A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Here Christ threateneth sudden and speedy destruction, but yet with condition and limitation of repentance. Now, because we be like this Church (as hath been showed) by reason of the long peace which we enjoy: we may also use the same reason and threatening at this day to stir up our dead harts. We must watch against all sin, and against death: and for this end must have in memory the word of God, and hold fast the faith unto the end, and repent continually of all wants: but if we do not this, then are the vengeances and eternal punishments of God to be poured upon us without measure, and that suddenly, when we cannot prevent them. If a man have but a spark of grace, the consideration hereof will move him to repentance, and to watchfulness; but if this will not awake a man out of his sins, then nothing remaineth but a fearful expectation of the wrath of God, which shall be unavoidable, and endure for ever. Indeed if a man had some thousand years allotted for the punishment of his sins, there were some cause why he might continue in them: but seeing this punishment is eternal, and when many thousand years are expired, they are as far from the end of their woe as ever they were; therefore it must stir up all dead and drowsy harts unto repentance, and cause them to shake off security, ignorance, and coldness in Religion, and to break off the course of every sin.

Here Christ threatneth suddaine and speedie destruction, but yet with condition and limitation of repentance. Now, because we be like this Church (as hath been shewed) by reason of the long peace which we inioy: we may also vse the same reason and threatning at this day to stirre vp our dead harts. We must watch against all sinne, and against death: and for this end must haue in memorie the word of God, and hold fast the faith vnto the end, and repent continually of all wants: but if we doe not this, then are the vengeances and eternall punishments of God to be powred vpon vs without measure, and that sodenly, when wee cannot preuent them. If a man haue but a sparke of grace, the consideration hereof will mooue him to repentance, and to watchfulnes; but if this will not awake a man out of his sinnes, then nothing remaineth but a fearfull expectation of the wrath of God, which shall be vnauoidable, and endure for euer. Indeed if a man had some thousand yeares allotted for the punishment of his sins, there were some cause why hee might continue in them: but seeing this punishment is eternall, and when many thousand yeares are expired, they are as farre from the end of their woe as euer they were; therefore it must stirre vp all dead and drowzie harts vnto repentance, and cause them to shake off securitie, ignorance, and coldnesse in Religion, and to breake off the course of euerie sinne.