are accursed (as the prophet David
beareth witness) who do err and go astray from the commandments
of God; let us (remembering the dreadful judgement hanging over
our heads, and always ready to fall upon us) return unto our Lord
God with all contrition and meekness of heart; bewailing and
lamenting our sinful life, acknowledging and confessing our
offences, and seeking to bring forth worthy fruits of penance.
For now is the axe put unto the root of the trees, so that every
tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast
into the fire. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the
living God: He shall pour down rain upon the sinners, snares, fire
and brimstone, storm and tempest; this shall be their portion to
drink. For lo, the Lord is come out of his place to visit the
wickedness of such as dwell upon the earth. But who may abide the
day of his coming? Who shall be able to endure when he appeareth?
His fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and gather his
wheat into the barn; but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable
fire. The day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night: and when
men shall say, Peace, and all things are safe, then shall sudden
destruction come upon them, as sorrow cometh upon a woman travailing
with child, and they shall not escape. Then shall appear the wrath
of God in the day of vengeance, which obstinate sinners, through
the stubbornness of their heart, have heaped unto themselves; which
despised the goodness, patience, and long-sufferance of God, when
he calleth them continually to repentance. Then shall they call
upon me (saith the Lord) but I will not hear; they shall seek me
early, but they shall not find me; and that, because they hated
knowledge, and received not the fear of the Lord, but abhorred my
counsel, and despised my correction. Then shall it be too late to
knock, when the door shall be shut; and too late to cry for mercy,
when it is the time of justice. O terrible voice of most just
judgement, which shall be pronounced upon them, when it shall be
said unto them, Go, ye cursed, into the fire everlasting, which
is prepared for the devil and his angels. Therefore, brethren,
take we heed betime, while the day of salvation lasteth; for the
night cometh, when none can work: But let us, while we have the
light, believe in the light, and walk as children of the light;
that we be not cast into utter darkness, where is weeping and
gnashing of teeth. Let us