Who can but wonder and tremble at so many hundreth thousand and millions of men given up for so long a time (in so many and so mighty flourishing Nations of the world) I say, given up to those two monstrously bewitching Worships of Mahumatisme and Antichristianisme, the dire effects of Gods most righteous judgements upon the Easterne and Westterne professors of the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus?
The lamentable captivity of Gods own people to Antichristian worships.
Adde to these that most fearfull and deplorable captivity of the very soules and consciences of Gods owne people (for so many hundred years) under false and superstitious Worships. A righteous judgement, though not so easily discerned, yet in it selfe most dreadfull, and exceeding all the temporall calamities in the world.
The dreadfull and eternall judgement yet to come.
But (thirdly) from these two times of past and present, let us cast our eyes on the third which is yet to come, as sure and wonderfull, will shortly be these two most wonderfull and dreadfull downfals of those two so mighty Monarchies (so great enemies to Christ Jesus) the Turkish and the Popish: according to the Prediction of the holy Prophets. How fearfull the effusion of the Viols, in part fulfilled, and yet to be powred forth in their season? And not a little wonderfull is that mighty destruction of the Nations Gog and Magog gathered as the sand of the Sea against the camp of the saints of the holy City.
And (to come to the full period and finall sentence of the most righteous Judge of the whole world) with what horrours and terrours shall these Heavens and Earth passe away; this Earth with the works thereof being consumed and burnt up? How inconceivably direfull will the last eternall judgement be, when two worlds of men (the former destroyed by water, and this by fire) shall appeare, before the most glorious Tribunall of the Son of God? When all the most secret sins shall be brought to tryal, and an account shall be given for every idle word?
O who who can conceive the terrours of that thundering sentence [Goe yee cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devill and his Angels, where the worm never dyes, and the fire never goes out.]
Object. But some may say, Can these sayings be any other then a Parable or similitude? for is the Devill capable of any materiall fire? such as now is grievous and painfull to flesh and blood?
The Parables of holy Scripture are ful of heavenly kernels of Truth.
I answer, Grant these sayings Parabolicall or similitudes, as also that of Dives and Lazarus: yet what are Parables and similitudes but Glasses to represent unto us in more plain and easie wayes the holy truth and mind of God?