Pillars of salt. An history of some criminals executed in this land, for capital…

II If God should not by His Grace, Restrain the Rage of Original Sin, in the Hearts of Men, they would soon •ush upon the most Outrageous Impieties in the World. As it was said, in Psal. 76.10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee, the Remainder of that wrath shalt thou Restrain: So may we say, Surely the Rage of Sin is permitted by God, so far as His praise may be fetched out of it; but the Remainder of that Rage He Restrains most gloriously. The Restraints of Grace upon the children of men are Wonderful. Upon Some there are the Restraints of Special Grace. There is a principle of Sanctity showered from on High into their Hearts; and Original Sin is powerfully mortified by that principle. Hence the persons under those Restraints, heartily Hate Sin, and Loath Sin, & will not freely commit any known Sin; but say as in Gen. 39.9. How can I do this great wickedness, and Sin against God? Upon Others, there are only the Restraints of Common Grace. There is a Conscience in them; and though that Light within be so Darkene•, that it is not a sufficient guide unto Life, yet this Light shows men many Fair Things, and Like a Fire, it flashes Fiery Rebukes upon them, if they do not those things. This Conscience is a curious Engine, whereby God, the Supreme Governor ⟨p. 17⟩of the World keeps the World in Order. Men would be so many French Dragoons, or Turkish Pirates one upon another, if it were not for this Check from God upon them. A man would soon Murder his Father & Mother, Destroy his own Wife, and Debauch his Neighbours, Blaspheme God, and Fire the Town, & Run a m•ck among the people, if God should not Lay upon him Restraints of Conscience, (and some further, of Interest,) and say, as in Gen. 20.6. I withheld thee from sinning against me. Men may say Like Hazael, when they hear of any Brandeable Action, Am I a Dog, that I should do such a Thing? But every man of us all, would be a Dog; and a Devil too, if the Restraints of Grace were taken off. The Devout Martyr Bradford therefore, when he heard of any Extraordinary Sin perpetrated in the Neighbourhood, would smite his own Heart, and say, In this Heart of mine is that which would soon betray me into the same Sin, if God should Leave me to my self! And such was the Speech of the Ancient, on such an occasion. Ille Heri, Tu Hodie, Ego Cras: If he Sinned Yesterday, and if Thou Sin To Day, I am as Likely to Sin To morrow.