A64987:40
Fire and brimstone from heaven, from earth, in hell, or, Three discourses I. Concerning the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah formerly, II. Concerning the burning of Æetna, or Mount Gibel more lately, III. Concerning the burning of the wicked eternally, with fire and brimstone / by Thomas Vincent ...
London: printed for George Calvert, 1670
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
First, The efficient cause of the judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah was the Lord. Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah Brimstone and Fire from the Lord out of Heaven. Every judgement, whereof there are second causes in nature, is from the Lord; but this judgement was miraculous and therefore the hand of the Lord was in it more immediately; It was beyond the power of any second causes to effect this great thing, and therefore the Lord doth put forth his own great power, and stretcheth forth his mighty arm, that he might take vengeance on the wicked Sodomites, who had so highly provoked him by their sins. It is said Deut. 29. 23. The Lord overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboim in his anger and in his wrath.
First, The efficient cause of the judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah was the Lord. Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah Brimstone and Fire from the Lord out of Heaven. Every judgement, whereof there are second causes in nature, is from the Lord; but this judgement was miraculous and therefore the hand of the Lord was in it more immediately; It was beyond the power of any second causes to effect this great thing, and therefore the Lord doth put forth his own great power, and stretcheth forth his mighty arm, that he might take vengeance on the wicked Sodomits, who had so highly provoked him by their sins. It is said Deut. 29. 23. The Lord overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboim in his anger and in his wrath.
The Lord heard the cry of Sodom's sins, and was wrath; a fire of anger was kindled in his breast, and fury came up into his face, therefore girding himself with his irresistible power, and clothing ⟨p. 14⟩himself with flaming vengeance, as with a garment he came done, to plead with this ungodly and wicked people for their sins, rendering his rebukes in such a way as never before was heard of. It was the day of the Lords recompense, the day of his wrath and fierce anger, a day of trouble and distress, of wasting and desolation: It was a day in which the Lord was revealed from Heaven in flaming Fire, to take vengeance upon the Sodomites, whom he punished with a most fearful destruction, devouring those wicked Cities by the fire of his jealousy, that he might make a speedy riddance of all the sinners which dwelled in them. The Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah Brimstone and Fire from the Lord out of Heaven. By the Lord on Earth we are to understand the Son of God, the second most glorious Person in the Trinity; by the Lord in Heaven, we are to understand the Father, the first Person, who hath committed all Judgement unto the Son, Joh. 5. 22. From whom he received power to execute the appointed vengeance on wicked Sodom.
The Lord heard the cry of Sodom's sins, and was wrath; a fire of anger was kindled in his breast, and fury came up into his face, therefore girding himself with his irresistible power, and clothing ⟨p. 14⟩himself with flaming vengeance, as with a garment he came done, to plead with this ungodly and wicked people for their sins, rendering his rebukes in such a way as never before was heard of. It was the day of the Lords recompence, the day of his wrath and fierce anger, a day of trouble and distresse, of wasting and desolation: It was a day in which the Lord was revealed from Heaven in flaming Fire, to take vengeance upon the Sodomits, whom he punished with a most fearful destruction, devouring those wicked Cities by the fire of his jealousie, that he might make a speedy riddance of all the sinners which dwelled in them. The Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah Brimstone and Fire from the Lord out of Heaven. By the Lord on Earth we are to understand the Son of God, the second most glorious Person in the Trinity; by the Lord in Heaven, we are to understand the Father, the first Person, who hath committed all Judgement unto the Son, Ioh. 5. 22. From whom he received power to execute the appointed vengeance on wicked Sodom.
Secondly, The meritorious cause of the Judgement upon Sodom and Gomorrah was the sins of those wicked Cities, when the Lord ariseth from his place to take vengeance upon a Nation, especially in some notable and remarkable judgement, he is first exceedingly provoked hereunto by the sins of that people. It is said Gen. 13. 13. that the men of Sodom were wicked, and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. They exceeded all other Nations in their sins, and therefore they exceeded all other Nations in their punishment. And Chap. 18. 20. We read the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah was great, ⟨p. 15⟩and their sin was very grievous. It was not their prayers which sent up such a cry unto Heaven, no they were wholly irreligious and Ungodly: but it was their sins, like the blood of Abel which cried from the ground for vengeance on him that shed it; the cry of Sodoms sins was so loud, that it came up into Gods ears, and would give him no rest until he came down to punish: Their sin was very grievous; not only grievous unto righteous Lot, who was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked, 2 Pet. 2. 7. But it was most grievous unto the most Holy and Righteous God, it was as a heavy load upon him grievous and hard to be borne; it grieved God as it were to the heart, and therefore he doth ease himself of the burden of their Sin, by suffering it to fall down with a heavy weight upon themselves, so as to crush and destroy them together.
