ts like Raft; God has sealed up their Hearts and their Ears, and
their Eyes are dim, and they shall have sore Punishment_.[30]

Sec. 117. When therefore he saw them compass'd about with the Curtains of
Punishment, and cover'd with the Darkness of the Veil; and that all of
them (a few only excepted) minded their Religion no otherwise, but with
regard to this present World; and cast the Observance of religious
Performances behind their Backs, notwithstanding the Easiness of them,
and sold them for a small Price; and that their Merchandize and Trading
diverted them from thinking upon God, so that they had no fear of _that
Day in which both their Hearts and Eyes shall be turn'd round_[31]; he
was fully satisfied, that it was to no purpose to speak to them plainly,
neither that it was expedient any Works should be enjoin'd them beyond
this Measure; and that the greatest Benefit which accru'd to the common
sort of Men by the Law, was wholly plac'd in Relation to Things of this
World, _viz_. that they might be in a comfortable way of Living, and
that no Man might invade another's Property; and that there was but here
and there one that attain'd to Happiness hereafter; namely, such an one
as made it his Business in this World to provide for another, and took
due care about it, and was a Believer: But that Hell was the Place for
him that err'd from the Truth, and preferr'd the Life of this present
World before it. And what Labour can be greater, or what Misery more
compleat than his, who works, if you observe, from the time he awakes,
till he goes to sleep again, you will find that he does nothing but what
tends to the attaining of some one or other of these vile sensible
Things; namely, either Riches, to heap them up; or Pleasure, which he
may take; or Lust, which he may satisfie; or Revenge, whereby he may
pacifie his Mind; or Power, to defend himself; or some outward Work
commanded by the Law, whereof he may make a vain-glorious Shew; or
whereby he may save his own Neck? _Now all these things are Darkness
upon Darkness in the Depth of the Sea, neither is there any of you that
doth not enter in thither, for such is the unchangeable Decree of the
Lord_.[32]

Sec. 118. And when he understood the Condition of Mankind, and that the
greatest part of them were like Brute Beasts, he knew that all Wisdom,
Direction and good Success, consisted in what the Messengers of God had
spoken, and the Law deliver'd; and that there was no other