The Efficacy of the Fear of Hell to Restrain Men from Sin, Sermon 1
The Firſt Sermon.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, becauſe he hath anointed me.
THIS is a Text Jeſus Chriſt himſelf preached upon at Nazereth, which was the Place of His Education. It is taken from Iſai. 61.1, 2. where there is but little Variation as to the Words, but a great agreement as to the Intendment of them. The Sermon that Chriſt preached is not upon Record; but we have the Preface, V. 21. This Day is this Scripture fulfilled in your Ears, which gives us ſome Light, and ſhews us that the Prophecy doth relate unto himſelf. In theſe Words is a Prediction of the Spirit's coming upon Him.
Q. What is meant by the Spirit?
A. The Third Perſon in the Trinity.
God, Father, Son, and Holy-Ghoſt are one and the ſame ſpiritual Subſtance. But here the Third Perſon is underſtood. Sometimes He is called the Spirit of the living God. 2 Cor. 3.3. Sometimes the Spirit. 1 Joh. 32. I ſaw the Spirit deſcending from Heaven. Sometimes the Spirit of Chriſt. Phil. 1.19. The ſupply of the Spirit of Chriſt. Sometimes the Holy Spirit. Eph. 4.30. Grieve not the holy Spirit of God. Sometimes the Spirit of Grace. Heb. 10. And have done deſpite to the Spirit of Grace.
Q. Why is the Spirit ſaid to be upon Him?
A. It is all one as if the Spirit was ſaid to be in Him.
The ſame Expreſſion we have, 2 Kin. 2.15. The Spirit of Elijah doth reſt on Eliſha. And Iſai. 11.2. The Spirit of the Lord ſhall reſt upon Him. It may have a reſpect to the Spirit's viſible deſcending on Him. Math. 3.16. He ſaw the Spirit of God deſcending like a Dove, and lighting upon Him.
This is amplyfied by the Reaſon, Becauſe the Lord hath anointed me. The Prieſts were ſeperated to their Office by this Ceremony, Lev. 8.12. He poured of the anointing Oyl upon Aaron's Head, and anointed him to ſanctify him. So the meaning is, That God had ſeperated and ordained him to this Office, to Preach the Goſpel.
DOCTRINE. Miniſters had need have the Spirit of the Lord upon them, in order to the reviving of Religion among his People. There are ſome times of Degeneracy and Declenſion in the Church. Sometimes Commonwealths are in a languiſhing way. Sometimes the Eſtates of a People are under Decay. So, ſometimes Religion is in a withering Condition; but there are means that are ſerviceable for the reviving of it: And this is one ſpecial means, when the Miniſters have the Spirit of the Lord upon them. The Spirit of the Lord muſt be poured out upon the People, elſe Religion will not revive. But when the Spirit is upon Miniſters, it is a very hopeful Sign. Mal. 4.5, 6. I will ſend you Elijah the Prophet, and he ſhall turn the Heart of the Fathers to the Children, and the Heart of the Children to their Fathers, leſt I come and ſmite the Earth with a Curſe. This was accompliſhed when God ſent John the Baptiſt, who was filled with the Holy Ghoſt. So after the Apoſtles were filled with the Spirit, much was done by their Miniſtry, for the advancing of Religion.
Q. How doth the Spirit's being upon Miniſters, conduce to the reviving of Religion?
A. Two Ways eſpecially.
1. The Spirit gives them a Zeal for God's Glory, and the Salvation of Souls. When the Spirit of God is upon them they will be much concerned for God's Glory. So it was with Elijah, 1 Kin. 19.10. I have been very Zealous for the Lord God of Hoſts. They will not be indifferent whether God's Kingdom flouriſh or not; their Hearts will not be upon the World, but their Hearts will be engaged for God's Honour, So for the Salvation of Mens Souls. They will take a great deal of Care that their Hearers do not Periſh. 1 Cor. 10.33. Not ſeeking my own Profit, but the Profit of many that they may be ſaved. 1 Cor. 9.19, 20, 21, 22. I have made my ſelf a Servant to all, that I may gain the more, &c. I am made all things to all Men, that by all means I may ſave ſome.