Secondly, The miritorious cause of the Judgement upon Sodom and Gomorrah was the sins of those wicked Cities, when the Lord ariseth from his place to take vengeance upon a Nation, especially in some notable and remarkable judgement, he is first exceedingly provoked hereunto by the sins of that people. It is said Gen. 13. 13. that the men of Sodom were wicked, and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. They exceeded all other Nations in their sins, and therefore they exceeded all other Nations in their punishment. And Chap. 18. 20. We read the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah was great, ⟨p. 15⟩and their sin was very grievous. It was not their prayers which sent up such a cry unto Heaven, no they were wholly irreligious and Ungodly: but it was their sins, like the blood of Abel which cryed from the ground for vengeance on him that shed it; the cry of Sodoms sins was so loud, that it came up into Gods ears, and would give him no rest until he came down to punish: Their sin was very grievous; not only grievous unto righteous Lot, who was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked,
There are five sins of Sodom spoken of together, Ezek. 16. 49, 50. Behold this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, Pride, fullness of Bread, and abundance of Idleness was in her, and in her Daughters; that is her neighbour inferior Cities, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me, therefore I took them away as I saw good. The Sins were:
There are five sins of Sodom spoken of together, Ezek. 16. 49, 50. Behold this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, Pride, fullness of Bread, and abundance of Idleness was in her, and in her Daughters; that is her neighbour inferiour Cities, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me, therefore I took them away as I saw good. The Sins were:
First, Pride and Haughtiness. Secondly, Fullness of Bread. Thirdly, Abundance of Idleness. Fourthly, Unmercifulness to the Poor. Fifthly, Abomination.
First, Pride and Haughtiness. Secondly, Fulness of Bread. Thirdly, Abundance of Idelness. Fourthly, Unmercifulness to the Poor. Fifthly, Abomination.
The first Sin of Sodom was Pride and Haughtiness, Prov. 16. 18. Pride goeth before destruction, and a ⟨p. 16⟩haughty spirit before a fall. The Pride and haughtiness of the Sodomites did discover it self in their carriage towards Lot, Gen. 19. 7, 9. Lot is meek and humble, he speaketh fairly and kindly: I pray you Brethren do not so wickedly: But they are high rough and very haughty in their answer. And they said stand back, and they said again, this one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a Judge. As if they should have said: Pray who are you that take upon you to speak thus unto us? do you know whom you speak to? you are a bold and saucy fellow to tell us of wickedness; Will you needs be our Judge? shall we indeed be judged by such a fellow as you? pray stay until we make choice of you and place you in that office: shall we submit our selves to be judged by one so contemptible? No, no, we will never endure it; it is below our birth and breeding to be curbed by any one, especially by you, who are a stranger, and of such a low spirit as dare not join with us in the way and practice of our City: We will deal worse with you than with them, we will make you know that we are your betters, and that we have power in our bands to bring you to your knees, and to tread you under our feet, that we can do both with you and yours what we please: we have been often provoked by you before, now we will forbear no longer, but make you to feel as well as to see in what disdain we have taken all your reproofs of our conversation. Pride was grown to a great height in Sodom, it was monstrously great and big-bellied, conceiving and bringing forth many Daughters, such as Hatred, Malice, Envy, Revenge, Wrath, Strife, Contention, Bitterness, evil speaking, Slanders, Backbiting, Whisperings, Tumults, Brawls, Blood, and the like; these and many other •ins are the product of Pride ⟨p. 17⟩and haughtiness, all which we have reason to think did exceedingly abound in these exceeding wicked Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The second sin of Sodom was Fullness of Bread. By Bread we are to understand all sort of food, and not only meat, but drink too, as Math. 6. 11. Give us this day our daily Bread: By fullness of bread is not meant plenty of food, this being Gods gift, and none of mans sin to have it, and to make use of it moderately; but hereby we are to understand the Sodomites excessive filling themselves, their excessive eating unto gluttony, and excessive drinking unto drunkenness: They pampered the flesh, and nourished themselves as the Ox is nourished against the day of slaughter, some resemblance of their Sin was in the Israelites spoken of, •m, 6. 4, 5, 6. That lay upon Beds of Ivory, and stretched themselves on their Couches, and eat the Lambs out of the Flock, and Calves out of the midst of the Stall: That chanted to the sound of the Viol, that drank Wine in Bowls, and Anointed themselves with the chief Ointments,
