A26786:577
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.
Many sad Days must pass under the other Judgments, where Death by anticipation in such variety of Shapes ⟨p. 519⟩would be presented to the Mind, that the lingering expectation of it would afflict more than the sudden stroke: whereas the fury of the Pestilence would be soon over. But the Damned have not this relief, but shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. How earnestly do they seek for Death, but cannot find it? What a Favour would they esteem it to be annihilated? For certainly, if when the Evils in the present State are so multiplied, that no Comfort is left, or so violent that the afflicted Person cannot enjoy them, and refresh his sorrowful Spirit, Death is chosen rather than Life; it cannot be imagined that in the future State, where the Misery is extreme, and nothing remains to allay it, that the Damned should be in love with the unhappy good of simple being, and not choose an absolute extinction if it might be.
Many sad Days must pass under the other Judgments, where Death by anticipation in such variety of Shapes ⟨p. 519⟩would be presented to the Mind, that the lingring expectation of it would afflict more than the sudden stroke: whereas the fury of the Pestilence would be soon over. But the Damned have not this relief, but shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. How earnestly do they seek for Death, but cannot find it? What a Favour would they esteem it to be annihilated? For certainly, if when the Evils in the present State are so multiplied, that no Comfort is left, or so violent that the afflicted Person cannot enjoy them, and refresh his sorrowful Spirit, Death is chosen rather than Life; it cannot be imagined that in the future State, where the Misery is extream, and nothing remains to allay it, that the Damned should be in love with the unhappy good of simple being, and not chuse an absolute extinction if it might be.
If any one should be so foolish to think that Custom will render that State more tolerable, he will find a terrible confutation of his vain Fancy. Indeed, continuance under light Evils, may arm the Mind with patience to bear them, but in great Extremities it makes the Evil more ponderous and