1. Hereby they are diſpoſed to Study and Preach ſuch things as do eſpecially tend to the reviving of Religion. There be ſeveral other Truths, that in their Seaſon muſt be ſtudied and Preached. Miniſters muſt not decline to Preach the whole Counſel of God; no part of the Word of God is in Vain. But when they are zealous for God's Honour and Mens Salvation, they will ſet themſelves to revive Religion; they will dwell upon thoſe things that do more directly tend to the furtherance of Mens Salvation. Such things as will take with the Conſciences of Men. Ecl. 12.10. The Preacher ſought to find out acceptable Words. They will conſider the Neceſſities of People, and ſtrive to relieve them. So it was with Paul, Act. 20.21. Teſtifying both to the Jews and alſo to the Greeks, Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. The Corruptions of the Land will ſtir up their Spirit. Act. 17.16. While Paul waited for them at Athens, his Spirit was ſtirred in him, when he ſaw the City wholly given to Idolatry.
2. Hereby they are prepared to declare the Word of God Powerfully. The Word of God is as an Hammer, and Men muſt ſmite with Strength to make the Nail Enter, or the Rock to Break. If the Word of God be preached in a dull dead Way, it is not like to have much Efficacy. Men will be in danger to think that the Preacher himſelf don't believe it, or that he lays no great weight upon it. But when they have an holy Zeal, that makes them to be Boanerges, Sons of Thunder, they will be earneſt and fervent. That was the Commendation of Appollos, That he was fervent in Spirit. Act. 18.25. So Chriſt taught. Math. 7.29. He taught as one having Authority, and not as the Scribes. And this made his Doctrine the more Affecting. V. 28. The People were aſtoniſhed at his Doctrine. This was foretold of Chriſt. Mic. 5.4. He ſhall tread and feed in the ſtrength of the Lord, in the Majeſty of the Name of the Lord his God. Zeal will inflame the Heart, and make Men declare the Word of God, ſo as to awaken others, and not lull them to ſleep. Such Men will ſpeak in the heat of their Spirits. When Men are ſenſible of the breaking out of Fire, or the approach of Enemies, they will cry out earneſtly. So the Prophet directed, Iſai. 58.1. Cry aloud, ſpare not, lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet, and ſhew my People their Tranſgreſſion, and the Houſe of Jacob their Sins.
3. Hereby they are filled with Courage to diſpenſe the Word of God faithfully. There is danger that ſome Men will be provoked, if they be told plainly of their Sins, if their Confidences be ſhaken, and they be dealt plainly with. And if Miniſters have not a Spirit of Zeal, they will be in danger to neglect ſpeaking what they ſhould; be apt to ſpeak too tenderly: But if they have a Spirit of Zeal, that will make them faithful, Jer. 20.9. His Word was in my Heart as a burning Fire, ſhut up in my Bones, I was weary with forbearing, and I could not ſtay. They ought to ſpeak whether Men will hear or not. Ezeck. 2.7. Thou ſhalt ſpeak my Words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. And Zeal will make Men faithful, though others be angry. Act. 2.36. Let all the Houſe of Iſrael know aſſuredly, that God hath made this ſame Jeſus whom ye crucified both Lord and Chriſt. Zeal ſtrengthens the Heart againſt Fear. So the Prophet dealt plainly with Aſa, and John the Baptiſt with Herod.
2. If the Spirit be upon Miniſters, that gives them Underſtanding and Wiſdom for their Work. The Spirit of God makes them Studious, buſie in Reading and Meditating, and thereby they get Underſtanding. The Spirit ſuggeſts ſuitable Thoughts to them, and thereby they get Underſtanding. The Spirit of God opens their Eyes, gives ſpiritual Diſcoveries to them, and thereby they get Underſtanding. All Wiſdom comes from God. Men are led by the Spirit into the conſideration of Providences, and ſo they get a great deal of Experience. God gave Solomon Wiſdom in a more than ordinary Way; and he hath his Ways to give Wiſdom to Men for their Work that he calls them to. It was foretold concerning Chriſt, That God would give Wiſdom to Him. Iſai. 11.23. The Spirit of the Lord ſhall reſt upon him, the Spirit of Wiſdom and Underſtanding, the Spirit of Counſel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord, and ſhall make him of quick Underſtanding in the fear of the Lord. God by his Spirit, furniſhes Men with Knowledge to be Serviceable.
