A26786:234
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.
(2.) If we consider the Obligations of the reasonable Creatures to obey his Commands, the guilt of Sin rises prodigiously. They were made by his Power, with this special character of Excellency, according to his Image: they were happy in his Love: they ⟨p. 176⟩were endowed with intellectual Faculties capable to understand and consider their Obligations to their bountiful Lord. From hence it appears that Sin is the most unnatural Rebellion against God, and in it there is a concurrence of Impiety, Ingratitude, Perfidiousness, and whatever may enhance a Crime to an excess of Wickedness.
(2.) If we consider the Obligations of the reasonable Creatures to obey his Commands, the guilt of Sin rises prodigiously. They were made by his Power, with this special character of Excellency, according to his Image: they were happy in his Love: they ⟨p. 176⟩were endowed with intellectual Faculties capable to understand and consider their Obligations to their bountiful Lord. From hence it appears that Sin is the most unnatural Rebellion against God, and in it there is a concurrence of Impiety, Ingratitude, Perfidiousness, and whatever may inhance a Crime to an excess of Wickedness.
(3.) The meanness of the Motives that induce Men to prefer the pleasing their depraved Appetites before Obedience to his sacred Will, extremely aggravates the Offence. Of this we have a convincing Instance in the first Sin committed upon Earth. Deceitful Curiosity, flattering Pride, a secret pleasure of acting according to his Will, joined with the low attractives of Sense, blinded and transported Adam to eat the Mortal Fruit, against the express Command of God. And ever since, the vanishing shadows of Honour, or Gain, or Pleasure, are the only persuasives to Sin. And what can be more provoking, than for a Trifle to transgress the Law of God, and equally despise his Favour and Displeasure? Can any Punishment less than Eternal, expiate such Impieties? The Rules of