when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption and this mortal shall have put on immortality then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written Death is swallowed up in Victory 1 Cor. 15. 53 54. 4. Will there be a Judgment 't is wonderful there should be so much security in them that hear of it 〈◊〉 Really the very mentioning of Christs Tribunal before which all must stand should make all Criminals to tremble If a Man were seized for a Crime that 's capital deserving Death by the Law of God and Man and being in Bolts and Fetters in Newgate he should be secure and unconcerned though the Sessious were at hand you would conclude him to be very stupid and inconsiderate What Sinner secure and shortly to be Judged O Drunkard Whoremonger Swearer Sabbath-breaker Covetous Worldling what secure and speedily to appear at the Judgment-seat of Christ who has said That they that do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God! Sin is folly security in Sin is the folly of that folly Take heed of Security 't is not I only but Christ himself also that gives you this necessary caution Luk. 21. 34 35 36. And take heed to your selves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and the cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth Watch ye therefore and Pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man. VSE II. By way of Counsel Two words of Counsel I would give this Congregation The one is more firmly to believe a Judgment and more frequently to think of it The other is Be sure in time to prepare for eternal Judgment 1. More firmly believe more frequently think of Judgment You have reason to believe it for the Judge is ordained and though neither Men nor Angels know the day yet the day is appointed Act. 17. 30 31. The time of this ignorance God winked at but now commands all men every where to repent because he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the World in righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all in that he hath raised him from the dead The stronger your assent is unto this the more serious and often will be your Consideration of it To think of Judgment is proper for a Saint that he may be encouraged to fight the good fight of Faith and persevere in well doing to the end To think of Judgment is proper for a Wicked Man to awaken him and to make him with fear and trembling to work out his Salvation It 's proper for an Hypocrite to think of Judgment because then all Masks and Vizours will be pull'd off all shews will be at an end and naked Truth will appear at that day The Graves will be open'd and do ye think the whited painted Sepulchers will remain shut Oh! then all the concealed Pride and Filthiness and Selfishness and Sensuality and Injustice and earthliness of Professors will with all their aggravations be brought to light before Men and Angels Oh how many demure and serious Countenances that have been a covering to naughty Hearts will then be filled with Confusion 'T is proper for the Old to think of Judgment they have one foot in the Grave already and quickly the whole body must drop into it and the Spirit must return to God who gave it You also that are Young should think of Judgment have the youngest of you any assurance of your Lives Infants Children Youths do not many of them dye and step into Eternity and as you see them leave the World so certainly they appear before God and one way or other have their Doom Solomon tells you that Childhood and Youth are Vanity Would you that are Young be serious the Meditation of Judgment would conduce much to it Eccles 11. 9. Rejoyce O young Man in thy Youth and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy Youth and walk in the wayes of thy heart and in the sight of thine eyes He says Rejoyce but speaks Ironically and means the quite contrary thou hast no reason at all to rejoyce whilst taken with things that are seen and whilst thou walkest in those evil ways which thy Heart naturally does like Then the Wise man speaks seriously But know thou that for all these things God will bring thee to Judgment If you ask me What are the Benefits that will accrue by a firm Belief and frequent Meditation of Judgment I thus Answer to this momentous Question 1. This will be a great Preservative against Temptation Look beyond the present advantage and delight that Sin boasts of and see as far as the Judgment-seat this is the way to silence the Tempter and to avoid his snare Would the Lyar dare to speak falsly if he considered that all Lyars shall be adjudged to the lake that burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. Would the Unclean Person dare to defile himself and run to the Harlots house if he did but believe and consider that Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Improve Christs Cross and think of Christs Tribunal and this will cool and kill Corruptions and take away the force of your Temptations 2. The Belief and Meditation of Judgment will cause you to use this World as not abusing it to make a good improvement of it You that have this World in great abundance and have the clearest and largest Estates do you think you are Proprietors of what you have Do you think 't is given or only lent you for a time You are only Stewards intrusted with that which is Gods and not yours and are accountable at the last day for all you have received What sad accounts will most give up of their Stewardship when they must be no longer Stewards Imprimis So much daily for Eating and Drinking to Self and not to the Glory of God. Item So much for brave Apparel that Pride might be maintained and gratified Item So much for making provision for the Flesh to fulfil the Lusts thereof Item So much for costly and vast Past-times a great deal of Wealth and much more precious Time being wasted together But unto good uses to maintain a Godly and laborious Ministry of the Gospel to the poor and needy given very little or nothing With what an Eye do you think that the Judge will look upon such accounts as these Think of Judgment that you may holily improve the unrighteous Mammon and Christ may say you have been Faithful Stewards even of worldly things 3. The Belief and Meditation of Judgment will make you exceeding diligent that you may be found of your Judge in peace without spot and blameless With what Seriousness and Fervency will he come
only Rulers in the World the greatest Monarchs that are graceless are slaves to their ambition carnal interests and to divers lusts and pleasures but the Converted are more than conquerors and recover that dominion over the Creatures which was lost in the first transgression 6. Conversion is a directing all we do to the glory of God. They that take aim shut one of their Eyes The Convert in his aims and ends has a single Eye Gods honour is designed above all He that makes not God his End has not yet begun to turn to him in sincerity The Convert in his civil actions as buying and selling in his natural actions as eâ—â—â—â—g and ar 〈…〉 does what he does to the glory of God as the Apostle enjoyns 1 Cor. 10. 31. And especially in his religiâ—us actions his design is that the Name of God may be hallowed and glorified in the desiring and working out his own Salvation he designs that God may have the glory of saving him as well as he 〈…〉 self the happiness of being saved Thus have I shewn what Conversion is with reference to God. Fifthly Conversion may be considered with reference to Jesus the Mediatour As God is He to whom we turn so Christ is He through whom we do it and indeed there is no coming to the Father but by this one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus Joh. 14. 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Christ is both God and Man in one person and two Natures so very distinct and the one so infinitely above the other being united in the Person of Christ hence follows an Vnion and Reconciliation between God and those of the Children of Men for and of whom Christ undertakes to be an Advocate a Surety a Saviour and Redeemer In Conversion there is an absolute necessity of using the Mediation of Christ it is by the Grace of Christ strengthening that the Sinner is enabled to turn to God and 't is upon the account of the Obedience and Intercession of the Lord Jesus that the returning Sinner does find acceptance with the Father Christ is the Lord whom the Prophet speaks of Isa 45. 24 25. Surely shall one say in the Lord have I righteousness and strength in the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be â—ustified and shall glory Now how the Convert in his turning has his Eye and Heart â—n Christ I shall shew you in these particulars 1. The Convert is perswaded that God is accessible in Christ Jesus Eph. 3. