of their owne saluation Truth here is the Gospell so called 1. In regard of the certaintie and infallibilitie of it in comparison whereof all other doctrines religions are error and all other humane truths vanitie and deceite The Gospell will neuer deceiue vs whatsoeuer it promiseth shall certainly come to passe whatsoeuer it affirmeth shall neuer be proued false 2. In regard of the vse of it it is the rule of all sauing truth Whatsoeuer is not ruled and squared thereby in matter of Saluation and Religion is error 3. In regard of the effect and efficacie of it for 1. It is powerfull to discouer and beate downe all error and heresie and vntruth whatsoeuer 2. It is a great and powerfull instrument of God to worke truth and synceritie in the heart And where this truth is not there is nothing but hypocrisie and falshood This Gospell then is Truth it selfe and yet is nothing ordinarily accounted more false witnesse the very liues of Christians and such as professe it To entertaine the loue of this Truth is to entertaine it with loue as 1. To hunger and thirst after it 2. To seek and search after the knowledge of it 3. To giue credit unto it 4. To loue and affect all the meanes whereby it is attained 5. To bestowe cost vpon it 6. To reioyce in it and all those that loue it 7. To cleaue and sticke close to it 8. To defend and maintaine it 9. To growe and increase in it 10. To expect and looke for all happines and saluation in and through it When men therefore 1. Desire it not 2. Neuer seeke after it 3. Giue no credit to it 4. Care not for the meanes 5. Think all cost too much they are at with it 6. Take no pleasure in it 7. Flie from it and forsake it 8. Oppose themselues against it 9. Stand at a stay in it 10. Looke not for saluation by it they are said not to entertaine it Where note by the way 1. That it is not enough to receiue the truth and giue some kinde of entertainment to it but we must giue it louing entertainment if we looke to haue good of it if we desire to be eternally saued by it 2. That not to entertaine the loue of the Gospell and not to accept of the conditions of saluation therein offred is a fearefull signe of one that shall perish More principally we are here to note 1. What is the cause why the Lord will suffer Antichrist so far to preuaile ouer the Christian world to wit for their vnkinde vsage and contempt of the Gospell All despisers therefore of the Gospell that entertaine not the loue of it are in danger to be deceiued by Antichrist and lye open to his sleights and subtleties 2. That the best counterpoyson against Antichrists seducements is to entertaine the truth as was aforesaid The loue vnto the truth shall be more able to preserue vs and arme vs against all the efficacie of his power though he haue the helpe of all the Diuels in Hell then if a man had the greatest learning and knowledge that euer any man had Vers. 11. And therefore shall God send them strong delusion that they should beleeue lies 12. That they might all be damned that beleeued not the truth but delighted in vnrighteousnes IN these words is declared the ground and equitie of the former iudgement wherein consider we two points 1. The iudgement of God vpon such as entertaine not the loue of the truth 2. The cause thereof The iudgement is this God shall send them strong delusions or the efficacie of coosenage as it may be translated that is God will giue them ouer to Satan and Antichrist and will giue them libertie to deceiue and cozen their soules so that there were neuer any so cozened and deluded and abused as they shall be He further amplifieth this iudgement by the effect and the end of it The effect they shall beleeue lies they shall in that manner be cozened that they shall receiue and entertaine as the eternall truth of God most grosse and notorious lies and figments absurd and most palpable vntruths and fables and so beleeue them as no euidence or demonstration of truth shall be able to draw them from the same The end why the Lord doth this that they might be damned being by that meanes drawne with the Deuill and Antichrist into euerlasting perdition The cause of this fearefull Iudgement is twofold 1. Because they beleeued not the truth i. would giue no credit to the word of God and the promises thereof but esteemed them as so many toyes and fables worthy no beleefe or credit 2. Because they tooke pleasure in vnrighteousnes i. tooke such delight and felicitie in those sinnes which by nature they were giuen vnto that rather then they would forsake and forgo them they chose rather to trample all the hope that the Gospell gaue them vnder their feet So affected and well-pleased were they with their naturall corruptions that nothing could bring them out of conceit with them Whence we may learne 1. That Antichrist shall deceiue and delude none further then God giueth speciall commission God hath a speciall guidance and gouernment and direction in the seducements of Antichrist God deludes not but yet sends delusions and if hee send them not they cannot come Hee leaueth the seducer and the seduced togither ordering both of them to the glory of his iustice 2. That the Kingdome of Antichrist consisteth of a companie of cozened and deluded people Therefore the more that men hate to be deceiued and coozened the more let them take heede of that sinne that layeth them open therevnto 3. It is a fearefull signe that God intendeth to damne those whom he suffereth to be so powerfully deluded by Antichrist For whom he meaneth to damne he is wont to giue vp to a