expressed Under the New Testament Dispensation a more plentiful effusion of the Spirit is Promised Parents that are evil if their Children ask bread will not give them a stone to hurt them nor instead of a Fish a Serpent to sting them And if they give good gifts to their Children much more will the Father in Heaven give his Spirit to them that ask him There is hardly a more encouraging Word to Sinners in the whole Bible if they are inclined or would be inclined to have the Spirit given them And if the Holy Spirit be given you you will have Light and Life and Liberty Conviction antecedent to Conversion Conversion it self and Consolation afterwards are all of them the Works of the Spirit And be sure to observe the Accesses of the Spirit Sometimes the Wind blows fair and strong for Heaven now hoise up thy Sail that thou mayest receive the Gale sometimes by his Convictions motions strivings you may perceive the Spirit is very near you by a clearer and more affecting Light he shews you that turning to God is your Duty and Advantage and he very much presses you to it Nunc sunt Mollissima fandi Tempora Now is the time to speak and speed in your Supplications for the Spirit that he may thoroughly Convert you and consecrate you to the Lord and abide in you for ever 9. Would you be Converts in Truth give your whole Hearts to God and never be satisfied till you feel you love him above all Let the Lord have your Hearts to search them that all even the most secret evils there may be detected and being detected may be detested and abhorr'd Sin sometimes may be restrained from breaking out in the Life and yet then may be regarded and reign in the Heart Be willing to know the most inward spiritual wickedness that lies quite out of the sight of others and being acquainted with it consent to have it purged away Give your Hearts to God that he may possess employ and rule them at his Pleasure Tell the Lord that the very Throne is for him and that your Souls and all that is within you are ready to be at his command and that you consent every Lust should be slain because it would not that he He should reign over you In what a safe hand is the Heart when 't is in Gods how pure and excellent is it made with what Beauty does it
and his former offences and affronts be they what they will shall not be an Impediment nay the former refusing to turn though it was never so long shall be past by The proclaiming of thiâ— accepted time should be lookt upon as glad tidings indeed 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. We then 〈◊〉 workers together with Him beseech you also that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain for he saith I have heard thee in a time accepted in a day of Salvation I have succoured thee Christ himself in the days of his flesh was heard was succoured was carried by the power of his Godhead through the whole work of Mans Redemption Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the day of Salvation This day of Salvation is the fruit of a Saviours Obedience and Sufferings in his day Now those that have sold themselves to commit Iniquity and are under the bondage of Corruption may recover their liberty those that had lost the incorruptible and undefiled Inheritance may be re-instated and again possessed of it Now the Lord is neer to them that seek him and ready to be found and if the wicked forsake their ways and thoughts and return to Him he assures them he will have mercy and pardon so abundantly as shall exceed their conceptions and the manner and wayes of mens shewing Mercy one to another as the Heaven is high above the Earth Isa 55. 6 7 8. 5. In the Word of God there are Instances and Examples of very great Sinners who have been converted and saved How great are the Acts of Grace which have been done by the God of all Grace and comfort Stand forth O David guilty of Adultery and Murther first defiling the Wife and then killing the Husband afterwards Stand forth O thou great Apostle Peter who wast so confident in thy self that thou shouldest abide the sorest Trial but didst so basely shrink and once twice thrice and with Cursing and Swearing didst deny thy Lord Stand forth ye Corinthian Saints who were Fornicators Idolaters Adulterers effeminate abusers of your selves with Mankind who were thieves covetous drunkards revilers extortioners 1 Cor. 6. 9 10 11. And all of you proclaim That the Grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with Faith and love which is in Christ Jesus as the Apostle Paul speaks who himself had obtained Mercy although he had been a blasphemer a persecutor and injurious 1 Tim. 1. 13 14. Setting aside the unpardonable Sin against the Holy Ghost and final Impenitency and Unbelief for ought I know Heaven can shew as great Sinners as Hell who notwithstanding all their guilt and filthiness were washed sanctified justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God and now their Holiness is perfected in Glory This is an encouragement to the worst of men to hope if they return to God they shall not be rejected Nay suppose there should be now a greater Transgressour than ever yet obtained Mercy it would not be impossible for such an One to obtain Mercy for Divine Grace and Mercy have not yet done their very uttermost 6. The Word of God discovers Sinners weakness and where that Strength is without which turning to God will never be That Grace which brings Man to God to Heaven must come from the God of Heaven Can man arise from the Dead till the Voice of the Lord which is powerful say Awake thou that sleepest Can any come to God but by his Son Jesus can any come to Christ but those whom the Father drawes Joh. 6. 