The second sin of Sodom was Fulness of Bread. By Bread we are to understand all sort of food, and not only meat, but drink too, as Math. 6. 11. Give us this day our dayly Bread: By fulness of bread is not meant plenty of food, this being Gods gift, and none of mans sin to have it, and to make use of it moderately; but hereby we are to understand the Sodomits excessive filling themselves, their excessive eating unto gluttony, and excessive drinking unto drunkenness: They pampered the flesh, and nourished themselves as the Ox is nourished against the day of slaughter, some resemblance of their Sin was in the Israelites spoken of, •m, 6. 4, 5, 6. That lay upon Beds of Ivory, and stretched themselves on their Couches, and eat the Lambs out of the Flock, and Calves out of the midst of the Stall: That chanted to the sound of the Viol, that drank Wine in Bowls, and Anointed themselves with the chief Ointments,
They were such as those against whom the woe is pronounced, Isa. 5. 11, 12. Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, and continue until night, till Wine inflame them: And the Harp and the Viol, the Tabret and Pipe are in their Feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands. It is likely the Sodomites had been Feasting and Revelling, drinking and carousing that day which the Angels came into their City, and their lusts being inflamed with their excesses, they gather in troops unto the House of Lot, to commit their intended ⟨p. 18⟩outrage. But God is provoked, to cut off all provisions for their flesh, which they had so much abused, and to cut them off too for their intemperance.
They were such as those against whom the wo is pronounced, Isa. 5. 11, 12. Wo unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, and continue untill night, till Wine enflame them: And the Harp and the Viol, the Tabret and Pipe are in their Feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands. It is likely the Sodomits had been Feasting and Revelling, drinking and carowsing that day which the Angels came into their City, and their lusts being enflamed with their excesses, they gather in troops unto the House of Lot, to commit their intended ⟨p. 18⟩outrage. But God is provoked, to cut off all provisions for their flesh, which they had so much abused, and to cut them off too for their intemperance.
The third Sin of Sodom was Abundance of Idleness. Idle persons did abound in that City, and there was abundance of idleness in those persons: they sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play; they were busy and active indeed in the service of the Devil, but either they lived without any particular Calling many of them, or were very slothful and negligent therein. Had they been diligently employed in their Callings that day as the Angels visited Lot, they would have had more mind to rest themselves in their own houses, than to disturb strangers in another's House; but they being so generally idle, and an idle crew of them got together, upon notice of the strangers entertainment in Lot's house, for want of better employment, they attempt this wickedness. The Sodomites did not only wast their wealth and strength, but also their precious time in Luxury, and this provoked the Lord to put an end to their time, which they made so little account of.
The third Sin of Sodom was Abundance of Idleness. Idle persons did abound in that City, and there was abundance of idleness in those persons: they sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play; they were busie and active indeed in the service of the Devil, but either they lived without any particular Calling many of them, or were very slothful and negligent therein. Had they been diligently employed in their Callings that day as the Angels visited Lot, they would have had more minde to rest themselves in their own houses, than to disturb strangers in anothers House; but they being so generally idle, and an idle crew of them got together, upon notice of the strangers entertainment in Lot's house, for want of better emploiment, they attempt this wickedness. The Sodomits did not only wast their wealth and strength, but also their precious time in Luxury, and this provoked the Lord to put an end to their time, which they made so little account of.
The fourth Sin of Sodom was Unmercifulness to the Poor. They strengthened not the hands of the poor and needy; they had poor and needy persons amongst them, but they did neither strengthen their hands, nor comfort their hearts by distributing relief unto them; they consumed so much upon their lust, that they had nothing to spare for the poor, at least they had no heart to give anything for the supply of their necessities; the cry of the poor, it is likely, with their other sins came up into ⟨p. 19⟩Gods ears, and the Lord hath threatned, Jam. 2. 13. He shall have judgement without mercy, that hath showed no mercy.