reprobate sense that which they are like soone to come to that are so powerfully deluded And thus of the prophecie of Antichrist and of the Apostasie that by his meanes was to be effected before the latter day the branches whereof togither with some particular vses we haue laid open before Now followeth the maine Vse which is this to take heede of this Apostasie and of that Man of Sinne which in the same shall be reuealed Now this that we may the better doe we must learne so far as this Prophecie will helpe vs to finde out 1. Where this Apostasie is 2. Where we may finde this Man of Sinne. First for the finding out of this Apostasie we must consider what properties and notes to discouer the same are laid downe in this prophecie and then see whether they agree to any state or condition of people that either hath bin or yet is in the world For there neede be no question but vnto what state or condition of people so euer these rules shall agree that there this Apostasie is 1. This Apostasie must be a reuolt of Christians from Christ
are possessed with a furious and reuenging Spirit euen with all rigor and extremitie to seeke their mischiefe and vtter ruine For it is the nature of reuenging mindes to seeke onely the hurt and euill of those which haue prouoked them and the greater and more powerfull they are the more fearefull will the vengeance be which they shall inflict The wrath of a King saith Solomon is as messengers of death and like the roaring of a Lyon what then is the wrath of the King of Kings the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah Verily if a man were naked in the wildernesse and all the Lyons Lyonesses and their whelps roaring about him ready to teare him in thousands of peeces it were not so fearefull nor so much euillnes to be expected as when this lyon shall roare vpon him and come in such a fierce and furious manner to be auenged of him and the more terrible the auenger shewes himselfe to be the greater vengeance is feared and the lesse hope of mercy If we see one come gnashing his teeth at one and with a furious rage running at him with a naked sword we presume that the vengeance that this man intends to execute is no lesse then death and that the blood of the partie can only quench the flame of his wrath what then will quench the wrath of this Person who comes in flaming fire from heauen with all the powerfull armies of glorious Angels to be auenged of all his enemies If the least offendor had 10000 hearts it were not the blood of them all could quench the fire of this auengers rage against him If it were possible for him then to weepe a Sea of teares yet there would be no hope thereby to mitigate the wrath of this auenger or to moue him to relent when he shall come in such a manner as this to render vengeance then shall the chamber dore be shut and it will be too late for the foolish Virgins to cry Lord Lord open to vs. Mat. 25.11 12. Hence then we are to note That howsoeuer in this life the Lord shewes himselfe a miracle of patience suffering infinite and innumerable indignities and dishonors to be offred both to himselfe and his seruants and howsoeuer the wicked enemies of his Church and Gospell do no more feare his threats in the word then the arrow that a scarcrow threatens to shoot yet when this day shall come they shall finde it verified in him That patience wounded becomes furie so that the more he hath indured and suffred at their hands in this life the more wrath and furie shall breake forth against them in this day This then is the day of the Lords wrath and vengeance and this is it that Gods children are to expect and to rest in hope of They are not to hope expect that God will in this world be auenged of their enemies seeme they neuer so desperate and incurable but thus ought euery good Christian to stand affected towards their persecutors and wickedst enemies to desire their repentance in this life and to rest satisfied with that vengeance that this Iudge will be sure if they repent not in that day to render vnto them And surely they doe not beleeue the truth of this Gospel as they ought to do that are their owne auengers and will not waite this day of the Lord for if they did not either thinke that Christ will not at all reuenge their wrongs or that he will not do it so thorowly and effectually as their enemies deserue or that themselues were more wise and able to auenge their cause then Christ they would not be so hastie and headie as they are in reuenging their owne wrongs But such must know that the lesse patience and faith they haue shewed in those persecutions and wrongs which haue bin offred vnto them and the more they haue broken forth into reuenge of their owne quarrels the more they haue cut off from themselues the comfort of this doctrine for in so doing they haue done so much as lies in them to preuent the Lords vengeance vpon their enimies and to pull it vpon their owne heads in this day insomuch as they haue more cause to feare that the Lord will come in flaming fire to be auenged of them rather then their enimies seeing they in reuenging themselues vpon their enimies contrary to Gods will haue themselues as much prouoked God as their enimies haue in wronging them so that thou canst not doe thine enimie a greater pleasure then to auenge thy selfe vpon him for though thou maist in this day see the Lord auenged of him for the wrongs he hath done thee yet what comfort will that be to thee when thou hast cause to feare that thine enimie also shall see the Lord auenged vpon thee for