A26782:195
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.
3. The extremest temporal ⟨p. 227⟩evils that can be inflicted here, are not correspondent to the guilt of Sin. Men can only torment and kill the Body, the instrument and less guilty part, but cannot immediately touch the Soul, the principal cause, by whose influence humane actions are vicious, and justly punishable. From hence it follows, that supposing the Wicked should feel the utmost severity of Civil Laws, yet there remains in another World a dreadful arrear of misery to be endured as their just and full recompense.
3. The extreamest temporal ⟨p. 227⟩evils that can be inflicted here, are not correspondent to the guilt of Sin. Men can only torment and kill the Body, the instrument and less guilty part, but cannot immediately touch the Soul, the principal cause, by whose influence humane actions are vicious, and justly punishable. From hence it follows, that supposing the Wicked should feel the utmost severity of Civil Laws, yet there remains in another World a dreadful arrear of misery to be endured as their just and full recompence.
4. In testimony of this Truth, that the Souls of Men are immortal to Rewards and Punishments, not only the wisest Men, but all Nations have subscribed. The darkest Pagans have acknowledged a Deity and a Providence, and consequently a future Judgment. ⟨p. 228⟩Indeed this spark was almost drowned in an Abyss of Fables: for in explicating the process and Recompenses of the last Judgment they mixed many absurd fictions with truth: but in different manners they acknowledged the same thing, that there remains another life, and two contrary states according to our actions here. Of this we have a perfect conviction from the immortal hopes in good Men, and the endless fears in the wicked. The directive understanding that tells Man his duty, has a reflexive power, and approves or condemns with respect to the Supreme Court, where it shall give a full testimony. Hence it is that Conscience so far as innocent, makes an Apology against unjust Charges, and sustains a Man under