Fire and brimstone from heaven, from earth, in hell, or, Three discourses I. Concerning…

Fifthly, Others quiet themselves for the present, and arm themselves against fears of Hell, through their intention of after repentance and reformation; however they indulge themselves for a while in their sinful course, yet they resolve shortly to become new Men and Women, to turn over a new leaf, and lead a new life, and to become as Holy and strict as the best; not considering that repentance is not in their own power, and how they provoke God hereby to deny the grace to them hereafter, and to remove from the means of working it; ⟨p. 119⟩not remembering how many thousands have perished with such intentions, which never have been put into execution.

Fifthly, Others quiet themselves for the present, and arm themselves against fears of Hell, through their intention of after repentance and reformation; however they indulge themselves for a while in their sinful course, yet they resolve shortly to become new Men and Women, to turn over a new leaf, and lead a new life, and to become as Holy and strict as the best; not considering that repentance is not in their own power, and how they provoke God hereby to deny the grace to them hereafter, and to remove from the means of working it; ⟨p. 119⟩not remembring how many thousands have perished with such intentions, which never have been put into execution.

Sixthly, Others are quiet and secure through want of serious consideration, what their guilt and danger is; they fill and throng up their time so full with worldly business and secular employments▪ that they leave themselves no room or leisure for to think of Sin and their near-approaching death, and future wrath, and the eternal burnings of Hell, which they are in danger of. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches do choke their Meditations in the first springing forth of them that no fruit doth come from them to perfection. Did but guilty Sinners sit down one quarter of an hour every day, and look upward to the angry God who frowns upon them, and down-ward to the flames of Hell, which are preparing for them and forward to the last judgement, when they will be sentenced by the Judge to dwell with devouring Fire, and Inhabit everlasting burnings; and were persuaded that if they continue in Sin, they can by no means escape; surely the could not be so secure.