reuenging thy selfe vpon him If Christians in their hot and vnchristian blood would but meditate of this it could not but be a strong bridle and curbe vnto many violent and outragious distempers that they vse to breake forth into in the wrongs and iniuries that are offred vnto them wherein commonly through the iust iudgement of God they often discouer the very same corruption and wickednes which they reuenge in their enimie to be in a greater measure in themselues and in the same kinde in a higher degree do sinne both against God and their enimie Is any thing more common then for men and women yea Christians yea speciall professors of the Gospell in reuenging the pride the malice the disdaine the contumelious speeches furious acts and deeds of others to discouer greater pride malice disdaine contumelie and furie in their owne words and deeds What Can such comfort themselues in the consideration of this comming of Christ to render vengeance to them that haue wronged them when themselues by this occasion haue shewed themselues as deep offenders against God and their enimie in the same sin Such onely then can reap comfort to themselues in Christs comming to render vengeance vnto whom that praise is due which the Apostle here giues to these Thessalonians i. Such as manifest patience and faith in all their persecutions and afflictions And if those can haue no comfort herein which shall through impatiencie and infidelitie reuenge euident wrongs and iniuries what comfort can they haue that reuenge themselues vpon their neighbours for imaginarie and conceited wrongs for doing no more then they may do yea many times for doing that which they ought to do and which they should haue answered to God if they had not done This vengeance is set forth and declared more specially 1. By the Subiect 2. By the Matter 3. By the Place The Subiect of this vengeance are the Persons vpon whom the Lord will execute the same in that day and they are such as know not God or such as obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Concerning the first God is in himselfe of an infinite and incomprehensible maiestie and therefore cannot perfectly be
truth of this which the Apostle here affirmeth If thou do not thou art no Christian but a very Infidell if thou do beleeue it how comes it to passe that thou seekest no more after the knowledge of God yea that thou hatest to know God and affectest to be ignorant of him How commeth it to passe that thou liuest in disobedience of the Gospell and resoluest so to doe Though thou couet thy neighbours Oxe and his sheep yet thou wilt not steale them though thou malice and hate thy neighbour to the death yet thou wilt not murther him because thou perswadest thy selfe that thou shalt be hanged for it if thou do so and though there may be some possibilitie of concealing the matter or of flying from the Iudge yet thou wilt not put it to the aduenture Thou saist thou beleeuest that Christ at the latter day will come in flaming fire to punish with euerlasting perdition those which know not God and which obey not the Gospell of Iesus Christ and yet thou art ignorant of God and despisest the Gospell which plainly manifesteth that thou esteemest of this which the Apostle here affirmeth as an old wiues fable whatsoeuer thou pretendest to the contrary and therefore that thou art but a masked Infidell But they that will not beleeue this doctrine shall one day to their eternall horrour feele the truth of it Let so many of vs as feare the Lord and tremble at his word often meditate of this If a man should be condemned to lye for a thousand yeares togither vpon a soft fether-bed and during all that time should heare nothing but the sweetest musicke that may be yet he would choose rather to dye a dogs death then to indure the wearisomnesse thereof how shall a man then beare this Iudgement to lye in the burning lake of Gods wrath in vnspeakable torment not for a thousand yeares but for euer and euer If an houre in torment seeme a yeare how long will this houre seeme that shall neuer haue end But when a man hath indured it as many thousands of yeares as there be starres in the heauen or drops of water in the Sea yet he shall be no more neere his end then he was at the very first moment of his torment Those that are but common and indifferent wise men amongst vs vse to dislike and condemne the courses of those mens liues how iolly and pleasant soeuer they be in the same whereby they hazard and ruinate their estates and follow desperate and break-neck courses by meanes whereof their liberties and liues are indangered oh that any Christians then should be so brutish and without vnderstanding as to approue either in themselues or others those wayes and courses that directly lead a man bodie and soule to this eternall ruine from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his power The third Argument whereby he amplifieth the reuenge aforesaid is from the place wherein they which know not God nor obey the Gospell shall suffer eternall destruction which is here described by the priuation of Gods presence and of the glory of his power The meaning whereof is thus much That they shall for euer and euer be tormented in such a place where they shall be euer remoued from the gratious presence of God and shall neuer behold that glorious power of his which he manifesteth in the eternall glorifying and blessing of his Saints in heauen such shall be the detestation and hatred that the Lord shall beare towards them that he will not indure them to abide