I find it ironic that the same religion that the slaves were converted to is what motivated Nat Turner to rebellion.
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- Sep 2020
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www.americanyawp.com www.americanyawp.com
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This acceptable year of the Lord, that is a day of such great favor to some, will doubtless be a day of as remarkable vengeance to others…
I feel like this is the type of message that drives current day people away from organized religion. This sermon reeks of control and manipulation. It makes me wonder how many times the topic was revisited to keep the community to act within the standards set by the church.
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The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect, over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked; his wrath towards you burns like fire;
This preacher paints a picture of an angry spiteful God, just waiting for you to mess up so that he can drop you into hell as a person could drop a spider into a flame. This imagery is in direct contrast of what most people imagine. A benevolent God, who cares about all of his children and wants the best for them, while acknowledging free will. I'm sure this sermon was uncomfortable and scary for many.
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How dreadful is the state of those that are daily and hourly in danger of this great wrath, and infinite misery!
The preacher wants to instill fear in the congregation and drive home the understanding the suffering in hell with be forever not a short term ordeal. Repentance after one has reached Brimstone will fall on deaf ears, He makes mention of this in previous lines by noting Proverbs 1:25 - 32.
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That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone is extended abroad under you. There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell’s wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor anything to take hold of: there is nothing between you and hell but the air; ’tis only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up.
Fire and Brimstone was a popular lesson of the time. Religious leaders often gave sermons on the topic to extol the virtues of living a godly life to gain entrance to heaven. However, just like today they often twisted the word of the bible to denounce things they did not agree with.
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