The Drunkards Character, Section 182
§ 182.
AGaine,Againe, as in getting, so in keeping such …s they have got. secondly, as Sathans instruments have great advantage of Gods servants in getting, so no lesse in keeping such as they have got, both in regard of pleasure, peace, freedome, and many the like priviledges, which the worldling hath above Gods people.
1. In regard of pleasure, first,1 In regard of pleasure. whereas others that turne to God, barre themselves of such delights, and pleasures, as here they might enjoy; these may satisfie themselves and their lusts to the full, live at ease and pleasu…e, and give their affections the full swing; yea, and be so applauded for it, as if, with the people of China, they of all others saw with two eyes: both which makes them like their condition so vvell, that they would not change upon any tearmes: and hence it was that many Schollers of every Sect become Epicures, but none of the Epicures became of other Sects, as one objected to Archelaus. True it is, the godly, even here, have more true joy and pleasure, then the most happy worldling alive: but none can know the spirituall joy and comfort of a Christian, but he that lives the life of a Christian, Iohn 7. 17. as none could learne the virgins song, but they that sang it, Revel. 14. 3. no man can knovv the peace of a good conscience, but hee that keepes a good conscience; no man knovves vvhat that hid Mannah, and vvhite stone vvith a nevv name vvritten in it is, but they that receive the same, Rev. 12. 17.
The World can see a Christians outside, but the raptures of his soule, the ravishing delights of the invvard man, and joy of his spirit, for the remission of his sinnes and the effusion of grace, with such like spirituall priviledges, more glorious then the states of Kingdomes, are as a covered messe to the vvorldling, and so abates nothing of the advantage vvhichwhich Sathan and his instruments have, above Gods servants in winning soules, and Keeping such as they have vvon.
Secondly,2 In regard of freedome. in regard of freedome they have a free scope and liberty to doe or say what they please; whereas Gods people are restrained, even in their very thoughts.
Yea, many times in things of an indifferent nature: as even actions of indifferency, when once they are felt to trench upon the conscience, lay deepe obligations upon the soule, even whiles they are most slighted by carelesse hearts; there being no lesse difference in consciences, then stomackes, of which some will digest the hardest meates, and turne over substances not in their nature edible, whiles others surfet of the lightest foode, and complaine even of dainties. Everygracious hear is in some measure scrupulous and finds more safety in feare, then in presumption.
O what a poore slave doe they hold the man of a tender conscience! they dare sweare and blaspheme, why? their tongues are their owne; whereas we feare an oath. They dare spend their time in dalliance, and after make it their glory; we dare not make the members of Christ the limms of an Harlot, fearing least Heaven should be shut against us for the sinne, and Hell swallow us for boasting of the sin. They dare deny any fact, and wager lyes, with that Grandfather of lyes and lyers; we dare not tell an untruth, though it were to save our selves, to relieve the poore, to honour God. They dare drinke themselves into beasts; we dare not, least we should never be recovered againe unto Men. They dare oppresse the poore, revenge all wrongs done them, &c. we dare not so reproach our Maker, nor wring Gods weapon out of his hand. They dare sinne God in the face, and presume upon his patience; we feare him as a consuming fire. In fine, they dare hazard the breaking of their necks; we would not willingly breake our shins.