The defects of preachers reproved in a sermon preached at Northampton, May 19th. 1723

3. When men don't Preach much about the danger of Damnation, there is want of good Preaching. Some Ministers Preach much about moral Duties and the blessed Estate of godly Men, but don't seek to awaken Sinners & make them sensible of their danger; they cry for Reformation: These things are very needful in their places to be spoken unto; but if Sinners don't hear often of Judgment and Damnation, few will be Converted. Many men are in a deep Sleep and flatter themselves as if there was no Hell, or at least that God will not deal so harshly with them as to Damn them. Psal. 36.2. He flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. They need to be told of the Terrors of the Lord, that they may flee from Wrath to come: A little matter will not scare men, their hearts be as hard as a stone, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone, & they will be ready to laugh at the shaking of the Spear. Ministers must give them no rest in such a condition: They must pull ⟨p. 14⟩them as Brands out of the burnings. It is well if Thunder and Lightning will awaken them; They had need to fear that they may work out their Salvation with fear & trembling. Ministers are faulty when they speak to them with gentleness, as Eli rebuked his Sons. Christ Jesus often warned them of the danger of Damnation: Mat. 5 •9, 30. It is better that one of thy members should perish, & not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Mat 7.13. Broad is the gate & wide is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat. Mat. 13.42 The Angels shall cast them into a furnace of fire, there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. So also, Mat. 22.13. Mat. 25.41, 46. This for our imitation. Christ knew how to deal with Souls, and Paul followed His Example. Men need to be terrified and have the arrows of the Almighty in them that they may be Converted. Ministers should be Sons of Thunder▪ Men had need have Storms in their hearts, before they will betake themselves to Christ for Refuge: When they are pricked at the Heart, then they will say, What must we do to be Saved? Men must be fired out of their worldliness and sloth: Men must be driven as Lot was out of Sodom. Reason will govern men in other things; but it is Fear that must make them diligently to seek