A26782:175
Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with…
Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with the recompenses of the future state for the cure of infidelity, the hectic evil of the times / by William Bates ...Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with the recompences of the future state for the cure of infidelity, the hectick evil of the times / by William Bates ...
London: printed by J.D. for Brabazon Aylmer, 1676
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. Many times the most guilty offenders are not punished here. They not only escape the justice of Men, by secrecy, by deceit or favour, by resistance or flight, but are under no conspicuous marks of Gods Justice. Nay, by wicked means they are prosperous and happy.
2. Many times the most guilty offenders are not punisht here. They not only escape the justice of Men, by secrecy, by deceit or favour, by resistance or flight, but are under no conspicuous marks of Gods Justice. Nay, by wicked means they are prosperous and happy.
3. The best Men are often in ⟨p. 204⟩the worst condition, and merely upon the account of their Goodness. They are oppressed because they do not make resistance, and loaden with sufferings, because they endure them with patience. They are for Gods sake made the spectacles of extreme misery, whilst the insolent defiers of his Majesty and Laws enjoy all visible felicities. Now in the judgment of Sense, can Holiness be more afflicted if under the displeasure of Heaven, or Wickedness more prosperous, if favoured by it? But this is such a monstrous incongruity, that unless we abolish the natural Notions of the Divine excellencies, it cannot in the least degree be admitted. If therefore we confine our thoughts to humane affairs in this life, without taking a prospect into the next ⟨p. 205⟩World, where a new order of things presents it self, what direful consequences will ensue? This takes away the Sceptre of Providence from the hands of God, and the reverence of God from the hearts of Men, as if the present state, were a game wherein Chance reigned, and not under the inspection and disposure of a wise, just and powerful Governor. If there be no Life after Death, then Natural Religion in some of its greatest Commands, as to Self-denial, even to the suffering the greatest evils rather than do an unjust unworthy action, and to sacrifice Life it self when the Honour of God and the public Good require it, is irreconcilable to that natural Desire and Duty, that binds and determines Man to seek his own felicity in conjunction