Making light of Christ and salvation too oft the issue of gospel invitations manifested in a sermon preached at Lawrence-dury, in London, by Rich. Baxter.
         Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691.
      
       
         
           1691
        
      
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             Making light of Christ and salvation too oft the issue of gospel invitations manifested in a sermon preached at Lawrence-dury, in London, by Rich. Baxter.
             Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691.
          
           
             The second edition.
          
           [4], 32 p.
           
             Printed for Nevil Simmons and sold by most booksellers,
             London :
             1691.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in the Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Making
           Light
           of
           CHRIST
           AND
           SALVATION
           Too
           oft
           the
           Issue
           of
           Gospel-Invitations
           .
           Manifested
           in
           a
           SERMON
           Preached
           at
           Lawrence-Jury
           ,
           in
           London
           .
           By
           
             RICH.
             BAXTER
          
           .
        
         
           Heb.
           2.
           34.
           
        
         
           How
           shall
           we
           escape
           ,
           if
           we
           neglect
           so
           great
           Salvation
           ?
        
         
           The
           Second
           Edition
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Nevil
             Simmons
          
           ,
           and
           sold
           by
           most
           Booksellers
           ,
           1691.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           READER
           .
        
         
           
             READER
             ,
          
        
         
           BEing
           called
           on
           in
           London
           to
           Preach
           ,
           when
           I
           had
           no
           time
           to
           study
           ,
           I
           was
           fain
           to
           preach
           some
           Sermons
           that
           I
           had
           preached
           in
           the
           Country
           a
           little
           before
           .
           This
           was
           one
           ,
           which
           I
           preached
           at
           S.
           Lawrence
           ,
           in
           the
           Church
           where
           my
           Reverend
           and
           faithful
           Brother
           in
           Christ
           ,
           Mr.
           
             Richard
             Vines
          
           is
           Pastor
           :
           when
           I
           came
           home
           ,
           I
           was
           followed
           by
           such
           importunities
           by
           Letters
           to
           Print
           the
           Sermon
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           yielded
           thereunto
           ;
           though
           I
           know
           not
           fully
           the
           ground
           of
           their
           desires
           .
           Seeing
           it
           must
           abroad
           ,
           will
           the
           Lord
           but
           bless
           it
           to
           the
           cure
           of
           thy
           contempt
           of
           Christ
           and
           Grace
           ,
           how
           comfortable
           may
           the
           occasion
           prove
           to
           thee
           and
           me
           !
           It
           is
           the
           sleighting
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           that
           undoes
           the
           World.
           Oh
           happy
           man
           ,
           if
           thou
           scape
           but
           this
           sin
           !
           Thousands
           do
           split
           their
           Souls
           on
           this
           Rock
           which
           they
           should
           build
           them
           on
           !
           Look
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           among
           rich
           and
           poor
           ,
           high
           and
           low
           ,
           young
           and
           old
           ,
           and
           see
           whether
           it
           appear
           
           not
           by
           the
           whole
           scope
           of
           their
           Conversations
           ,
           that
           they
           set
           more
           by
           something
           else
           than
           Christ
           ?
           and
           for
           all
           the
           proclamations
           of
           his
           Grace
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           our
           common
           profesing
           our selves
           to
           be
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           and
           to
           believe
           the
           Glorious
           things
           that
           he
           hath
           promised
           us
           in
           another
           World
           ,
           whether
           it
           yet
           appear
           not
           by
           the
           deceitfulness
           of
           our
           service
           ,
           by
           our
           heartless
           endeavours
           to
           obtain
           his
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           by
           our
           busie
           and
           delightful
           following
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           who
           are
           called
           Christians
           do
           yet
           in
           their
           hearts
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           ?
           And
           if
           so
           ,
           what
           wonder
           if
           they
           perish
           by
           their
           contempt
           ?
           Wilt
           thou
           but
           soberly
           peruse
           this
           short
           Discourse
           ,
           and
           consider
           well
           as
           thou
           readest
           ,
           of
           its
           truth
           and
           weight
           ,
           till
           thy
           heart
           be
           sensible
           what
           a
           sin
           it
           is
           to
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           thy
           own
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           till
           the
           Lord
           that
           bought
           thee
           be
           advanced
           in
           the
           estimation
           and
           affections
           of
           thy
           Soul
           ,
           thou
           shalt
           hereby
           rejoyce
           ,
           and
           fulfil
           the
           desires
           of
        
         
           
             Thy
             Servant
             in
             the
             Faith
             ,
             RICH.
             BAXTER
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             Matt.
             22.
             5.
             
