A26786:421
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.
The Will is renewed by holy Love, a purifying Flame, and feels the attractive virtue of our blessed End, before all desirable Things on Earth, and determines to pursue it in the vigorous use of proper means. The Body is made an holy Instrument fit for the renewed Soul. In short, the natural Man becomes Spiritual in his Perceptions, Resolutions and Actions. All things are become New. There is a firm assent, an inviolable adherence to those most precious Objects revealed in the Scripture, and a sincere chosen constant Obedience flows from the renewed Faculties. And from hence we may distinguish between regenerating Grace, and formal Hypocrisy in some, and the proficiency of Nature, and power of common Grace in others. A Hypocrite in Religion is acted from without, by mercenary base respects; and his Conscience being cauterized, handles sacred Things without feeling: a regenerate ⟨p. 361⟩Person is moved by an internal living Principle, and performs his Duties with lively Affections. Natural Conscience under the compulsion of Fear, may lay a restraint upon the outward Acts of Sin, without an inward Consent to the Sanctity of the Law. Renewing Grace cleanses the Fountain, and the Current is pure. It reconciles the Affections to the most Holy Commands. I love thy Law because 'tis pure, saith the Psalmist.
The Will is renewed by holy Love, a purifying Flame, and feels the attractive virtue of our blessed End, before all desirable Things on Earth, and determines to pursue it in the vigorous use of proper means. The Body is made an holy Instrument fit for the renewed Soul. In short, the natural Man becomes Spiritual in his Perceptions, Resolutions and Actions. All things are become New. There is a firm assent, an inviolable adherence to those most precious Objects revealed in the Scripture, and a sincere chosen constant Obedience flows from the renewed Faculties. And from hence we may distinguish between regenerating Grace, and formal Hypocrisy in some, and the proficiency of Nature, and power of common Grace in others. A Hypocrite in Religion is acted from without, by mercenary base respects; and his Conscience being cauteris'd, handles sacred Things without feeling: a regenerate ⟨p. 361⟩Person is moved by an internal living Principle, and performs his Duties with lively Affections. Natural Conscience under the compulsion of Fear, may lay a restraint upon the outward Acts of Sin, without an inward Consent to the Sanctity of the Law. Renewing Grace cleanses the Fountain, and the Current is pure. It reconciles the Affections to the most Holy Commands. I love thy Law because 'tis pure, saith the Psalmist.