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the Faith of him God is not implacable he is not mexorable but ready to forgive and plenteous in Mercy unto all that cry for it Christ has satisfied the Justice of God to the very utmost of its demands he paid more to Justice in an hour than Believers could have paid unto Eternity Christ can â—ppease the Almighties 〈◊〉 Anger and his Blood can do away the greatest transgressions 1 Joh. â— 7. The Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseâ—â— us from all sin The Convert is encouraged by the Blood of Christ which is the Blood of him that is God and by the rich Grace of God in him Eph. 1. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his Grace Indeed the Scripture speaks of one Sin that is unpardonable that against the Holy Ghost but the reason is not as if it were too great for the Blood of Christ to procure the Pardon of it but because such Sinners resist and do despight to the Spirit of Christ and will by no means be brought to him but trample under foot the Son of God and count his Blood an unholy and common thing The Remedy is not insufficient for them but they perversely despise and will by no means use it and therefore perish 2. The Convert is encouraged by the general serious frequent gracious invitations made in the Gospel All Offenders are invited to Christ who is Sinners Peace for the Chastisement of their peace was upon him Isa 53. 5. The Captives are invited to this Redeemer that they may have liberty by him and such liberty as is freedom indeed Joh. 8. 36. All thirsty Souls are invited to come to him for the Waters of Life Rev. 22. 17. Whosoever will let him drink of the waters of Life freely Finally the lost that see themselves to be lost are invited to come to Christ for Salvation and He is able to save unto the uttermost Heb. 7. 25. Whatever the guilt of Sin is whatever the pollutions are the Blood the Spirit of Christ are offer'd in the Gospel and are sufficient for the justifying and washing of the guilty and defiled 3. The Convert receives Christ and relyes upon him for Pardon Grace and Life eternal He is troubled that he received him no sooner that his Heart was with a foolish Obstinacy shut against him for so long a time though to receive him is to have power to become a Son of God Joh. 1. 12. But now his Heart is open to entertain this Lord of life this Prince and maker of Peace his accepting Christ is a voluntary a glad a thankful acceptance and in Him not in the Flesh he places his confidence and hopes he despairs in himself and every thing else but he abounds in hope because of that superabundant Grace that reigns by Jesus Christ Rom. 5. 20 21. And because the Apostle plainly sayes He that spared not his own Son but deliver'd him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Rom. 8. 32. The Converts eye is fixt on Jesus at his very first Conversion and still he is looking to him to his very dissolution he sees in Him an everlasting Righteousness a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an all-fulness of Grace on Christ therefore he depends for acceptance with God and all needful Strength and Grace until he comes to Glory 4. The Convert submits to the easie Yoak of Christ Jesus He walks no longer after the course of this World he fulfils no longer the â—â—siâ—â—â— of the Flesh and of the Mind he casts off the Yoak of Mammon and of Satan and now his great Inquiry is what the Lord Jesus would have him to do that he may do according to his Will He looks on Christ as Law-giver and King in Sion and his Laws he is willing to obey and he remembers that Christ endured the Cross and was Crown'd with thâ—rns therefore he stumbles not at the Cross but takes it up and follows the Lamb and reckons those are light Afflictions which are but for a moment and that they ought not to be feared or shunn'd when they can't be avoided without sin being they work for those that undergo them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. 5. The Convert loves the Lord Jesus in sincerity and lives by Faith on him is long as he lives here in
liberty Liberty not only to discern what is good but Liberty to chuse and embrace it Finally He changes the Soul into the divine Image and he abides for ever in the Church of Christ that he may hinder this Image from ever being quite defaced that he may perfect and compleat it 8. Conversion is necessary to fit for present Service and Duty An Unconverted Sinner is a bad Tree and all the Fruit he bears must needs be evil Is it reasonable to expect Figs from the Thistle or Grapes from the Bramble or the Thorn how can he whose Person is hateful to God whose Heart never was sanctified do any action which may be truly pleasing in Gods sight Solomon tells us that not only the Prayer of the wicked is an abomination to God because he turns away his ear from hearing the Law Prov. 28. 9. but also that the Ploughing of the wicked is sin Prov. 21. 4. If Ploughing be taken properly it intimates that the wicked mans ordinary Employments are not without Provocation because he does nothing in a right manner to a good end If Ploughing be taken Metaphorically for Contriving and Designing it shews that the Devices of the Heart of a wicked man are all vain and evil Conversion therefore is very needful that Man may become meet for the Service of God. The Converts Heart is right with God desires God himself chiefly and in what he does designs his Glory and being made a sanctified Vessel he is made fit for his Lords use and prepared unto every good work 2 Tim. 2. 21. 9. Conversion is necessary to fit for future Reward We read that the unrighteous shall not Inherit the Kingdom of God Wicked ones are unfit to be among the Spirits of just Men who are made perfectly holy to be among the Elect Angels who never sinn'd but are ever crying out Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Sabaoth Though Heaven is not merited by our turning Holy yet Holiness prepares and fits us for Heaven The Apostle signifies that Converts are deliver'd from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of the Son of God and hereby they are made meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light Col. 1. 12 13. The same Apostle having spoken of Life and Immortality adds Now he that hath wrought us for the self same thing is God who hath also given unto us the earnest of the Spirit By Converting Grace we are wrought upon for Glory and the Spirit who works in us a new Life which is Spiritual is an earnest to assure us of Life Eternal Oh Heavenly Jerusalem a City that has foundations whose builder and maker is God! where Glory is everlasting Blessedness perfect and Joy is full without possibility of abatement into thee none but Converts shall have or are fit to have admission 10. The Threatnings which the Word denounces against the Vnconverted prove the Necessity of Conversion The only Saviour asserts with vehemency and that again and again assuring all that there is no Salvation for the Impenitent Luk. 13. 3 5. Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish If Souls are Unconverted Sin is certainly Unpardon'd and unpardon'd Sin binds over to eternal Death We are commanded to Repent and be Converted that our Sins may be blotted out Act. 3. 19. Those who refuse to be Converted all their Sins are written down in the book of Gods Remembrance not one blotted out or forgotten which book will be open'd at the last day to their Confusion and Condemnation What heavy loads are Guilt and Wrath both these abide upon the Unconverted How soon may the Wrath of God which is both threatned and justly merited seize upon the Unconverted how suddainly may it destroy them beyond all possibility of remedy Psal 7. 11 12. God is angry with the wicked every day and as he grows more wicked God becomes more angry If he turn not he hath whet his Sword he hath bent his bow and made it ready To signifie the Patience of God and his unwillingness to destroy the slaughtering Weapons are represented as lying by him unprepared his Sword is not whetted his Bow is unbent but if Sinners refuse to turn the Sword the Bow may quickly be made ready and God may come to that peremptory resolution Isa 1. 