il is a hell unto himself. He holds
enough of torture in his own _ubi_, and needs not the misery of
circumference to afflict him. And thus, a distracted conscience here, is
a shadow or introduction unto hell hereafter. Who can but pity the
merciful intention of those hands that do destroy themselves? The devil,
were it in his power, would do the like; which being impossible, his
miseries are endless, and he suffers most in that attribute wherein he is
impassible--his immortality.

I thank God that (with joy I mention it) I was never afraid of hell, nor
never grew pale at the description of that place. I have so fixed my
contemplations on heaven, that I have almost forgot the idea of hell, and
am afraid rather to lose the joys of the one, than endure the misery of
the other--to be deprived of them is a perfect hell, and needs, methinks,
no addition to complete our afflictions. That terrible term hath never
detained me from sin, nor do I owe any good action to the name thereof. I
fear God, yet am not afraid of Him; His mercies make me ashamed of my
sins, before His judgments afraid thereof. These are the forced and
secondary methods of His wisdom, which He useth but as the last remedy,
and upon provocation; a course rather to deter the wicked, than incite
the virtuous to His worship. I can hardly think there was ever any
scared into heaven: they go the fairest way to heaven that would serve
God without a hell. Other mercenaries that crouch unto Him, in fear of
hell, though they term themselves the servants, are indeed but the slaves
of the Almighty.

ON PRAYER

I cannot contentedly frame a prayer for myself in particular, without a
catalogue for my friends; nor request a happiness wherein my sociable
disposition doth not desire the fellowship of my neighbour. I never
heard the toll of a passing-bell, though in my mirth, without my prayers
and best wishes for the departing spirit. I cannot go to cure the body
of my patient, but I forget my profession, and call unto God for his
soul. I cannot see one say his prayers, but instead of imitating him, I
fall into a supplication for him, who, perhaps, is no more to me than a
common nature; and if God hath vouchsafed an ear to my supplications,
there are surely many happy that never saw me, and enjoy the blessing of
my unknown devotions. To pray for enemies, that is, for their salvation,
is no harsh precept, but the practice of our daily and ordinary
devotio