I. PROPOSITION .

That when God visits for Sin , the Pain is extreme and intolerable .

Be it Sickness , Exile , Restraint , or whatever other Affliction the Almighty brings a man's Sin to remembrance by , it will fetch Groans and Sighs from his Breast ; Tears , Rivers of tears , from his Eye . The Anguish , the Venome of his Indignation will drink up his Spirits . Though ( as Solomon saith , Prov. 14.9 . ) Fools make a mock of Sin : It is a sport to a fool to doe mischief : ( Prov. 10.23 . ) yet the conclusion will be , when God visits for it , Indignation and Wrath to them that are contentius , and obey not the Truth : Tribulation and Anguish upon every Soul of man that doeth evil , Rom. 2.8 , 9. When Abner and his men , and Joab and his men , met by the Pool of Gibeon , Abner said to Joab , Let the young men now arise , and play before us : but when they had a while been at the sport , Abner calls to Joab , and says , Shall the Sword devour for ever ? knowest thou not that it will be Bitterness in the latter end ? 2 Sam. 2.14 , 26.

A man never thrives by Sin : he may for a while be in great Power , flourish like a green Bay-tree ; but in the conclusion Terrours take hold on him as waters , a Tempest stealeth him away in the night , saith Job , 27.20 . The lips of a strange woman drop as an hony-comb , and her mouth is smoother then oil : But her end is bitter as wormwood , sharp as a two-edged sword , Prov. 5.3 , 4. Stolen waters are sweet , and bread eaten in secret is pleasant , Prov. 9.17 . But after the mouth is filled with gravell , Prov. 20.17 . Though Wickedness be sweet in a man's mouth , though he hide it under his tongue , as men use to doe , who would keep the tast of Sweet-meats long with them ; Yet his meat within him is turned into the Gall of Asps . He hath swallowed down Riches , and he shall vomit them up again : God shall cast them out of he Belly , saith Zophar , Job 20.12 , 14 , 15. The whole Books of the Proverbs and Job , yea and the whole Bible , are so full of such expressions , as that a man scarce reads a Chapter , but something or other occurrs to this purpose : yea all sorts of Writers , sacred and profane , have left upon record their Observations concerning the attendance of Punishment upon Sin ; the lying of Sin at the door , when Evil is done within ; the avenging Eye of God ; the Terrours that are subsequent , when Conscience is awakened ; the secret and silent Lashes and Tortures of a guilty Conscience , when Affliction , Trouble , the apprehension of Death or God's Anger seize on the spirit of a man . We need not instance in Cain , Saul , Judas , Felix , and such like , which the Scripture mentions ; nor such as Nero , Caligula , and others , of whom the Roman and Greek Historians speak ; nor of Spira , and others of later Times : The Confessions of David , the Complaints of Job , the Lamentations of Jeremiah , yield us pregnant proofs of this Truth .

Besides the forealleged Texts , David tells us , Psal. 32.3 , 4 , 5. that when he kept silence , his bones waxed old , through his Roaring all the day long . For day and night the Hand of God was heavy on him ; his moisture was turned into the drought of Summer ; till he acknowledged his Sin . Psal. 31.10 . My strength faileth because of mine Iniquity . Psal. 38.8 . that he was feeble and sore smitten , that he roared by reason of the disquietness of his heart . Job speaks thus to God , Job 13.26 . Thou writest bitter things against me , and makest me to possess the Sins of my youth . And Jeremy , Lament. 1.14 . The yoke of my Transgressions is bound by his hand , they are wreathed and come up upon my neck : he hath made my strength to fall : and vers. 20. Behold , O Lord , for I am in distress ; my bowels are troubled , mine heart is turned within me ; for I have grievously rebelled .

This Anguish from the sense of Sin ariseth ,

1. From the nature of Sin , which is really mischievous , though seemingly pleasant . Sin is of a Serpentine kind ; it hath a smooth Skin , but a venomous Tail . The sting of Death ( saith S. Paul ) is Sin , 1 Cor. 15.56 . It is a Sting , and that deadly , though it be hidden . What Solomon saith of the Drunkard's Cup , Prov. 23.31 , 32. though when the wine is red in the Glass , giveth its colour in the Cup , and moveth it self aright , it is very delightfull ; yet at last it will bite like a Serpent , and sting like an Adder ; is true of every Sin . There is a deceitfulness of Sin , which hardens men in the committing of it , Heb. 3.13 . Men are fearless and secure while the pleasure of Sin beguiles them ; the consequent upon it is hidden from them : they discern not God's Eye to be on them : they delude their Souls with blasphemous imaginations , as if he saw it not , had forgotten it , were such an one as themselves . But it is otherwise : when he sets their Sins in order before them , rouzes up their sleepy Consciences , causeth their Iniquities to stare in their faces ; then they find that there is a Sting in Sin ; the sweet drink which they swallowed down pleasantly , gnaws and frets their bowels , torments and corrodes their spirits , so that they sigh and groan , and are ready to destroy themselves to be rid of that Venome which they so easily and greedily drank down before .

2. From the Properties of God ariseth the Dolour that is consequent on Sin .

1. The Omniscience of God , which discerns all the most hidden ways of man : which caused Job to say , Chap. 31.3 , 4. Is not destruction to the wicked , and strange punishment to the workers of Iniquity ? Doth not he see my ways , and count all my steps ? We are foolishly apt to imagine , that God sees not through the thick Clouds , that he hath forgotten , that he regards not what we doe : and thus we befool our selves with such devices as in the end ruine us . We are like that Bird , that puts its head in a hole , as if thereby it were safe from the Fowler : like Children , we wink our selves , and think none sees us , because we see none . A deceived Heart thus turns us aside , that we cannot say , Is there not a Lie in my right hand ? Quod nimis miseri volunt , hoc facilè credunt . But what saith the Psalmist ? Psal. 44.20 , 21. If we have forgotten the name of our God , or stretched out our hand to a strange God ; Shall not God search this out ? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart . Hence doth Moses derive the Affliction of Israel in the Wilderness , Psal. 90.7 , 8. We are consumed by thine Anger , and by thy Wrath are we troubled . Thou hast set our Iniquities before thee , our secret Sins in the light of thy Countenance .

2. The Purity of God makes God to hate Sin , and so not to tolerate it . Thou art of purer eyes , ( saith the Prophet Habakkuk , 1.13 . ) then to behold Evil , and canst not look on Iniquity . Though he sees it , yet he will not see it : he knows it , and looks on it , yet turns away his face from it ; as we doe , when we see some noisome unclean thing , which we cause to be removed out of our sight . And this must needs create Trouble . As when the Sun shines not on the world , Clouds and Darkness and Tempests quickly overspread the Heavens : so when God hides his Face , Sorrow and Anguish of spirit take hold on mens Souls . Odium est Appetitus amovendi ; Hatred is a desire of removing of that which we hate from us . I hate the work of them that turn aside , it shall not cleave to me , ( saith David , Psal. 101.3 . ) It is much more true of God . Psal. 5.4 , 5 , 6. Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in Wickedness , neither shall Evil dwell with thee . The Foolish shall not stand in thy sight ; thou hatest all workers of Iniquity . Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing . God's Holiness moves him to inflict Anguish on men for Sin .

3. So doth also his Truth . He hath given us a Law , and hath fenced it with many Threatnings , that it might not be broken . He is true in his Threatnings as well as in his Promises : as he is engaged to make good the one , so to verify the other . We are sure ( saith the Apostle , Rom. 2.2 . ) that the Judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things : and again , Rom. 3.4 . Let God be true , but every man a Liar ; as it is written , That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings , and mightest overcome when thou art judged , or dost judge . God forceth the Jews to acknowledge this , when he puts the question to them , Your Fathers where are they ? and the Prophets do they live for ever ? But my words and my Statutes , which I commanded my servants the Prophets , did they not take hold of your Fathers ? They returned and said , Like as the Lord of Hoasts thought to doe unto us , according to our ways and according to our doings , so hath he dealt with us , Zech. 1.5 , 6.

4. The Justice of God , as well as the Veracity of God , engageth God to inflict Anguish on men for Sin . His eyes are upon all the ways of the sons of men , to give to them according to their ways , and according to the fruit of their doings , Jer. 32.19 . He is the Judge of all the World , and therefore must needs doe right ; as Abraham pleaded Gen. 18.25 . That be far from thee , that the Righteous should be as the Wicked . So in like manner we may say , That be far from God , that the Wicked should be as the Righteous . Yea , God complains , Mal. 2.17 . thus , You have wearied the Lord with your words : yet ye say , Wherein have we wearied him ? When ye say , Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord , and he delighteth in them ; or , Where is the God of Judgment ? And again , Mal. 3.13 . Your words have been stout against me , saith the Lord : yet ye say , What have we spoken so much against thee ? He tells them , vers. 15. Ye call the proud happy : yea , they that work Wickedness are set up ; yea , they that tempt God are even delivered . See how God counts himself blasphemed , when he is charged to favour Evil men , by not executing Justice on them . Justitia est perpetua & constans voluntas suum cuique tribuendi , ( saith Justinian in the beginning of his Institutions ; ) Justice is a perpetual and constant will of giving to every one his own . And sure , as Praise is due to them that doe well ; so Vengeance to him that doeth evil . As Powers be ordained of God in his Ministers to reward well-doing with praise ; and to be revengers for wrath upon him that doeth evil , Rom. 13.4 . so God ( whose Deputies they are , and bear his name , ) will render to every man according to his works .