in his presence but will shut them vp in eternall darknes where the light of his gracious countenance and his sauing power which is the glory of his power shall neuer shine vnto them so that the Lord will neuer looke after them neuer come vnto them neuer so much as cast his eye towards them nor the place where they are nor shew the least part of his glorious power in that place to the mitigating of their torment but will leaue them altogither to the power of the Deuill and to the comfortlesse presence of damned Spirits where they shall see nothing but horrour and confusion nor heare any thing but howling and crying and gnashing of teeth without the least hope of any comfort from God out of whose presence they are for euer and euer excluded and thrust out What a fearfull vengeance is this that Christ in that day will execute vpon the wicked persons aboue described How should the consideration of this restraine all good Christians from reuenging their owne quarrels vpon the enemies of the Gospell though they had neuer so much power to do the same For can a Christian heart desire a greater vengeance then this vpon any how wicked soeuer and what wrongs soeuer they had done them If God should giue vp our enimies into our owne hands to do with them what we would would we if we could be more auenged of them then Christ will be for our sake Certainly it is not possible for the most malicious curser and banner that euer was to desire a greater vengeance then this How wonderfull malicious then are all such as professe that they beleeue thus much yet thinke it not inough vnlesse they also may adde something more vnto this vengeance It is a world to see how Christians vpon euery trifling occasion are ready to flie at the faces of them which trespasse against them and against the expresse will of God to reuenge their owne causes as though either they did not beleeue that Christ would execute any such vengeance vpon them or that if he would yet that it were not vengeance inough for any trespasse committed against their persons Whensoeuer therefore any enemies of the Gospell shall offer wrong vnto vs in words or deeds let vs leaue the reuenge to this Iudge who will either in this life make them repent it yea more repent it then we could make them though we had power to hang them for it or else he will make them eternally to rue it in the world to come which is a greater vengeance then the most spitefull and malicious stomacke that euer was if he knew or beleeued what it was could wish vnto him he hateth to the death If a man for some pettie trifling wrong done vnto any of vs should by the Magistrate be cast into prison for our sake there to be reserued till the generall Assises then to be hanged without any hope of pardon except he yeelded full satisfaction vnto vs as much euery way as we would require would not this punishment content vs Would we not if we had any good nature in vs be grieued that he should for our cause suffer so much Were we not monstrously malicious if notwithstanding all this we should desire to be farther auenged of him by reuiling and beating him in the prison by misvsing him in his wife children goods and good name all that we can There is not beloued any man that
if they looke not to themselues to be seduced and drawne into most pestilent and pernicious errors such as may take away all hope of and comfort in the comming of Christ. 4. That the serious meditation and consideration of Christs comming and the hope of our assembling vnto him is a speciall meanes to vphold and support all good Christians against such errors It is a speciall bond to binde vs vnto the truth The matter of the Admonition followeth which is this That whereas some secret enemies of the Gospell and of their saluation went about vnder diuers pretences to perswade them that the second comming of Christ should be in their dayes they would not in any case be disquieted and troubled in their mindes or suffer themselues to be deceiued by any such falshood what colors soeuer they should bring for the same Wherein the Apostle offreth to our consideration 1. The error it selfe wherewith seducers went about to corrupt their mindes 2. The pretences which they either did or might vse for the colouring of their error 3. Their intent in perswading togither with the effect and consequent that would follow vpon the entertaining thereof 4. The dutie of Christians in this case 1. The error is this that Christ would come to iudgement out of hand euen in their dayes An euident vntruth as the experience of many ages since hath discouered It ought to be an Article of our Faith to beleeue that Christ shall certainly come againe to iudge the world But it is a pernicious error to determine of this or that particular time of his comming any further then we haue cleare euidence out of the word In matters of Faith we ought not to be wise aboue that which is written And obserue we how busie Satan hath bin from the beginning to fill mens mindes with errors in religion He that durst be so bold to corrupt the doctrine of Faith in the Apostles time will be much more bold now And therefore we had neede to looke vpon what grounds we build our Faith 2. The pretences that either they did or might alledge are these Priuate Reuelation Apostolicall Tradition Writings of the Apostle wrested and misinterpreted These were the meanes whereby euen in the Apostles time the Mysterie of Iniquitie went about to corrupt infect and poyson the Church with errors and heresies And these they are by which they