44. God Works to Will He Works to do and he does the one and the other freely of his own good Pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Sinners are then encouraged to seek unto God to do both for them And He can easily take away the Heart of Stone and give a new Heart and a new Spirit and cause those who before neglected now to turn into the way of Salvation and to work out their own Salvation with fear and trembling 7. I might also add that the Word of God shuts the Kingdom of Heaven against â—hose that are resolved to continue Vnconvertâ—d Nothing but Indignation and Wrath Tribulation and Anguish is thundred out â—gainst them that will continue in their evil doing that will not be gathered by a Saviour that will not be made clean by his Sanctifying Spirit Nay the Word concludes them under greater misery and â—ooms them to a severer Damnation who are called to turn and yet refuse Mat. 11. 23. Thou Capernaum that are exalted unto Heaven who hast Heaven offer'd and such advantages of getting thither 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall not only go to Hell but be brought down with force and fury to one of the hottest and lowest places there It â—hall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorâ—ah in the day of Judgment than for Thee Such kind of threats may help to cure the spiritual Lethargy and to make Sinners â—fraid of remaining Unconverted You see what it is in the Word that has a tendency to Conversion In the second Place I am to demonstrate the Aptitude and fitness of the Word to be such a means of Conversion What has been spoken already is in part a Demonstration of it but this fitness of the Word may be further made evident 1. The Word is a Light which shines in a dark place 2 Pet. 1. 19. and therefore 't is a proper means to turn men from darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God. The Word discovers what the Prince of darkness studiously endeavours to conceal Ignorance and Infidelity are the Pillars of Satans Kingdom he takes much pains to blind the Minds of the Unbelievers that the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God may not shine into them 2 Cor. 4. 4. This light gives a true and faithful representation of Sin as the most hateful and hurtful thing in the whole World of Satan also as the most subtle false envious malicious Deceiver and Murtherer of the Sons nay of the very Souls of men The Word reveals the Devils grand secret that the Broad way is the high Road to Ruine which has been trod by all the Damned Hell at the end of this way becomes naked by the Word of God which the Lying Spirit would not have at all to be credited or so much as thought on till Sinners find themselves thrown into it and there without any hope of Release and Remedy 2. The Word is a Perspective glass which brings things afar off near to the eye that so the Heart may be the more affected It shews that the whole of Time from the very first to the very last is but short if compared with Eternity and how the end of all things is at hand 1 Pet. 4. 7. and the Oath will at length be sworn That there shall be time no longer Scoffers indeed who walk after their own lusts do say Where is the Promise of our Lords coming They
mock at that glorious Redemption which Believers at Christs second appearing do expect and they laugh at till they feel the Flaming Vengeance that is to be executed upon themselves But the Word shews the Worlds end and how 't is reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment and Perdition of ungodly men 2 Pet. 3. 7. The day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the Night sadly surprizing the most of men in which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the Works therein shall be burnt up Oh dreadful spectacle to behold the whole World in a Flame the serious and believing consideration of this conduces very much to Repentance Conversion and amendment of our wayes 'T is the Apostles own inference Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of Persons ought ye to be in all Holy Conversation and Godliness 2 Pet. 3. 10 11. 3. The Word is an Hammer to break the Heart Contrition and brokenness of Heart is one constant Ingredient in Conversion No less than Salvation is Promised to the contrite ones Psal 34. 18. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken Heart and saveth such as be of a contrite Spirit Now the Word is the Hammer which breaks the Stony the Rocky Heart to pieces Those Hearers who derided the Miraculous Gift of Tongues the Apostle Peters Sermon reached and pierced their very Hearts and made them cry out Men and brethren what shall we do Act. 2. 37. Now Sin was set in order before their eyes and charged home upon their Consciencos now they tremble and are afraid of deserved Wrath now their stubborn spirits begin to yield unto God. They desire to know upon what terms they might be saved being willing to consent to any terms rather than miss of Salvation and perish everlastingly 4. The Word is a Fire to melt and purifie and so a proper means of Conversion which is indeed a turning from Sin to Holiness 'T is the Nature of Fire to separate the Mettal and the Dross Gold and Silver are refined by being put into the Furnace Thus the Word also separates between the Heart and its vicious and evil Habits and Qualities it separates between the Soul and its fleshly and worldly Lusts Now are ye clean says Christ through the Word which I have spoken unto you Joh. 15. 