A Christian Library, Section 36
Sect. XXXVI.
Now for remedy of the contrary, there cannot be a better lesson for carnal men to learn than this. All the Promises of God are conditional, to take place if we repent: as all the threatenings of God are conditional, to take place if we repent not. But wicked men, as they believe without repenting; their faith being meer presumption: so they repent without believing, their repentance being indeed desperation: and this observe, we are cast down in the disappointing of our hopes; in the same measure, as we were too much lifted up, in expectation of good from them. Whence these perremptory presumers if ever they repent, it is commonly as Francis Spira, …
One star is much bigger than the Earth; yet seems many degrees lesse. It is the nature of fear, to make dangers greater, helps lesse then they are. Christ hath promised peace and rest unto their souls that labour, and are heavy laden; and to those that walk according to rule, Matth. 11.29. Gal. 6.16. even peace celestial in the state of grace, and peace eternal in the state of glory. Such therefore as never were distressed in conscience, or live loosly; never had true peace. Peace is the Daughter of Righteousness. Rom. 5.1. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. But he who makes a bridge of his own shadow, will be sure to fall into the water.
Those Blocks, that never in their life were moved with Gods threatnings, never in any straight of conscience, never groaned under the burden of Gods anger: they have not so much as entered into the porch of this house, or lift a foot over the threshold, of this School of repentance. Oh! that we could but so much fear the eternal paines, as we do the temporary; and be but so carefull to save our souls from torment, as our bodies. In the mean time, the case of these men is so much the worse; by how much there fear is the lesse. It faring with the soul, as with the body. Those diseases, which do take away all sense of pain; are of all others most desperate. As the dead Palsey, the falling-sicknesse, the sleepy lethargy, &c. And the Patient is most dangerously sick, when he hath no feeling thereof. In like manner, whilst they suppose themselves to be free from judgment; they are already smitten with the heaviest of Gods judgments; a heart that cannot repent, Rom. 2.5.
In a lethargy, it is needfull the Patient should be cast into a burning Fever; because the senses are benammed, and this will waken them, and dry up the besotting humours. So in our dead security, before our conversion; God is fain to let the Law, Sin, Conscience and Satan loose upon us; and to kindle the very fire of Hell in our souls: that so we might be roused out of our security: but thousands of these blocks, both live and depart with as great hopes, as men go to a lottery: even dreaming of Heaven, untill they awake in Hell. For they too often die, without any remorse of conscience like blocks; or as an Ox dyes in a ditch. Yea thousands that live like Laban, dye like Nabal, (which is but the same word inverted,) whilst others the dear Children of God, dye in distresse of conscience. For it is not every good mans hap, to dye like Antoninus Pius; whose death was after the fashion, and semblance of a kindly and pleasant sleep. However Saint Austin's rule, will be sure to hold; He cannot dye ill, that hath lived well: and for the most part, He that lives conscionably, dyes comfortably, and departeth rich. And so you see, how it fares with the wickedest and worst of men. Wherefore if you are truly sensible of your wretchednesse, it is a good sign, that you are in some forwardnesse to be recovered; and really to become so good, as formerly you but dream'd, or imagined your self to be. And indeed the very first step to grace, is to feel the want of grace; and the next way to receive mercy, is to see your self miserable. Therefore our …, and most diligent search should be, …