24. Ah! I will ease me of mine adversaries and avenge me of mine enemies Turning you see is in the highest degree necessary for you must turn or dye If a City were on fire and there were but one Gate at which there might be an egress to fly from the fury of the flames Oh! what flocking would there be to that Gate If Sinners had but any sense and knowledge they would turn to God by thousands and by millions since Conversion is the only Door through which they may escape the Vengeance of eternal Fire Those obstinate Wretches that will not turn in time God will make them burn in Hell for evermore Thus have I at large demonstrated the Necessity of Conversion But alas VVho believes our report who credits that which is of all the greatest certainty Necessity in other matters has a mighty force but the Necessity of Conversion prevails with very few I make a needful Apostrophe from Man to God himself Lord Reveal and make bare thine own arm and cause the most stubborn and stout-hearted to yield 〈◊〉 thee for Arguments alone will never prevail with the dead in Sin to turn and live to God. In the fifth place I am to Answer the Arguments which the carnal Minds of men object against Conversion These 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these fleshly reasonings are strong holds which must be cast down 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. And I would not leave one of them undemolished Removere prohibens to remove the hindrance of Conversion is very much conducing to the thing it self therefore I shall which is but needful be the larger in producing the strongest Reasons and most forcible Pleas that are brought and used against Sinners turning to God and give a full Answer shewing the miserable invalidity and weakness of them all Obj. 1. The first Objection against Conversion is this We are Members of the Christian Church already We have been Baptized in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost If indeed we were Heathens or Infidels 't were proper to call us to turn to the true God and to embrace the Faith of Christ but since we are already Baptized into the Church which is his Body the Call and Invitation to turn seems not to be made to us Answ 1. It is one thing to be a Member of the visible Church and another thing to be really a Member of Christ The Apostle sayes All are not Israel who are of Israel Rom. 9. 6. Many have a Form of Godliness without the Power In the same Vine there are many fruitless as well as fruitful Branches In the same Church visible many unsound Professors if
not more in number than sincere Believers Now because these Saints in shew only seem to be near to God but their Hearts are really removed far from him they have need to return to him as well as the openly Prophane 2. Baptism and Conversion are separable Simon Magus was under a Conviction by the Miracles which were wrought for the Confirmation of the Gospel that it was from Heaven and he was Baptized by Philip who did his Duty in administring that Ordinance to him yet afterwards Simon Peter tells him plainly that his Heart was not right with God but he was in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity Act. 8. 21 23. 3. The Jews of old were of the Church of God and yet how often are they Called to turn Will Church-members without Conversion be the better for their Church-membership Oh no. Sin in them is more inexcusable they add treachery and perfidiousness to their iniquity and hereby their Provocation is and their punishment will be the more increased Amos 3. 2. You onely have I known of all the Families of the Earth therefore will I punish you for all your iniquities Your Sins by my Favour and your Priviledges are aggravated therefore your Condemnation without Conversion will be much the sorer 4. Your Baptism is so far from proving Conversion needless that it strengthens your obligation to turn to God And indeed as Circumcision of old which was a Seal of the same Covenant it may be improved this way Under the Old Testament every Israelite that in Infancy had been circumcised in the flesh might go unto God for Converting Grace for a circumcised Heart and go to him as unto a God who had sealed a Covenant to him Ephraim upon this score calls the Lord his God when he cries to him to be turned Jer. 31. 18. Turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God as if he should say Lord I have been circumcised and dedicated unto Thee and laid under an obligation to be Thine Oh circumcise and turn my Heart that I may be Thine indeed Do the Children of Believers under the Gospel want such an help to Conversion as the Jewish Children under the Law had Did Christ come to turn Infants out of Covenant who were once taken in and to lessen the Saints Priviledgs instead of enlarging and augmenting them No no. He that has been baptized and received this Seal of the New Testament may with considence address unto God and say Lord I have been baptized with Water Oh! sprinckle me with the Blood of Jesus baptize me with his Spirit wash me thorowly from my iniquity cleanse and turn my Heart to Thee and make me faithful and stedfast in thy Covenant Obj. 2. The second Objection against Conversion is this We are not as other men are and have no need to turn Our lives have been unspotted none can charge us with Extortion with Injustice or Adultery who can accuse us of a fault that we should concern our selves to mend Had we indeed been gross offenders Conversion and Reformation would have been our Duty But the Letter of Gods commands we have observed and refused to be vicious like others from our youth upwards Ans 1. An unblameable Conversation I would not let pass without the Commendation that 's due to it 'T is well that many who are Strangers to God are under some restraint by Education Laws Shame natural Conscience else the World might quickly be too hot for any that are born of God to live in it The young Man in the Gospel who was so exact in his Morals 't is said our Lord loved him Mar. 10. 21. though he himself loved his Possessions before a Saviour and a Treasure in Heaven a Politicas virtutes Christus amare dicitâ—â— quiailli grata est humani generis conservatio non quod salutis vel gratiae meritoriae sint sed quia ad finem spectant illi probatum Calvin Christ did not love him as he loved his Church but had a respect to his external vertues as those things which tend very much to the Conservation of Mankind and to the Benefit and better order of the Universe 2. Admit you are free from grosser crimes yet which way are your Hearts inclined What best suits them What do they love and prize most Though your Pleasures are in themselves lawful though your Estates are not gotten by deceit and unrighteousness yet if these are loved and valued more than God and Christ and Heaven you are guilty of Idolatry 'T is reason you should repent and return for your Hearts are departed from God and are settled upon the Creatures You are they who have committed the two great evils at which the very Heavens may be astonished and horribly afraid you have forsaken the Fountain of living Waters and hewen out unto your selves Cisterns broken Cisterns that can hold no Water Jer. 2. 12 13. 3. You that are not of vicious Lives Have you studied the Corruption of your Natures Christ tells you that that which is born of the Flesh is Flesh Joh. 3. 6. And Flesh being here opposed unto Spirit till you are converted and born again your Natures are carnal and full of enmity against God. Oh see the sinfulness of humane Nature how backward are you to think or speak or hear of God! how void of Love to him Fear of him and Delight in him The Fountain of evil in the Nature of man is so inexhaustible that if man should live here for ever this Fountain would cast forth wickedness for ever and thus ' twill do in Hell and therefore everlasting punishments there are just and righteous 4. You that have been just to men giving them their due how have you omitted your Duty towards God and your duty towards the Souls of others as well as your own And suppose that you have prayed and heard â—he Word and gone in a Road and Round of holy Duties yet your unbewailed nay â—llowed deadness distractions and formaâ—ity in these duties makes them very ofâ—ensive to God and the more offensive because though such sorry duties yet they â—re rested on as Saviours to keep you out of Hell to bring you safe to Heaven 5. This wholeness in your own conceit â—eeps you off from Christ the Physician Mat. 〈◊〉 12. While you think you need not Converting Grace you remain unconvertâ—d and the Miseries and Curses of the Unconverted are upon you Confidence â—n your selves makes your Case worse in â—ome respects than that of the Publicans â—nd Harlots who entred into the Kingdom of Heaven before the self-justifying Scribes and Pharisees Obj. 3. In the third place some do argue thus against Conversion We are too â—oung and 't is too soon to turn to God. Seâ—ious thoughts about our Souls must not â—e expected in such Green heads as ours Our Glass has but just begun to run we have time enough before us therefore we hope we may be
