A26786:418
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.
Now from hence we may see the admirable Agreement between these two Notions, that Heaven is a Gift, and a Reward. 'Tis a Reward in the order of giving it, not due to the Work, but from the Bounty of the Giver. God gives Heaven to those that faithfully serve him. But their Service was due to God, of no worth in respect of Heaven; so that Man's Work is no Merit, and God's Reward is a Gift. Our everlasting Glory must be ascribed to his most free Grace, as much as the pardon of our Sins.
I shall now proceed to consider, what the Gospel declares to be indispensably requisite in order to our obtaining of Heaven: this is comprised in the holy Change of Man's Nature, ⟨p. 358⟩which I will briefly unfold, and show how necessary it is to qualify us for Celestial Glory.
I shall now proceed to consider, what the Gospel declares to be indispensably requisite in order to our obtaining of Heaven: this is compriz'd in the holy Change of Man's Nature, ⟨p. 358⟩which I will briefly unfold, and shew how necessary it is to qualify us for Celestial Glory.
1. This holy Change is expressed in Scripture by the new Birth. Our Saviour, with a solemn repeated Asseveration,1 tells Nicodemus; Verily, verily, except a Man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. Sin is natural to Man from his Conception and Birth, and infects with its Contagion all his Faculties. This is fomented and cherished by Temptations that easily encompass him. The Understanding is polluted with evil Principles, full of strong Prejudices, and lofty Imaginations against the supernatural Mysteries of Salvation. 'Tis full of Ignorance and Folly, and from hence either rejects them as incredible, or despises them as impertinent or unprofitable. The Will is depraved and perverse, full of unruly and unhallowed Affections. The Senses are luxurious and rebellious. In short, Man is so viciously and sensually inclined, so alienated from the Life of God, as if he had no diviner Part within him, that should aspire to a spiritual Blessedness, that should regulate and