Captives bound in chains, made free by Christ their surety

1. This prison-gates shall be made forever fast and strong by the counsel and decrees of God; God hath ordained, that the imprisonment of those captives that die before they are made free, shall be eternal; it is the unalterable will of God, that they shall lie in chains for ever; God's purpose must be changed before their chains can be broken or the prisoners delivered: But God is a God that doth not change, he will be always the same for ever; therefore the prisoners must abide by it for ever.

2. This prison-gates shall be made fast and strong by the justice of God. Justice shall keep the prison-door, that not a prisoner shall come forth till he hath made satisfaction for his sin, till he hath paid his debts to the uttermost farthing, and that will never be. When the prisoner hath been there a thousand years, and should beg, and pray, 'Lord, I have been here a thousand years, it is a long time, a long time, O methinks it is a long time since the day I came into this place; my time of sinning seemed short, it was indeed but short; but my time of suffering seemeth long; now therefore Lord let me come forth.' No, saith Justice, yet I am not satisfied. And when the other thousand years be past, and the prisoner should again petition for his liberty, the same answer will be returned; No, saith Justice, for yet I am not satisfied, and till that be done, thou must abide in prison. Must I Lord? then there is no hope.

3. This prison-gates shall be made fast upon the prisoners by the Truth of God. God hath told you in his Word, that this fire burns for ever, and that the sinner that is not sanctified shall be cast into it, to lodge there for ever. The truth of God is is eternal truth; and so long as the Word of ⟨p. 170⟩