indeed to suffer as an evil doer or as a busie body in that which it does not concern us to be doing but to suffer as a Christian as a Convert is an happy thing and should be rejoyced in because the Spirit of Glory and of God does rest upon those that thus bear the Cross of Christ 1 Pet. 4. 13 14. He gives them boldness in Confessing the Truth a Mouth and Wisdom to silence those that gainsay it and Faith Fortitude and Patience to bear the uttermost of their Force and Fury A fiery Furnace though seven times heated is not to be dreaded if the Son of God be there with us 5. None that come to Heaven repent of having parted with any thing that stood in competition with it The Apostle while here called Afflictions light but how did he look on them when they were all past and the weight of Glory was actually received All Heads are Crowned in Heaven and all Crowns are bright all Vessels of glory are so full that there is not room for the least envy yet there seems to be a special note of Honour set upon Sufferers the Scripture represents them as pointed at for their Faithfulness and for their Reward Rev. 7. 14. These are they that came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Obj. 7. A seventh Objection against Conversion runs thus We see very few that are perswaded to turn to God the generality of those whom we live among remain Unconverted and why should we be singular Ans 1. The general bad Example that is given is a great mischief to the World whereby wicked men do harden one another A few indeed there be that are chosen out of the World and who do seek and chuse a better World but the generality are worldly minded the shrodest Heads the greatest Wits the deepest Polititians mind Earth and neglect Heaven and refuse to be Converted that they may come thither and multitudes going in pernicious wayes they are walked in with the greater security yet they are not at all the less destructive 2. Is it any harm to be singular in what is excellent To be singular in good Nature to be singular in Parts to be singular in Learning is not matter of reflection and why should it be accounted disgraceful to be singular in Grace and Holiness He that sayes Mat. 7. 14. Strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to Life and few there be that find it intimates plainly that his followers must not herd with the multitude and that those must be singular who will go in the safest and most excellent way 3. Is it any harm in a time of Pestilence to be of the Number of those few that escape the Contagion Sin is the worst sort of Plague and most in the World dye of it and dye the Death that is Eternal Oh what madness is it to refuse to be Converted and healed and to resolve to dye and to be damn'd for Company 4. Multitudes in Hell will be no ease or relief to one another They that have been drawn to Sin by others with what eyes will they behold them in torments cursing the Counsel and Example they gave them and especially their own madness in imitating such pernicious Patterns And the perswaders to Sin will have their misery increased because they have occasioned others eternal misery 'T is very probable that the Rich man Luk. 16. was afraid of having his own torment increased by his Brethrens company unto whom perhaps he had been exemplary in Profaneness and Sensuality therefore he wish'd them a Messenger from the Dead to perswade them to Repentance Obj. 8. In the eighth place another Objection is this We have no strength no ability to turn to God. If we were endued with a Power to Convert our selves and to make our own Hearts new ' tweâ—â— reasonable to perswade us to exert and put that Power forth But man since the fall is without strength and therefore in urging us to Conversion you urge us to that which is impossible by us to be performed Ans 1. I grant mans inability to make himself a sincere Convert to turn is a Sinners Duty but from hence it does not follow that he has ability of himself to do it A man that owes ten thousand Talents does not cease to be a Debtour because he has never a Farthing to pay To help to answer this Objection we must not introduce the Pelagian or Semipelagian Errour 2. Are you glad that you are unable to turn to God do you rejoice that you have such an excuse for your laziness and perversness If so it shews the naughtiness of your Hearts And your Conscience must needs yield that your Plea of Impotence is a very weak one If a Servant that by a fall were made a Crâ—â—ple were glad that hereby he is disabled from serving his Master his Master would be just in punishing him for not doing what he can't do because he has such a naughty mind that he is glad he can't do it 3. If you are sensible of your inability to â—urn to God and sorry because unable and â—â—sirous to have ability to turn indeed your Condition is really very hopeful Obstiâ—ate Sinners had rather be without strength to turn to God than have it in vain therefore do they plead want of Power when Will is so much wanting But if you are sensible you have no might and desire Power from above God is ready to strengthen you by his Spirit to that unto which Nature is unable He is willing to give his Spirit unto any that seriously ask him Luk. 11. 13. He gives Power to the faint and to them that have no might and are sensible they have none he increases strength Isa 40. 29. Make use of and attend upon the appointed means and ordinances of Grace wherein this Strength is conveyed Fury is not in God when once Sinners begin to yield Lay hold upon his Strength that you may turn in Truth and make peace with him and you shall make peace with him Isa 27. 5. Obj. 9. A ninth Objection is this Though we do not turn to God at present yet we are not absolutely against the thing hereafter we intend to do it This is both an excuse for not turning and an argument against the present doing it because 't is time enough as they say hereafter Ans 1. Delay to turn to God is bottom'd upon very great mistakes as if Sinners could turn when they would or could command the Grace of God at Pleasure to assist them or were sure of the continuance of Life and the season of Salvation 2. Delay provokes the Lord exceedingly and very much grieves his Holy Spirit if a Master commands a Servant to do his work and he replyes he will do it seven year hence this is justly look't upon as disobedience and mockery joyn'd together How would a Master
that has one Dagger thrust into his Heart dyes as certainly as Julius Caesar did of all the Wounds which were given him in the Senate or as Attilius Regulus did who was pierced from Head to Foot in the nayled Barrel 5. A blameless Conversation is also mistaken for Conversion though there be no Care or Observation no Renovation of the Heart and Nature The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees was short because only external if they imbrued not their hands in blood they were unconcern'd though their Hearts were full of Wrath and Hatred if free from actual Adultery inward Concupiscence was nothing with them But our Lord rightly expounds the Law shews how being spiritual it reaches the Soul and obliges unto internal Purity and Righteousness and he expressly affirms Mat. 5. 20. Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven The Apostle Paul tells us before his Conversion he was touching the righteousness of the Law blameless Phil. 3. 6. Yet though his Life were free from blame and ordered according to a more than ordinary Pharisaical strictness and severity yet his Heart was void of saving Grace 'till he was beaten off from Confidence in himself and he was turned to the Faith of Christ 6. Bodily Temper and good Nature is mistaken for Conversion Some by reason of their Constitutions are naturally Mild they take this for the Grace of Patience and for the meekness and gentleness of Christ 't is the temper of some to be Liberal and Free-hearted they take this for the Grace of Christian Charity When they behold others of crooked and crabbed Dispositions and perceive themselves of a more even and loving temper they are very apt to be deceived in judging what is the effect of their natural temperament to be the sanctifying work of the Spiâ—it But Oh how much does Converting Grace differ from meer Nature when most resined He that is naturally Patient is not so in Obedience to God but because Nature inclines him not to be otherwise Nature has no regard to the pleasing of God nor to the enjoying of him neither does it desire help from him but is centred in it self and well enough contented without him 7. Another thing mistaken for Conversion is Education and restraining Grace Some that have been brought up under Religious Parents and have lived in places free from Temptation and by this means have been preserved from the Worlds Pollutions they are very apt to call that Renewing Grace which is no more than Grace restraining But when these do change their Place and change their Company how does Corruption discover it self Experience very sad has shewn that they who under their Parents eyes and care have seemed very serious and well inclined when their Parents have been removed by Death all the good Inclinations of the Children have been as it were buried in their Parents graves and with a strange kind of eagerness have they run out to great excess of riot Joash during the Life of Jehoiada the Priest who had saved him from being Murther'd and brought him to the Throne seemed a Prince very well Inclined but after Jehoiada his Death all his Goodness vanished he left the Lord Jehovah and shamefully Apostatized into Idolatry and when he was faithfully reproved by Zachariah the Son of Jehoiada he Commanded him to be Stoned Wicked and Ungrateful Man thus to take away the Life of the Son who was himself preserved by the Father 2 Chron. 