The saints convoy to heaven a discourse occasioned

First, Because by flight it cannot escape from them. When we cannot resist an Enemy by the Strength of our Arm, yet we may escape by the Swiftness of our Feet: When we cannot get the Victory by Fighting, we might prevent our Captivity ⟨p. 50⟩by Running. But this will give no Relief to the separated sinful Soul, because evil Spirits are such agile, swift, and active Creatures, that move so fast, that the Soul cannot be more speedy than they: Tho' Holy Angels, as they are stronger, so they are swifter than Apostate Spirits, being more able, ready and speedy to protect and defend us, than Fallen Angels are to hurt and destroy us;¹ and therefore the Good are said to have Wings, (which, as I remember, is not spoken of the Bad); yet these Infernal Spirits are so much speedier in their Motion, than the Soul, that it can have no Hope of preventing their transporting of it from the dying Bed, to its Lodging in the Flames of Hell.

1. 1Isay. 6. 2. 6.

Secondly, Because by them it will be brought so soon to the Place of Torment. Men on Earth sin so much, swear so fast, and run in the Ways of Wickedness, as tho' they could not get to Hell sure enough, nor soon enough: But when they have done sinning upon Earth, and are on their Way to their Eternal Miserable State, they will think Devils put them on too fast, and carry them with too much speed▪ to that Place where their Entertainment will be so bad. We may imagine the separated ⟨p. 51⟩Soul, in the Devil's Arms, to lament it self, saying What! Is my Journey like to be so short, when my Journey's End will be so bad? Am I going whither I would not, and yet do these Carriers make such haste? must I thus be posted to such grievous Torments, whence I shall never be delivered? Tho' the Way be so uncomfortable; yet the Place will be so much more, when I come thither; therefore let me move more slowly to it: Tho' I have an Hell within me, on my way to Hell; yet, O that it might be a Thousand Years before I enter into it! but I wish in vain; for this swift Motion will quickly bring me to it.