He holds
enough of torture in his own _ubi_, and needs not the misery of
circumference to afflict him. And thus, a distracted conscience here, is
a shadow or introduction unto hell hereafter. Who can but pity the
merciful intention of those hands that do destroy themselves? The devil,
were it in his power, would do the like; which being impossible, his
miseries are endless, and he suffers most in that attribute wherein he is
impassible--his immortality.
I thank God that (with joy I mention it) I was never afraid of hell, nor
never grew pale at the description of that place. I have so fixed my
contemplations on heaven, that I have almost forgot the idea of hell, and
am afraid rather to lose the joys of the one, than endure the misery of
the other--to be deprived of them is a perfect hell, and needs, methinks,
no addition to complete our afflictions. That terrible term hath never
detained me from sin, nor do I owe any good action to the name thereof. I
fear God, yet am not afraid of Him; His mercies make me ashamed of my
sins, before His judgments afraid thereof. These are the forced and
secondary methods of His wisdom, which He useth but as the last remedy,
and upon provocation; a course rather to deter the wicked, than incite
the virtuous to His worship.
Pages:
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74