for since God did not spare the angels, who had sinned, but having precipitated them to hell, confin'd them to chains of darkness, where they are reserv'd for judgment:

since he did not spare the old world, having preserved only eight persons, including Noah, that preacher of virtue, when he brought the deluge upon the impious world:

since he condemn'd the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha to an entire subversion, and reduc'd them to ashes, to make them serve for examples to future impiety:

since he deliver'd that just man Lot, who was grieved at the enormous practices of the licentious;

"where is the promise of his coming? for since our fathers are dead, the state of things is the same it has ever been since the beginning of the world."

Since then this whole system is to be destroyed, how holy should your conduct be, and how ardent your piety?

since then, my dear brethren, your expectations are such, take care to appear before him, without any defect or blemish, in order to be happy; and be persuaded,