3. This Word is very Pure in it self and Pure in its Operation and Effects It severely forbids all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit and in this Word we find as a Precept concerning Holiness that 't is our Duty to perfect Holiness in the fear of God so a Promise wherein God has said he will work this Holiness in them that seek unto him and desire it Ezek. 36. 25. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your filthiness and from all your Idols will I cleanse you The Word is a Fire to Melt and Purge the Soul and then 't is a Mould also into which the Soul is as it were cast so that it has another an excellent form being conformed to the holy Nature and Will of God himself 5. The Word is as Seed of which the New Creature is begotten God himself is he who does regenerate all that are Converted and he does it of his own meer good Will and Pleasure but the Word is the Seed by which he does it Jam. 1. 18. Of his own VVill beg at he us with the VVord of Truth that we should be a kind of First-fruits of his Creatures So 1 Pet. 1. 23. Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the VVord of God which liveth and abideth for ever From this Seed comes the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness This Word is quick and powerful 't is powerful to quicken and enliven so that the Soul has a new Life and lives to God which before was dead in trespasses This Seed is effectual to a new formation of the Souls faculties and powers New Eyes there are in the Mind a new Disposition and Inclination in the Will the Affections also are new and of low and carnal they become high and holy and heavenly The Preachers of the Gospel are the sowers of this Seed of the Word and how should they be in travel till a New Creature comes on 't till Christ be formed in them that receive it Gal. 4. 19. My little Children of whom I travel in birth again till Christ be formed in you 6. The Word is a proper Means of Conversion for 't is the unerring Rule which shews both good and evil Evil that there may be an Aversion from it Good that there may be a Conversion to it The Scripture calls things by their deserved Names what that pronounces bad will be found by the most Unbelieving to be bad indeed and what that affirms to be good is really good at present and proves best at last Here are the Commandments in conformity to which true Goodness lies and Sin is defined 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a transgression of them heark to the Prophet Mic. 6. 8. He hath shewed thee O Man what is good and what does the Lord thy God require of thee but to do jâ—stly to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God All this is good in its own Nature pleasing to God profitable and pleasant unto Man The better this is understood the more likely 't is that evil and dangerous wayes should be forsaken and those Paths chosen and turn'd into that are safe and holy The Word shews what God approves and what he abhorrs It shews Mans Duty which is his Priviledge and that Sin is Mans Prejudice and Plague And he is a good Scholar indeed who has learnt to do well and ceased to do evil 7. The Word is a fit means of Conversion because it is the Ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. How shall not the Ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious The Word of God is of the Spirits Inspiration and his own Word he is pleased to accompany he moves and breaths and acts in it so that Miracles of Grace are wrought thereby He says to the blind Mind Receive thy sight and know the things that concern thy Peace to the Deaf the Spirit says Hear my Voice and yield Obedience to the Dead he says Arise out of thy Sins and from the Earth in which thou hast layn so long buried and live the Life of God from which thou hast been so long alienated And as the Spirit thus speaks so he speaks with efficacy He can work so that none shall hinder O blessed Word in which we find that exceeding great and precious Promise of the Spirit 't is but asking him and having him and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 2 Cor. 3. 17. The Captive Sinner is freed from the
But when Sinners have sinn'd away the day of Grace and ended all their days on Earth and by their final Impenitency brought themselves to Hell then the same Chains are clapt on them in which the Reprobate Angelsly fetter'd and Christ will no more save them than these Oh dreadful to lose all hope in Jesus never to be called to come to him more Astonishingly fearful to be in a place where the glad tidings of the Gospel are never heard where the Spirit never strives and where the Redeemer never stretches forth an hand to save 4. They in Hell are deprived of the glory of the new Jerusalem 'T is a mighty loss to lose such a weighty thing as a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. Suppose a Rich Man worth Millions should break and not be worth a Farthing suppose all the Kings and Emperors breathing should lose their Crowns in one day this would be but a petty Loss compared with the loss of a Crown of Life In Heaven there is such a Crown and the Damned might have had it if they had but valued it but alas that Crown they must never wear In Heaven there is a Kingdom where they in Hell must never reign When they see what they have lose and how foolishly wilfully and for the sâ—ke of what poor things they lost it how will they be fill'd with Heartâ—earing vexation and be quite over whelmed with sorrow Luk. 13. 