The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

Secondly, The Apostles moved with the same Argument, ⟨p. 300⟩Heb. 12.28, 29. To whom doth the Apostle speak? To those that receive a Kingdom. What duty doth he call them to? Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. But with what Argument will the Apostle move these Christians to this duty (which is a large duty comprehending all)? For, our God is a consuming fire. Our God from whom we receive this Kingdom he is thus, therefore look to your God as a consuming fire, is an Argument for those who receive a Kingdom to make use of, to hold their hearts in a reverent frame of obedience towards God all their days.

Secondly, The Apostles moved with the same Argument, ⟨p. 300⟩Heb. 12.28, 29. To whom doth the Apostle speak? To those that receive a Kingdom. What duty doth he call them to? Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. But with what Argument will the Apostle move these Christians to this duty (which is a large duty comprehending all)? For, our God is a consuming fire. Our God from whom we receive this Kingdom he is thus, therefore look to your God as a consuming fire, is an Argument for those who receive a Kingdom to make use of, to hold their hearts in a reverent frame of obedience towards God all their dayes.

Thus the Apostle Paul, Ephes. 5.6. and Col. 3.6. he is dehorting of dear children, ver. 1. and those who are risen with Christ, from several lusts, sensual and spiritual: and this Motive he useth to urge his dehortation, That for these things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience. Upon which words Bodius saith thus, Although Arguments, à dextris, such as have an attractive power, sweet and alluring, should be sufficient to make believers and regenerate persons to avoid any sin; yet such is that corruption that lieth in us, like fire raked up in ashes, ready upon the blowing of temptations to break out. Such are the allurements and provocations which we meet with in the world amongst those with whom we live. Such are the subtle reasonings of our carnal hearts, and wiles of Satan, &c. that we have need not only of those sweet Arguments by which we are allured, sed & [Greek or Hebrew] ac terrificis illis, but also those violent and terrifying Arguments by which we may in a manner be compelled to our duty.