24. 17 23. And truly if you observe Education and restraining Grace at the very best when it has most kept Persons within compass yet even then there is a levity of spirit in them that are thus restrained serious Discourses are not so savoury to them as those that are more frothy and vain and upon Self-reflection they may observe in themselves a secret dislike of Religion and strictness which they dare not openly shew 8. Conviction in the Conscience is also mistaken for Conversion When Conscience is thoroughly awakened and the spirit of bondage causes great fear of Wrath when Mercy is implored and Pardon of Sin is begg'd with great earnestness and the force of Conscience produces a reformation of several Miscarriages this may seem Conversion and sometimes ends in it and it often issues otherwise Pharaoh under Conviction cryes out I have sinned resolves to let Israel go desires Moses his Prayers for him yet after this hardens his Heart and that Obduration ended in his Destruction The Children of Israel under Affliction and Conviction together when God slew them then they sought him they returned and enquired early after God they remembred God was their rock and the high God their Redeemer And yet though Conscience compell'd them thus far their Heart remained Unconverted was not right with God neither were they stedfast in his Covenant Psal 78. 34 37. There may be amazing terrour in the Conscience and yet the Heart remain carnal and ill inclined endeavouring to cast the awakened Conscience into a dead slaep again that without any check or trouble it may return to its former perverse and evil way 9. Temporary Faith and forwardness in Profession is likewise mistaken for Conversion Those Hearers of the Gospel whom our Lord compares to the stony ground were forward to hear and received the Word with joy and for a while believed they assented to the Truth of the Word and look'd upon it as worthy of acceptation but it was not so acceptable in their account as to make them willing to lose all for the sake of it thus far thus deeply it had not taken root in them therefore when Persecution arose because of the Word they were offended and in time of Temptation they fell away Luk. 8. 13. These joyful forward Professors seemed Converts but really were not Converted Neither were those that went a degree further who brought forth not only the blade of an external Profession but also some fruit but being choaked with cares and riches and the pleasures of this life did not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bring forth any fruit unto perfection v. 14. 10. Spiritual Gifts especially if in some Excellency are mistaken for Conversion When there is a great measure of Notional knowledge and ability to Discourse well of the things of God variety and fluency of Utterance in Prayer these things take with others and are apt to a Est enim superbia non Magnitudo sed tumor quod autem tumâ—t videtur magnum sed non est sanum Augustin Serm. 27. de Tempore puff up those themselves that have them with a great conceit of their great Attainments as if they were spiritually alive and spiritual Worshippers of God who will be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth And yet these Gifts may be and often are without any true Humility and in them that know not the more excellent way of Love. Gifts are to be earnestly Coveted 1 Cor.
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
God in Christ be loved and chosen above all then conclude that Conversion is sound and sincere If the Heart be grieved because it is no more suited to God because it hath no more Faith in him and though it can't say with Peter Joh. 21. 17. Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I do love thee yet it can say Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I would love thee Above all things in the world I desire to love thee and to be beloved of thee Such a kind of desire as this doth plainly shew that the work of of Conversion is begun notwithstanding a great many doubts and fears that do remain about it But if under the highest Prosession of Religion if under the most constant attendance upon all Ordinances the Heart doth secretly go after its Covetousness the Soul is fond of its Lusts and of its Vanities and is resolved still to be so certainly there is no such thing as a work of Conversion though there be never so high and mighty a Confidence that there is Ezek. 33. 31. They come unto thee as the People cometh and they sit before thee as my People and they hear thy words but they will not do them for with their Mouth they shew much love but their Heart goeth after their Covetousness The Second Use is by way of Exhortation I exhort you all to lift up your Souls to God with a desire that he would turn them to himself Naturally your Hearts are in very bad hands but if you give them unto God his hands are powerfull and good and safe He can new form your Souls both to and for Himself And therefore I beseech you give your consent and earnestly desire that God would take the Work in hand and Convert every Soul before him to himself to day To prevail with you thus to Consent and Desire I would lay before you these following Arguments 1. If your Souls are Converted they will be enlivened though before dead in Trespasses and in Sins they will be made alive unto God Eph. 2. 1. You will presently be free from the Sentence of Death and Condemnation that ye are under and ye will be made to live in the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit Gal. 5. 25. O what a Life will you lead when once ye become Converts your Lives will become Holy they will be Heavenly they will be Angelical The Spirit of God will be that and a great deal more unto your Souls than what your Souls are to your Bodies The Spirit will set you at liberty The Spirit will act and lead you The Spirit will fill you with his own blessed fruits that are both pure and peaceable 2. If your Souls are Converted they will be healed Where is the Soul among us that is not sick of various Maladies and that Soul is most sick that least feels its sickness Conversion and healing are joyned together Isa 6. 10. Least at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be Converted and I should heal them So Jer. 3. 23. Return ye backsliding Children saith the Lord and I will heal your backsliding behold we come unto thee for thou art the Lord our God. The Soul is most precious and the best part in a Man the diseases of the Soul are the worst and most dangerous and consequently the cure and healing of these diseases is most of all desirable If thou didst labour under a death-threatning Malady how wouldst thou long to be cured Poor Man thy Soul labours under a great many Maladies and all of them Hell-threatning Maladies and if thou art not Cured thou must be damned therefore Cure should be prized and Conversion and Curing go together 3. If your Souls are Converted they will be both beautified and strengthned the Image of God is the Souls Beauty and Glory and upon all true Converts this Image of God is Instampt Sin makes men vile Conversion and Sanctification makes them excellent so excellent that the Scripture plainly affirms that the World is not worthy of the Saints that are in it Heb. 11. 38. And Strength will follow Conversion as well as Beauty Who is the strongest upon Earth The answer is the Convert is the strongest All the Unconverted are without strength Alas they are without Life and therefore must needs be without strength The Convert is strengthned with might by the Spirit of God in the inward Man so that he is enabled to do good he is enabled to bear evils with patience he is enabled to resist the Enemies of his Salvation he is enabled to Fight and to Conquer nay which is more emphatical he is enabled so to conquer as to be more than a Conquerer through him that hath loved him Rom. 8. 37. Lastly If your Souls are Converted they will be both satisfied and secured and what can you desire more It would be a loud lie if Mammon should say that ever he satisfied any All is Vanity and Vexation of Spirit and there is no profit under the Sun Eccles 2. 11. But now the Lord with truth doth say I have satiated the weary Soul and I have replenished every sorrowful Soul Jer. 31. 25. Those Souls that are weary and sorrowful seem furthest off from Satisfaction yet these weary and sorrowful Souls the Lord is able to satisfie Nay in Scripture we read of abundant Satisfaction Psal 35. 8 9. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy House and thou shalt make them drink of the Rivers of thy Pleasures That which increaseth the Satisfaction is that the Souls of Converts are secure the Hand of Christ and the Hand of the Father which is greater than all is sufficient to defend these Converted Souls from the force of Earth and Hell and Sin too If your Souls are lifted up to God Sursum Corda Up with your hearts unto God If your Souls are Converted to Him they will be safe in Life they will be safe in Death and immediately after death they will be past all danger being admitted into that House not made with hands eternal in the Heavens 2 Cor. 5. 1. Thus have I done with the second Doctrine That Conversion is then sincere when the very Soul is Converted Doct. 3. Is this That the Word of God is the great means of Conversion And O that the Word that sounds in your ears to day may be found an effectual Means of the Conversion of all the Uncoverted here before the Lord The Law of the Lord in the Text is said to Convert the Soul because 't is the Means which the Lord himself makes use of and adds an efficacy to that such an effect may be produced The Word is styled the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believes Rom. 1. 16. And by this Word Faith it self is wrought whereby the Soul comes to Christ and by him does Convert to God Rom. 10. 17. So then Faith