The fourth Sin of Sodom was Unmercifulness to the Poor. They strengthned not the hands of the poor and needy; they had poor and needy persons amongst them, but they did neither strengthen their hands, nor comfort their hearts by distributing relief unto them; they consumed so much upon their lust, that they had nothing to spare for the poor, at least they had no heart to give anything for the supply of their necessities; the cry of the poor, it is likely, with their other sins came up into ⟨p. 19⟩Gods ears, and the Lord hath threatned, Iam. 2. 13. He shall have judgement without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy.
The fifth and chief Sin of Sodom was Abomination. And they committed Abomination before me, therefore I took them away as I saw good. This word Abomination is a general word, and may be attributed to the fore mentioned Sins, which are an abomination in the sight of God; but ordinarily it is attributed in Scripture unto the greatest and most heinous Sins, and amongst others, yea above others to the sin of Idolatry: this Sin no doubt the Sodomites were guilty of, however it is not made mention of, neither do I think that Sin is implied in the word Abomination here, insomuch as then the Earth was full of Idolatry, and the Sodomites were not worse herein (as we read of) than other Nations, but (I conceive) by Abomination we are to understand the abominable Filthiness of the Sodomites, for which they are branded by the Apostle Jud. ver, 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the Cities about them, in like manner giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, &c. They gave themselves over unto fornication, even as the Gentiles are said to do. Eph. 4. 19. Who being past feeling, have given themselves over unto Lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. God had given them up, and they had given up themselves unto the service of their Lusts, they were generally addicted unto uncleanness, and that not only to Fornication and Adultery, but it is said, they lusted after strange Flesh, such was their lust and uncleanness as we have described, Rom. 1. 24, 26, 27. Wherein ⟨p. 20⟩they did dishonour their own bodies between themselves, the men through vile affections, leaving the natural use of the Woman, burned in their lusts one towards another, men with men working that which is not only unseemly to be practised, but also unseemly to be named, or more particularly described. The Sin since that time hath obtained the name of Sodomy▪ it being so general in that place, insomuch as when the Angels came to Sodom, they would have been unclean with the very Angels, this provoked the Lord to render to them the recompense for such abominable Filthiness as was meet.
The fifth and chief Sin of Sodom was Abomination. And they committed Abomination before me, therefore I took them away as I saw good. This word Abomination is a general word, and may be attributed to the fore mentioned Sins, which are an abomination in the sight of God; but ordinarily it is attributed in Scripture unto the greatest and most hainous Sins, and amongst others, yea above others to the sin of Idolatry: this Sin no doubt the Sodomits were guilty of, however it is not made mention of, neither do I think that Sin is implyed in the word Abomination here, insomuch as then the Earth was full of Idolatry, and the Sodomits were not worse herein (as we read of) than other Nations, but (I conceive) by Abomination we are to understand the abominable Filthiness of the Sodomits, for which they are branded by the Apostle Iud. ver, 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the Cities about them, in like manner giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, &c. They gave themselves over unto fornication, even as the Gentiles are said to do.
Besides these Sins of the Sodomites, we may collect from the History several aggravations of their Sins, which did exceedingly ripen them for ruin.
Besides these Sins of the Sodomits, we may collect from the History several aggrevations of their Sins, which did exceedingly ripen them for ruine.
The first aggravation of the Sodomites Sins, was their Impenitency. Although Nineveh was threatened with ruin, and that within forty days, yet upon their repentance at the Preaching of Jonah, God repented of the evil threatened, and destroyed them not, as in the Book of Jonah. And if Sodom had repented of their Sins, and turned from their evil ways, if they had washed and made themselves clean, and put away the evil of their doings from before Gods eyes, God would have turned from the fierceness of his displeasure, and though their Sins were of a Scarlet and Crimson dye, yet they should have been blotted out and washed away, and made like Snow or Wool: but this was the aggravation of all their other wickedness, that they were insensible and hard-hearted, their consciences were seared as with a hot Iron, so that they had no feeling nor remorse. There was a Preacher of righteousness amongst them, namely righteous Lot, who ⟨p. 21⟩reproved them so plainly and roundly for their Ungodly practices, and filthy conversation, that they tell him he would needs make himself a Judge; unto which he added his own blameless conversation, and forbearance from such intemperance and riot as they did run into; But the Sodomites slight all Lot's sayings, they deafen their ears against his reproofs, and will be led by none of his example; nothing prevails with them to repent.