          
           
             But
             they
             made
             light
             of
             it
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           blessed
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           thought
           it
           not
           enough
           to
           die
           for
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           would
           himself
           also
           be
           the
           Preacher
           of
           Grace
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           doth
           comprize
           in
           this
           Parable
           the
           sum
           of
           his
           Gospel
           .
           By
           the
           King
           that
           is
           here
           said
           to
           make
           the
           Marriage
           ,
           is
           meant
           ,
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           that
           sent
           his
           Son
           into
           the
           World
           to
           cleanse
           them
           from
           their
           sins
           ,
           and
           espouse
           them
           to
           himself
           .
           By
           his
           Son
           ,
           for
           whom
           the
           Marriage
           is
           made
           ,
           is
           meant
           ,
           The
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           the
           eternal
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           took
           to
           his
           God-head
           the
           nature
           of
           Man
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           be
           capable
           of
           being
           their
           Redeemer
           when
           they
           had
           lost
           themselves
           in
           sin
           .
           By
           the
           Marriage
           ,
           is
           meant
           ,
           The
           Conjunction
           of
           Christ
           to
           the
           soul
           of
           Sinners
           ,
           when
           he
           giveth
           up
           himself
           to
           them
           to
           be
           their
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           they
           give
           up
           themselves
           to
           him
           as
           his
           Redeemed
           Ones
           ,
           to
           be
           saved
           and
           ruled
           by
           him
           ;
           The
           perfection
           of
           which
           Marriage
           will
           be
           at
           the
           Day
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           when
           the
           Conjunction
           between
           the
           whole
           Church
           and
           Christ
           shall
           be
           solemnized
           .
           The
           word
           here
           translated
           Marriage
           ,
           rather
           signifieth
           the
           Marriage-Feast
           ;
           and
           the
           meaning
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           World
           is
           invited
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           come
           in
           and
           partake
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           which
           comprehendeth
           both
           Pardon
           ,
           Justification
           ,
           and
           Right
           to
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           Priviledges
           of
           the
           Members
           of
           Christ
           .
           The
           Invitation
           ,
           is
           God's
           offer
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           The
           Servants
           that
           invite
           them
           ,
           are
           the
           Preachers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           who
           are
           sent
           forth
           by
           God
           to
           that
           end
           ;
           The
           preparation
           for
           the
           feast
           there
           mentioned
           ,
           is
           ,
           The
           sacrifice
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           enacting
           of
           a
           Law
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           opening
           a
           way
           for
           revolting
           Sinners
           to
           return
           to
           God.
           There
           is
           mention
           of
           sending
           second
           Messengers
           ,
           because
           God
           useth
           not
           to
           take
           the
           first
           denyal
           ,
           but
           to
           exercise
           his
           patience
           till
           Sinners
           are
           obstinate
           .
           The
           first
           Persons
           invited
           are
           the
           Jews
           ;
           upon
           their
           
           obstinate
           Refusal
           they
           are
           sentenced
           to
           punishment
           ;
           and
           the
           Gentiles
           are
           invited
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           invited
           ,
           but
           by
           powerful
           Preaching
           ,
           and
           Miracles
           ,
           and
           effectual
           Grace
           compelled
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           infallibly
           prevailed
           with
           to
           come
           in
           .
           The
           number
           of
           them
           is
           so
           great
           ,
           that
           the
           house
           is
           filled
           with
           the
           Guests
           ;
           Many
           come
           sincerely
           ,
           not
           only
           looking
           at
           the
           pleasure
           of
           the
           Feast
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           at
           the
           Pardon
           of
           sin
           ,
           and
           Deliverance
           from
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           also
           at
           the
           honour
           of
           the
           Marriage
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           of
           the
           Redeemer
           ,
           and
           their
           profession
           by
           giving
           up
           themselves
           to
           a
           holy
           Conversation
           ;
           but
           some
           come
           in
           only
           for
           the
           Feast
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           Justification
           by
           Christ
           ,
           having
           not
           the
           wedding
           Garment
           of
           sound
           Resolution
           for
           Obedience
           in
           their
           Life
           ,
           and
           looking
           only
           at
           themselves
           in
           Believing
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           the
           glory
           of
           their
           Redeemer
           ;
           and
           these
           are
           sentenced
           to
           everlasting
           Misery
           ,
           and
           speed
           as
           ill
           as
           those
           that
           came
           not
           in
           at
           all
           ;
           seeing
           a
           Faith
           that
           will
           not
           work
           ,
           is
           but
           like
           that
           of
           the
           Devil
           ;
           and
           they
           that
           look
           to
           be
           pardoned
           and
           saved
           by
           it
           ,
           are
           mistaken
           ,
           as
           James
           sheweth
           ,
           2.
           24.
           
