A92852:92
England's preservation or, a sermon discovering the only way to prevent destroying judgementsEngland's preservation or, a sermon discovering the onely way to prevent destroying judgements
England's preservation or, a sermon discovering the only way to prevent destroying judgements: preached to the Honourable House of Commons at their last solemn fast, being on May, 25. 1642. By Obadiah Sedgwick Bachelor in Divinity and minister of Coggeshall in Essex. Published by order of that house.England's preservation or, a sermon discovering the onely way to prevent destroying judgements: preached to the Honourable House of Commons at their last solemne fast, being on May, 25. 1642. By Obadiah Sedgwicke Batchelour in Divinity and minister of Coggeshall in Essex. Published by order of that house.
London: printed by R. B. for Samuel Gellibrand, 1642
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A Sermon Preached at the late Fast, to the Commons House OF PARLIAM… › 3. The consequent working.
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.
5. Fifthly, We shall assuredly be broken off, if we be not broken up; Beloved! There are two vile malignities in an unbroken heart.
5. Fifthly, Wee shall assuredly be broken off, if we be not broken up; Beloved! There are two vile malignities in an unbroken heart.
First, It is one of the greatest of spiritual judgements, ô said a Reverend man once, if I must be put to my option, I had rather be in Hell with a sensible heart, then live on earth with a reprobate mind; so I say, an hardened and unbroken heart (is in some respect) a judgement worse than Hell, for as much as one of the greatest sins, is far greater in evil, then any of the greatest punishments.
First, It is one of the greatest of spirituall judgements, ô said a Reverend man once, if I must be put to my option, I had rather be in Hell with a sensible heart, then live on earth with a reprobate minde; so I say, an hardned and unbroken heart (is in some respect) a judgement worse than Hell, for as much as one of the greatest sins, is farre greater in evill, then any of the greatest punishments.
Secondly, It is the immediate and unavoidable forerunner of the greatest of temporal judgements, He that hardens his heart shall be destroyed suddenly and that without remedy, Prov. 29. 1. Observe that place: There is no less then destruction, which is not a particular and imperfect damage, but it is a complete ruin, and this destruction is certain (shall, not may perhaps, be destroyed) but when? Suddenly! I! but the sinner will shift it off, & withstand it! No, but he shall be destroyed without remedy: His destruction shall not be prevented; you may read all this in the old World, and in Pharaoh, and in the Jews before the Babylonian Captivity, and afterwards in the Roman devastation which hath lasted these 1600 years.