1. Hereby he makes them able to diſcover Mens Iniquities to them. Many Men practiſe Things that are Evil, under a Notion of Liberty. Through Cuſtome, and carnal Reaſon, and their dependance upon the Judgment of others, they ſtand in the Defence of ſinful Ways; they have a great deal to ſay in the Vindication of them, and ſome times don't ſuſpect them to be Evil: But God by giving Underſtanding to Miniſters, doth inable them to lay convincing Light before them, and make it plain from the Word of God, that thoſe Ways are Evil. That is required of Miniſters, that they do convince Gainſayers, Tit. 1.9. So Chriſt Jeſus lay'd abundance of Light before the Scribes and Phariſees, to ſhew them their Iniquities. And Paul laid abundance of Light before the Gentiles, to ſhew them their Vanity and Sin in Worſhipping of Idols. And Apollos laid Light before the Jews, to convince of their Sin in rejecting Chriſt. Act. 18.28. He mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, ſhewing by the Scriptures, that Jeſus was Chriſt.
2. Hereby they are made able to ſpeak Terrour to the Conſciences of Sinners. If the Conſciences of Men be terrified, that makes way for their Converſion. Terrour of Conſcience makes way for Mens coming to Chriſt. Gal. 3 24. The Law was our Schoolmaſter, to bring us to Chriſt. And the Spirit of God, by giving them Underſtanding, fits them for this Work, thereby they are inabled to repreſent in an affecting Manner, the dreadful Miſeries that Sinners are in danger of. So did John the Baptiſt, and the People of the Publicans, and the Souldiers were much affected, and enquired what they muſt do. Luk. 2.10, 12, 14. Miniſters hereby are inabled to find out ſeveral Conſiderations to evidence to Men, the certainty of their Ruine, if they do continue in a natural Condition; and to ſhew the truth of that, Mat. 5.18. That not one jot or tittle ſhall paſs from the Law, but all ſhall be fulfilled. And they are able to convince Men what danger there is that they will never be Converted: To lay open the wretchedneſs of the Heart, and its mighty Oppoſition to the Goſpel, the great advantages of Satan to Seduce; the many bypaths that Men are wont to take; the uncertainty of God's giving Repentance to them, as the Apoſtle teaches, 2 Tim. 2.25. If peradventure God will give Repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth.
3. Hereby they are able to diſcover to Men, the Deceits of their Hearts. Man's Heart is full of Deceit. Jer. 17.9. The Heart is Deceitful and deſperately Wicked, who can know it? Men are wont to make plauſible Pretences for their Sins. They have many Things to ſay in way of Apology for themſelves, excuſing their Sins. They pretend that they are willing to know their own Hearts. They pretend that they do ſee their own Inſufficiency. They pretend Love to God, and Faith in Jeſus Chriſt: But God by his Spirit, inables Miniſters ſo to lay open the Deceitfulneſs of their Hearts, that they are brought to know themſelves. If Men could hold their Deceits, they would live and die in Hypocriſy: But God helps Miniſters to unravel their Hearts, and ſo he leads them into an Underſtanding of themſelves. 2 Cor. 10.4. The weapons of our Warfare are not Carnal, but Mighty through God, to the pulling down of Strong Holds. Heb. 4.12. The Word of God is quick, and powerful, ſharper than any two-edged-Sword, dividing aſunder Soul and Spirit, Joints and Marrow, and is a diſcerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart.
4. Hereby they are made able to direct them in the right Way. Men that are diſtreſſed in Conſcience, are many times at an utter Loſs what to do; and are prone to run into By-paths, and take very improper Methods for their help. They are contriving in what way to get Pardon and Grace; and they would undo themſelves, but God by his Spirit, helps Miniſters to guide them in the right Way. Mal. 2.7. The Prieſts Lips ſhould keep Knowledge, and they ſhould ſeek the Law at his Mouth. Miniſters are to be their Guide. It is their Work to direct them, that they may not quench the Motions of the Spirit; to direct them that they may not grow Secure, that they may not ſettle on their own Righteouſneſs; that they may not get a falſe Faith; that they may not be diſcouraged; that they may have no Prejudices againſt God and his Ways, that the Work may be haſtned, and that they may be led to Chriſt. Samuel tells the People, That he will teach them the good and the right Way. 1 Sam. 12.23. So when God gives the Spirit to his Miniſters, they are fitted to lead Sinners in the right Way to Chriſt.