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
planted the Ear and curiously fashioned the other Members Who would raise the Dead but the Lord of of Life himself The Spirit further also demonstrates the Words Authority from the accomplishment of Scripture Prophesies as concerning Cyrus building of the Temple Isa 44. 28. The King of Grecia his ruining the Persian Monarchy which was verified in Alexander the Great Dan. 8. 21. The calling of the Gentiles Isa 42. 4. Zeph. 2. 11. How many false Gods do we find famished and the Lord Jehovah worshipped in the Isles of the Heathen It was also fulfill'd which our Lord spake concerning his Death that after his being lift up from the Earth he would draw all men to him which was rather likely to drive all men from him He also said he would have a Church to the end of the VVorld Mat. 28. ult and notwithstanding all that Earth and Hell can do he has had one to this very day The Spirit also shews the divine Matter of the Word the admirable consent and agreement of all its parts and the design of the whole which is to give Glory to God and to represent him as most worthy of Admiration Praise Faith Fear and Love and Service Its Precepts are so excellent and pure that if the Professors of Religion would but live according to them the World might quickly be convinced of the unreasonableness of Infidility A thorow perswasion of the Words Authority is from the Spirit and has a mighty force to startle the Conscience and awe the heart of a Sinner And to make it stoop unto God which was before rebellious 2. The Spirit causes the Word most firmly to be believed as that which is of most certain verity and truth this follows upon the former If it be the Word of God who cannot lye there is nothing false or uncertain in it Ever since Man first harkned to the Father of lies he is very prone to embrace falshood He is not to be trusted as a Guide any further than God guides him because so apt himself to err and mistake But let God be true saies the Apostle though it follows and every Man a Lyar Rom. 3. 4. God cannot be deceived because he is Omniscient and his understanding is Infinite Psal 147. 5. And he will not deceive any because he is the God of Truth Whatever has proceeded out of his Mouth its certainty is not to be doubted of Faith therefore which believes whatsoever God speaks and because he speaks is indeed the highth and very â—lower of Reason We read of a Door of Faith Act. 14. 27. They rehearsed all things that God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles The Word of God has entrance by Faith as by a Door into the Heart and Faith as a Door shuts it in then how powerful is it in working The Commands being lookt upon as indeed the Commands of God will no longer presumptuously be broken the Promises being believed â—â— be the Promises of God who keeps Truâ—â— for ever will be embraced A firm belief of the Words truth is at the bottom of all true Conversion to God and 't is Infidelity that is the great reason of departing from him 3. The Spirit powerfully convinces the Sinner how evil a thing Sin is which the Word of God so severely and strictly forbids Sin is that which of all things in the World is most of all mistaken If it were rightly known by all not one in the World could love or like it But most are ignorant what 't is and whither it tends and securely and unconcernedly remain under its guilt and power Mens lusts are styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deceitful lusts Eph. 4. 22. they seem to consult their gain and pleasure but indeed war against their Souls and yet this War is so carried on that 't is not perceived Souls are kept stupified and intoxicated till they are utterly lost and ruined 'T is the work of the Spirit to discover what Sin is He shews how contrary 't is to God how evil and provoking in the eyes of his Holiness and his Glory how contrary 't is to the Law of God which is most exexcellent all whose Precepts are most profitable and pleasant to those that love and keep them He shews likewise how contrary Sin is to Man himself It loads him with Curses of various sorts it makes every thing he has to be cursed to him It does defile debase and wound him and unless he turn from it it will for ever destroy and damn him 'T is one thing to be told of all this by Man and another to have a powerfull discovery and Conviction of all this by the Spirit He shews the Vanity of all sins excuses pretences and promises of Impunity Peace and Safety The Spirit speaks very home to the Conscience and particularly and causes the Sinner to whom he speaks to hear and heed and tremble Thou art the Man that hast offended God! Thou art the Soul that hast sinn'd and dost deserve to dye Thou art the Fool-hardy Wretch that hast engaged the Almighty to be thine Enemy Against thy ungodliness and unrighteousness in particular his wrath is certainly revealed from Heaven And how soon if thou refusest to forsake thy impious and unrighteous ways may this wrath fall upon thee and sink thee into the bottomless pit of Wo. If thou resolvest still to go on in thy trespasses thy very next step may take hold of Hell 4. The Spirit reveals Christ in the Word and draws the Sinner to him The Holy Ghost does testifie concerning the Lord Jesus Joh. 15. 26. The Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testifie of me And what a Glorious Testimony does he give him Christ is the summe and substance of all Supernatural Revelation All the lines both of the Old Testament and of the New do meet in this Center The design of the Old Testament was to forshew him as the Peace-maker between God and Man who was to be wounded for transgression to make his Soul an offering for Sin to bring in everlasting righteousness and to be the Author of plâ—nteous and eternal Redemption and Salvation The New Testament which is the accomplishment of the Old does more fully declare Christ Here the Spirit more plainly tells us of his Godhead of his fulness of his Manhood of his Mercifulness what power he has to save what Bowels of Pity towards them that see they are lost without him And in shewing all this how does the Spirit shew himself a Comforter And as the Spirit discovers Christ so he draws the Sinner to him he causes the Word to reach the Heart and to subdue it so that the Heart gladly surrenders and freely opens to receive Jesus which before by ignorance prejudice and unbelief was very fast Bolted and Barr'd against him There can be no turning to God but as he is in Christ for how can guilty and defiled Man draw
were the Amanuenses of the Spirit and whatever they wrote they wrote what was by him dictated Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1. ult And they have given us a Testimony of the Will of God upon record a full and compleat Declaration of his Mind Now concerning this Perfection of the Word of God I shall speak 1. By way of Negation 2. By way of Position 1. I am to speak by way of Negation and that in these following particulars 1. You must not understand that the Word is so perfect as that by it self without the concurrence of the Spirit it can give either Grace or Life to any The most saithful and skilful Preachers of the Word as to success have many times laboured in vain That Evangelical Prophet Isaiah who spake so much and so plainly concerning Christ you have him crying out Lord who hath believed our report Isa 53. 1. Weeping Jeremiah you may hear him complaining after this manner Jer. 6. 10. To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear Behold their ears are uncircumcised and they can't hearken the Word of the Lord is a reproach to them and they have no delight in it The Word of God in the mouth of the Apostle Paul that great Preacher of the Gospel it found ay and it left many a hearer in their Infidelity The hearers of the Apostle Paul it is said that divers of them believed not Acts 28. 