        
         
           The
           words
           of
           my
           Text
           contain
           a
           Narration
           of
           the
           ill-entertainment
           that
           the
           Gospel
           findeth
           with
           many
           to
           whom
           it
           is
           sent
           ,
           even
           after
           a
           first
           and
           second
           invitation
           .
           They
           made
           light
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           are
           taken
           up
           with
           other
           things
           .
           Though
           it
           be
           the
           Jews
           that
           were
           first
           guilty
           ,
           they
           have
           too
           many
           followers
           among
           us
           Gentiles
           to
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           Doct.
           
             For
             all
             the
             wonderful
             love
             and
             mercy
             that
             God
             hath
             manifested
             in
             giving
             his
             Son
             to
             be
             the
             Redeemer
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             which
             the
             Son
             hath
             manifested
             in
             Redeeming
             them
             by
             his
             Blood
             ;
             for
             all
             his
             full
             preparation
             by
             being
             a
             sufficient
             sacrifice
             for
             the
             sins
             of
             all
             ;
             for
             all
             his
             Personal
             Excellencies
             ,
             and
             that
             full
             and
             glorious
             Salvation
             that
             he
             hath
             procured
             ,
             and
             for
             all
             his
             free
             offers
             of
             these
             ,
             and
             frequent
             and
             earnest
             Invitations
             of
             Sinners
             ;
             yet
             many
             do
             make
             light
             of
             all
             this
             ,
             and
             prefer
             their
             worldly
             enjoyments
             before
             it
             .
             The
             ordinary
             entertainment
             of
             all
             is
             by
             contempt
             .
          
        
         
           Not
           that
           all
           do
           so
           ,
           or
           that
           all
           continue
           to
           do
           so
           who
           were
           once
           guilty
           of
           it
           :
           for
           God
           hath
           his
           chosen
           ,
           whom
           he
           will
           compel
           to
           come
           in
           .
           But
           till
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Grace
           over-power
           the
           dead
           and
           obstinate
           hearts
           of
           Men
           ,
           they
           hear
           the
           Gospel
           as
           a
           common
           story
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           matters
           contained
           in
           it
           go
           not
           to
           the
           heart
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Method
           in
           which
           I
           shall
           handle
           this
           Doctrin
           ,
           is
           this
           :
        
         
           
             1.
             
             I
             shall
             shew
             you
             what
             it
             is
             that
             Men
             make
             light
             of
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             What
             this
             sin
             of
             making
             light
             of
             it
             is
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             cause
             of
             the
             sin
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             use
             of
             the
             Doctrin
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           thing
           that
           carnal
           hearers
           make
           light
           of
           ,
           is
           ,
           1.
           
           The
           Doctrin
           of
           the
           Gospel
           it self
           ,
           which
           they
           hear
           regardlesly
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           benefits
           offered
           them
           therein
           :
           which
           are
           ,
           1.
           
           Christ
           himself
           .
           2.
           
           The
           benefits
           which
           he
           giveth
           .
        
         
           Concerning
           Christ
           himself
           ,
           the
           Gospel
           1.
           
           Declareth
           his
           Person
           and
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           things
           that
           he
           hath
           done
           and
           suffered
           for
           Man
           :
           his
           Redeeming
           him
           from
           the
           wrath
           of
           God
           by
           his
           Blood
           ,
           and
           procuring
           a
           grant
           of
           Salvation
           with
           himself
           .
           Furthermore
           ,
           The
           same
           Gospel
           maketh
           an
           offer
           of
           Christ
           to
           sinners
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           will
           accept
           him
           on
           his
           easie
           and
           reasonable
           terms
           ,
           he
           will
           be
           their
           Saviour
           ,
           the
           Physitian
           of
           their
           Souls
           ,
           their
           Husband
           and
           their
           Head.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           benefits
           that
           he
           offereth
           them
           ,
           are
           these
           ,
           1.
           
           That
           with
           these
           blessed
           Relations
           to
           him
           ,
           himself
           and
           interest
           in
           him
           ,
           they
           shall
           have
           the
           pardon
           of
           all
           their
           sins
           past
           ,
           and
           be
           saved
           from
           God's
           Wrath
           ,
           and
           be
           set
           in
           a
           sure
           way
           of
           obtaining
           a
           Pardon
           for
           all
           the
           sins
           that
           they
           shall
           commit
           hereafter
           ,
           so
           they
           do
           but
           obey
           sincerely
           ,
           and
           turn
           not
           again
           to
           the
           Rebellion
           of
           their
           Unregeneracy
           .
           2.
           
