The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Fifthly, By Christianity we are only taught to avoid that which causeth repentance and grief of mind after it's done. David said, by the Word of God he was forewarned from sin, Psal. 19. And, Then shall I not be confounded, ⟨p. 245⟩when I have respect unto all thy Commandments, Psal. 119.6. Well doth the Scripture say, Psal. 111.10. They have a good understanding, who do Gods Commandments; because all wickedness, though sweet in the mouth, yet will prove wormwood in the belly. We have done foolishly, say they, who repent of their sins, Insipientis est dicere non putâram, fools use to say, I did not think such a thing; Oh I did not believe the guilt of sin was so terrible! I did not think the fury of God had been so overwhelming, I did not believe the sting of sin had been so grievous! Thus all wicked men, they buy repentance and eternal torments it may be in Hell at a dear rate, for the pleasures of sin, which last for a moment. Oh then, what happy wisdom is it, so to live, and so to do, that a man afterwards shall have no cause to roar out for the guilt upon him! that in the time of sickness, and hour of death thou mayest not cry out, Oh foolish and wretched man that I am! Oh that I had been wiser! but now I fear it is too late.

Fifthly, By Christianity we are onely taught to avoid that which causeth repentance and grief of mind after it's done. David said, by the Word of God he was forewarned from sinne, Psal. 19. And, Then shall I not be confounded, ⟨p. 245⟩when I have respect unto all thy Commandments, Psal. 119.6. Well doth the Scripture say, Psal. 111.10. They have a good understanding, who do Gods Commandments; because all wickednesse, though sweet in the mouth, yet will prove wormwood in the belly. We have done foolishly, say they, who repent of their sins, Insipientis est dicere non putâram, fools use to say, I did not think such a thing; Oh I did not believe the guilt of sinne was so terrible! I did not think the fury of God had been so overwhelming, I did not believe the sting of sinne had been so grievous! Thus all wicked men, they buy repentance and eternal torments it may be in Hell at a dear rate, for the pleasures of sinne, which last for a moment. Oh then, what happy wisdome is it, so to live, and so to do, that a man afterwards shall have no cause to roar out for the guilt upon him! that in the time of sicknesse, and hour of death thou mayest not cry out, Oh foolish and wretched man that I am! Oh that I had been wiser! but now I fear it is too late.