Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

Another considerable part of Scripture stands in threatenings against Sinners. Touching experimenting these, I need say very little: our Good God doth not give out Threatenings in the same manner as he doth give out Promises; he gives out Promises that they may be fulfilled and experimented; but he gives out Threatenings that they may not be fulfilled and experimented, but rather that by them Men may be warned in a way of Faith and Repentance To fly from the wrath to come. The applying of a Promise in a right manner makes it to belong to us, but the applying of a Threatening makes it not to belong to us: judging our selves we prevent the Judgment of God. The Believer even before Conversion more or less felt the Threatenings taking hold of him, and shutting of him up under Wrath, till Jesus Christ opened the Prison-doors and made him Free indeed: And if aft Conversion he forget the old Chains, and run into wilful Rebellion again, he will feel them a second time; The bones will be broken and Comforts lost, the Conscience will be wounded, and the Wounds will Stink and be corrupt because of his foolishness. God may depart away, and leave the Graces withering, and the poor Soul all in the dark with Terrors round about it: This is a very ⟨p. 352⟩sad Experiment; and yet undeniably proves that the Threatenings are from God, his Justice appearing on the top of them like devouring Fire.

Another considerable part of Scripture stands in threatnings against Sinners. Touching experimenting these, I need say very little: our Good God doth not give out Threatnings in the same manner as he doth give out Promises; he gives out Promises that they may be fulfilled and experimented; but he gives out Threatnings that they may not be fulfilled and experimented, but rather that by them Men may be warned in a way of Faith and Repentance To fly from the wrath to come. The applying of a Promise in a right manner makes it to belong to us, but the applying of a Threatning makes it not to belong to us: judging our selves we prevent the Judgment of God. The Believer even before Conversion more or less felt the Threatnings taking hold of him, and shutting of him up under Wrath, till Jesus Christ opened the Prison-dores and made him Free indeed: And if afte Conversion he forget the old Chains, and run into wilful Rebellion again, he will feel them a second time; The bones will be broken and Comforts lost, the Conscience will be wounded, and the Wounds will Stink and be corrupt because of his foolishness. God may depart away, and leave the Graces withering, and the poor Soul all in the dark with Terrors round about it: This is a very