1 Reaſon. Men are ſo Blind and Corrupt, that it is very difficult to Work upon them. Men by Nature are in Darkneſs. Rev. 3.17. Thou art Blind. They have wholly loſt their ſpiritual Sight, and their natural Conſcience is very defective: It is very ſlow to conceive of thoſe things that it can conceive of. Men are ſubject to abundance of Deluſion; they are under the prevailing of carnal Reaſonings, eaſily deceived with Appearances and Shews, ſubject to flatter themſelves; they become Vain in their Imaginations, and their fooliſh Hearts are Darkned. Rom. 1.21. And through Heedleſſneſs and Forgetfullneſs, they are very Ignorant of what they might know. Tit. 1.15. Their Mind and Conſcience are defiled, and the Hearts of Men are very much depraved. They are violently ſet upon their carnal Intereſts. Jer. 50.38. They are mad on their Idols. They are exceedingly addicted to the Love of the World: They are ſet for Profit, and Pleaſure, and Honour: Their buſineſs is to advance their own Intereſt. They can't endure to Reform their Lives. They ſay as Jer. 2.25. They have followed after Idols, and after them they will go. They are full of Enmity to God and his Ways. Rom. 8.7. The natural Mind is Enmity to God, is not ſubject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be. Hence, if they have but little Means, ordinarily they take very little Impreſſion. Men that are faſt aſleep, will not be awakened with a little Noiſe. More gentle Means will not do with naughty Children. Small Blows will not break a Rock; gentle Phyſick will not do for a ſtubborn Diſeaſe. If Miniſters be Ignorant and Sluggiſh, there is little likelihood that much Good will be wrought.
2. Reaſon. Yet Men have ſo much Conſcience and ſelf Love, that it is difficult to withſtand powerful Means. Though ſinful Men are like the Beaſts that Periſh, yet they are not Beaſts. They have a Conſcience in them, and that tells them that there is a God that made Heaven and Earth; that he is to be ſerved; that his Anger is Terrible, and that his Word muſt needs be true. The Gentiles ſhewed, That the Work of the Law was written in their Hearts. Rom. 2.15. And they have likewiſe a principle of ſelf Love in them; they are craving Happineſs. Pſal 4.6. Who will ſhew us any Good? They dread Miſery, and abhor Deſtruction. From theſe two Principles they are capable to be wrought upon. When the Wrath of God is ſet before them in a lively Manner, their Conſciences will echo to it. This rouſes up thoſe ſparks of Light that are in Conſcience, and Conſcience adds its Teſtimony. Hence the Men are afraid, they Tremble leſt God ſhould execute Vengeance upon them; they would fain get their Sins Pardoned. When they hear the clear Reaſonings, and powerful Diſpenſations of the Word, thay cannot but fear: And they think, What ſhall they be profited, if they ſhould get the whole World, and looſe their own Soul? So when they hear ſearching Preaching, that leads Conſcience into the Examination of their Hearts and Ways, and puts them upon it to labour after the power of Godlineſs. A Workman may bring rude Timber into Form. A Skilful Phyſitian may be a means to remove a ſtubborn Diſeaſe. Dull Conſciences may be frighted: Proper Means may by God's Bleſſing, revive Religion.
1 USE. The Caſe of the Chriſtian World is very Sorrowful. A great part of the World makes a Profeſſion of Chriſt; but there is little ſincere Religion; very little of the power of Godlineſs: And it may be ſaid, not of ſome particular Perſons only, but of ſome Nations, as Rev. 3.1. They have a Name that they Live, but are Dead. There be great Pretences to Religion, but God is but little honoured, and few Souls are ſaved. Religion doth not flouriſh in many Places, for the Miniſters have not the Spirit of God upon them.
1. Some are Heretical. There were abundance of Hereſies in the Days of the Apoſtles, and there be many in theſe Days. The Papiſts hold Juſtification by Works, that it is lawful to have Images in Worſhip: That the Pope is Infallible, and has power to forgive Sin, &c. The Socinians deny the Doctrine of the bleſſed Trinity, the Divinity of Chriſt, and that He bore the Curſe for us. The Arminians hold univerſal Redemption, Election from Faith foreſeen, the Power of Freewill, and falling from Grace. And they be Miniſters eſpecially that do propogate theſe Opinions, and beguile Ignorant Men. They pervert the Scripture, and wreſt it to their own Deſtruction, and the Deſtruction of many others. Learned Men are the great Seducers that promote damnable Hereſies. Theſe Men hinder the flouriſhing of Religion. They Increaſe unto more Ungodlineſs. 2 Tim. 2.16. Men are led Captive by them. 2 Tim. 3.6.
