The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

4. Consider, if Men choose the Pleasures of Sin that are but for a season, before Heaven, that infinitely exceeds this World, then an everlasting Hell shall be their Portion. There is no middle State in the next World, no tolerable mediocrity, but two contrary States, yet alike in this, that the Happiness and Misery are equally Infinite and Eternal. And by the most wise righteous Will of God, there is an inseparable connection between the Choice and Actions of Men here, and their future Condition for ever. The equity of this cannot be denied without renouncing the Light of Reason. For when by a Chain of Consequences sinful Pleasures are linked with eternal Punishments threatened in the Divine Law, he that will enjoy those forbidden Pleasures, ⟨p. 232⟩binds himself to suffer all the pains annexed to them. And 'tis just that those who err without Excuse, should repent without Remedy. Now the threatening of eternal Punishment is the most proper Argument to work on carnal secure Sinners.

4. COnsider, if Men choose the Pleasures of Sin that are but for a season, before Heaven, that infinitely exceeds this World, then an everlasting Hell shall be their Portion. There is no middle State in the next World, no tolerable mediocrity, but two contrary States, yet alike in this, that the Happiness and Misery are equally Infinite and Eternal. And by the most wise righteous Will of God, there is an inseparable connexion between the Choice and Actions of Men here, and their future Condition for ever. The equity of this cannot be denied without renouncing the Light of Reason. For when by a Chain of Consequences sinful Pleasures are linked with eternal Punishments threatned in the Divine Law, he that will enjoy those forbidden Pleasures, ⟨p. 232⟩binds himself to suffer all the pains annexed to them. And 'tis just that those who err without Excuse, should repent without Remedy. Now the threatning of eternal Punishment is the most proper Argument to work on carnal secure Sinners.

1. Because they are more capable to conceive of the Torments of Hell, than the Joys of Heaven. Storms and Darkness are more easily drawn by a Pencil, than a calm bright Day. Fire and Brimstone are very painful to Sense, and the imagination strongly represents its vehemence in tormenting the Body, and what an evil the unceasing remorse of the guilty Conscience will be hereafter, is in part understood by the secret accusations and twinges of self-condemning Sinners here: but they are absolutely Strangers to the Joys of the Holy Ghost, the Delights of the Soul in the Contemplation and Love of God, the peace and contentment of Conscience in his Favour. They cannot without Experience know how good the Lord is, no more than see a taste. To discourse to them of the Spiritual Pleasures that flow from the divine Presence, of the Happiness of the Saints that are before