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

1. This latter is more dreadful to suppose than the former; yea, is not a bare supposition; for if God conveys his Wrath with the least Affliction, and in his Providences fight against a Man, and the Heart is thereby made sensible of his Wrath therein: this, as it often falls out, so it useth wonderfully to inflame and rage in Man's Spirit: even as a poisoned Arrow useth to do the Flesh, which it self alone would only pierce and wound, (but as it is an Arrow;) but if further dipped in Poison, or as the Apostle's comparison is, Eph. 6. made a fiery Dart, it works a further Anguish and Torment. Now there is no Creature, but if armed with God's Wrath, or if it be but a Messenger, and a Representer of God's Anger, but it is infinitely more dreadful than of it self otherwise it is. What is less than the shaking of a Leaf, which seems it self to tremble? But if ⟨p. 123⟩God send faintness of Heart, and Terror with it, and by it, into a Man's Heart, the very Sound of the shaking of a Leaf chaseth them, Lev. 26. 36. Every Grass-blade, burnished with God's Wrath, strikes terror into the Heart, as that flaming Cherub did into Adam's. This is experimented in Men troubled in Mind, unto whom, Iratumque refert quaelibet herba Deum. Every Creature presents an angry God, and strikes trembling of Heart into them. They fear where no fear is. The Light, which of all Creatures is the most amiable and pleasantest, yet to a Spirit wounded the Beams thereof are dreadful; and when it is day, he wisheth it were night, and that Darkness might for ever cover him; and why should the Light arise, says he, to disclose my Rebellion against my Maker? Thus Job, Job 4. 20. Wherefore is the Light given to him that is in misery? Even as on the contrary, to a Soul God's Face shines on, every Creature strikes up comfort and gladness into it. He hears the Thunder, (which made Caligula tremble,) 'Tis my Father's Voice, says he: views the Stars; these are mine, saith he. The greatest Afflictions to such an one do turn into Joy, knowing he hath a Treasury of Love in the Bosom of his Father ⟨p. 124⟩that sent them. The perfect contrary is here.