N01608:8
The valley of Hinnom. The terrors of hell demonstrated and the methods of escaping…The valley of Hinnom. The terrours of hell demonstrated and the methods of escaping…
The valley of Hinnom. The terrors of hell demonstrated and the methods of escaping the terrible miseries of the punishments on the wicked there, declared. In a sermon preached in the hearing, and at the request, of a man under a sentence of death for a murder; just before the execution of the sentence; and upon a text by himself assigned for the sermon to insist upon. At Boston, 13.d. IV.m. 1717, : [Two lines of quotation in Latin]The valley of Hinnom. The terrours of hell demonstrated and the methods of escaping the terrible miseries of the punishments on the wicked there, declared. In a sermon preached in the hearing, and at the request, of a man under a sentence of death for a murder; just before the execution of the sentence; and upon a text by himself assigned for the sermon to insist upon. At Boston, 13.d. IV.m. 1717, : [Two lines of quotation in Latin]
Boston: printed by J. Allen for Robert Starke, 1717
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
A View of an Unseen World. Just before the Execution of JEREMIAH FENWICK for a Murder. 13. d. IV. m. 1717.
WE have before us a poor Son of Death within Three or Four Hours of an Awful Eternity, whose Condition is a most affecting SERMON unto us. But that it may be so, I am desired by him, to Entertain you with a SERMON on a Text by himself assigned unto me, than which the whole Bible affords not a more tremendous one. Give now, O All ye People, every one of you, Give a most Lively Attention to the Words of a Dying Man; yea, Attend unto the Word of the Ever-living GOD, in,
WE have before us a poor Son of Death within Three or Four Hours of an Awful Eternity, whose Condition is a most affecting SERMON unto us. But that it may be so, I am desired by him, to Entertain you with a SERMON on a Text by himself assign'd unto me, than which the whole Bible affords not a more tremendous one. Give now, O All ye People, every one of you, Give a most Lively Attention to the Words of a Dying Man; yea, Attend unto the Word of the Ever-living GOD, in,
Matth. X. 28. Fear not them which kill the Body, but are not able to kill the Soul; But rather Fear Him who is able to destroy both Soul and Body in Hell.
Among the Visions of GOD, granted unto a Favourite of Heaven, we find an Angel of the Lord flying through' the midst of Heaven, and saying with a loud Voice, Fear GOD, and give Glory to Him. Yea, But here we have the LORD of that Angel Himself coming down unto the Earth, and saying with a loud Voice, O Fear the glorious GOD! It is our Great SAVIOUR, who Himself is very GOD, that now speaks unto us. You are sensible, That our SAVIOUR was now sending forth His Apostles and His Ministers; to Reveal those Truths of the Gospel, which had hitherto been Covered. The Faithful Discharge of their ⟨p. 3⟩Ministry, would be Dangerous unto them; would bring even the Dangers of nothing less than Death it self upon them. To fortify them against the Fear of Death, Our SAVIOUR warns them of a destruction after Death, which is more to be feared than any Death. Unfaithfulness unto GOD and a Neglect of our Duty to Him, will Expose us to a Destruction of Soul as well as of Body, in a dreadful HELL, after Death; A Destruction more dreadful than any▪ Death. From the Apprehension of this Destruction we are to be quickened unto the Fear of GOD. The Fear of GOD will Quicken us unto all possible Fidelity, Integrity, Activity in the Discharge of our Duty to Him; will set us above the Fear of what any Man on Earth, or even all the Men in the World, can do unto us.
AMong the Visions of GOD, granted unto a Favourite of Heaven, we find an Angel of the Lord flying thro' the midst of Heaven, and saying with a loud Voice, Fear GOD, and give Glory to Him. Yea, But here we have the LORD of that Angel Himself coming down unto the Earth, and saying with a loud Voice, O Fear the glorious GOD! It is our Great SAVIOUR, who Himself is very GOD, that now speaks unto us. You are sensible, That our SAVIOUR was now sending forth His Apostles and His Ministers; to Reveal those Truths of the Gospel, which had hitherto been Covered. The Faithful Discharge of their ⟨p. 3⟩Ministry, would be Dangerous unto them; would bring even the Dangers of nothing less than Death it self upon them. To fortify them against the Fear of Death, Our SAVIOUR warns them of a destruction after Death, which is more to be fear'd than any Death. Unfaithfulness unto GOD and a Neglect of our Duty to Him, will Expose us to a Destruction of Soul as well as of Body, in a dreadful HELL, after Death; A Destruction more dreadful than any▪ Death. From the Apprehension of this Destruction we are to be quickned unto the Fear of GOD. The Fear of GOD will Quicken us unto all possible Fidelity, Intergrity, Activity in the Discharge of our Duty to Him; will set us above the Fear of what any Man on Earth, or even all the Men in the World, can do unto us.
