A CALL '1'0 wretches, they hold on in their ungodliness for all this; for they little know that thejr companions are now lamenting it in torments. In Luke xvi. the rich man in hell would fain have had one to warn his five brethren, lest they should come to that place ~f torment. It is likely he knew their minds and l~ves, and knew that they were basting thither, and little dreamt that he was there, yea, and wbuld little have believed one that should have told them so. I remember a passage that a gentleman, yet living, told me he saw upon a bridge over the Severn.* A man was driving a flock of fat lambs, and something meeting them, and hindering their passage, one of the lambs leapt upon the wall of the bridge, and his legs slipping from under him, he fell into the stream; the rest seeing him, did, one after one, leap over the bridge into the strearn, and were all or almost all drowned. Those that were behind did little know what was become of them that were gone before; but thought they might venture to follow their companions; but as soon as ever they were over the wall, and falling headlong, the case was altered. Even so it is with unconverted carnal men. One dieth by them, and drops into hell, and another follows the same way; aml yet they will go after them, because they think not whither they are gone. 0, but when death hath once opened their eyes, and they ·see what is OJl the other side of the wall, even in another world, then what would they give to be where they were! 6. Moreover, they have a subtle malicious enemy, that is unseen of them, and plays his game in the dark; and it is his principal business to hinder their conversion; and therefore to keep them where they are, by persuading them not to believe the Scriptures, or not to trouble their minds with these matters; or by persuading them to think ill of a godly life, or to think that more is enjoined than need be, >~'Mr. R. Rowly, of Shrewsbury, upon Acha;n-Bridge.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=