Instructions for a right comforting afflicted consciences with special antidotes against some grievous temptationsInstructions for a right comforting afflicted consciences with speciall antidotes against some grievous temptations

Thus the blindness, security, searedness, slumber, Self-deceit, or some other such distemper of the Conscience conceals, and keeps in, the stings of those sins in sensual men; which without turning unto the Lord, in truth, while it is called To Day, will hereafter torment with intolerable and restless terror through all eternity.

Thus the blindnesse, security, searednesse, slumber, Selfe-deceite, or some other such distemper of the Conscience conceales, and keepes in, the stings of those sins in sensuall men; which without turning unto the Lord, in truth, while it is called To Day, will hereafter torment with intolerable and restlesse terrour thorow all eternity.

3. A third reason, why thy unlamented, and unpardoned sins, tho every one of them be armed with a several bloody and fiery sting, and of their own nature so heavy with horror, that they are able to sink Thee into the bottom of Hell; do not as yet stir, nor press upon thy Soul, with the insupportable weight of divine vengeance, is this: They are in their native soil; where they were borne, bred and brought up; in their own Element, as they say: I mean in a carnal heart, soaking in sensuality, and not resolved to be reformed. We say in Philosophy, An Element is not heavy in it's own Place. One Bucket full of water upon the Earth would be burdensome to the Back of that Man; who, were He in the bottom of the Sea, would feel no weight at all from all the water there, tho it were three miles high over His head. A sensual heart, settled upon it's lees can bear without sense, or complaint, a world of wickedness, which out of it's Element and humour, would be crushed into Powder, and tremble with horror upon the sad apprehension of the least sin, especially set out by Gods just indignation. While Belshazzar was in His Element, revelling and rioting amongst His Lords, His Wives, and His Concubines, drinking wine swaggeringly and contemptuously in the golden and silver Vessels of the Temple, He felt no touch in point of conscience, or terror at all. But put out of His humour, by the hand-writing upon the plaster of the Wall, His countenance was presently ⟨p. 105⟩