The Abuse of Gods Grace, Chapter 5 · Section 14
SECT. 14.
4. The preſumption of ſetting death and Judgement at far diſtance, Sect. 14. The ſetting of death and judgement at far diſtance cauſeth the abuſe of Grace.1. Death, Reſentment of it as of a Traveller, thouſands of miles off, at ſcores of yeares removes, begets through the deceits of the fleſh, and lyes of the Devill, a tolleration, yea, a reſolution to play the wanton, not only againſt Nature but Grace. The Epicure that beleeves not the Soules immortality, concludes & wanton voluptuous life from probable ſhort life, Let us eat and drinke, for to morrow we ſhall die, 1 Cor. 15. 32. And the Chriſtian, though he beleeveth his Soule ſhall live for ever, doth wantonize in carnall delights, from probable length of dayes, he ſhall have time enough to get the Grace of Repentance, and therefore he abuſeth the ſpace and call, yea, the conviction of returning: the vileſt of Chriſtians, while under the ſentence, and on the bed of death, ſeeme to have ſome ſober thoughts of the excellency and neceſſity of Grace, and of ſome complying deſires and wiſhes: O that they had it, who when they beleeved it, yea found it at vaſt diſtance from them, deſpiſed and abuſed the motions of the ſpirit and word and of Grace. How Saint like is the inlightned Libertine, within a few houres of his death, how diſſolute ten years, ſcores of years before it? 2. Judgement, Becauſe particular Judgement after death, and the generall Judgement of the great day, is delayed, Therefore The heart of the Sons of men is ſet in them to do evill, Eccleſ. 8. 11. wanton ſcoffers walke after their own ungodly Luſts, ſaying, Where is the promiſe of his coming? 2. Pet. 3. 3, 4. That cooling word in the Indulge, exple animi cupiditates ſcito tan dem ſis ratio. nem Deo red. diturus. q. d. fac quicquid mali poteris tandem vapu labis aut in manus carnificis incides. Mercer: l. 5. c. 2.hot chaſe of ſin Remember God will bring thee to Judgement. Eccl. 11. 9. is too litle remembred: the words of Mercer are obſerveable, Feed and dandle thy luſts with moſt cockering indulgence, coming to every deſire of thy carnall mind, yet know at length God will reckon with you: fill up your meaſure of ſin to your utmoſt poſſibilities, at length you ſhall ſmart for it, and fall into the hands of avenging Execution: my Lord hath delayed his coming, ſaid the looſe evill ſervants, and therefore they were intemperate and injurious, rioted in drunkenneſſe, and Beate their fellow ſervants, Matth. 24. 48, 49. As the wanton whoriſh woman argued to uncleanneſſe, Come, let us take our fill of Loves, let us ſolace our ſelves with Love, for the good man is gone a long journey, Prov. 7. 18. So the wanton Chriſtian argues to licenciouſneſſe, he may in the ſpacious intervalls between his healthy time and the laſt Judgement, bathe his fleſhly mind in fleſhly loves and delights, for it will be long ere the laſt. Aſſizes come: and will it be long? what if millions of years, it will come at length, too ſoon and too ſore upon the injurious ſlighters of Gods Grace. Ah Chriſtians that ſport your ſelves with your own deceivings, Irremediabile periculum ſit, aliquem cupiditatibus fraena laxare, ut ſe rationem Deo non meminerit redditurum, Bernard.that Goſpell Grace and liberty will favour your diſordered walking, that give your Luſts too large roome, under the plain hearing and convincements of ſtrictneſſe, that ſtumble in high noone day; ſlacken the Reines to your head ſtrong deſires as if God would call you to account. Bernard tells you this is an irremedileſſe ſoule danger: If the Faith of the laſt Judgement do not teach men holy Wiſdome Repentance, Temperance, Obedience, what will, what can? weep you (ſaid the Apoſtle James to the rich looſe wantons of his time) And howle for the miſeries that are come upon you; Jam. 5. 1. why? Ye have lived in pleaſure in the earth and have been wanton. ye have nouriſhed your hearts, as in a day of ſlangther, v. 5. The coming of the Lord draweth nigh. As if he had ſaid, you play the wantons with creature mercies, forgetting God and your duties, but the accounting day is nigh, Faciat jructū qui poteſt, adeſt dominus, qui fructum requirit, faecundos vivificet, ſteriles depre: hendet. Am. Super Luc.The Judge is at the doore. They are good words of Ambroſe, Let every one bring forth the fruit of Grace, the Lord is preſent (in his word to faith) who will require fruit (will not be put off with leaves) He will give eternall Life to fruitfull trees, will take and caſt barren ones into Hell.