A26786:144
The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…
The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in several discourses / by William Bates.
London: printed for Brabazon Aylmer, 1691
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. How uncertain is it whether God will accept the Addresses of such at last? We are commanded, Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. The Limitation implies, if the Season be neglected, he will hide his Face for ever. Now in cases of great Moment and Hazard, what Diligence, what Caution should be used?
1st. Consider how derogatory it is to his Majesty, to offer to him the ⟨p. 95⟩Dregs of our Age, the Relics of a licentious careless Life, spent in the Works of Vanity. Is this to give Glory to God? 1Contempt provokes Superiors as much as actual Injuries: How vilifying is it of his excellent Greatness, that Men lavishly waste the best of their Time and Strength upon their Lusts, and when through Weakness of Age, or the Violence of a Disease, they can no more do the Acts of Sin, nor relish the Pleasures of Sin; to presume that God will upon their Prayers forgive their Sins so long indulged, and of such violent Provocations, and receive them into his Kingdom, as if he could not be happy without them, and it were his Interest to receive them? God has laid his Exceptions against such Addresses: He may justly stand upon his Greatness and Honour: If ye offer the Blind for a Sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the Lame and Sick, is it not evil? Offer it now to thy Governor, will he be pleased with it, to accept thy Person, saith the Lord of Hosts? As the Lord upbraids the Jews for their black Ingratitude in bargaining for thirty pieces of Silver, to have him betrayed to their Malice; a goodly Price that I ⟨p. 96⟩was prized at of them. So when there is an universal Prostration of all the Powers and Faculties, when the Spirits are damped, the vital Heat is checked, and the function of the senses is obstructed, then to seek to God for Mercy, and to make fair Promises of Obedience, he may justly reproach the Presumer, a goodly time you have allotted for me! Your Youth and Strength, the Golden Age of Life, has been wasted on your Lusts, and in the Business of the World; and the wretched remains you think worthy of my Acceptance.