This is the sum of the matter. This, This the DOCTRINE of GOD our SAVIOUR; and the ⟨p. 4⟩Roaring of the Lion, at which they are more stupid than the Beasts of the Forrest, who tremble not
The Destruction of the Soul as well as of the Body, in HELL, is a Thing so much more Formidable than any Death, as that it Infinitely Obliges us all unto the Fear of the Glorious GOD; who can inflict it on us, and will inflict it on them who do not Fear Him.
Sirs, You are to stand, before a DOCTRINE provided by a Dying Man for your Entertainment, as the People did of old before the flaming Mountain, upon which there were Thunders and Lightnings, and the Voice of a Trumpet, Exceeding Loud, So that all the People that were in the Camp, trembled at it.
Syrs, You are to stand, before a DOCTRINE provided by a Dying Man for your Entertainment, as the People did of old before the flaming Mountain, upon which there were Thunders and Lightnings, and the Voice of a Trumpet, Exceeding Loud, So that all the People that were in the Camp, trembled at it.
There are first of all some very awful Truths of the Gospel, which must be known, and be spoken in the Light, and set in a true Light before you.
I. It is most certain, That SIN must be Punished in Destructive Miseries upon the Sinner; a Destruction proceeding from the Just Revenges of GOD The Holy GOD has given us a Law, which requires our Homage unto Him, and our Kindness unto our Neighbour. And a Just Law it is! While the great GOD is what He is, and His Creature Man, is what He is, there will be such Things due, as His Law has thus required. We must for ever own, Psal. CXIX. 142. Thy Righteousness is an everlasting Righteousness, and thy Law is the Truth. 'Tis a Law Originally written on the Tables of our Hearts; and upon the Defacing of those Writings in our Fall from GOD, we have it more fully Explained in the Sacred Scriptures which the Prophetic Spirit has provided for us. In this Law there is a Punishment assigned for the Transgression of it. Indeed, it were not a Law, if it were not armed with a Penalty. And still there is Justice ⟨p. 6⟩in all of this. It is Just, That the Displeasure of the Holy GOD against the Transgression of His Law, should be declared in the Punishment of the Transgressor. It is Just, That when the Law of the Holy GOD has been Transgressed, the Crime should be punished in those Destructive Miseries, which according to it belong unto the Sinner. The Destructive Miseries of the Sinner, are the Just Revenges of GOD upon him, demanding a Satisfaction, and a Reparation, for the Violations of His Law. The Justice of GOD herein Vindicates His Violated Law; Magnifies it and makes it Honourable. And herein He asserts and exerts those His Excellencies, which have been Denied, been Defied, been Reproached in our Sin; For every Sin does deny the GOD that is Above. Wherefore, from the Justice of GOD it now comes to pass, That no Sin can be committed, but it must be Punished. Either the Sinner must himself be ⟨p. 7⟩miserable; or else, One must be found, that may be a Surety for the Sinner, and shall Smart for it. That word, Rom. VI. 23. The Wages of Sin is Death: and that word, Prov. XIII. 21. Evil pursueth Sinners;—'Tis a word that must be Executed. The Truth of a GOD that cannot lye, stands engaged for the Execution of it. Upon a Sin, the Justice of GOD will demand a Sacrifice; The Object is Destroyed, that is made a Sacrifice.