           They
           shall
           have
           his
           Spirit
           to
           become
           their
           Guide
           and
           Sanctifier
           ,
           and
           to
           dwell
           in
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           help
           them
           against
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           conform
           them
           more
           and
           more
           to
           his
           Image
           ,
           and
           heal
           their
           Diseases
           ,
           and
           bring
           them
           back
           to
           God.
           3.
           
           They
           shall
           have
           right
           to
           everlasting
           Glory
           when
           this
           Life
           is
           ended
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           raised
           up
           thereto
           at
           the
           last
           ;
           besides
           many
           excellent
           priviledges
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           in
           Means
           ,
           Preservation
           and
           Provision
           ,
           and
           the
           fore
           tast
           of
           what
           they
           shall
           enjoy
           hereafter
           :
           All
           these
           benefits
           the
           Gospel
           offereth
           to
           them
           that
           will
           have
           Christ
           on
           his
           reasonable
           terms
           .
           The
           sum
           of
           all
           is
           in
           1
           John
           5.
           11
           ,
           12.
           
           
             This
             is
             the
             Record
             ,
             that
             God
             hath
             given
             us
             eternal
             Life
             ,
             and
             this
             Life
             is
             in
             his
             Son
             :
             He
             that
             hath
             the
             Son
             ,
             hath
             Life
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             hath
             not
             the
             Son
             ,
             hath
             not
             Life
             .
          
        
         
           II.
           
             What
             this
             Sin
             of
             making
             light
             of
             the
             Gospel
             is
             ?
          
           1.
           
           To
           make
           light
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           ,
           to
           take
           no
           great
           heed
           to
           what
           
           is
           spoken
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           not
           a
           certain
           Truth
           ,
           or
           else
           were
           a
           matter
           that
           little
           concerned
           them
           ,
           or
           as
           if
           God
           had
           not
           written
           these
           things
           for
           them
           .
           2.
           
           When
           the
           Gospel
           doth
           not
           affect
           Men
           ,
           or
           go
           to
           their
           hearts
           ;
           but
           though
           they
           seem
           to
           attend
           to
           what
           is
           said
           ,
           yet
           men
           are
           not
           awakened
           by
           it
           from
           their
           security
           ,
           nor
           doth
           it
           work
           in
           any
           measure
           such
           holy
           Passion
           in
           their
           Souls
           ,
           as
           matters
           of
           such
           everlasting
           Consequence
           should
           do
           ;
           this
           is
           making
           light
           of
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Salvation
           .
           When
           we
           tell
           men
           what
           Christ
           hath
           done
           and
           suffered
           for
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           it
           scarce
           moveth
           them
           :
           We
           tell
           them
           of
           keen
           and
           cutting
           Truths
           ,
           but
           nothing
           will
           pierce
           them
           :
           We
           can
           make
           them
           hear
           ,
           but
           we
           cannot
           make
           them
           feel
           :
           Our
           words
           take
           up
           in
           the
           porch
           of
           their
           Ears
           and
           Fancies
           ,
           but
           will
           not
           enter
           into
           the
           inward
           parts
           ;
           as
           if
           we
           spake
           to
           men
           that
           had
           no
           hearts
           or
           feeling
           ;
           this
           is
           a
           making
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           Acts
           28.
           26
           ,
           27.
           hearing
           ye
           shall
           hear
           ,
           and
           shall
           not
           understand
           ,
           seeing
           ye
           shall
           see
           ,
           and
           shall
           not
           perceive
           .
           For
           the
           Heart
           of
           this
           People
           is
           waxen
           gross
           ,
           and
           their
           Ears
           are
           dull
           of
           hearing
           ,
           their
           Eyes
           are
           closed
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           When
           Men
           have
           no
           high
           Estimation
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           but
           whatsoever
           they
           may
           say
           with
           their
           tongues
           ,
           or
           dreamingly
           and
           speculatively
           believe
           ,
           yet
           in
           their
           serious
           and
           practical
           thoughts
           ,
           they
           have
           a
           higher
           estimation
           of
           the
           matters
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           than
           they
           have
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           Salvation
           that
           he
           hath
           purchased
           ;
           this
           is
           a
           making
           light
           of
           him
           .
           When
           Men
           account
           the
           Doctrin
           of
           Christ
           to
           be
           but
           a
           matter
           of
           words
           and
           names
           ,
           as
           
             Gallio
             ,
             Acts
          
           18.
           4.
           or
           as
           
             Festus
             ,
             Acts
          
           25.
           19.
           
           a
           superstitious
           matter
           about
           one
           Jesus
           who
           was
           dead
           ,
           and
           Paul
           saith
           is
           alive
           .
           Or
           ask
           the
           Preachers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           the
           Athenians
           ,
           Acts
           17.
           18.
           
