Twenty sermons preached at Oxford before His Majesty, and elsewhere

2. But besides, as it is everlasting, so is it unabateable. If a man were cast into a fire, the fire coming about him, would in short time blunt his senses, and take away his feeling, and besides the materials of the fire would soon spend and wast: But it is not so here, here is not the least abatement of the horror, nor the least inch of torment taken away throughout all eternity. It was a poor request of Dives (one would think) that Lazarus would dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool his tongue: Luk. 16.14. ⟨p. 64⟩A cold comfort, but one drop of water for the present, which would soon be dried, and yet that is denied him, he must have no abatement of his torment. Nor is there any abatement of thy feeling, but thou art kept in full strength; and as long as God is God, shall Tophet burn, and thou feel it.

Obj. But (may some say) this is preaching indeed, this would affright a man, and make him go hang himself, sooner then be converted.

Sol. True, should God let loose the cord of our conscience, it were the way (such would be the terrors of it) to make a man find another cord, did not God restrain him. I desire not by this to hurt you, but to save you. I am a messenger not sent from Abraham, Luk. 16.27. (as Dives entreated) but from the God of Abraham, to forewarn you that you come not to that place of torment.

Sol. True, should God let loose the cord of our conscience, it were the way (such would be the terrours of it) to make a man find another cord, did not God restrain him. I desire not by this to hurt you, but to save you. I am a messenger not sent from Abraham,