I. It is most certain, That SIN must be Punished in Destructive Miseries upon the Sinner; a Destruction proceeding from the Just Revenges of GOD The Holy GOD has given us a Law, which requires our Homage unto Him, and our Kindness unto our Neighbour. And a Just Law it is! While the great GOD is what He is, and His Creature Man, is what He is, there will be such Things due, as His Law has thus required. We must for ever own, Psal. CXIX. 142. Thy Righteousness is an everlasting Righteousness, and thy Law is the Truth. 'Tis a Law Originally written on the Tables of our Hearts; and upon the Defacing of those Writings in our Fall from GOD, we have it more fully Explained in the Sacred Scriptures which the Prophetick Spirit has provided for us. In this Law there is a Punishment assign'd for the Transgression of it. Indeed, it were not a Law, if it were not arm'd with a Penalty. And still there is Justice ⟨p. 6⟩in all of this. It is Just, That the Displeasure of the Holy GOD against the Transgression of His Law, should be declared in the Punishment of the Transgressor. It is Just, That when the Law of the Holy GOD has been Transgress'd, the Crime should be punished in those Destructive Miseries, which according to it belong unto the Sinner. The Destructive Miseries of the Sinner, are the Just Revenges of GOD upon him, demanding a Satisfaction, and a Reparation, for the Violations of His Law. The Justice of GOD herein Vindicates His Violated Law; Magnifies it and makes it Honourable. And herein He asserts and exerts those His Excellencies, which have been Denied, been Defied, been Reproached in our Sin; For every Sin does deny the GOD that is Above. Wherefore, from the Justice of GOD it now comes to pass, That no Sin can be committed, but it must be Punished. Either the Sinner must himself be ⟨p. 7⟩miserable; or else, One must be found, that may be a Surety for the Sinner, and shall Smart for it. That word, Rom. VI. 23. The Wages of Sin is Death: and that word, Prov. XIII. 21. Evil pursueth Sinners;—'Tis a word that must be Executed. The Truth of a GOD that cannot lye, stands engaged for the Execution of it. Upon a Sin, the Justice of GOD will demand a Sacrifice; The Object is Destroy'd, that is made a Sacrifice.
First, This is what Men have Naturally some Apprehensions of: Men are Naturally Apprehensive of it, and bring into the World with them a Principle in their Souls, which when it is awakened, gives them an Assurance of it; That Sin must and will be Punished, by the Justice of GOD. It is truly affirmed, Rom. I. 32. They know the Judgments of GOD, that they which commit such Things are worthy of Death. The GOD who forms the Spirit of Man within him, and left on it some ⟨p. 8⟩Tendencies for a Re-Union, to Himself; has made some Indelible Impressions of His Justice on the Spirit of Man; Impressions, Convictions, Persuasions, That GOD will punish Sin; and, That the wrath of GOD will come on the Children of Disobedience, for doing such Things as are found in their Evil doings. Governors themselves do Tremble, when they hear of a Judgment to come. Emperors themselves are uneasy amidst all the Pleasures and Grandeurs of their Palaces; 'Tis because they know, There is One Higher than they, who will Punish their Misdemeanours, with Destructive Miseries upon them. The rude Pagans have not been without their Notions of such a thing. The Barbarous Maltese themselves, had their Notions of a Vengeance that would pursue Wicked Men; such as Murderers. The Ancient Law-givers, were wont in the close of their Laws, to mention the Vindictive Justice of GOD: ⟨p. 9⟩The clause was, Qui secus faxit, Deus ipse Vindex erit. The Old Pagans had a sense of a Nemesis, or a Vindictive Justice which terrified them. And it was the dread of this, which kept them so close to the Task of Sacrificing; yea, the Dread of it brought them even to Humane Oblations. Our common Adversary took such advantage thereof, as to push them upon such Horrid Oblations; To make them do like the King of Moab in his Anguish; To make them offer up no less than, The Fruit of their Body for the Sin of their Soul. A Desire to pacify the Vindictive Justice of GOD; This is the Origin of all the Severe Penances wherewith so many Superstitious People in the World have mortified themselves. The Belief of this Vindictive Justice; Oh! It has a strange Force on the minds of Men! Sinner, Thou canst not shake it off: It will haunt thee, as long as thou art in the World; It will seize thee in all the dire ⟨p. 10⟩Effects of it, when thou hast left the World. I request every ungodly Man to make the Reflection;
