Two discourses I. of the punishment of sin in hell, demonstrating the wrath of…

The Fire was another manner of Fire, than this our Elementary common Fire. This was Fire from Heaven, and therefore said to be a Fire [from the Lord] that devoured them; it was such a Fire, as blasts of Lightning are, which strike, and blast, and shrivel the Spirits of a Living Body in an instant: which is evident by the manner of their Deaths. The Hebrew Doctors say of it, that it was a Fire which burnt their Souls, not their Bodies; their meaning is, their Bodies were not consumed or devoured by it: for Lev. 10. 5. 'tis said, They carried their Bodies and Coats into the Tent, as untouched. It was therefore such a Fire (as Lightning is from Heaven) which useth to strike, and lick up Mens Spirits in an instant, when yet in the mean time, it consumes not, breaks not so much as Skin or Flesh; ⟨p. 44⟩which our Elementary Fire preys first and most upon. It was therefore a far subtler Fire then Culinary or Kitchen Fire: which suitably served as the fittest and nearest Type of this fiery Indignation: and of the vengeance, which it executes. And this was but the Shadow.

The Fire was another manner of Fire, than this our Elementary common Fire. This was Fire from Heaven, and therefore said to be a Fire [from the Lord] that devoured them; it was such a Fire, as blasts of Lightning are, which strike, and blast, and shrivel the Spirits of a Living Body in an instant: which is evident by the manner of their Deaths. The Hebrew Doctors say of it, that it was a Fire which burnt their Souls, not their Bodies; their meaning is, their Bodies were not consumed or devoured by it: for Lev. 10. 5. 'tis said, They carried their Bodies and Coats into the Tent, as untouch'd. It was therefore such a Fire (as Lightning is from Heaven) which useth to strike, and lick up Mens Spirits in an instant, when yet in the mean time, it consumes not, breaks not so much as Skin or Flesh; ⟨p. 44⟩which our Elementary Fire preys first and most upon. It was therefore a far subtiller Fire then Culinary or Kitchin Fire: which suitably served as the fittest and nearest Type of this fiery Indignation: and of the vengeance, which it executes. And this was but the Shadow.