The door of salvation opened by the key of regeneration

Nero shut up the Temple of Janus, tanquam nullo residuobello, as if no Relics of war remained saith Sueton, when at the same time the Empire was at Civil war within it self.

Nero shut up the Temple of Janus, tanquam nullo residuobello, as if no Reliques of war remained saith Sueton, when at the same time the Empire was at Civil war within it self.

How ordinary is it for men whose Consciences are past feeling to brag that God and they are good friends (not knowing when they ever fell out) when at the same time he is at war with them, walks contrary to them, and is preparing for them the instruments of eternal death! Like Agag to the very hour of execution, they are confident of a Pardon, and go with their hearts full of hopes into the very place of despair. ⟨p. 89⟩They die willingly (as they tell us) and their neighbours commend them, saying they died like lambs, when rather like Solomons ox, who goeth to the slaughter, so died they, going to the den of roaring Lions, and the place of Dragons. They had no Bands in their deaths who were in bondage to the devil, Ps. 73.4.

As a man that is asleep upon the Mast of a Ship, he is in a golden Dream, and his thoughts upon large Revenues, rich treasures, Kingdoms and Diadems, which he hath already in his own possession, but in that very hour wherein he is solacing himself in his vain imaginations, a storm ariseth, the man is tumbled off the Mast and drowned: Thus many have golden dreams, strong presumptions of their salvation, when alas they do but befool themselves, are all the while upon the brink of hell, and are tumbled into it before they are aware.