A26782:233
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.
They are Believers in their minds, and Infidels in their lives. ⟨p. 285⟩From whence comes this monstrous Composition of two Extremes, so contrary and difficult to be united, as the Sun and Darkness, or Fire and Water in their actual forms? For Men to believe there is a Heaven, and to be in love with the Earth; to believe an everlasting Hell shall be the reward of Sin, and yet to go on in Sin? O the sottish Folly of Men! What enticing Sorcery perverts them? 'Tis because, that temporal things are sensible and present, and eternal things are spiritual and future. But how graceless and irrational is this? Has not the Soul perceptive faculties as well as the Body? are not its objects transcendently more excellent? Is not its union with them more intimate and ravishing? Must the sensual Appetites be heard before ⟨p. 286⟩Reason, and the Soul be unnaturally set below the respects of the Body? If the most splendid temptations of the flesh are but dross to the happiness of the Spirit, is it not true Wisdom to distinguish and despise them in the comparison? For this end God has placed us in the World, that with equal Judgement we may balance things, and preferring the great and solid Good before a vain appearance, our choice may be unconstrained, and his mercy take its rise to reward us. And how foolish is it to neglect eternal things because they are future? Is it not a common complaint that Life is short, that it flies away in a breath? and if Death be so near, can Eternity be so distant? Besides, do Men want an understanding to foresee things to come? In their ⟨p. 287⟩Projects for this World, how quick-sighted and provident are they, to discover all probable inconveniences afar off, and lay the Scene to avoid them? And is Reason only useful in the affairs of the Body, and must Sense, that cannot see an hands-breadth beyond the present, be the guide of the Soul? Well, though the most powerful Reasons, the most ardent Exhortations, and stinging Reprehensions cannot prevail with the Sons of the Earth now to be apprehensive of the Evils that threaten them, but they live in a blind manner regardless of the Soul, yet in a little while Extremities will compel them to open their eyes.
They are Believers in their minds, and Infidels in their lives.