A62053:342
The sinners last sentence to eternal punishment, for sins of omission
The sinners last sentence to eternal punishment, for sins of omission wherein is discovered, the nature, causes, and cure of those sins / by Geo. Swinnock.
London: printed for Geo. Swinnock, 1675
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Chapter 27: Negative godliness is not enough. Christs impartiality in Judgment.
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.
I confess, when I behold a civil man, who is harmless in his Carriage, unblamable (in regard of scandal) in his public Conversation, and courteous in his Behaviour to all; I cannot but respect him, and am ready to wish (as Athanasius, that all the World of Atheists and profane Wretches would turn Hypocrites) that all scandalous Sinners would turn Civilians, and come so far towards Holiness; but yet I must say, that this is scarce half way to Christianity. ⟨p. 207⟩He is not half a Saint, who is but a negative Saint. The forbearance of gross Corruptions is the easiest and least part of Religion, and therefore will not speak any man in a state of Salvation. The Tree that is barren, and without good fruit, is for the fire, as well as the Tree that brings forth evil fruit.
I confess, when I behold a civil man, who is harmless in his Carriage, unblamable (in regard of scandal) in his publick Conversation, and courteous in his Behaviour to all; I cannot but respect him, and am ready to wish (as Athanasius, that all the World of Atheists and prophane Wretches would turn Hypocrites) that all scandalous Sinners would turn Civilians, and come so far towards Holiness; but yet I must say, that this is scarce half way to Christianity. ⟨p. 207⟩He is not half a Saint, who is but a negative Saint. The forbearance of gross Corruptions is the easiest and least part of Religion, and therefore will not speak any man in a state of Salvation. The Tree that is barren, and without good fruit, is for the fire, as well as the Tree that brings forth evil fruit.
For men to think to excuse themselves that they do no hurt, wrong neither Man, Woman, or Child, and are not (as the Pharisee said) as the Publicans, who generally were Oppressors, is but a vain foolish thing. The idle Servant might have said, Lord, I did no harm with my Talent, I did not lay it out in Rioting and Drunkenness, or any way to thy dishonour; I only hid it, and did not improve it,