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The great pains that Wicked Men take to go to Hell. [ 1359]
IT is observed of Antiochus Epiphanes, one of the Kings of Syria, that he was a most cruel Persecutor of the Church,* 1.1 and undertook more troublesome journeys, and went upon more hazardous designs meerly to trouble, vex, and op∣pose the Church of the Iews, then ever any of his Predecessors did about any other conquest, or noble enterprize; that he travelled more miles to do mis∣chief, (as he that compareth their journeys) then any of the Saints did to do good, And thereupon concludes the Story of him; with this general truth con∣cerning all wicked Men; That they go with more pains to eternal death, then the Saints to eternal rest; that they toyl themselves more, and suffer more hardship to work out their own damnation, then the godly do to work out their Salvation. Thus it is,* 1.2 that a Wicked ungodly Man is said to travell with pain all the dayes of his life, and wearying himself in the way to Hell doing the Devils drudgery: And whereas a good Man is mercifull to his beast,* 1.3 he is unmercifull to himself, and tires himself more then a good Man will tire his beast; For he that will fol∣low Sin and serve his own lusts,* 1.4 (especially the lust of Pride and oppression) serveth a hard Master, one that will make him sweat for it, and pay him home at last with eternal death;* 1.5 so that the work of Sin is bad enough; but (as to the Sinner) the wages is worse.