First, This is what Men have Naturally some Apprehensions of: Men are Naturally Apprehensive of it, and bring into the World with them a Principle in their Souls, which when it is awakened, gives them an Assurance of it; That Sin must and will be Punished, by the Justice of GOD. It is truly affirmed, Rom. I. 32. They know the Judgments of GOD, that they which commit such Things are worthy of Death. The GOD who forms the Spirit of Man within him, and left on it some ⟨p. 8⟩Tendencies for a Re-Union, to Himself; has made some Indelible Impressions of His Justice on the Spirit of Man; Impressions, Convictions, Perswasions, That GOD will punish Sin; and, That the wrath of GOD will come on the Children of Disobedience, for doing such Things as are found in their Evil doings. Governours themselves do Tremble, when they hear of a Judgment to come. Emperours themselves are uneasy amidst all the Pleasures and Grandeurs of their Palaces; 'Tis because they know, There is One Higher than they, who will Punish their Misdemeanours, with Destructive Miseries upon them. The rude Pagans have not been without their Notions of such a thing. The Barbarous Maltese themselves, had their Notions of a Vengeance that would pursue Wicked Men; such as Murderers. The Ancient Law-givers, were wont in the close of their Laws, to mention the Vindictive Justice of GOD: ⟨p. 9⟩The clause was, Qui secus faxit, Deus ipse Vindex erit. The Old Pagans had a sense of a Nemesis, or a Vindictive Justice which terrified them. And it was the dread of this, which kept them so close to the Task of Sacrificing; yea, the Dread of it brought them even to Humane Oblations. Our common Adversary took such advantage thereof, as to push them upon such Horrid Oblations; To make them do like the King of Moab in his Anguish; To make them offer up no less than, The Fruit of their Body for the Sin of their Soul. A Desire to pacify the Vindictive Justice of GOD; This is the Origin of all the Severe Penances wherewith so many Superstitious People in the World have mortified themselves. The Belief of this Vindictive Justice; Oh! It has a strange Force on the minds of Men! Sinner, Thou canst not shake it off: It will haunt thee, as long as thou art in the World; It will seize thee in all the dire ⟨p. 10⟩Effects of it, when thou hast left the World. I requst every ungodly Man to make the Reflection;
Friend, when thou hast been doing an Ill Thing, has not something within thee, told thee, A Just GOD will one day punish thee for this! Oh! Do not slight such unfailing, such amazing presages; Fools! Do not any more make a mock of Sin, as you use to do!
Friend, when thou hast been doing an Ill Thing, has not something within thee, told thee, A Just GOD will one day punish thee for this! Oh! Do not slight such unfailing, such amazing praesages; Fools! Do not any more make a mock of Sin, as you use to do!
Secondly. The Thing is yet more clearly and fully discovered, in the Book that is given by Inspiration of GOD. Our BIBLE has the Incontestable marks of such a Book. Now that Sin will be punished by the Justice of GOD in Destructive Miseries upon the Sinner; This is that unto which our Bible does abundantly Testify. Of our Bible we may say, Rom. I. 18. Here The wrath of GOD is Revealed from Heaven against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of Men. The Book of GOD is Expanded like the Firmament of Heaven over the ⟨p. 11⟩Church of GOD. In this Firmament the GOD of Glory thunders; That Powerful Voice of GOD is ever now and then, heard Thundering there; The Justice of GOD will not let Sin go unpunished! That Thundering Voice of Justice is here uttered from the Mouth of GOD, Woe to the Wicked, it shall go ill with him, for the Reward of his hands shall be given him; That Thundering Voice▪ GOD will render Tribulation & Wrath, Indignation and Anguish, upon every Soul of Man which doeth Evil. In this Book, how often do we find Things of such an Aspect as this! I will punish you according to the Fruit of your Doings, saith the Lord. How often is the Anger of a Glorious GOD against Sin here told unto us! Yea, with Terms that carry the highest Indignation in them! We must not imagine any Passion in the Infinite GOD, like what there is in Angry Men! But such Expressions are used, as Philo says well, For the Instruction of the Multitude. ⟨p. 12⟩There is no Perturbation of Mind like that of our Anger, in the Glorious God. But it means, A Justice Resolved that Sin shall be punished. Thus tis that GOD is Angry every Day! These, These must be our Doxologies unto Him; O Lord, Thou art not a GOD that has pleasure in Wickedness; neither shall evil dwell with thee; The foolish shall not stand in thy sight; Thou hatest all workers of Iniquity.