24. Nay our Lord Jesus Christ himself the Prince of Preachers the greatest that ever was that ever will be he thunders out a Wo against Corazin and Bethsaida and Capernaum because the Word that sounded from his lips did not perswade them unto Repentance So that the Word alone is not so perfect as to give Grace as to give Life to any There is need that the Spirit of God should work along with it until He doth open the eyes of the understanding the Soul still remains under darkness till he doth renew the Heart the Will will never yield nor submit to God till he doth put the Laws of God in the mind and write them in the Heart they will never be believed they will never be liked nor obeyed 2. You must not think that the Word is so perfect as to give a knowledge here on Earth as is equal to the knowledge that is in Heaven The Apostle Paul himself professes we know but in part and we prophesie in part but when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away 1 Cor. 13. 9. And in 12. ver of the same Chapter he says We see through a glass darkly The Greek word it is remarkable We see through a Glass in a Riddle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Truly Heaven is but a Riddle at present unto the best of Saints here on Earth They are no more able to comprehend the joys the Glory that is there they are no more able to comprehend what it is to see God face to face than an Infant in the womb can imagine what Light is than an Infant in the womb can comprehend what Philosophy is or the mysteries of State policy here is no Theologia meridiana visionis perfect day here is no beatifical vision I grant indeed the Saints are sometimes brought into the Suburbs of Heaven and when they are there Oh! what do they see They see and tast that in God that does make the greatest sweetness of earthly Enjoyments despicable and that doth obscure all Worldly Glory but yet the Suburbs are not the Heavenly City but infinitely below it Hark to the Apostle 1 John 3. 2. Beloved now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Wicked Men think nothing of what the Saints shall be and truly the Saints themselves when their minds are most elevated and raised and enabled to to see most they apprehend but little what themselves shall be hereafter That Glory is too great a thing for such minds as ours at present to take in It hath not entred into the Heart of Man to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2. 9. 3. You must not think that the VVord is so perfect as that the hearing of that is enough and is to exclude all other Ordinances Indeed those Ceremonial Ordinances that were imposed only for a time that are called Carnal and that were to last only till the evangelical Reformation as the Apostle speaks Heb. 9. 10. these Ceremonial Ordinances are abolished under the Gospel Administration Col. 2. 20 21. If you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the World why as though living in the World are ye subject to Ordinances touch not tast not handle not which all are to perish with the useing after the Commandments and doctrines of Men. But though these Ceremonial Ordinances are abolished there are other Ordinances that God hath Instituted that are still standing and will remain and be in force till our Lords second coming These Ordinances have a warrant from this perfect Word it self and there is a Promise made of a divine special powerful gracious presence with them As you are to have an Ear to hear the VVord so you are to have a Tongue to pray to God and praise him and your Hearts and Tongues should joyn together in supplications and thanksgivings Ay and you are to have an Eye to behold the Seals of the Covenant that so your Hearts may be more affected and your Faith by things sensible may be strengthned in God who hath made and confirmed this Covenant and will keep it everlastingly Zachary and Elizabeth were a noble Pair indeed excellent patterns of uprightness before God for they walked in all the Commands and in all the Ordinances of the Lord blameless Luke 1. 6. It is a great Affront unto the Authority of Christ the Law-giver when we shall give our selves a Dispensation as to some Ordinances that he hath appointed There is no Ordinance of God to be neglected and I am sure if any of the Ordinances are neglected through the prevalency of Temptation the inward Man by its weakness and by its trouble will quickly find the want of these Ordinances O! prize the Ordinances of God that you may still enjoy them these are the vehicles of Grace Spiritual strength and spiritual comforts are conveyed in the use of them And those that are the most experienced Saints do perceive most reason to esteem them 4. You must not think that the explaining of the Scripture by it self is excluded by the perfection of it but rather included Expounding of Scripture is not an Argument of Scriptures imperfection for Scripture if rightly expounded is expounded by it self To impose that as Gods which is none of his to say this and that is the mind of God
not corrupt themselves Moses knew how prone the Children of Israel were to do thus therefore he wrote the Words of the Law in a Book that they might be a witness against them and hinder their growing stiff-necked and rebellious against the Lord Deut. 31. 24 26 27. Finally the Word was written that Religion it self might not be corrupted nor that go under Gods name which is none of his Were it not for the Holy Scriptures how easily might falshoods and fables and humane inventions be imposed upon us and called the Mind of Christ by men of corrupt minds and dostitute of the Truth Now certainly the Lord has caused so much to be written that may be sufficient to attain his end in writing and if so then it follows that all Doctrines of Faith and Precepts both for the ordering of our Hearts and Lives are sufficiently declared in the Scripture If the Scripture is given to prevent Corruption in Religion the Scripture is perfect that that Corruption may be prevented If we should suppose part of the Doctrines and Precepts of the Gospel never to have been written why was less care taken of these than of the other How easily would these be forgotten and corrupted and how could we be satisfied in their being truly and sincerely conveyed to us 3. Adding to the VVord of God is most severeby forbidden therefore the VVord is perfect Prov. 30. 6. Add thou not unto his VVord least he reprove thee and thou be found a liar Those that are thus presumptuous to add are liars and therefore not to be believed by others and they have reason to be afraid themselves for the Reproof and Rebukes of the Almighty are terrible To instamp the Kings Head upon counterfeit Coyn is no less than Treason VVhen Doctrines and Ceremonies which make gain to be godliness and are inventions of Men shall have Divinity stampt upon them and pretend to be from Heaven this is a daring Treason against the highest Potentate the great Lawgiver who has Power to save and to destroy In the last book of Canonical Scripture just at the close plagues are threatned to be added to any man who shall add thereto and he that shall take away from it God says he will take away his part out of the Book of Life Rev. 22. 18 19. 4. It is another proof of the VVords perfection that all Spirits are to be tried by it Satan himself can transform himself into â—â— Angel of light and his Ministers can look like the Ministers of Righteousness There is great need then of Caution 1 Joh. 4. 1. Beloved believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God. Now 't is the VVord they are to be tried by The Spirit of Truth and this VVord always agree 't is not a subjecting the Holy Ghost to the Scripture when we observe the agreement between his Instructions his Motions and the Scripture but we follow his own Direction in the case It would not be a subjecting a Prince unto those general Instructions which he himself has given whereby his mind might be known but to examine messages even from the Prince by those Instructions would be VVisdom and Obedience in the Subject The Spirit of errour and falshood may seem to agree with the VVord but if the VVord be diligently heeded the difference will be apparent If the VVord were not perfect but much of the Mind of God were really unwritten the written VVord would be insufficient to be a trial and standard of right Doctrine and it would not have been said To the Law and to the Testimony if they speâ—â— not according to this VVord it is because there is no light in them Isa 8. 20. 5. The Word of God is perfect for wisdom to eternal Salvation is derived from it Indeed the Wisdom is from the Father of Lights but the written Word is the Means of conveying it 2 Tim. 3. 14 15. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus What the Apostles taught was committed to writing the great Doctrine of Faith in Christ Jesus is here mention'd and this written Word must needs be perfect which was able to make those that received it wise unto Salvation The Wisdom in the Gospel is so accounted by them that are perfect for this VVisdom excells the policy of Princes that come to nought and is ordained unto the Glory of Believers 1 Cor. 2. 