5. It is from the Power of God that such Anguish befalls men for Sin , as I have asserted . He is great in power , and will not at all acquit the wicked , saith the Prophet Nahum , 1.3 . Moses therefore , having bewailed the great Devastation of mankind by God's Anger , that carries them away as with a Floud , breaks out into these words , Psal. 90.11 . Who knoweth the power of thy Anger ? even according to thy fear , so is thy Wrath. Whereby he plainly intimates , that the Power of God makes God's rebukes for Sin extreme and intolerable . 1. Because they reach to all parts of a man . He can punish Soul and Body , yea and cast both into Hell-fire , Matth. 10.28 . 2. He can make all or any of the Creatures his Instruments of Punishment ; he can arm the least Worm for Vengeance : yea and that which makes it most unsupportable , he can make a man 's own Spirit his Sword to wound him ; and this is of all the sorest ; it being true which Solomon saith , Prov. 18.14 . The spirit of a man will sustain his Infirmity : but a wounded spirit who can bear ? 3. There is no way to escape from it , or to avoid the Affliction he will bring on a person ; there being neither hiding-place where he cannot find a man , nor remote place whither his hand cannot reach , nor any auxiliary power to match or withstand him , nor any Remedy but by him . Qui vulnera fecit , Solus Achilléo tollere more potest . Which brings in the Second Observation .

II. PROPOSITION

That Beds and Couches and other bodily Refections little avail to ease a Conscience or a Person that is oppressed with the weight of God's Stroke for Sin .

This Job found , 7.13 , 14 , 15. When I say , My Bed shall comfort me , my Couch shall ease my Complaint ; Then thou scarest me with Dreams , and terrifiest me through Visions : So that my Soul chuseth strangling , and death rather then life . And the like we may say of any other Creature-help . All the Artists , Oratours , Divines , Angels , and whatever there is in the Universe to cure or alleviate an afflicted Spirit , are no more able to redress its Malady , without God , then the old World was to stay the universal Deluge ; or Sodom to prevent its Burning with fire and brimstone from heaven . It is God's Prerogative to kill , and to make alive ; to bring down to the Grave , and to bring up ; to raise the Fiend of an awakened Conscience , and to lay it again . He that made the Spirit can by the Spirit and his Son's Bloud quiet and purge the Conscience from dead works , to serve the living God , and he alone .

APPLICATION .

To apply this then to your use .

1. It should deterre you from sinning against God . Though Sin may smile upon you before you commit it , it will bite you when you have acted it . It may sing you a fair pleasant Song , like a Siren ; but it will destroy you , if it entice you thereby . S. James tells you the true brood of Sin , 1.14 , 15. Every man is tempted , &c. Though the Pleasures of Sin be delightfull , yet they are poisonous . Quisquámne Venenum vult in Auro ? Will any man venture to drink Poison in a golden Cup ? You that are given to drink excessively , consider while the Cup is at your mouth , that there will be a Cup of Wrath given you to drink , the Venome whereof will set your Bones on fire , and drink up your Spirits . You that are given to unclean and unlawfull Lusts of the body , if you be not afraid of the Morbus Gallicus , yet fear the Wrath of him who will judge such persons , and burn you with a more unquenchable Fire then that which consumed Sodom and Gomorrah . You that so love the Mammon of Iniquity , that you serve it ; that regard not how you get Wealth , per fas , per nefas , by right or wrong , Rem , Rem , quocunque modo Rem , Money any way , though by Sacriledge , publick Robbery , Grinding the face of the Poor , by Bribery , Extortion , Perjury , Over-reaching in bargaining , Defrauding , Theft , or any other way ; think of Zechariah's flying Roll , the Curse , Zech. 5.4 . which God will bring forth , and it shall enter into the house of the Thief , and into the house of him that Sweareth falsely by his Name ; and it shall remain in his house , to cut off or torture the Inhabitant , and to consume the Materials of the house . You that are profane Scoffers , that deride the Word and Service of God ; or close Hypocrites , that counterfeit Godliness ; know that God will not be mocked , and cannot be resisted . Let me say to you , or any other Sinner who goes on in any sinfull way , insensible of the Sting which is in the Tail ; the Terrours of Conscience , and Wrath of God , these will surely overtake him , without Repentance : yea and if he do repent , will in some measure bring Anguish and Pain to him . And as the Apostle saith to the Corinthians , 1 Cor. 10.22 . Do we provoke the Lord to Jealousie ? are we stronger then he ? If we be , sin and spare not : if not , consider the evil that will follow , all ye that forget God ; lest he tear you in pieces , and there be none to deliver you , Psal. 50.22 .

2. If you have sinned , think not to wear out by time the impression Sin makes on thy Conscience ; nor to extinguish the sense of Sin , by Drinking , merry Company , carnal Pleasure , vain Mirth , Musick ; or to lay it asleep by Formality in Religion , Popes Pardons , Priests Absolutions , without true Repentance and Faith in Christ . All these are Physicians of no value , Forgers of Lies , as Job speaks , 13.4 . Doe rather as Job did , 42.5 , 6. say to God , I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear ; now mine eye seeth thee . Wherefore I abhor my self , and repent in dust and ashes . Humble thy self under his hand : pray to him not to rebuke thee in Anger , nor chasten thee in his hot Displeasure ; but to have mercy on thee , and heal thy Soul that hath sinned against him . Bring with thee penitential Groans and medicinal Tears of that Sorrow which is according to God , working Repentance to Salvation , not to be repented of : and with it Faith in the bloud of Christ , which cleanseth from all Sin . And if thou come to God in this manner , doubt not but God will perform to thee what he saith , Isa. 57.18 . I have seen his ways , and will heal him ; I will lead him also , and restore Comfort unto him and to his mourners . Amen .

LAVS DEO .