A49252:649
The natural mans case stated, or, An exact map of the little world man…The naturall mans case stated, or, An exact map of the little world man…
The natural mans case stated, or, An exact map of the little world man considered in both his capacities, either in the state of nature or grace / as is laid down in XVII sermons by that late truly orthodox divine, Mr. Christopher Love ... ; whereunto is annexed The saints triumph over death, being his funeral sermon, by that painful labourer in the Lords vineyard, Mr. Tho. Manton ...The naturall mans case stated, or, An exact map of the little world man considered in both his capacities, either in the state of nature or grace / as is laid down in XVII sermons by that late truely orthodox divine, Mr. Christopher Love ... ; whereunto is annexed The saints triumph over death, being his funeral sermon, by that painful labourer in the Lords vineyard, Mr. Tho. Manton ...
London: printed by E. Cotes for George Eversden, 1652
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Use. 1 1. Here is terror for wicked men, you may think it strange, that I should draw terror out of such a comfortable doctrine, but consider Jesus Christ hath conquered death for none but those that have an interest in him, others (alas!) are under the full power of it; for the present the case of wicked men is sad, in death 'twill be worse, in hell 'twill be worst of all. 1 'Tis sad for the present, there is a bondage upon your souls, not always felt but soon awakened, you cannot think of death and hell without torment, the thought of it like Belshazzar's hand-writing against the wall, smiteth you with trembling, in the midst of all your cups and bravery; a small thing ⟨p. 22⟩will awaken a wicked mans conscience; the fingers of a mans hand upon the wall: Belshazzar seemed a jolly fellow: a brave spirit, sets light by the Persian forces that were even at his door, but God soon taketh off the edge of his bravery; and then his joints trembled, his knuckles smote one against another for fear; if the Lord will but whist to conscience, the bravest spirits are soon daunted, he needeth arm nothing against you but your own thoughts: certainly none but a child of God can have a true and solid courage against death, you cannot suppose it without consternation, David said, Psal. 23. 4. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, yet I will fear no evil, that's a grisly, sad, dark place to walk in the very borders of death, side by side with terrors and destruction, yet there David would be confident: tis otherwise with wicked men, hereafter they would not live, and here they would not dye. 2. In death it will be worse, the nearer you draw to the everlasting estate, the more will conscience be opened, and scourge you with horror and remorse, I confess every wicked man doth not dye sensible, some are stupid and foolhardy, they may sacrifice a stout body to a stubborn mind: but at last they dye uncertain, doubtful if not anxious, and full of horror; As Adrian to his soul, O Animula ⟨p. 23⟩vagula, blandula, &c. Oh poor soul whither doest thou now go? thou shall never sport it more, jest it more: Or as he said, anxius vixi, dubius morior, heu quo vado! I have lived doubtfully, and dye uncertainly, alas whither do I go! A man that leapeth in the dark near a deep gulf knoweth not where his feet shall light, and this is the case of wicked men: