FROM all this Enmity in Death, we may see what it is that sin hath done: and consequently how vile and odious it is, and how we should esteem and use it. Sin hath not only forfeited our Happiness, but laid those impediments in the way of our recovery, which will find us work, and cause our danger and sorrow while we live. And Death is not the least of these impediments. O foolish man, that still will love such a mortal Enemy▪ If another would rob them but of a groat, or defame them, or deprive them of any accommodation, how easily can they hate them, and how hardly are they reconciled to them? But sin depriveth them of their lives, and separates the soul and body asunder, and forfeiteth their everlasting happiness, and sets death betwixt them and the Glory that is purchased by Christ, and yet they love it, and will not leave it. ⟨p. 44⟩Though God have made them, and do sustain them, and provide for them, and all their hope and help is in him, they are not so easily drawn to love him: And yet they can love the sin that would undo them. Though Christ would deliver them, and bring them to everlasting blessedness, and hath assumed flesh, and laid down his life, to testify his Love to them, yet are they not easily brought to love him; but the sin that made them enemies to God, and hath brought them so near to everlasting misery, this they can love, that deserves no love. A Minister or other friend that would draw them from their sin to God, and help to save them, they quarrel against, as if he were their enemy: but their foolish companions, that can laugh and jest with them at the door of Hell, and clap them on the back, and drive away the care of their salvation and harden them against the fear of God, these are the only acceptable men to them. O Christians leave this folly to the world, and do you judge of sin by its sad effects. You feel (if you have any feeling in you) in some measure, what it hath done against your Souls! The weakness of your faith and love; the distance of your hearts from God; your doubts and troubles tell you that it is not your friend; You must shortly know what it will do to your bodies. As it keeps them ⟨p. 45⟩in pain, and weariness, and weakness, so it will ere long deliver them up to the jaws of death, which will spare them no more then the beasts that perish. Had it not been for sin, we should have had no cause to fear a dissolution;
FROM all this Enmity in Death, we may see what it is that sin hath done: and consequently how vile and odious it is, and how we should esteem and use it. Sin hath not only forfeited our Happiness, but laid those impediments in the way of our recovery, which will find us work, and cause our danger and sorrow while we live. And Death is not the least of these impediments. O foolish man, that still will love such a mortal Enemy▪ If another would rob them but of a groat, or defame them, or deprive them of any accommodation, how easily can they hate them, and how hardly are they reconciled to them? But sin depriveth them of their lives, and separates the soul and body asunder, and forfeiteth their everlasting happiness, and sets death betwixt them and the Glory that is purchased by Christ, and yet they love it, and will not leave it. ⟨p. 44⟩Though God have made them, and do sustain them, and provide for them, and all their hope and help is in him, they are not so easily drawn to love him: And yet they can love the sin that would undo them. Though Christ would deliver them, and bring them to everlasting blessedness, and hath assumed flesh, and laid down his life, to testifie his Love to them, yet are they not easily brought to love him; but the sin that made them enemies to God, and hath brought them so near to everlasting misery, this they can love, that deserves no love. A Minister or other friend that would draw them from their sin to God, and help to save them, they quarrel against, as if he were their enemy: but their foolish companions, that can laugh and jest with them at the door of Hell, and clap them on the back, and drive away the care of their salvation and harden them against the fear of God, these are the only acceptable men to them. O Christians leave this folly to the world, and do you judge of sin by its sad effects. You feel (if you have any feeling in you) in some measure, what it hath done against your Souls! The weakness of your faith and love; the distance of your hearts from God; your doubts and troubles tell you that it is not your friend; You must shortly know what it will do to your bodies. As it keeps them ⟨p. 45⟩in pain, and weariness, and weakness, so it will ere long deliver them up to the jaws of death, which will spare them no more then the beasts that perish. Had it not been for sin, we should have had no cause to fear a dissolution;
