DOCTRINE SECOND, USE, AND APPLICATION.
I come now to make some use and application of the whole. And,
USE FIRST—If the soul is so excellent a thing as we have made it appear to be, and if the loss thereof is so great a loss, then here you may see who they are that are those extravagant ones; I mean, those that are such in the highest degree. Solomon tells us of a great waster,' and saith also, He that is slothful in his business is brother to such a one (Prov 18:9). Who Solomon had his eye upon, or who it was that he counted so great a waster, I cannot tell; but I will challenge all the world to show me one, that for wasting and destroying, may be compared to him that for the lusts and pleasures of this life will hazard the loss of his soul. Many men will be so profuse and will spend at that prodigal rate, that they will bring a thousand pounds a year to five hundred, and five hundred to fifty, and some also will bring that fifty to less than ninepence; but what is this to him that he shall never leave losing until he has lost his soul? I have heard of some who would throw away a farm, a good estate, upon the trundling of one single bowl. But what is this about the casting away of the soul? Nothing can be compared to sin; it is the vile thing, it cannot have a worse name than its own; it is worse than the vilest men than the vilest of beasts; yea, sin is worse than the devil himself, for it is sin, and sin only, that hath made the devils; and yet for this, for this vile, this abominable thing, some men, yea, most men, will venture the loss of their soul; yea, they will mortgage, pawn, and set their souls to the sale for it (Jer 44:4). Is not a great waste? Does not this man deserve to be ranked among the extravagant ones?
What think you of him who, when he tempted the wench to uncleanness, said to her, If thou wilt venture thy body, I'll venture my soul? Was not here like a fine bargain, think you? Or did this man not like to be a gainer by so doing? This is he who prizes sin at a higher rate than he does his immortal soul; yea, this is he who esteems a quarter of an hour's pleasure more than he fears everlasting damnation. What shall I say? This man is minded to give more to be damned, than God requires he give to be saved; is this not an extravagant one? 'Be astonished, O ye heavens! at this, and be horribly afraid!' (Jer 2:9-12). Yea, let all the angels stand amazed at the unaccountable prodigality of such a one.
Objection 1. But some may say, I cannot believe that God will be so severe as to cast away into hell fire an immortal soul for a little sin.
Answer. I know thou canst not believe it, for if thou couldst, thou wouldst sooner eat fire than run this hazard; and hence all they that go down to the lake of fire are called the unbelievers; and the Lord shall cut thee, that makes this objection, asunder, and shall appoint thee thy portion with such, except thou believe the gospel, and repent (Luke 12:46).
Objection 2. But surely, though God should be so angry at the beginning, it cannot in time but grieve Him to see and hear souls roaring in hell, and that for a little sin.
Answer. Whatever God doeth, it abideth forever (Eccl 3:14). He doth nothing in a passion, or in an angry fit; He proceedeth with sinners by the most perfect rules of justice; wherefore it would be injustice, to deliver them whom the law condemneth, yea, He would falsify His word, if after a time He should deliver them from hell, concerning whom He hath solemnly testified, that they shall be there forever.
