A26805:222
Sermons upon death and eternal judgment
Sermons upon death and eternal judgment by William Bates.
London: printed by J.D. for Brabazon Aylmer, 1683
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
4. That which farther clears the Divine Justice in punishing Sin with Hell, is this, That God by his infallible Promise assures us, that all who sincerely and uniformly obey him, shall be rewarded with Heaven for ever: a Blessedness most worthy the greatness and love of the Eternal God to bestow upon his Servants: a Blessedness that surpasses our most comprehensive Thoughts. Now if Everlasting Glory be despised, what remains but endless Misery to be the Sinner's Portion? The Consequence is remediless. If Sin with an eternal Hell in its Retinue be chosen and embraced, is it not ⟨p. 48⟩equal that the rational Creature should inherit his own choice? How just is it that those who are the Slaves of the Devil, and maintain his Party here, should have their recompense with him for ever? That those who now say to the Almighty, depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy Ways, should hear the Dreadful Depart from me into everlasting Fire? As there will be no vain-boasting in Heaven, where the Reward is the Gift of pure Bounty; so there will be no righteous Complaint against God in Hell, where the Punishment is inflicted by powerful Justice. He that voluntarily sins, by consequence chooses the Punishment due to it.
4. That which farther clears the Divine Justice in punishing Sin with Hell, is this, That God by his infallible Promise assures us, that all who sincerely and uniformly obey him, shall be rewarded with Heaven for ever: a Blessedness most worthy the greatness and love of the Eternal God to bestow upon his Servants: a Blessedness that surpasses our most comprehensive Thoughts. Now if Everlasting Glory be despised, what remains but endless Misery to be the Sinner's Portion? The Consequence is remediless. If Sin with an eternal Hell in its Retinue be chosen and embrac'd, is it not ⟨p. 48⟩equal that the rational Creature should inherit his own choice? How just is it that those who are the Slaves of the Devil, and maintain his Party here, should have their recompence with him for ever? That those who now say to the Almighty, depart from us, we desire not the knowledg of thy Ways, should hear the Dreadful Depart from me into everlasting Fire? As there will be no vain-boasting in Heaven, where the Reward is the Gift of pure Bounty; so there will be no righteous Complaint against God in Hell, where the Punishment is inflicted by powerful Justice. He that voluntarily sins, by consequence chuses the Punishment due to it.