2. There is a veil drawn over the Eternal World for most wise Reasons. If the Glory of Heaven were clear to Sense, if the mouth of the bottomless-Pit were open before Mens eyes, there would be no place for Faith, and Obedience would not be the effect of choice but necessity, and consequently ⟨p. 238⟩there would be no visible discrimination made between the Holy and the Wicked. The violent inclinations to sin would be stopped as to the act, without an inward real change of the Heart. If the Blasphemer or false Swearer were presently struck dumb, if the Drunkard should never recover his understanding, if the unclean wretch should immediately be consumed by a hidden Fire, or his sinning flesh putrefy and rot away; if for every vice of the mind, some disease that resembles it in the Body were speedily inflicted as a just punishment, the World indeed would not be so full of all kinds of wickedness, so contagious and of such incurable malignity. But though in appearance it would be less vicious, yet in truth and reality not more virtuous, ⟨p. 239⟩For such a kind of goodness, or rather not guiltiness of the outward sinful act, would proceed not from a Divine Principle, a free Spirit of love to God and Holiness, but from a low affection, mere servile fear of Vengeance. And love to Sin is consistent with such an abstinence from it. As a Merchant that in a Tempest is forced to cast his Goods into the Sea, not because he hates them, for he throws his Heart after, but to escape drowning. Now that the real difference between the Godly and the Impious, the Just and Unjust, the sober and intemperate may appear, God affords to men such evidence of future things that may satisfy an impartial considering person, and be a sure defence against temptations that infect and enchant the careless mind, ⟨p. 240⟩and pervert the will to make a foolish choice of things next the senses for happiness. Yet this evidence is not so clear, but a corrupt heart may by a secret, but effectual influence, darken the understanding, and make it averse from the belief of unseen things, and strongly turn it from serious pondering those terrible truths that control the carnal desires.
2. There is a vail drawn over the Eternal World for most wise Reasons. If the Glory of Heaven were clear to Sense, if the mouth of the bottomless-Pit were open before Mens eyes, there would be no place for Faith, and Obedience would not be the effect of choice but necessity, and consequently ⟨p. 238⟩there would be no visible descrimination made between the Holy and the Wicked. The violent inclinations to sin would be stopt as to the act, without an inward real change of the Heart. If the Blasphemer or false Swearer were presently struck dumb, if the Drunkard should never recover his understanding, if the unclean wretch should immediatly be consumed by a hidden Fire, or his sinning flesh putrifie and rot away; if for every vice of the mind, some disease that resembles it in the Body were speedily inflicted as a just punishment, the World indeed would not be so full of all kinds of wickedness, so contagious and of such incureable malignity. But though in appearance it would be less vicious, yet in truth and reality not more vertuous, ⟨p. 239⟩For such a kind of goodness, or rather not guiltiness of the outward sinful act, would proceed not from a Divine Principle, a free Spirit of love to God and Holiness, but from a low affection, mere servile fear of Vengeance. And love to Sin is consistent with such an abstinence from it. As a Merchant that in a Tempest is forc'd to cast his Goods into the Sea, not because he hates them, for he throws his Heart after, but to escape drowning. Now that the real difference between the Godly and the Impious, the Just and Unjust, the sober and intemperate may appear, God affords to men such evidence of future things that may satisfie an impartial considering person, and be a sure defence against temptations that infect and inchant the careless mind, ⟨p. 240⟩and pervert the will to make a foolish choice of things next the senses for happiness. Yet this evidence is not so clear, but a corrupt heart may by a secret, but effectual influence, darken the understanding, and make it averse from the belief of unseen things, and strongly turn it from serious pondering those terrible truths that controul the carnal desires.
