Ana. \. By getting an interest in Jesus Christ. Christ is the only screen to stand betwixt us and the wrath of God ; he did feel God's wrath, that they who believe in him should never feel it, 1 Tlicss. i. 10., " Jesus wliich delivered us from the wrath to come." Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace was a type of God's wrath, and that furnace did not singe the garments of the three children, " nor had the smell of fire passed on them," Dan. iii. 27. Jesus Christ went into the furnace of his Fatlier's wrath ; and those that believe in him, the smell of the fire of hell shall never pass upon them.
A. 2. If we would prevent the wrath of God, let us take heed of those sins which will bring the wrath of God. Edmund, successor of Anselm, had a saying, " I had rather leap into a furnace of fire, than wil- lingly commit a sin against God." There are several fiery sins we must take heed of, wliich will bring the fire of God's wrath.
(L) The fire of rash anger. Some who profess religion, yet cannot bridle their tongue ; they care hot what they say in their anger, they will curse their passions. St. James saith, " The tongue is set on fire of Iiell," chap. iii. 6. O take heed of a " fiery tongue," lest it bring thee to " fiery tor- ment ! " Dives begged a drop of water to ( ool his tongue : St. Cyprian saith, he had (.'Teiuicd most it) his tongue, and now that v.-as most set on fire.
(2.) Take heed of the fire of malice. Malice is a malignant humour, whereby we wish evil to one another, — it is a vermin lives on blood, — it studies revenge. Cali- gula had a chest where he kept deadly poi- sons for them he had malice against. The fire of malice brings men to the fiery ' fur- nace of (iod's wrath.'
(3.) Take heed of the sin of uncleanness, Ileb. xiii. 4., " Whoremongers and adulter- ers God will judge." Such as burn in un- cleanness, are in great danger to burn one day in hell. Let one fire put out another ; let the fire of God's wrath put out the fire of lust.
3c/. To you who have a well-grounded hope that you shall not feel this wrath which you have deserved, let me exhort you, 1. To be very thankful to God, who hath given his Son to save you from this tremendous wrath. " Jesus hath delivered )ou from wrath to come." The Lamb of God was scorched in the fire of God's wrath for you. Christ did feel the wrath which he did not deserve, that you may escape the wrath which you have deserved. Pliny observes that there is nothing better to quench fire than blood : Christ's blood hath quenched the fire of God's wrath for you. " Upon me, upon me be thy curse," said Rebekah to Jacob, Gen. xxvii. 13. So said Christ to God's justice, " Upon me be the curse," that my elect may inherit the bles- sing. 2. Be patient under all the afflictions which you endure. Affliction is sharp, but this is not wrath, this is not hell. AVho would not willingly drink in the cup of affliction, that knows he shall never drink in the cup of damnation ? Who would not be willing to hear the wrath of men, that knows he shall never feel the wrath of (lod?
Christian, though thou mayest feel the rod, thou shalt never feel the bloody axe. Austin once said, " Strike, Lord, where thou wilt, if sin be pardoned." So say, " Afflict me. Lord, as thou wilt in this life, seeing I shall escape the wrath to come."
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OF FAITH.
OF FAITH.
Quest. LXXXV. WHAT doth God re- quire of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to nsfor sin ?
Jxs. Faith ill Jesus Clirist, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the out - ward means whereby Christ communieateth to us, the benefits of redemption.