It is now, out of great love, declared to you beforehand, by your very familiar brother-in-law, before that day comes upon you as a thief in the night; as the warning came in the first world, so it does still. Hence, if you would with Noah and his house be saved and protected, betake yourself under the protection of the true Noah, and observe his commandment, which is life everlasting; he calls you and all men; he knocks; he stretches out his hand to you; refuse him no longer, and do not rely on this, that you are called a Christian, and that God is merciful. Remember with it, that neither the name, nor the water, nor the sponsors make a Christian, but he that doeth righteousness is righteous; they that are led by the Spirit of Christ are his. And remember also, that God is just, as David declares, saying: God is a righteous God, or a righteous judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword, he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. Psalm 7:11–13. Attend well unto every word, for he is a strong archer when he lets fly his arrow, none can evade him. Hence consider his arrows which he let fly at the first world, at Sodom, Gomorrah and others. These accounts have been left us in writing that we should fear the word of the Lord more than the aforesaid learned men; and if we, through fear and love, observe his commandments, then the word, that God is merciful, will avail for us. For his divine nature is such, that his wrath and his mercy proceed together from him, and this on this wise, that if the righteous forsake the way of the Lord, his righteousness shall not be mentioned, but he shall die for the sake of the blasphemy. Ezekiel 18:24.
Again, if the sinner turns away from his evil ways, does that which is good and right, and walks in the way of the Lord, his sins shall be remembered no more, for the Lord has no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but that he turn from his way and live. Ezek. 18:21; 34:11. Hence I beseech you, that you will free yourself from all the ways of the world, of the carefulness, and of the old things, of which your heart may be full; so that the word of God may be planted in you with meekness and you may be found good earth bringing forth fruit abiding unto life eternal. God’s judgment is now declared that every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire. Matthew 7:19. Let therefore the hammer of the divine word break your heart into pieces; remember the words of the prophet: “Rend your hearts, and not your garments: for God is long-suffering and merciful, and of great kindness, who forgiveth sin.” Joel 2:13; Ps. 103:3. Hence, dear sister, remember that the long-suffering and daily kindness invite you to salvation; refuse it no longer, for thereby you would wrong your own self. Therefore amend your life and ways, and believe and obey the gospel and you shall be saved through Christ, for this is the promise, even eternal life. 1 John 2:25. But if you want to continue in the ordinances of men, and to be led thereby as the ox to the slaughter, you will find yourself deceived in the end; for in vain do you observe the commandments of men, which have no promise from the Lord, as I also said to the superior. He said that what God has not forbidden he permits. O is this not a feeble reed in which to trust; but Christ teaches differently, saying: “Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up.” Matt. 15:13. And the apostle says that no other foundation can be laid, than Christ alone. 1 Cor. 3:11: In the second place the apostle has declared all the counsel of God and withheld nothing from us. Acts 20:27.