28. There shall be weeping and gnashing of â—eeth when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of Heaven and you your selves thrust out 2. As in Hell there is a Deprivation of good so there is an Infliction of evil pain and torment 1. There is in Hell great torment in the Conscience A wounded Conscience in this World has been found intolerable Spira he signifies that Racks Gibbets Flames of Martyrdom were nothing to what he felt and in a Pang of Despair attempts Self-murthering but being hindred he breaks out into Blasphemy I wish I were above God for I know he will not have Mercy on me here was Hells language in his Mouth and much of Hell-torment in his Heart Judas his Conscience was wounded could he bear it No he becomes his own Executioner with his own hand ends his Life and sends his Soul to his appointed place And yet the torment of Conscience in this World is but the Praludium the beginning of sorrows Every Conscience in Hell will be thoroughly awake and keep it self for ever waking it will be exactly sensible not a Sin that has been Committed all the life-time but will have made a Wound in the Conscience and not a Wound but will be intolerably smarting without hope of any ease Conscience will be in a perpetual Agony in this Agony 't will rage and raging it will reproach the Damned It will tell them of their presumptuous sinning of their rejecting Christ their neglecting great Salvation and how all its cheeking of them was in vain And now 't is incurably wounded it can never be quiet but they shall always find it a tormented a tormenting Fury within thâ—â— 2. There is in Hell not only torment iâ— thâ— Conscience but also torment in the Mind and Heart What rueful thoughts will possesâ— their Minds whatever they think of will be torturing a pleasing a delightful thought can never enter into them more If they think of Sin it will be bitter to consider how they have been deceived and ruin'd by it If they think of their present Misery and the remedilesness of it and that themselves had the greatest hand in bringing themselves into it these thoughts like daggers must needs pierce their Souls If they think of God Oh how will they be troubled how will his Justice Jealousie Fury Holiness Truth irresistible Power and Vnchangableness terrifie them Thoughts on Earth were their Sins and Thoughts in Hell will be their Racks and Sorrows their Hearts will always be brim full of Grief Shame and Confusion of face will add to their Misery when all their wickedness shall be known to all which will make the justness of their Punishment evident And how will they be tormented with Anger at the very heart and Indignation against themselves because though the Devil was their great Enemy yet they themselves were far greater Enemies to themselves than he 3. There will in Hell be torment in Sinners Memories I wish that none of you that hear me this day may in that place of Woe remember the Warning now given you to your Confusion because you would not take it heark what was said Luk. 16. 25. Son remember thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things and Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted and thou art tormented Really the remembrance of what he had what he was and what he did on Earth was in Hell very tormenting to this wretched Rich Man. The Damned there will remember their delicious Fare and how sensual and bruitish they were in pleasing of their Appetites they will remember the time they spent in Adorning of themselves taking much Pains to dress and trick the Carkass but no Pains at all to purge the Heart they will remember their Feasts their Mirth their carnal Jollity which quite stupified their Hearts and banished all thoughts and care about another World and Eternity they will remember all the Mercies they enjoyed which they did nothing but abuse to their own harm as well as to the dishonour of that God who gave them Above all they will remember what Pains were taken to have prevented their Destruction The Lord was unwilling they should Perish but Death was that which themselves preferr'd before Life Oh how long did Christ come Sabbath after Sabbath and knock at the door but they would not open How often did the Spirit strive with them to stop them in Hells road and to turn them into the way of Peace but they were stiff-necked and always resisted the Holy Ghost They will remember their Preachers Pains and Prayers and labour and travel of Soul how they lifted up their Voices to awaken them out of their Sin and Security how they intreated them to be reconciled to God and to turn into the safe and blessed Paths of Righteousness but they were Deaf and obstinate nothing would prevail with them and the remembrance of all this will be bitter 〈◊〉 bitter to them 4. In Hell there will be torment in the Body and the Members of it and such as no body ever felt or was capable of bearing here on Earth The Stone the Cholick and the Strangury the greatest Torture that ever the hand of Man inflicted are no more comparable to the Pains of Hell than the smallest Prick of a Pin is to a Dagger that strikes quite through and gives the Heart a deadly Wound The Senses of the Damned shall have that which will be exceedingly afflicting What woful Spectacles will their Eyes behold