Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

I shall now apply this Doctrine, by reflecting the Light of it upon our Minds and Hearts.

1. This discovers how perverse and depraved the Minds and Wills of Men are, to choose Sin rather than Affliction, and break the Divine Law for the obtaining Temporal Things. ⟨p. 69⟩If one with an attentive Eye regards the generality of Mankind, what Dominion present and sensible Things have over them, how securely and habitually they sin in prosecution of their Carnal Aims, as if the Soul should not survive the Body, as if there were no Tribunal above to examine, no Judg to sentence and punish Sinners; if he has not Marble Bowels, it will excite his Compassion or Indignation. What Comparison is there between the good Things of this World, and of the next in Degrees or Duration? Airy Honour, Sensual Pleasures, and Worldly Riches, are but the thin Appearances of Happiness, Shadows in Masquerade, that cannot afford solid Content to an immortal Spirit: the Blessedness of Heaven replenishes with everlasting Satisfaction. What Proportion is there between the light and momentary Afflictions here, and a vast Eternity ⟨p. 70⟩filled with Indignation and Wrath, Tribulation and Anguish, and desperate Sorrow? What stupid Beast, what Monster of a Man, would prefer a superficial transient Delight, the Pleasure of a short Dream, before ever-satisfying Joys? Or to avoid a slight Evil, venture upon Destruction? Yet this is the true Case of Sinners: if they can obtain the World with the loss of Heaven, they count it a valuable Purchase; if they can compound so, as to escape Temporal Troubles, tho involved under Guilt that brings extreme and eternal Misery, they think it a saving Bargain. Amazing Folly! Either they believe or do not, the Recompenses in the future State: if they do not, how unaccountable is their Impiety? If they do, 'tis more prodigious they do not feel the Powers of the World to come, so as to regulate their Lives, and control the strongest Temptations ⟨p. 71⟩