The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

Now the great design of the Gospel is by the fear of Hell, as a powerful preparative,¹ to make way for the love of Heaven. If carnal indulgent Sinners are not roused by a quick apprehension of Hell, they will securely enjoy their pernicious Pleasures, and grow old in Sin, and at last die impenitent. No offers of Mercy will prevail, till they are stormed by the Terrors of the Lord. But when the fear of eternal Misery has made a breach, divine Grace victoriously enters and takes Possession. The convinced and contrite Sinner most humbly and willingly embraces the precious Promises, wherein not only Pardon and Indemnity is offered, but the richest favour, the advancing him into ⟨p. 237⟩a State of Eternal Glory. Thus the sweetest Hopes succeed tormenting Fears, and the Obedience which before had a mixture of involuntary flows from the entire consent of the Soul, with filial Freedom.

Now the great design of the Gospel is by the fear of Hell, as a powerful preparative,¹ to make way for the love of Heaven. If carnal indulgent Sinners are not roused by a quick apprehension of Hell, they will securely enjoy their pernicious Pleasures, and grow old in Sin, and at last die impenitent. No offers of Mercy will prevail, till they are storm'd by the Terrors of the Lord. But when the fear of eternal Misery has made a breach, divine Grace victoriously enters and takes Possession. The convinced and contrite Sinner most humbly and willingly embraces the precious Promises, wherein not only Pardon and Indemnity is offered, but the richest favour, the advancing him into ⟨p. 237⟩a State of Eternal Glory. Thus the sweetest Hopes succeed tormenting Fears, and the Obedience which before had a mixture of involuntary flows from the intire consent of the Soul, with filial Freedom.

1. 1Nisi timore incipiat homo Deum colere, non perveniet ad amorem. Aug.