upon thee? If the pillars of heaven shall then tremble, why dost not thou fortify thyself with a celestial life, that though thou fearest yet thou mayest not fall? O infinite God, pierce Thou my flesh with Thy holy " fear," [1] making me fear Thy terrible judgments! Let my bones be withered with sorrow for having offended Thee, rather than I should be withered with an unprofitable fear! Let my face be covered with shame for my sins, that then I may lift up my head for joy of the redemption that I expect from them!
POINT III.
Thirdly, I must consider the terrible fire that shall arise from all the four parts of the world to burn and consume the things of the earth, and to renew and purify what is to remain in it. [2]
Concerning this fire, we are principally to consider three things for our purpose.
i. First, that it shall burn and consume exceeding quickly and without resistance the palaces and forests, treasures of gold and precious stones, beasts, birds and fishes, and all men that it shall find alive; for from it none shall be able to escape. And herein shall end the glory and beauty of this visible world, which worldlings so much love and esteem, fulfilling that of Joel, that " before" Almighty God shall come "a devouring fire," and "behind" him "a burning flame: the land is like a garden of pleasure before it, and behind it a desolate wilderness, neither is there any one that can escape it." [3]
Colloquy. — O my soul, why dost not thou abhor " the fashion of this world, which passeth away" [4] so hastily, and shall have so disastrous an end? Tremble at this fire which shall burn its riches,
