he doth not say, who were in Prison, but to them (in) that is, now in Prison, under chains of da•kness, reserved, or kept there, in that prison, in which now they are (ready like villains in the jail to be brought before the judgement seat of Christ at the great day: but of this I shall speak further by and by. Now if this one truth▪ that men must die and depart this world, •nd either enter into joy, or else into prison, to be reserved to the day of judgement, were believed, we should not have so many wantons walk up and down the streets as there do; at least it would put a mighty check to their filthy carriages, so that they ⟨p. 23⟩would not, could not walk so basely and sinfully as they do. Belshazzar notwithstanding he was so far from the fear of God, so long as he was senseless of the Lords hand against him; yet when he did but see that God was offended, and threatened him for his wickedness, it made him hang down his head, and knock his knees together, Dan. 5.5, 6. If you read the verses before, you will find he was careless, and satisfying his lusts in drinking, and playing the wanton with his Concubines. But so soon as he did but perceive the finger of an hand, writing, then (saith the Scripture) the Kings countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. And when Paul told Felix of Righteousness,1 Temperance, and Judgement to come, it made him rremble. And let me tell thee (Soul) whosoever thou art, that if thou didst but verily believe that thou must die, and come into the judgement, it would make thee turn over a new leaf, as we say. But this is the misery, the devil doth labour by all means, as to keep out other things that are good, so to ⟨p. 24⟩keep out of the heart as much as in him lies, the thoughts of passing from this life into another world; for he knows, if he can but keep them from the serious thoughts of death, he shall the more easily keep them in their sins; and so from closing with Jesus Christ, as Job saith, Their houses are safe from fear, 2neither is the rod of God upon them. Which makes them say to God, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways, verse 14. Because there is no fear of death, and judgement to come, therefore they do put off God and his ways, and spend their days in their sins;
he doth not say, who were in Prison, but to them (in) that is, now in Prison, under chains of da•kness, reserved, or kept there, in that prison, in which now they are (ready like villains in the jayl to be brought before the judgement seat of Christ at the great day: but of this I shall speak further by and by. Now if this one truth▪ that men must die and depart this world, •nd either enter into joy, or else into prison, to be reserved to the day of judgement, were believed, we should not have so many wantons walk up and down the streeets as there do; at least it would put a mighty check to their filthy carriages, so that they ⟨p. 23⟩would not, could not walk so basely and sinfully as they do. Belshazzer notwithstanding he was so far from the fear of God, so long as he was senseless of the Lords hand against him; yet when he did but see that God was offended, and threatned him for his wickedness, it made him hang down his head, and knock his knees together, Dan. 5.5, 6. If you read the verses before, you will finde he was careless, and satisfying his lusts in drinking, and playing the wanton with his Concubines. But so soon as he did but perceive the finger of an hand, writing, then (saith the Scripture) the Kings countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joynts of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. And when Paul told Felix of Righteousness,1 Temperance, and Judgement to come, it made him rremble. And let me tell thee (Soul) whosoever thou art, that if thou didst but verily believe that thou must die, and come into the judgement, it would make thee turn over a new leaf, as we say. But this is the misery, the devil doth labour by all means, as to keep out other things that are good, so to ⟨p. 24⟩keep out of the heart as much as in him lies, the thoughts of passing from this life into another world; for he knows, if he can but keep them from the serious thoughts of death, he shall the more easily keep them in their sins; and so from closing with Jesus Christ, as Job saith, Their houses are safe from fear, 2neither is the rod of God upon them. Which makes them say to God, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes, verse 14. Because there is no fear of death, and judgement to come, therefore they do put off God and his wayes, and spend their dayes in their sins;
- 1Acts 24.25.
- 2Job 21.9.
