3. Consider the sting of the pleasures of sin, which ⟨p. 81⟩is not in the mouth, but in the tail: Grief and wounds, and piercing sorrows, will be the issue of sin: Sin hath a far differing aspect in the temptation before it is committed, and in the reflection after it is committed, especially when they begin to be plagued for it: In the temptation sin looketh fair and beautiful, and with a pleasant countenance; but in the reflection it is black, grizzly and terrible: Hence it is that wicked men who can delight themselves so much in the fore-thoughts of sin when they are enticed unto it, yet cannot endure to look back on sin with fore-thoughts of the account they must give unto God for it. Sin, though never so pleasant, will in a short time produce more bitterness a thousandfold, than ever it did yield sweetness. Besides, the lashes and stings of conscience which sensualists sometimes have in their secret retirements; how are they (if any thing awakened) at their latter end even utterly consumed with terrors: But O the horrible anguish that will seize upon their spirits so soon as they are separated from their bodies! O the tearings that they will feel of the never-dying Worm, when they are clapped in the dark dungeon of Hell, where they will be under the immediate impression of the wrath of the sin-revenging God! If sensualists did but believe, and seriously consider the pains which they must endure in body and soul for ever for their sinful pleasures, it would quench their desires after them. If the Drunkard did see Dives; instead of his bowls and goblets of rich wine, begging for a drop of water to cool his tongue, surely they would sooner drink poison, than drink unto excess: I• filthy forn• cators did but know what dreadful horror doth now possess and fill the parted souls of those which ⟨p. 82⟩have lived in that sin; surely they would rather take a Toad into their bosoms, than embrace the bosom of an Harlot.
3. Consider the sting of the pleasures of sin, which ⟨p. 81⟩is not in the mouth, but in the tail: Grief and wounds, and piercing sorrows, will be the issue of sin: Sin hath a far differing aspect in the temptation before it is committed, and in the reflection after it is committed, especially when they begin to be plagued for it: In the temptation sin lookerh fair and beautiful, and with a pleasant countenance; but in the r•flection it is black, grizly and terrible: Hence it is that wicked men who can delight themselves so much in the fore-thoughts of sin when they are enticed unto it, yet cannot endure to look back on sin with fore-thoughts of the account they must give unto God for it. Sin, though never so pleasant, will in a short time produce more bitterness a thousandfold, than ever it did yield sweetness. Besides, the lashes and stings of conscience which sensualists sometimes have in their secret retirements; how are they (if any thing awakened) at their latter end even utterly consum•d with terrours: But O the horrible anguish that will seize upon th•ir spirits so soon as they are separated from their bodies! O the tearings that they will feel of the never-dying Worm, when they are clapt in the dark dungeon of Hell, where they will be under the immediate impression of the wrath of the sin-revenging God! If sensualists did but believe, and seriously consider the pains which they must endure in body and soul for ever for their sinful pleasures, it would quench their desires after them. If the Drunkard did see Dives; instead of his bowls and goblets of rich wine, begging for a drop of water to cool his tongue, surely they would sooner drink poison, than drink unto excess: I• filthy forn• cators did but know what dreadful horrour doth now possess and fill the parted souls of those which ⟨p. 82⟩have lived in that sin; surely they would rather take a Toad into their bosomes, than embrace the bosome of an Harlot.
