Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

Paul was one of the straitest sect of the Jewish religion, Acts xxvi. 5, yet a child of wrath, even as others, till he was ⟨p. 97⟩converted. The close hypocrite, and the profane, are alike as to their state; however different their conversations be: and they will be alike in their fatal end, Psal. cxxv. 5. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. (4.) Young ones that are yet but setting out into the world, have not that to do, to make themselves children of wrath, by following the graceless multitude. They are children of wrath by nature: so it is done already: they were born heirs of hell; they will indeed make themselves more so, if they do not, while they are young, flee from the wrath they were born to, by fleeing to Jesus Christ.— Lastly, Whatever men are now by grace, they were even as others, by nature. And this may be a sad meditation to them, that have been at ease from their youth, and have had no changes.

Now, these things being premised, I shall, in the first place, show what this state of wrath is; next, confirm the doctrine; and then apply it.

Now, these things being premised, I shall, in the first place, shew what this state of wrath is; next, confirm the doctrine; and then apply it.

I. I am to show what this state of wrath is. But who can fully describe the wrath of an angry God? None can do it. Yet so much of it must be discovered, as may serve to convince men of the absolute necessity of fleeing to Jesus Christ, out of that state of wrath. Anger in men is a passion, and commotion of the spirit for an injury received, with a desire to resent the same. When it comes to a height, and is fixed in one's spirit, it is called wrath. Now there are no passions in God, properly speaking: they are inconsistent with his absolute uuchangeableness, and independency; and therefore Paul and Barnabas (to remove the mistake of the Lycaonians, who thought they were gods) tell them, they were men of like passions with themselves,