           
             What
             will
             this
             babler
             say
          
           ?
           This
           is
           contempt
           of
           Christ
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           When
           Men
           are
           informed
           of
           the
           truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           on
           what
           Terms
           Christ
           and
           his
           Benefits
           may
           be
           had
           ,
           and
           how
           it
           is
           the
           will
           of
           God
           that
           they
           should
           Believe
           and
           Accept
           the
           offer
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           commandeth
           them
           to
           do
           it
           upon
           pain
           of
           damnation
           ;
           and
           yet
           men
           will
           not
           consent
           ,
           unless
           they
           could
           have
           Christ
           on
           terms
           of
           their
           own
           :
           They
           will
           not
           part
           with
           their
           worldly
           contents
           ,
           nor
           lay
           down
           their
           Pleasures
           and
           Profits
           ,
           and
           Honour
           at
           his
           Feet
           ,
           as
           being
           content
           to
           take
           so
           much
           of
           them
           only
           as
           he
           will
           give
           them
           back
           ,
           and
           as
           
           is
           consistent
           with
           his
           Will
           and
           Interest
           ,
           but
           think
           its
           a
           hard
           saying
           ,
           that
           they
           must
           forsake
           all
           in
           Resolution
           for
           Christ
           ;
           this
           is
           a
           making
           light
           of
           him
           and
           their
           Salvation
           .
           When
           men
           might
           have
           part
           in
           him
           and
           all
           his
           Benefits
           ,
           if
           they
           would
           ,
           and
           they
           will
           not
           ,
           unless
           they
           may
           keep
           the
           World
           too
           ;
           and
           are
           resolved
           to
           please
           their
           flesh
           ,
           whatever
           comes
           of
           it
           ;
           this
           is
           a
           high
           contempt
           of
           Christ
           and
           everlasting
           life
           ,
           Mat.
           13.
           21
           ,
           22.
           
           Luke
           18.
           23.
           you
           may
           find
           examples
           of
           such
           as
           I
           here
           describe
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           When
           men
           will
           promise
           fair
           ,
           and
           profess
           their
           willingness
           to
           have
           Christ
           on
           his
           terms
           ,
           and
           to
           forsake
           all
           for
           him
           ;
           but
           yet
           
             do
             stick
          
           to
           the
           World
           and
           their
           sinful
           Courses
           ;
           and
           when
           it
           comes
           to
           practice
           ,
           will
           not
           be
           removed
           by
           all
           that
           Christ
           hath
           done
           and
           said
           :
           this
           is
           making
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           Jer.
           42.
           5.
           compared
           with
           43.
           2.
           
        
         
           III.
           The
           causes
           of
           this
           sin
           are
           the
           next
           thing
           to
           be
           enquired
           after
           .
           It
           may
           seem
           a
           wonder
           that
           ever
           Men
           that
           have
           the
           use
           of
           their
           reason
           ,
           should
           be
           so
           sottish
           as
           to
           make
           light
           of
           matters
           of
           such
           consequence
           .
           But
           the
           cause
           is
           ;
        
         
           1.
           
           Some
           Men
           understand
           not
           the
           very
           sense
           of
           the
           Words
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           when
           they
           hear
           it
           ,
           and
           how
           can
           they
           be
           taken
           with
           that
           which
           they
           understand
           not
           ?
           Though
           we
           speak
           to
           them
           in
           plain
           English
           ,
           and
           study
           to
           speak
           it
           as
           plainly
           as
           we
           can
           ;
           yet
           People
           have
           so
           estranged
           themselves
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           matters
           of
           their
           own
           happiness
           ,
           that
           they
           know
           not
           what
           we
           say
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           spoke
           in
           another
           language
           ,
           and
           as
           if
           they
           were
           under
           that
           Judgment
           ,
           Isa
           .
           28.
           11.
           with
           stammering
           Lips
           ,
           and
           with
           another
           Tongue
           will
           he
           speak
           to
           his
           People
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Some
           that
           do
           understand
           the
           Words
           that
           we
           speak
           ,
           yet
           because
           they
           are
           carnal
           ,
           understand
           not
           the
           matter
           ;
           for
           the
           natural
           Man
           receiveth
           not
           the
           things
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           neither
           can
           he
           know
           them
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           spiritually
           discerned
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           2.
           14.
           
