Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

Besides other Miseries in this Life, sometimes the Terrors of an accusing Conscience seize upon Men, which of all Evils are most heavy and overwhelming. Solomon who understood the Frame of Humane Nature, tells us, The Spirit of a Man can bear his Infirmity: that is, the Mind fortified by Principles of moral Counsel and Constancy, can endure ⟨p. 60⟩the Assault of external Evils: but a wounded Spirit who can bear? This is most insupportable when the Sting and Remorse of the Mind is from the Sense of Guilt: for then God appears an Enemy righteous and severe; and who can encounter with offended Omnipotence? Such is the sharpness of his Sword, and the weight of his Hand, that every Stroke is deadly inward. Satan the cruel Enemy of Souls, exasperates the Wound. He discovers and charges Sin upon the Conscience, with all its killing Aggravations, and conceals the Divine Mercy, the only Lenitive and healing Balm to the wounded Spirit. What Visions of Horror, what Spectacles of Fear, what Scenes of Sorrow are presented to the distracted Mind by the Prince of Darkness? And which heightens the Misery, Man is a worse Enemy to himself than Satan: he falls upon his own Sword, ⟨p. 61⟩and destroys himself. Whatever he sees or hears, afflicts him; whatever he thinks, torments him. The guilty Conscience turns the Sun into Darkness, and the Moon into Blood: the precious Promises of the Gospel, that assure Favour and Pardon to returning and relenting Sinners, are turned into Arguments of Despair, by reflecting upon the abuse and provocation of Mercy, and that the Advocate in God's Bosom is become the Accuser. Doleful State! beyond the Conception of all, but those who are plunged into it. How often do they run to the Grave for Sanctuary, and seek for Death as a Deliverance?

Besides other Miseries in this Life, sometimes the Terrors of an accusing Conscience seize upon Men, which of all Evils are most heavy and overwhelming. Solomon who understood the Frame of Humane Nature, tells us, The Spirit of a Man can bear his Infirmity: that is, the Mind fortified by Principles of moral Counsel and Constancy, can endure ⟨p. 60⟩the Assault of external Evils: but a wounded Spirit who can bear? This is most insupportable when the Sting and Remorse of the Mind is from the Sense of Guilt: for then God appears an Enemy righteous and severe; and who can encounter with offended Omnipotence? Such is the sharpness of his Sword, and the weight of his Hand, that every Stroke is deadly inward. Satan the cruel Enemy of Souls, exasperates the Wound. He discovers and charges Sin upon the Conscience, with all its killing Aggravations, and conceals the Divine Mercy, the only Lenitive and healing Balm to the wounded Spirit. What Visions of Horror, what Spectacles of Fear, what Scenes of Sorrow are presented to the distracted Mind by the Prince of Darkness? And which heightens the Misery, Man is a worse Enemy to himself than Satan: he falls upon his own Sword,