labour to seduce to this day 3. The intent of these seducers in perswading hereunto is not manifestly expressed And surely it may seeme at the first to be a godly error and that they could meane no hurt but good that taught it and that it could produce nothing but religious thoughts deeds in the receiuers thereof causing them the more carefully to prepare themselues that they might the more boldly hold vp their heads in that day And surely those Christians liue a most holy life that so liue to day as if they looked that Christ should come vnto iudgement to morrow And therefore it might seeme that the Diuell should rather be a looser then a sauer much lesse a gainer by this error· But the Apostles earnestnes doth plainly shew that the Diuell and those instruments which he vsed in perswading to this error had a pestilent intent and purpose therein and that it came from the mischieuous Spirit of Antichrist who was now working in a mysterie his owne greatnesse For though for a time the perswasion hereof might stir vp some to looke to their wayes and bridle their natures from many sinnes yet when at length they should perceiue that they feared in vaine and that their religious feares were vpon a wrong ground it would make them afterward breake forth into so much the more profanenesse yea and be a meanes to make them at length to beleeue that there shall be no such day at all and so would it proue a meanes also to open the mouths of profane mockers as it did indeed in those times 2. Pet. 3.4 and so by that meanes to weaken the credit and autoritie of the Scriptures wherein for this error there might seeme they being not rightly vnderstood some ground Let vs therefore beloued take heede of any error in Religion though it haue neuer such a shew For many times those errors in the euent proue most pestilent that carry most shew of piety Note we withall how Antichrist in the very egge hath endeuoured by all wayes to weaken the authoritie of the Scriptures 4. The dutie that the Apostle in this case requireth of them is twofold First that they be not distracted in minde shaken as it were beside their wits and troubled Wherein the Apostle intimateth 1. That it is Satans slight and policie oft by false and strange doctrines to distract and astonish the minds of men to disturbe and driue them in a manner out of their wits by that meanes not onely to make them vncapable of such holy and sound instruction as might stay them in the truth but to make them fit instruments for him further to worke vpon to possesse them with fond illusions and delusions at his pleasure That which we may obserue in the doctrine and practise of the Familists Anabaptists and other like Enthusiasts of our times as also in the courses of some of some of those in the Romish Church who vnder pretence of affecting a seuerer and austerer course of life then ordinarie haue so weakned their braines and confounded their imaginations that they haue afterward fallen into a number of strange fantasticall conceits which partly Satan taking his opportunitie hath suggested vnto them and partly their owne distemper hath of it selfe forged and fraught their heads with The second thing he here intimateth is this that men are vsually very prone to be distracted and perplexed with such strange and vnsound doctrines and with such groundles conceits And surely such indeed is our naturall corruption some remainders whereof abide in the best that the truth of God euidently taught out of the word oft affecteth vs but faintly when such friuolous conceits though hauing no truth in them or ground of them so strongly possesse vs that with many false feares they affright and amase vs and make vs in a manner beside our selues This corruption should we take notice of and striue and contend to the contrary that howsoeuer we labour to keepe our hearts tender and pliable for Gods Spirit and word to worke vpon yet we strengthen our mindes against such friuolous and false feares and terrors as Satan by his instruments and their strange fancies shall assay to possesse vs with The second dutie that the Apostle requireth of them is to take heede that no man by any meanes deceiue them Wherein the Apostle forewarneth them that by no manner of man or meanes they suffer themselues to be deluded on this wise That neither the persons of those that publish such points though they seeme to be neuer so holy and religious in their life or to be neuer so
and professe themselues Christians yea and that looke to be saued by the blood of Christ who notwithstanding liue and delight and so purpose to do in such sins as they know are forbidden in the Gospell they can be content yea they looke for that Saluation by Christ which is promised in the Gospell and that the Couenant on Christs part should be performed vnto them but they are resolued not to keep any Couenant on their owne part And those for the most part that most disobey the Gospell and that shew most contempt to the Ministerie and dispensation thereof and are the greatest enimies that may be to the principall Ordinance thereof do most presume of that Saluation which therein is offred But let vs know that it is not a naked profession of the Gospell or a bare beleefe that can pacifie the wrath of this Iudge in that day but it must be such a profession and beleefe as manifesteth it selfe in obedience vnto the Gospell If it were possible for a man as it is not truly to professe and vnfainedly beleeue the Gospell without obeying of it yet that shall not saue him he must obey it