Sin Stigmatized, Part 2 · Section 182
§ 182.
AGaine, ſecondly, Againe, as in getting, ſo in keeping ſuch …s they have got.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.
1. In regard of pleaſure, firſt, 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 pleaſure, 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 heart 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.