Eighteen sermons preached in Oxford 1640 of conversion, unto God. Of redemption, & justification,…

2. But if this be so grievous, what is it to lose Heaven? Certainly, to lose the highest and greatest good, is the greatest evil and punishment that can be inflicted upon a creature. Which makes many Divines think, that the penalties of loss are far greater then those of sense, though they seem not to make that impression. It's another thing to judge of things by sense then by loss: As for example, a man is greatly troubled with the tooth-ache, and he thinks his case more miserable then any, and thinks no man ever endured so much misery as himself, he judges of his misery by sense: Another man is in the consumption, and he hath little or no pain at all; yet if a man come with a right judgment, he will judge his condition far worse then the others. So take all the pains in Hell, though sense may say they are the greatest that can be, yet discreet judgment can say, that the loss of God the greatest good, is the worst of evils. Now (if thou be a firebrand of Hell) thou must be for ever banished from Gods presence. Thou base wretch, dost thou thin• Heaven a place for thee? not so. 'Tis without are dogs and sorcerers, &c. Thou art a damned ⟨p. 147⟩dog, therefore thou must out from God, and from the company of the blessed Saints and Angels. When Peter saw Moses and Elijah with Christ in his Transfiguration, though he had but a glimpse of glory, yet he saith, It is good for us to be here: But oh how infinite good will it be to be in Heaven? how shall we be then wrapped up with glory when we shall be for ever with the Lord, in whose presence is fullness of joy, and at whose right hand there are pleasures for evermore. On the contrary, how exceeding terrible will it be to be shut out from the presence of God? when God shall say, avaunt hence, whip out this dog, what doth he here? let him not defile this room, this is no place for such a filthy dog. Oh the unspeakable horror and dread! oh the infinite shame of that man who is in such a case! But this is not all.

2. But if this be so grievous, what is it to lose Heaven? Certainly, to lose the highest and greatest good, is the greatest evil and punishment that can be inflicted upon a creature. Which makes many Divines think, that the penalties of losse are far greater then those of sense, though they seem not to make that impression. It's another thing to judge of things by sense then by losse: As for example, a man is greatly troubled with the tooth-ach, and he thinks his case more miserable then any, and thinks no man ever endur'd so much misery as himself, he judges of his misery by sense: Another man is in the consumption, and he hath little or no pain at all; yet if a man come with a right judgment, he will judge his condition far worse then the others. So take all the pains in Hell, though sense may say they are the greatest that can be, yet discreet judgment can say, that the losse of God the greatest good, is the worst of evils. Now (if thou be a firebrand of Hell) thou must be for ever banish't from Gods presence. Thou base wretch, dost thou thin Heaven a place for thee? not so. 'Tis without are dogs and sorcerers, &c. Thou art a damned