The first aggravation of the Sodomits Sins, was their Impenitency. Although Nineveh was threatned with ruine, and that within forty days, yet upon their repentance at the Preaching of Ionah, God repented of the evil threatned, and destroyed them not, as in the Book of Ionah. And if Sodom had repented of their Sins, and turned from their evil ways, if they had washed and made themselves clean, and put away the evil of their doings from before Gods eyes, God would have turned from the feirceness of his displeasure, and though their Sins were of a Scarlet and Crimson dy, yet they should have been blotted out and washed away, and made like Snow or Wooll: but this was the aggravation of all their other wickedness, that they were insensible and hard-hearted, their consciences were seared as with a hot Iron, so that they had no feeling nor remorse. There was a Preacher of righteousness amongst them, namely righteous Lot, who ⟨p. 21⟩reproved them so plainly and roundly for their Ungodly practices, and filthy conversation, that they tell him he would needs make himself a Judge; unto which he added his own blameless conversation, and forbearance from such intemperance and riot as they did run into; But the Sodomits slight all Lot's sayings, they deafen their ears against his reproofs, and will be led by none of his example; nothing prevails with them to repent.
The second aggravation of the Sodomites Sins was their Incorrigibleness; As it was said of the Jews afterward, Jer. 5. 3. So it might have been said of the Sodomites then, Though God had stricken them, yet they did not grieve, though God had consumed them, yet they refused to receive correction. They did not take warning by lesser judgements, so as to be corrected and amended thereby; They were smitten before their enemies, their City not long before had been sacked, their goods taken away, and themselves were led into Captivity, with their Wives and Children; and yet they were insensible of their Sins, the cause of all this evil that came upon them, and were so far from being bettered hereby, that they grew worse than they were before.
The second aggravation of the Sodomits Sins was th•ir Incorrigibleness; As it was said of the Jews aft•rward, Ier. 5. 3. So it might have been said of the Sodomits then, Though God had stricken them, yet they did not grieve, though God had consumed them, yet they refused to receive correction. They did not take warning by lesser judgements, so as to be corrected and amended thereby; They were smitten before their enemies, their City not long before had been sackt, their goods taken away, and themselves were led into Captivity, with their Wives and Children; and yet they were insensible of their Sins, the cause of all this evil that came upon them, and were so far from being bettered hereby, that they grew worse than they were before.
The third aggravation of the Sodomites Sins was their Ingratitude. They were not only ungrateful unto Lot, upon whose account Abraham did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, which not only laid an obligation of respect to Lot upon them as long as they lived: but chiefly they were ungrateful unto God, the Author of this deliverance by Abraham, and who moreover had been very bountiful unto them, in giving them such a place of plenty and ⟨p. 22⟩pleasure for their habitation, that it was like unto the Garden of the Lord for fruitfulness, the greater Gods Mercy and Bounty to them, the greater was their ingratitude, and the more highly aggravated were their Sins.
The third aggravation of the Sodomits Sins was their Ingratitude. They were not only ungrateful unto Lot, upon whose account Abraham did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, which not only laid an obligation of respect to Lot upon them as long as they liv'd: but chiefly they were ungrateful unto God, the Author of this deliverance by Abraham, and who moreover had been very bountiful unto them, in giving them such a place of plenty and ⟨p. 22⟩pleasure for their habitation, that it was like unto the Garden of the Lord for fruitfulness, the greater Gods Mercy and Bounty to them, the greater was their ingratitude, and the more highly aggravated were their Sins.
The fourth aggravation of the Sodomites Sins was the Universality of their Sins. There were no righteous persons amongst them, except it were Lot and his Family; they were generally corrupt, they were all dross and no Gold, all Water and no Wine ▪ all wicked when Lot was departed; As the Earth of old was filled with violence; so Sodom then was filled with Filthiness, which was very offensive unto the pure and Holy Eyes of God, and provoked him to destroy them.
The fourth aggravation of the Sodomits Sins was the Universality of their Sins. There were no righteous persons amongst them, except it were Lot and his Family; they were generally corrupt, they were all dross and no Gold, all Water and no Wine ▪ all wicked when Lot was departed; As the Earth of old was filled with violence; so Sodom then was filled with Filthiness, which was very offensive unto the pure and Holy Eyes of God, and provoked him to destroy them.