also The Gospell containeth not matter of knowledge and Faith onely but of practice also and therefore so many as desire to be free from the vengeance and furie of this Iudge had need in that regard to be acquainted with the Gospell and all the Ordinances thereof for how can they obey that which they know not and they had need with all diligence and care to be conuersant in the reading and hearing of the writings of the Euangelists and Apostles of Moses and the Prophets for they are they which testifie of this Gospell and in them is fully and most clearely declared what manner of obedience is to be performed thereunto Also the word here translated to obey originally signifieth to hearken vnto which is when we set our selues diligently to heare a matter that in our owne estimation much concernes vs to know either for the procuring of some speciall good vnto vs or the auoyding of some feared euill and so it is translated by the best Interpreters and that neither vnfitly nor disagreeing in substance from our owne translation For they can neuer be said to obey the Gospell that doe not hearken vnto the same especially when God by his publique Ministers as it were his Embassadors and Heraulds proclaimes the same in their Assemblies and they which haue the grace to hearken after the same as they ought to do cannot but do their best indeuour to obey the same Fearefull then must their estate needs be in this day that are so far from either obeying or hearkning vnto the Gospell that of all other Persons they most hate and despise them which are Messengers of the same as though their feet yea and their tongues were accursed that bring them any tidings thereof This Gospell is here called the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ. It is not beloued our owne Gospell which we preach vnto you and call you vnto the obedience thereof but it is the Gospell of our Lord and our Sauiour and that which we must submit and subiect our selues vnto if we looke for Saluation from him When the Gospell requireth any thing at your hands which shall any wayes crosse your corrupt desires you are presently offended and incensed against vs that are the poore Ministers thereof as if it were our owne Gospell and the law of our owne will which we propound vnto you But know you this whosoeuer you are that it is Christ Iesus our Sauiour that in our Persons you are offended withall and against whom you rebell in despising that Gospell we teach vnto you know you also that in your obedience and subiection to that Gospell which we preach vnto you you are not subiect and obedient vnto vs but except you be reprobates vnto your owne Lord and Sauiour who requireth onely this obedience at your hands tying the euerlasting saluation of your Soules and the merits of his passion thereunto To conclude this point then Seeing that Christ will come in flaming fire to be auenged of them that shall not obey his Gospell let the terror of that fire make vs run through water and fire rather then disobey the same And though the Deuill and Antichrist and all his accursed imps and limmes should come in flaming fire against vs for obeying this Gospell yet let vs assure our selues that it will be more easie for vs a thousand times to frie in their flames then to burne in this The fires that they kindle do soone go out and in the greatest heat and sense of them men haue receiued that comfort that they haue sung for ioy but this fire shall neuer be quenched and he that feeles but the least degree of the heat thereof is not capable of the least comfort but in it there shall be euer howling and crying and gnashing of teeth And therefore great folly it is to leap out of the one fire into the other far greater then if a man to auoide a showre of raine should plunge himselfe into a whirlepoole or for feare of being scalded in a vessell of luke-warme water should leap into a furnace of boyling lead VERS 9. Which shall be punished with euerlasting perdition HItherto of the Persons vpon whom Christ will be auenged in this great day The matter of his vengeance followeth which is euerlasting destruction or perdition that is the vtter ruine and confusion of the Parties This is the extremest reuenge when one seeks after the vtter perdition and ouerthrow of them whom he hates Many haue indured much euill at the hands of auengers and yet in time haue recouered themselues againe and held vp their heads but he that falls into the hands of this auenger shall neuer be able to hold vp his head againe for he breathes after the vtter ruine and ouerthrow of the creature and he is able to effect the same and therfore will bring it to passe And yet if this perdition and destruction were temporarie if in the same a man might perish as the beast doth it were the lesse but this is an euerlasting perdition wherein a man shall be for euer and euer in destroying and neuer be destroyed for euer and euer dying and neuer dead for euer and euer burning and neuer burned What a horrible condition is this How would this if we had grace to beleeue it be as a goade in our sides to force vs to seeke after the knowledge of God and to yeeld all possible obedience to the Gospell The feare of hanging burning c though they be paines that last but a moment in comparison is powerfull to restraine many a lewd and wicked nature from murther theft treason witchcraft c but alas if it were possible for a man to be hanged or burned a thousand times one after another all these deaths would be nothing to this destruction Doest thou then beleeue the