6 7. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect yet not the wisdom of this World nor of the princes of this World which come to nought but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the VVorld to our Glory 6. The Effect of the VVord of God proves its perfection for it makes us perfect throughly furnished unto all good works here is right Doctrine to inform the Judgment of what is true here is reproof and conviction of what is errour and falshood Here is correction for miscarriages in practice and instruction in the way of righteousness 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness That the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works If by the Man of God you mean the godly Man the Scriptures Perfection is evident in being a Means so throughly to furnish him with Light and Grace to do all the good works his Lord requires If by the Man of God you understand the Minister of Christ the Perfection of the Scripture is the more evident For those that are called Stars in Christs hand Angels of the Churches Labourers in the Lords Vineyard may from the written word be throughly furnished both to teach and to do what is required to save themselves and those that hear them In the third place I am to give you the Reasons why the Perfection of the Word is mentioned when Conversion is spoken of 1. To intimate the Imperfection of the Light of Nature This Light discovers many things and to do those things which are contrary to the Light of Nature is to do very wickedly but can it be said that this Light of Nature is perfect working Grace and converting the Soul The Heathens that had onely this Light and were without Supernatural Revelation did speak several things excellently concerning God they had a Notion of another World of the Souls Immortality and of Rewards and Punishments hereafter and they give remarkable Counsels as to Wisdom and Folly Vice and Vertue But those of them that had the greatest Parts and Learning the sharpest and most piercing eyes to see most they saw nothing of God manifested in the Flesh they understood nothing
plead thus Lord we have been all abused we never met with any thing but abuses and never could lead these men to Repentance The Rods of Affliction will have a Voice against them too Lord we have stricken these Sinners often we have made them Bleed and Groan and smart exceedingly for their Iniquities but could never make them leave off Sinning against Thee and against their own Souls How many Sermons will rise up in judgment against them because they either slept them away or if they were awake they suffer'd them to slip out of their Memories and never applyed them to their Hearts And as for us the Ministers of the Gospel our Testimony against them will be true and terrible Lord we lifted up our Voices like Trumpets we gave them the Watchmans Warning we told them of the Sword that was coming and that if they turned not from Sin it would surely slay them we wooed them to come to Jesus that under his Wing they might be secure but nothing would prevail their Ears were deaf their Hearts they hardened they would not be converted and made clean they would rush on in Sin still they would needs Dye and there was no helping it The Condemnation must needs be dreadful when so many things rise up against them that are condemned VSE IV. Os Consolation to the Saints I must speak to them in another strain Lift up your Heads and let your Hearts be filled with Joy all ye believing repenting humble holy heavenly-minded Ones for the Day of your Redemption draws nigh with an earnest expectation wait for it and Triumph at the Thoughts of your great and everlasting Jubilee You will indeed behold the greatest part of mankind turned into Hell but what Joy will it be to find your selves for ever safe and fully blessed A dark Shadow sets off a beautiful Picture The sight of the Rich man in Hell Flames must needs make Lazarus to find a greater sweetness in Abrahams Bosome Two Grounds of Consolation I shall propound to you and so conclude 1. He is to be your Judge that is your Husband and your Head. The very same whom you now find interceding for you in Prayer whom you see walking in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks and blessing his Ordinances to you The very same whom you have found pitying and healing your Wounds with his own Blood succouring you in your Temptations and telling you that you are the Beloved of his Soul And since he is to Judge you be comforted He will behold you with an aspect that is highly favourable His own Spouse whom he has ransomed with his own Life Christ will not turn into devouring Fire He will not take the Members of his own Body and throw them into everlasting Burnings Having Redeemed them by his Blood having renewed and Sanctified them by his Spirit having raised them up at the great day certainly he will receive them to himself and they shall be ever with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 17 18. wherefore be comforted with these words 2. You that are true Believers whose Faith purifies your Hearts and works by Love know that there is a Crown designed for you The Diadems that Monarchs have upon their Heads the Triple Crown of Him at Rome is but a Trifle to the Crown of life This Crown is purchased 't is promised 't is prepared and shortly you shall put it on and never put it off more How Splendid how Bright how Sparkling will that Crown be 'T is called a Crown of Life for Death shall be no more A Crown of Glory for the Saints shall be more than Conquerours and Triumphant over all Enemies and be advanced to the highest Honour and State whereof they are capable Finally 't is called a Crown of Righteousness 't is a Righteous thing with God to bestow it through Christ Jesus and perfect Righteousness and Purity will be a great part of the happiness of Saints in Glory This Crown the Apostle saw to his great encouragement and he would have all other Believers comforted with the same sight 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. I have fought a good Fight I have finished my Course I have kept the Faith henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me at that Day and not to me only but unto all them also that love his appearing MAT. 11. 23. Form. Part. And thou Capernaum which art exalted unto Heaven shalt be brought down to Hell OUR Lord Jesus is called the Lamb of God who takes away the Sins of the World But in this Lamb there is Wrath and that Wrath is very terrible Oh the weight of the Mediatours Vengeance This Wrath is threatned against the impenitent and unbelievers who refuse to be Saved from their Sins resolving to live tho they Dye in them The Light of the Gospel being neglected highly aggravates the Works of Darkness makes them more inexcusable and a greater provocation None shall fare worse at the Day of Judgment than those that have had the longest and the clearest day of Grace but would not know in that their day the things which belonged to their Peace Thou Capernaum which art exalted unto Heaven shalt be brought down to Hell. These words which I have read do speak Christ's sorrow and his displeasure wherein you may take notice 1. Of the Persons with whom he is displeased Thou Capernaum the City is put for the Inhabitants of it 2. Here is the Reason of Christs displeasure they did not understand the great priviledge of being Exalted unto Heaven they did not improve the advantage they had of getting thither 3. Here is a Punishment threatned a sore evil and that is no less than Hell it self 4. Here is the manner specisied of their going to Hell thou shalt be brought down to Hell with a strong Hand with great Wrath and in one of the hottest and lowest Places there thou shalt lye for ever There are two Doctrines which I raise from the Words First Those that hear the Gospel are exalted unto Heaven Happy you if you understand your Priviledge which at this day you enjoy Secondly They who will not turn to God at the Gospel-call shall certainly be turned into Hell Thou Capernaum who art exalted unto Heaven shalt be brought down to Hell and if Christ says it shall be so most certainly it will be so The first of these I shall but just touch upon for it is the second that I principally purpose to Prosecute Doct. 1. The first Doctrine is this They that hear the Gospel are exalted unto Heaven The Gospel is an heavenly Calling Heb. 3. 1. it comes from Heaven and says to those that hear it Come up hither 1. Life and Immortality is brought to light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. Here you have a Map of those happy Regions of Light and Love and Joy where there is nothing present that is burthensome where there is nothing wanting that is desirable
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