2. Some are wicked Livers. They that ſhould teach others to keep the Law of God, break it themſelves. So it was with Hophni and Phineas. 1 Sam. 2.22. They lay with the Women that aſſembled at the Door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation. So it was afterwards, Iſai. 43.27. Thy Teachers have tranſgreſſed againſt me. So the Scribes and Phariſees under the pretence of long Prayers, did devour Widdows Houſes. Math. 23.14. And ſo it is at this Day, in many Places of the Chriſtian World. Many that ſhould lead Men to Heaven, are guilty of debauched Practices: They are Swearers, Drunkards, Unclean, and Prophaners of the Sabbath. Religion is not like to flouriſh under the Influence of ſuch Men. Such Teachers take a Courſe to root Religion out of the Places where they Dwell. They that teach Wickedneſs by their Practices, are like to do little good by their Doctrine.
3. Some are Ignorant, Many that are ſet up to Teach, have knowledge to Read, and that is in a manner, all the Learning that they have. Jeroboam did not matter who he made to be Prieſts. So 'tis with many others. God complained of Old, of the Ignorance of Teachers. Iſai. 56.10. His Watchmen are Blind, they are all Ignorant. Men need a great deal of Knowledge, to be able to Inſtruct others. But ſome Teachers are Ignorant of the Principles of Religion; are not able to vindicate them. They are not verſed in the Scriptures. Theſe Men will be poor Helps to the Souls of others. Blindneſs is a very bad Property in a Guide. If the Blind lead the Blind, both will fall into the Ditch. Math. 15.14. When Teachers are Ignorant, the People will be deſtroyed for lack of Knowledge. Hoſ. 4.6.
4. Some want Experience. Some Miniſters have good Learning, a good Converſation, and Religious Affections, and ſo they may do ſome Good: They may be means to reſtrain ſome Men from Sin. Yea, they may be Inſtruments of Converſion; but ſuch a Miniſtry is not like to revive Religion in a Land as have not Experiences. The Condition of ſuch a Country is very Sorrowful. Jer. 2.8. They that handle the Law, know me not. It is a great Bleſſing, when People have ſuch Miniſters as are able to Comfort others with that Comfort, wherewith they themſelves have been Comforted of God. 2 Cor. 1.4. Men that have had Experience of Temptation, and Relief under them, of their own Hearts, and of Jeſus Chriſt, are moſt likely to be Inſtruments of the reviving of Religion.
2 USE of Direction to People, what Miniſters to chuſe. It is of great Concernment to have Religion revived. God uſeth great Means in order to it: He brings great Judgments and Calamities in order to it. But a ſpecial Means to obtain this, is, To have ſuch Miniſters as have the Spirit of God upon them. In Jeroboam's time, they did not care who were Prieſts. 2 Chron. 13.9. Whoſoever cometh to Conſecrate himſelf with a young Bullock, and ſeven Rams, the ſame may be a Prieſt of them that are no Gods. But if you deſire the flouriſhing of Religion, get ſuch Men for Miniſters, that it may be ſaid of them, as God ſaid of Joſhua, Numb. 27.18. Take Joſhua the Son of Nun, a Man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine Hand upon him.
But there is a double Difficulty in this.
1. Some that are to Chuſe, don't regard this. In ſome Places the care of this Matter belongs to the Patron; and many times ſuch have little Regard to Preſent thoſe that are fit for the Work: And where the People have a Liberty to chuſe, they are careleſs of making a good Choice. Some are Purſe-ridden, and don't matter who they have, ſo they can have him upon eaſy Terms. Micah got one on eaſy Terms, and ſatisfied himſelf that he had a Levite to be his Prieſt. Judg. 17.13. Some love one that will Propheſy ſmooth Things, and nouriſh them in their vain Hopes of eternal Life. Iſai. 30.10. They ſay to the Seers, See not? and to the Prophets, Propheſie not right Things, ſpeak unto us ſmooth Things, Propheſie Deceits. Some would have one that is a chearly Companion. Some would have one that would pleaſe their itching Ears. 2 Tim. 4.3. After their own Luſts they ſhall heap to themſelves Teachers having itching Ears. People that have but little Religion, are in danger to take up with Miniſters that have not the Spirit.
