The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…

Yet this is a very tolerable Case, in comparison of exposing the Soul to Eternal Vengeance, for the Pleasures of Sin that are but for a Season.

3. Let us steadfastly believe, and frequently consider, that Eternal Death is the Wages of Sin, that we may renounce it with the deepest Abhorrence, and forsake it for ever. We are assured, from the Wisdom and Compassion of our Saviour, that 'tis a powerful Means to mortify the Inclination to sin, and to induce us to prevent and resist all Temptations. The subtle Tempter cannot present any Motives, that to a rectified Mind will make Sin eligible. Let the Scales be even, and put into one all the Delights of ⟨p. 542⟩the Senses, all the Pleasures and Honours of the World, that are the Elements of Carnal Felicity, how light are they against the Heavenly Glory? Will the Gain of the World compensate the Loss of the Soul and Salvation for ever? If there were any possible comparison between deluding transient Vanities, and the Happiness that is substantial and satisfying for ever, the Choice would be more difficult, and the Mistake less culpable, but they vanish into nothing in the Comparison. According to the Judgment of Sense, would any one choose the enjoyment of the most exquisite Pleasures for a Year, and afterwards be content to burn in a Furnace for a Day; much less to enjoy them for a Day, and to burn for a Year? What stupid Brutes are they, who for momentany Delights, incur the fiery Indignation of God for ever? Try but the Finger with the Flame of a Candle, you will soon discover your weakness. Will the remembrance of sensual Delights allay the Torments of the Damned? When Carnal Lusts are most inflamed, and Objects are present, Pain will extinguish all the Pleasure ⟨p. 543⟩of the Senses: And if actual Enjoyment cannot afford Delight when the Body is under a Disease, will the Reflections upon past Pleasures in the Fancy and Memory, refresh the Damned in their extreme Torments? No, the remembrance will infinitely increase their Anguish, that for such seeming and short Pleasures, they brought upon themselves Misery intolerable, without Ease or End. O that Men would strip Sin of its disguises, and wash off its flattering Colours, and look into its odious Nature, and to the consequential Evils of it in the next World! O that they would consider they hang by slender Strings, (a little Breath that expires every Minute) over the bottomless Pit, and that within a little while nothing will remain of the Pleasures of Sin, but the undying Worm, and the ever-living Flames!