DISC. XIII.] THE PUNISHMENTS IN HELL. 643 tained to some clear evidence of it, anda-well-grounded hope. Have we not sometimes felt the worm of conscience begin to gnaw within us, and to prey upon our spirits after the commission of some sin ? And shall we -not apply ourselves with all holy speed to the divine physi; cian, who can kill this gnawing worm within us, and, can heal those sinful maladies that are breeding it ? Have we not sometimes felt the threatenings of the wrath of God in his law, like a fire in our boues ? With what infinite desire, then, and what restless vehemence should we fly to the blood of Jesus our great sacrifice, which alone can quench the fiery indignation of God, 'and prevent it from growing up to an everlasting flame. Hadwe upon our spirits such a sense of the terrors of the Lord in hell, as his threatenings represent, we should never be satisfied with such colddoubtful hopes of our deliverance from them, as thousands of nominal Christ- ians are contented with ; but we should make every needful and critical enquiry, whether our repentance were sincere,' whether our faith in Christ were un- feigned, whether our hopes had a solid foundation in the divine promise : We should search every power of our souls, and examine our hearts through every corner, whether sin be mortified there whether the Christian virtues are formed within us, and the divine image is begun to be stamped upon our minds: We should be restless and impatient in our inward searches, whether we a_ re made new creatures, whether we 'are born of God and become his children, and are secured by his gospel from this everlasting vengeance. The de- gree and the infinite duration of this misery should appoint the .proportion of our zeal and solicitude to es- cape it. Amanwho sees or feels his own house on fire under him, does not continue upon his bed of sloth, or sit amusing himself among the ornaments of his chamber, till the flames have broke through and seized him : But with huge outcries he seeks for help, and flies in, haste for his life wheresoever he finds a way. Such should be the language and such the activity of sinful creatures, to escape the wrath to come ; and such will be the outcries of sinners when, they are thoroughly awakened : This
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