Secondly. The Thing is yet more clearly and fully discovered, in the Book that is given by Inspiration of GOD. Our BIBLE has the Incontestible marks of such a Book. Now that Sin will be punished by the Justice of GOD in Destructive Miseries upon the Sinner; This is that unto which our Bible does abundantly Testify. Of our Bible we may say, Rom. I. 18. Here The wrath of GOD is Revealed from Heaven against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of Men. The Book of GOD is Expanded like the Firmament of Heaven over the ⟨p. 11⟩Church of GOD. In this Firmament the GOD of Glory thunders; That Powerful Voice of GOD is ever now and then, heard Thundering there; The Justice of GOD will not let Sin go unpunished! That Thundering Voice of Justice is here uttered from the Mouth of GOD, Wo to the Wicked, it shall go ill with him, for the Reward of his hands shall be given him; That Thundering Voice▪ GOD will render Tribulation & Wrath, Indignation and Anguish, upon every Soul of Man which doeth Evil. In this Book, how often do we find Things of such an Aspect as this! I will punish you according to the Fruit of your Doings, saith the Lord. How often is the Anger of a Glorious GOD against Sin here told unto us! Yea, with Terms that carry the highest Indignation in them! We must not imagine any Passion in the Infinite GOD, like what there is in Angry Men! But such Expressions are used, as Philo says well, For the Instruction of the Multitude. ⟨p. 12⟩There is no Perturbation of Mind like that of our Anger, in the Glorious God. But it means, A Justice Resolved that Sin shall be punished. Thus tis that GOD is Angry every Day! These, These must be our Doxologies unto Him; O Lord, Thou art not a GOD that has pleasure in Wickedness; neither shall evil dwell with thee; The foolish shall not stand in thy sight; Thou hatest all workers of Iniquity.
II. You have been told, That Sin must be Punished. But, when, and where, shall the Punishment be dispensed? The Proposition, which you were called but now to come and see, was like the Pale Horse whereof you read in the Apocalypse. You have seen Death mounted, and coming towards the Sinner; and Swallowing the Ground with fierce Rage in the swift Advances of it. But now, HELL follows. I am now to tell you, That the Destructive miseries brought in the Punishment of Sin upon the Sinner; are chiefly reserved ⟨p. 13⟩for an HELL in a FUTURE STATE; And there will be a Destruction brought both on the Soul and on the Body, of the Sinner, in that astonishing Punishment.
It is very plain, That the Punishment which the GOD of Truth has Threatened for Sin, is not inflicted in the Present State. The Threatenings of GOD which are all True and Faithful, and shall surely come to pass, are not fulfilled in the Present State. The Sentence against evil Works is not so speedily Executed, but that the Ungodly often Prosper in the World, neither are they plagued like others, nor are there any Bonds in their Death: At the same time, The Children of GOD, may say, All the Day long have I been plagued. But, O you that have your Hearts fully set in you to do Evil, From this very Thing you may Conclude, That there is a FUTURE STATE, wherein the Punishment of Sin, will be such that it shall be according to that word; Mine Eye shall not spare, ⟨p. 14⟩neither will I have pity; I will recompense thee, O Sinner, according to thy ways, and ye shall know, that I am the Lord, who smites you! The Argument lies thus; If there be a Just GOD it must be so! If there be any Justice in Heaven, there must be an HELL wherein there will be found, A strange Punishment reserved for the workers of Iniquity. O Epicurean Atheists, If you try to weaken the Foundation of this astonishing Argument, GOD has placed an Officer within you, who will tear you in pieces, and there shall be none to deliver you.
It is very plain, That the Punishment which the GOD of Truth has Threatened for Sin, is not inflicted in the Present State. The Threatenings of GOD which are all True and Faithfull, and shall surely come to pass, are not fulfilled in the Present State. The Sentence against evil Works is not so speedily Executed, but that the Ungodly often Prosper in the World, neither are they plagued like others, nor are there any Bonds in their Death: At the same time, The Children of GOD, may say, All the Day long have I been plagued. But, O you that have your Hearts fully set in you to do Evil, From this very Thing you may Conclude, That there is a FUTURE STATE, wherein the Punishment of Sin, will be such that it shall be according to that word; Mine Eye shall not spare, ⟨p. 14⟩neither will I have pitty; I will recompence thee, O Sinner, according to thy ways, and ye shall know, that I am the Lord, who smites you! The Argument lies thus; If there be a Just GOD it must be so! If there be any Justice in Heaven, there must be an HELL wherein there will be found, A strange Punishment reserved for the workers of Iniquity. O Epicurean Atheists, If you try to weaken the Foundation of this astonishing Argument, GOD has placed an Officer within you, who will tear you in pieces, and there shall be none to deliver you.