           They
           are
           earthly
           ,
           and
           these
           things
           are
           heavenly
           ,
           John
           3.
           12.
           
           The
           things
           of
           the
           Spirit
           are
           not
           well
           known
           by
           bare
           hear-say
           ,
           but
           by
           a
           spiritual
           tast
           ,
           which
           none
           have
           but
           those
           that
           are
           taught
           by
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           2.
           12
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           know
           the
           things
           that
           are
           given
           us
           of
           God.
           
        
         
         
           3.
           
           A
           carnal
           mind
           apprehendeth
           not
           a
           suitableness
           in
           these
           spiritual
           and
           heavenly
           things
           to
           his
           mind
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           sets
           light
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           hath
           no
           mind
           of
           them
           .
           When
           you
           tell
           him
           of
           everlasting
           glory
           ,
           he
           heareth
           you
           as
           if
           you
           were
           perswading
           him
           to
           go
           play
           with
           the
           Sun
           :
           they
           are
           matters
           of
           another
           World
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           his
           element
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           hath
           no
           more
           delight
           in
           them
           than
           a
           Fish
           would
           have
           to
           be
           in
           the
           fairest
           Meadow
           ,
           or
           than
           a
           Swine
           hath
           in
           a
           Jewel
           ,
           or
           a
           Dog
           in
           a
           piece
           of
           Gold
           :
           They
           may
           be
           good
           to
           others
           ,
           but
           he
           cannot
           apprehend
           them
           as
           suitable
           to
           him
           ,
           because
           he
           hath
           a
           nature
           that
           is
           otherwise
           inclined
           :
           he
           savoureth
           not
           the
           things
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           Rom
           8.
           5.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           main
           cause
           of
           the
           slighting
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           is
           ,
           a
           secret
           root
           of
           unbelief
           in
           mens
           hearts
           .
           Whatsoever
           they
           may
           pretend
           ,
           they
           do
           not
           soundly
           and
           throughly
           believe
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           :
           They
           are
           taught
           in
           general
           to
           say
           ,
           
             The
             Gospel
             is
             true
          
           ;
           but
           they
           never
           saw
           the
           Evidence
           of
           its
           truth
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           throughly
           to
           perswade
           them
           of
           it
           ;
           nor
           have
           they
           got
           their
           Souls
           setled
           on
           the
           Infallibility
           of
           God's
           Testimony
           ,
           nor
           considered
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           particular
           Doctrins
           revealed
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           soundly
           to
           believe
           them
           .
           Oh
           did
           you
           all
           but
           
             soundly
             believe
          
           the
           words
           of
           this
           Gospel
           ,
           of
           the
           evil
           of
           sin
           ,
           of
           the
           need
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           what
           he
           hath
           done
           for
           you
           ,
           and
           what
           you
           must
           be
           and
           do
           ,
           if
           ever
           you
           will
           be
           saved
           by
           him
           ;
           and
           what
           will
           become
           of
           you
           for
           ever
           ,
           if
           you
           do
           it
           not
           ;
           I
           dare
           say
           ,
           it
           would
           cure
           the
           contempt
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           you
           would
           not
           make
           so
           light
           of
           the
           matters
           of
           your
           Salvation
           .
           But
           men
           do
           not
           believe
           ,
           while
           they
           say
           they
           do
           ,
           and
           would
           face
           us
           down
           that
           they
           do
           ,
           and
           verily
           think
           that
           they
           do
           themselves
           .
           There
           is
           a
           root
           of
           bitterness
           ,
           and
           an
           evil
           Heart
           of
           unbelief
           ,
           that
           makes
           them
           depart
           from
           the
           living
           God
           ,
           Heb.
           2.
           12.
           and
           4.
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           6.
           
           Tell
           any
           Man
           in
           this
           Congregation
           ,
           that
           he
           shall
           have
           a
           gift
           of
           10000
           l.
           if
           he
           will
           but
           go
           to
           London
           for
           it
           ;
           if
           he
           believe
           you
           ,
           he
           will
           go
           ;
           but
           if
           he
           believe
           not
           ,
           he
           will
           not
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           will
           not
           go
           ,
           you
           may
           be
           sure
           he
           believeth
           not
           ,
           supposing
           that
           he
           is
           able
           .
           I
           know
           a
           slight
           belief
           may
           stand
           with
           a
           wicked
           life
           .
           Such
           as
           men
           have
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           a
           Prognostication
           ,
           
             it
             may
             be
             true
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             be
             false
          
           ;
           but
           a
           
             true
             and
             sound
          
           belief
           is
           not
           consistent
           with
           so
           great
           neglect
           of
           the
           things
           that
           are
           believed
           .
        