2. Some don't know where to find them. Some would be glad to get ſuch an one, but they know not where to ſuit themſelves. We are not come to that paſs that is ſpoken of, Am. 8.11, 12. I will ſend a Famine in the Land; not a Famine of Bread, nor a Thirſt of Water, but of hearing the Word of the Lord. And they ſhall wander from Sea to Sea, and from the North even to the Eaſt, they ſhall run to and fro to ſeek the Word of the Lord, and ſhall not find it. But yet there is no great plenty of ſuch Men as have the Spirit of God upon them. It is a Mercy that People may find thoſe that have good Learning, and that are Orthodox in their Principles, and of a good Converſation; but there be not many that have the Spirit. People muſt take up with ſuch as they can get; that that is wanting can't be numbred.
3 USE of Exhortation, to Pray for the Miniſtry. It is the Duty of Miniſters to Pray for the People; and it is the Duty of the People to Pray for their Miniſters. The Miniſters are bound by their Office, to Pray for the People; and the People are bound by their Intereſt to Pray for their Miniſters. When they Pray for their Miniſters, they Pray for themſelves. Moſes Prays for them, Deut. 33.8. Of Levi he ſaid, Let thy Thiummim and thy Urim be with thy holy One. We find Paul ſeveral times begging the Prayers of the Church. Eph. 6.18, 19. Praying with all manner of Prayer and Supplication, for all Saints; and for me, that Utterance may be given to me, that I may open my Mouth boldly, to make known the Myſtery of the Goſpel. So 2 Theſ. 3.1. Finally Brethren, Pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free Courſe, and be glorified even as it is with you. Heb. 13.18. Pray for us. This ſhould move the People of God to Pray for their Miniſters, becauſe if the Spirit reſt upon them, that is a Preparation for the reviving of Religion. It is a Burden to the Spirit of all godly Men, that there are ſuch decays of Religion; that few are Converted and that Iniquity doth ſo abound: And therefore you ſhould be longing after that, that it may revive again.
Conſider 1. If Religion don't revive, the Country will become more Wicked. Pride and Wantonneſs, and Worldlineſs and Prophaneſs do abound in the Land. There be many bad Examples; there is a great deal of the breaking out of Sin. In many Places they have a very ill Name on the account of their Iniquities. Many People do declare their Sin at Sodom, and hide it not. And how ſhall a ſtop be put to it, unleſs Religion do revive? unleſs Men be awakned and convinced? Ezek. 36.25, 26, 27. I will ſprinkle clean Water upon you, and you ſhall be Clean; from all your Filthineſs, and from all your Idols will I cleanſe you. A new Heart alſo will I give unto you, and a new Spirit will I put within you, and I will take this ſtony Heart out of your Fleſh, and I will give you an Heart of Fleſh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my Statutes. Some think Family Government may put a ſtop to Sin. Some think the Zeal of Rulers, and Faithfulneſs of Officers may put a ſtop to Sin. But how ſhall theſe things be come at, if the Spirit of Religion do not revive among us?
2. If Religion don't revive, Multitudes will Periſh for ever. If Religion don't revive, how ſhall Men get to Heaven? The Form of Godlineſs will not bring Men to Heaven. Coming to Meeting, going to Lectures, joining to Churches will not ſecure Salvation. What will become of the Poſterity of the People of God, if Religion don't revive? Morality will not prepare Men for Dying. Joh. 3.3. Except a Man be Born again, he cannot ſee the Kingdom of God. If Men be Converted, their Sins will be forgiven. Act. 3.19. But if they be not Converted, they will not be forgiven. Unregenerate Men are very Charitable to one another, but they will go to Hell, Math. 8.12. The Children of the Kingdom ſhall go into outer Darkneſs.
3. If Religion do not revive, there will be great Judgments. We have had many ſour Calamities Year ofter Year; and there has been a great deal of Conſideration how to be delivered from the Wrath of God: And ſomething has been done for the preventing of Wrath, but yet God's Anger is not turned away, but his Hand is ſtretched out ſtill. One Judgment is ſcarce over, before another comes. We Pray, we Faſt, make Laws, and diſpute about Reformation, but yet we are in Affliction, and the Hand of God goes out againſt us: And ſo it will, unleſs there be a reviving of Religion. Mal. 4.5, 6. He ſhall turn the Hearts of the Fathers to the Children, and the Hearts of the Children to their Fathers, leſt I come and ſmite the Earth with a Curſe. The Curſe of hardneſs of Heart will not go alone: If God leave us to an hard Heart, that will be attended with other Curſes.