2. Another Hinderance is, A Secret Infidelity prevailing in mens hearts: Whereof even the best have so great a measure, that causeth this duty to be done by the halves. Alas, Sirs, we do not sure believe mens Misery. We do not believe sure that the threatenings of God are true. Did we verily believe, that all the unregenerate and unholy shall be eternally tormented, as God hath said, Oh how could we hold our tongues when we are among the unregenerate? How could we choose but burst out into tears when we look them in the face, as the Prophet did when he looked upon Hazael? Especially when they are our kindred or friends that are near and dear to us? Thus doth secret unbelief of the truth of Scripture, consume the vigour of each grace and duty. Oh Christians, if you did verily believe, that your poor, carnal, ungodly neighbours, or wife, or husband, or child, should certainly lie for ever in the flames of Hell, except they be throughly recovered and changed, and that quickly before death do snatch them hence, Would not this make you cast off all discouragements, and lie at them day and night till they were persuaded? and give them no rest in their carnal state? How could you hold your tongue, or let them alone another day, if this were soundly believed? If you were sure that any of your dear friends that are dead, were now in Hell, and persuading to repentance would get him out again, would you not persuade him day and night, if you were in hearing? And why should you not do as much then to prevent it, while he is in your hearing, but that you do not believe Gods Word that speaks the danger? Why did Noah prepare an Ark so long before, and persuade the world to save themselves, but because he believed God, that the flood should come? and therefore saith the Holy Ghost, By faith Noah prepared the Ark. 1And why did not the world hearken to his persuasion, and seek to save themselves as well as Noah, but because they did not believe there would be any such deluge? They see all fair and well, and therefore they thought that threatenings were but wind. The rich man in Hell cries out; ⟨p. 484⟩Send to my brethren to warn them, that they come not to this place of torment: He felt it, and therefore being convinced of its truth would have them prevent it:
2. Another Hinderance is, A Secret Infidelity prevailing in mens hearts: Whereof even the best have so great a measure, that causeth this duty to be done by the halves. Alas, Sirs, we do not sure believe mens Misery. We do not believe sure that the threatnings of God are true. Did we verily believe, that all the unregenerate and unholy shall be eternally tormented, as God hath said, Oh how could we hold our tongues when we are among the unregenerate? How could we chuse but burst out into tears when we look them in the face, as the Prophet did when he looked upon Hazael? Especially when they are our kindred or friends that are near and dear to us? Thus doth secret unbelief of the truth of Scripture, consume the vigour of each grace and duty. Oh Christians, if you did verily believe, that your poor, carnal, ungodly neighbors, or wife, or husband, or child, should certainly lie for ever in the flames of Hell, except they be throughly recovered and changed, and that quickly before death do snatch them hence, Would not this make you cast off all discouragements, and lie at them day and night till they were perswaded? and give them no rest in their carnal state? How could you hold your tongue, or let them alone another day, if this were soundly believed? If you were sure that any of your dear friends that are dead, were now in Hell, and perswading to repentance would get him out again, would you not perswade him day and night, if you were in hearing? And why should you not do as much then to prevent it, while he is in your hearing, but that you do not believe Gods Word that speaks the danger? Why did Noah prepare an Ark so long before, and perswade the world to save themselves, but because he believed God, that the flood should come? and therefore saith the Holy Ghost, By faith Noah prepared the Ark. 1And why did not the world hearken to his perswasion, and seek to save themselves as well as Noah, but because they did not believe there would be any such deluge? They see all fair and well, and therefore they thought that threatenings were but wind. The rich man in Hell cries out; ⟨p. 484⟩Send to my brethren to warn them, that they come not to this place of torment: He felt it, and therefore being convinced of its truth would have them prevent it:
- 1Heb. 11.7.
