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and soul forever. Menochius and Estius, as quoted by the calvinian Pool, say, 'Estprosopæia, qua gni trituit vitam et vires, sensum, zelum pro gioria Dei, vindicandisque illius injuris, et impatientiam tantæ moræ et dilationis; ut ignis sit instar irritate feræ, quæ prædam apprehendit et devorat, vel instar lictoris acerbati, qui gestit vindicare" it is a prosopopoeia, which attributes to fire, life, strength, sense, and zeal for GOD's glory, and for the revenging of the injuries done to him, and impatient of so long delay; insomuch that fire is represented like an angry wild beast, that seizes upon and devours its prey, or like an exasperated executioner who is impatient to strike the blow.* And Estius says again, "Instar ignis acerrime et celerrime punit:" like fire he punishes in the most quick and severe manner.† Mr. Henry saith, Some think this refers to the dreadful destruction of the Jewish church and state; but certain

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ly it refers also to the utter destruction that awaits for all obstinate APOSTATES AT DEATH AND JUDGMENT, when the Judge shall discover a fiery indignation against them, that will devour the adversaries: They will be consigned over to the devouring fire, and to everlasting burnings."* Thus the APOSTATES shall know, by woeful experience, that vengeance belongeth unto the Lord; that He will recompense; that He will judge the people; and that it is a dreadful thing for them to fall into the hands of the living God," chap. x. verse 30, 31. and that to such, "Our God is a consuming fire." chap. xii. verse 29.

But in what quantity, or degree will this punishment be inflicted on them? answer, It shall be inflicted in a larger quantity, or in a greater degree than upon any other sinners who ever lived. To make this appear, I shall observe, 1. That the manifestations of Himself, which, from time to time,

*Henry on the place.

GOD has made to the world, have been in various degrees. The lowest manifestation of himself was to the Hea thens, by the light of nature. The manifestation of himself made to the Jews, by Moses and the Prophets, rose several degrees higher. But the most clear, full, and perfect manifestation of all, is that made by Christ and his gospel see chap. viii. verse 10, 11. chap. ix. verse 7-9. 11. Observe, 2. That as GOD has manifested himself to different people, in different degrees, so he will proportion their degrees of punishment to the measures of light and opportunity which they have received, and abused. The Heathens, who abused the lowest dispensation of God's grace, will doubtless be very severely punished. So saith St. Paul. "Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, to every soul of man that doeth evil; to the Jew first, and also the Greek,” that is, the heathen who abused the light of nature. And that these will be severely punished, is evident from

what God has already done in the case of some of them. Jude tells us that the people of "Sodom and Gomorrah are suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." Dreadful then is the punishment which God has already inflicted on the heathen world for neglecting, or abusing those inferior manifestations of his will. But as the revelation of his will, made by Moses and the prophets unto the Jews, is more great and glorious, so the punishment of such of them as are refractory and disobedient will be more great and terrible. So our Lord told the disobedient Jews of his day. "It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgment than for you." As if he had said, Your punishment in kind shall be the same; for you with them shall "suffer the vengeance of eternal fire." But as you have abused greater mercies, and sinned against greater light; your degree of that vengeance shall of consequence be greater. Our Lord then adds, "it shall be more toler

ble for Tyre and Sidon, those other heathen cities, than for you. The men of Nineveh, also, and the queen of the South (all Heathens) shall rise up in judgment against this generation-of disobedient Jews, and shall condemn it." It is therefore certain, that severe as the punishment of disobedient heathens will be, that of disobedient Jews will be more severe and intolerable.

But how will it be with disobedient Christians particularly, with those who so neglect this great salvation as to fall into total and final apostasy? I answer; their punishment shall be much greater than that of a disobedi ent Jew. The truth of this proposition is undeniable from chap. x. ver. 28, 29, of this epistle. "He, said the apostle, that despised Moses' law, died without mercy, under two or three witnesses of HOW MUCH SORER punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God? &c. Now, let it be well observed here, that the neglecter of this salvation, that the