Besides, the most who are Believers in Title, are Infidels in Heart. Our Saviour tells the Jews, who pretended the highest Veneration to the Writings of Moses, That if they had believed Moses, they would have believed him; for Moses wrote of him. If Men did seriously believe such an excellent Reward, as the Gospel propounds, would it be a cold unpersuasive motive to them? The depravation of the Will argues a correspondent defect in the Mind, though not absolute total Infidelity, yet such a weakness and wavering in the Assent, that when Temptations ⟨p. 188⟩are present and urgent, and it comes to actual choice, Sense prevails over Faith. This will be clear by Universal Experience in temporal things. The probable hope of Gain, will make those who are greedy of Gold, prodigal of their Lives, and venture through tempestuous Seas to accomplish their Desires. And if the belief were equal, would not Men do or suffer as much for obtaining what is infinitely more valuable? A firm Assent would produce adherence, and Faith in the Promises, Fidelity in obeying the Commands of Christ. Tertullian propounds it as a powerful incentive to the Martyrs, Quis ergo non libentissimè tantum pro vero habeat erogare, quantum alii pro falso? Who would not joyfully sacrifice Life and all it sindearments, to obtain true Blessedness, which others do for the vain Appearance of it? On the contrary, the fear of a present destructive Evil will control the most eager Appetites. 'Tis recorded that when the Army of Israel were in pursuit of the Philistines, 1Saul to complete his Victory, forbade upon pain of Death that any should taste Food till the Sun was down. In the chase of their Enemies, they past through a Wood abounding with Honey, ⟨p. 189⟩yet notwithstanding their Hunger and Faintness, and the easy Provision before them, no Man so much as tasted it; for the People feared the King's Oath. And did Men truly believe and fear the Law of God threatening Hell for Sin, would they dare to commit it, though invited by pleasant Temptations? Nay not only a strong fear, but the mere suspicion of great danger will restrain the most vehement desires of Nature. What Person though inflamed with Thirst, would drink a Glass of cool Liquor if he suspected that deadly Poison were mixed with it? And if Men were persuaded that Sin is attended with Death, would they drink in Iniquity like Water?
Besides, the most who are Believers in Title, are Infidels in Heart. Our Saviour tells the Jews, who pretended the highest Veneration to the Writings of Moses, That if they had believed Moses, they would have believed him; for Moses wrote of him. If Men did seriously believe such an excellent Reward, as the Gospel propounds, would it be a cold unpersuasive motive to them? The depravation of the Will argues a correspondent defect in the Mind, though not absolute total Infidelity, yet such a weakness and wavering in the Assent, that when Temptations ⟨p. 188⟩are present and urgent, and it comes to actual choice, Sense prevails over Faith. This will be clear by Universal Experience in temporal things. The probable hope of Gain, will make those who are greedy of Gold, prodigal of their Lives, and venture through tempestuous Seas to accomplish their Desires. And if the belief were equal, would not Men do or suffer as much for obtaining what is infinitely more valuable? A firm Assent would produce adherence, and Faith in the Promises, Fidelity in obeying the Commands of Christ. Tertullian proprounds it as a powerful incentive to the Martyrs, Quis ergo non libentissimè tantum pro vero habeat erogare, quantum alii pro falso? Who would not joyfully sacrifice Life and all it sindearments, to obtain true Blessedness, which others do for the vain Appearance of it? On the contrary, the fear of a present destructive Evil will controul the most eager Appetites. 'Tis recorded that when the Army of Israel were in pursuit of the Philistins, 1Saul to compleat his Victory, forbad upon pain of Death that any should taste Food till the Sun was down. In the chase of their Enemies, they past through a Wood abounding with Honey, ⟨p. 189⟩yet notwithstanding their Hunger and Faintness, and the easy Provision before them, no Man so much as tasted it; for the People feared the King's Oath. And did Men truly believe and fear the Law of God threatning Hell for Sin, would they dare to commit it, though invited by pleasant Temptations? Nay not only a strong fear, but the meer suspicion of great danger will restrain the most vehement desires of Nature. What Person though inflamed with Thirst, would drink a Glass of cool Liquor if he suspected that deadly Poison were mixt with it? And if Men were persuaded that Sin is attended with Death, would they drink in Iniquity like Water?
- 11 Sam. 14. 24, 25, 26.
