A26786:589
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.
1. From the Revelation in Scripture of the dreadful Punishment prepared for unreformed Sinners in the next State, we may understand the tender Mercies of God to Men; how willing he is they should be saved, who are so wilful to be damned. Hell is represented to them by the most violent Figures, to terrify their Imaginations, and strongly affect their Minds, that they may flee from the Wrath to come. God counsels, commands, entreats, urges Sinners to be wise, to foresee and prevent the Evil that every Hour is approaching to them: and with Compassion and Indignation laments their ⟨p. 532⟩Misery, and reproaches their Folly in bringing it upon themselves. The Divine Mercy is as eminently and apparently declared to Men in the present corrupt State, in threatening Hell to excite their Fear, as in promising Heaven to allure their Hopes. For if carnal indulgent Sinners are not roused by a quick apprehension of Hell, they will securely enjoy their pernicious Pleasures, and despise the blessed Reward, and Heaven would be as empty of humane Souls as 'tis full of Glory.
1. From the Revelation in Scripture of the dreadful Punishment prepared for unreformed Sinners in the next State, we may understand the tender Mercies of God to Men; how willing he is they should be saved, who are so wilful to be damned. Hell is represented to them by the most violent Figures, to terrify their Imaginations, and strongly affect their Minds, that they may flee from the Wrath to come. God counsels, commands, intreats, urges Sinners to be wise, to foresee and prevent the Evil that every Hour is approaching to them: and with Compassion and Indignation laments their ⟨p. 532⟩Misery, and reproaches their Folly in bringing it upon themselves. The Divine Mercy is as eminently and apparently declar'd to Men in the present corrupt State, in threatning Hell to excite their Fear, as in promising Heaven to allure their Hopes. For if carnal indulgent Sinners are not roused by a quick apprehension of Hell, they will securely enjoy their pernicious Pleasures, and despise the blessed Reward, and Heaven would be as empty of humane Souls as 'tis full of Glory.