         
         
           5.
           
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           are
           made
           light
           of
           by
           the
           World
           ,
           because
           of
           their
           desperate
           hardness
           of
           Heart
           .
           The
           Heart
           is
           hard
           naturally
           ,
           and
           by
           custom
           in
           sinning
           made
           more
           hard
           ;
           especially
           by
           long
           abuse
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           neglect
           of
           the
           means
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           resisting
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God.
           Hence
           it
           is
           that
           men
           are
           turned
           into
           such
           Stones
           :
           and
           till
           God
           cure
           them
           of
           the
           stone
           of
           the
           Heart
           ,
           no
           wonder
           if
           they
           feel
           not
           what
           they
           know
           ,
           or
           regard
           not
           what
           we
           say
           ,
           but
           make
           light
           of
           all
           ;
           'T
           is
           hard
           preaching
           a
           stone
           into
           tears
           ,
           or
           making
           a
           rock
           to
           tremble
           .
           You
           may
           stand
           over
           a
           dead
           body
           long
           enough
           ,
           and
           say
           to
           it
           ,
           
             Oh
             thou
             Carcase
             ,
             when
             thou
             hast
             lain
             roting
             and
             mouldring
             to
             dust
             ,
             till
             the
             Resurrection
             ,
             God
             will
             then
             call
             thee
             to
             account
             for
             thy
             sin
             ,
             and
             cast
             thee
             into
             everlasting
             fire
             ,
          
           before
           you
           can
           make
           it
           feel
           what
           you
           say
           ,
           or
           fear
           the
           misery
           that
           is
           never
           so
           truly
           threatned
           ;
           when
           Mens
           Hearts
           are
           like
           the
           High-way
           that
           is
           trodden
           to
           hardness
           by
           long
           custom
           in
           sinning
           ,
           or
           like
           the
           clay
           that
           is
           hardned
           to
           a
           stone
           ,
           by
           the
           heat
           of
           those
           Mercies
           which
           should
           have
           melted
           them
           into
           Repentance
           ;
           when
           they
           have
           Consciences
           seared
           with
           a
           hot
           Iron
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           ,
           2
           Tim.
           4.
           2.
           no
           wonder
           then
           if
           they
           be
           past
           feeling
           ,
           and
           working
           all
           uncleanness
           with
           greediness
           ,
           do
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Everlasting
           Glory
           .
           Oh
           that
           this
           were
           not
           the
           case
           of
           too
           many
           of
           our
           Hearers
           !
           Had
           we
           but
           
             living
             Souls
          
           to
           speak
           to
           ,
           they
           would
           hear
           and
           feel
           ,
           and
           not
           make
           light
           of
           what
           we
           say
           .
           I
           know
           they
           are
           naturally
           alive
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           spiritually
           dead
           ,
           as
           Scripture
           witnesseth
           ,
           Eph.
           2.
           3.
           
           Oh
           if
           there
           were
           but
           one
           spark
           of
           the
           life
           of
           Grace
           in
           them
           ,
           the
           Doctrin
           of
           Salvation
           by
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           would
           appear
           to
           them
           to
           be
           the
           weightiest
           business
           in
           the
           World.
           Oh
           how
           confident
           should
           I
           be
           ,
           methinks
           ,
           to
           prevail
           with
           men
           ,
           and
           to
           take
           them
           off
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           bring
           them
           to
           mind
           the
           matters
           of
           another
           World
           ,
           if
           I
           spake
           but
           to
           Men
           that
           had
           Life
           ,
           and
           Sense
           ,
           and
           Reason
           !
           But
           when
           we
           speak
           to
           Blocks
           and
           dead
           Men
           ,
           how
           should
           we
           be
           regarded
           ?
           Oh
           how
           sad
           a
           case
           are
           these
           Souls
           in
           ,
           that
           are
           fallen
           under
           this
           fearful
           judgment
           of
           spiritual
           madness
           and
           deadness
           !
           To
           have
           a
           blind
           Mind
           ,
           and
           a
           hard
           Heart
           ,
           to
           be
           sottish
           and
           senseless
           ,
           Mar.
           4.
           12.
           
           John
           12.
           40.
           lest
           they
           should
           be
           converted
           ,
           and
           their
           sin
           should
           be
           forgiven
           them
           .
        
         
         
           6.
           
