Are the burnings of hell so certain, being threatened by God? Are they so dreadful, beyond any burnings that ever have been, both in regard of fierceness and duration?
And are they indeed prepared for the wicked, and all graceless, Christless people as their deserved portion?
And are not most people wicked, graceless, unrighteous, unregenerate, unbelievers, who are already condemned to this place of torment (John 3:18)? And by consequence every moment are such in danger of being dragged forth to execution?
Here then we may sit down, and wonder at the senselessness and carnal security of such people, especially of those who sit under the light of the Word, which does make discovery of all this most plainly unto them, whatever their danger be, whatever their sins which have deserved hell, whatever God's threatenings of everlasting burnings, whatever execution there is, and has been upon other sinners like themselves, yet they are without any fear, they are fast asleep in sin and very secure.
Though their conscience is full of guilt, their hearts full of lust, their lives full of sin, though their steps are carrying them forward in the broad way, which leads unto destruction; though death has them upon the chase, and is at their heels, though the wrath of God pursues them hard, and is at their backs, though the day, wherein they must give an account, and be punished for their iniquity hastens greatly, and the Judge stands at the door; yet they care not, they fear not; none of these things do move them, none of these things do trouble them.
They eat and drink, and sleep, and buy and sell, and plant and build, and go on in a sinful course, as if they should live here eternally, or as if their soul should perish with their body, and all these things foretold in the Word, concerning future retributions were but nice fables.
Nothing is more sure than what God has revealed in his Word, and nothing more unavoidable than what God has threatened; and such is the tormenting of the wicked and ungodly in the flames of hell-fire.
While you are here upon the earth, there is a possibility of escaping future torments.
Pardon, peace, and salvation are attainable. If you lay your sins to heart, if you confess and forsake them, you may find mercy.
If by faith you apply yourselves unto the Lord Jesus you shall not perish but obtain eternal life.
But if go on still in your trespasses, if you live and die in a state of impenitence and unbelief, it will be impossible for you to escape.
Indeed could you make your battle good against God, could you gather forces together, and wage war against heaven and obtain the victory, you might avoid the threatened punishment. But alas God is infinite in power, and will not permit any such attempts. You will not be able to hold up your head or hand against him.
Who can stand in his sight when once he is angry?
God will bind all the devils and wicked men and women together in chains of darkness, stronger than any iron chains, and none shall be able to make any resistance.
Could you hide yourselves at the last day from his eye; could you fly from his presence into some remote corner, could you creep under some rock or mountain, and there be covered from his view, you might think to escape. But this cannot be. God's eye will follow you, and his hand will reach you wherever you go.
Could you by your prayers and tears move God to compassion, and prevail for mercy as now you may do, there might be some hopes of avoiding this punishment.
~Thomas Vincent~