A26786:294
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.
4. The serious belief of future Judgment is the most effectual restraint from secret Sins. Men are apt to encourage themselves in evil upon the account of secrecy: 'tis the usual tinder of Temptations. If solitude and silence, if the darkness of the night, or any disguises may conceal their Wickedness from humane Eyes, they are bold and secure as to God. The Psalmist declares ⟨p. 229⟩what is the inward principle that acts them, what is the language of their hearts:1 All the workers of Iniquity boast themselves, they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. But O the brutish folly of Men, to think, that because they do not see God, that he does not see them. As if one should shut his Eyes in the face of the Sun, and do some foul abominable thing, thinking himself to be unseen, because he sees no person. How vain is the impure diligence of the Adulterer, the crafty diligence of the Deceiver, the solicitous diligence of other Sinners to hide things from the Judge of all? Shall not God search it out, for he knows the very secrets of the heart? What a confounding discovery will be made of secret Wickedness at the last day? Here obscurity is the mask of Shame that conceals it from the World. Or if only Children and Fools that are not capable to judg of the indecency and turpitude of Actions, be Spectators, Men are not touched with shame for foul things. But then their Wickedness shall be displayed before God, the holy Angels and Saints. The actual belief of this would ⟨p. 230⟩deprive Satan of one of his greatest Advantages, and be a blessed Preservative from many Sins that allure the consent by the temptation of secrecy. A considering Christian will reject them with indignation, saying with Joseph, How can I do this great Wickedness, and sin against God? The Sins undiscovered and upunish'd by temporal Tribunals, shall then receive a just recompense.
4. The serious belief of future Judgment is the most effectual restraint from secret Sins. Men are apt to encourage themselves in evil upon the account of secrecy: 'tis the usual tinder of Temptations. If solitude and silence, if the darkness of the night, or any disguises may conceal their Wickedness from humane Eyes, they are bold and secure as to God. The Psalmist declares