And this is common to the most barbarous and savage Heathens : " They shew (saith the apostle) the work of the law written in " their hearts, their consciences also bearing them witness, and " their thoughts in the mean time accusing, or else excusing one u another." By the work of the law, understand the sum and substance of the ten commandments, comprising the duties to be done, and the sins to be avoided. This work of the law is said to be written upon the hearts of the Gentiles, who had no external written law ; upon their hearts it was written, though many of them gave themselves over to all uncleanness ; and they shewed or gave evidence and proof, that there was such a law written upon their hearts. They shewed it two ways : (1.) Some of them shew- ed it in their temperance, righteousness, and moral honesty, where- in they excelled many of us, who have far greater advantages and obligations. (2.) In the efficacy of their consciences ; which, as it cleared and comforted them for things well done : so it wit- nessed against them, yea, judged and condemned them for things ill done. And these evidences of a law written on the heart are to be found, wherever men are to be found. Their ignorance and barbarity cannot stifle these sentiments and impressions of a future state, and a just tribunal to which all must come. And the univer- sality of it plainly evinces, that it springs not out of education, but the very nature of an immortal soul.
Let none say that these universal impressions are but the effects of an universal tradition, which have been, time out of mind, spread among the nations of the world : for as no such universal tradition can be proved ; so if it could, the very propension that is found in the minds of all men living, to embrace and close with the propo- sals of a life to come, will evince the agreeableness of them to the nature of an immortal soul. Yea, the natural closing of the soul with these proposals, will amount to an evidence of the reality and existence of those invisible things. For as the natural senses and their organs prove that there are colours, sounds, savours, and juices; as well as, or rather because there are eyes, ears, &c, na-
538 A TREATISE OF THE SOUL OF MAN.
rurally fitted to close with ; and receive them ; so it is here, if the soul naturally looks beyond the line of time, to things eternal, and cannot bound and confine its thoughts and expectations within the too narrow limits of present things, surely there is such a future state, as well as souls made apprehensive of it, and propense to close with the discoveries thereof. So natural are the notions of a future state to the souls of men, that those who have set themselves designedly to banish them, and struggled hard to suppress them, as things irksome and grievous to them, giving interruption to their sensual lusts and pleasures ; yet still these apprehensions have re- turned upon them, and gotten a just victory over all their objec- tions and prejudices ; they follow them wheresoever they go ; they can no more flee from them than from themselves ; whereby they evidence themselves to be natural and indelible things.
Inf. 11. Hath God endued the soul of man with understanding, will, and affections, whereby it is made capable of knowing, loving, and enjoying God ? It is then no wonder tojind the malice and envy of Satan engaged against man more than any other creature, and against the soul of' man, rather than any thing else in man.
It grates that Spirit of envy to see the soul of man adorning and preparing, by sanctification, to fill that place in glory from which he fell irrecoverably. It cut Haman to the very heart, to see the ho- nour that was done to Mordecai; much more doth it grate and gall Satan, to see what Jesus Christ hath purchased and designed for the souls of men. Other creatures being naturally incapable of this happiness, do therefore escape his fury ; but men shall be sure to feel it as far as he can reach them ; 1 Pet. v. 8. " Your ad- " versary the devil goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom " he may devour." He walks to and fro ; that speaks his dili- gence ; seeking whom he may devour ; that speaks his design; his restlessness in doing mischief is all the rest and relief he hath in his own torments. It is a mark of pure and perfect malice to endeavour to destroy, though he knows he shall never be successful in his at- tempts. We read of many bodies possessed by him ; but he never takes up his quarters in the body of any but with design to do mis- chief to the soul. No room but the best in the house will satisfy him; no blood so sweet to him as soul-blood. If he raise prosecution against the bodies of men, it is to destroy their souls : holiness is what he hates, and happiness is the object of his envy : the soul being the subject of both, is therefore pursued by him as his prey.
Inf. 12. Upon the consideration both of its excellent nature and divine original, it follows, That the corruption and defacing of such an excellent creature by sin deserves to be lamented and greatly be-
A TREATISE OF THE SOUL OF MAN. 539
wailed ; arid the recovery of it by sanctification to be studied and diligently prosecuted, as the great concern of' all men.
What a beautiful and blessed creature was the soul of man at first, whilst it stood in its integrity ? His mind was bright, clear, and apprehensive of the law and will of God ; his will cheerfully complied therewith ; his sensitive appetite and inferior powers stood in an obedient subordination. God made man upright, Eccles. vii. 29. iu^ straight, and equal, bending to neither ex- treme. The law of God was fairly engraven upon the table of his heart. Principles of holiness and righteousness were inlaid in the frame of his mind, fitting him for an exact and punctual discharge of his duties both to God and man. This was the soundness of his constitution, the healthful temper of his inner-man, whereby it became the very region of light, peace, purity, and pleasure. For think how serene, lightsome, and placid the state of the soul must be, in which there was no obliquity, not a jar with the Divine will ; but joy and peace continually transfused through all its faculties !