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           are
           made
           light
           of
           by
           the
           World
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           wholly
           enslaved
           to
           their
           sense
           ,
           and
           taken
           up
           with
           lower
           things
           ;
           the
           matters
           of
           another
           World
           are
           out
           of
           sight
           ,
           and
           so
           far
           from
           their
           senses
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           regard
           them
           ;
           but
           present
           things
           are
           nearer
           them
           ,
           in
           their
           eyes
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           hands
           :
           There
           must
           be
           a
           living
           faith
           to
           prevail
           over
           sense
           ,
           before
           Men
           can
           be
           so
           taken
           with
           things
           that
           are
           not
           seen
           ,
           though
           they
           have
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           for
           their
           security
           ,
           as
           to
           neglect
           and
           let
           go
           things
           that
           are
           still
           before
           their
           eyes
           .
           Sense
           works
           with
           great
           advantage
           ;
           and
           therefore
           doth
           much
           in
           resisting
           Faith
           where
           it
           is
           .
           No
           wonder
           then
           if
           it
           carry
           all
           before
           it
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           no
           true
           and
           lively
           faith
           to
           resist
           ,
           and
           to
           lead
           the
           Soul
           to
           higher
           things
           :
           this
           cause
           of
           making
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           is
           expressed
           here
           in
           my
           Text
           :
           
             One
             went
             to
             his
             Farm
             ,
             and
             another
             to
             his
             Merohandize
             :
          
           Men
           have
           Houses
           and
           Lands
           to
           look
           after
           ;
           they
           have
           Wife
           and
           Children
           to
           mind
           ,
           they
           have
           their
           Body
           and
           outward
           Estate
           to
           regard
           ,
           therefore
           they
           forget
           that
           they
           have
           a
           God
           ,
           a
           Redeemer
           ,
           a
           Soul
           to
           mind
           ;
           These
           matters
           of
           the
           World
           are
           still
           with
           them
           .
           They
           see
           these
           ,
           but
           they
           
             see
             not
          
           God
           ,
           nor
           Christ
           ,
           nor
           their
           Souls
           ,
           nor
           everlasting
           Glory
           .
           These
           things
           are
           near
           at
           hand
           ,
           and
           therefore
           work
           naturally
           ,
           and
           so
           more
           forcibly
           ;
           but
           the
           other
           are
           thought
           on
           as
           a
           great
           way
           off
           ,
           and
           therefore
           too
           distant
           to
           work
           on
           their
           affections
           ,
           or
           to
           be
           at
           the
           present
           so
           much
           regarded
           by
           them
           .
           Their
           Body
           hath
           life
           and
           sense
           ,
           and
           therefore
           if
           they
           want
           meats
           ,
           or
           drink
           ,
           or
           cloaths
           ,
           will
           feel
           their
           want
           ,
           and
           tell
           them
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           give
           them
           no
           rest
           till
           their
           wants
           be
           supplied
           ;
           and
           therefore
           they
           cannot
           make
           light
           of
           their
           bodily
           necessities
           ;
           but
           their
           Souls
           in
           spiritual
           respects
           are
           dead
           ,
           and
           therefore
           feel
           not
           their
           wants
           ,
           but
           will
           let
           them
           alone
           in
           their
           greatest
           necessities
           ;
           and
           be
           as
           quiet
           when
           they
           are
           starved
           and
           languishing
           to
           Destruction
           ,
           as
           if
           all
           were
           well
           ,
           and
           nothing
           ailed
           them
           .
           And
           hereupon
           poor
           people
           are
           wholly
           taken
           up
           in
           providing
           for
           the
           Body
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           nothing
           else
           to
           mind
           .
           They
           have
           their
           Trades
           and
           Callings
           to
           follow
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           to
           do
           from
           morning
           to
           night
           ,
           that
           they
           can
           find
           no
           time
           for
           matters
           of
           Salvation
           :
           Christ
           would
           teach
           them
           ,
           but
           they
           have
           no
           leisure
           to
           hear
           him
           :
           The
           Bible
           is
           before
           them
           ,
           but
           they
           cannot
           
           have
           while
           to
           read
           it
           :
           A
           Minister
           is
           in
           the
           Town
           with
           them
           ,
           but
           they
           cannot
           have
           while
           to
           go
           to
           enquire
           of
           him
           what
           they
           shall
           do
           to
           be
           saved
           :
           And
           when
           they
           do
           hear
           ,
           their
           Hearts
           are
           so
           full
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           carried
           away
           with
           these
           lower
           matters
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           mind
           the
           things
           which
           they
           hear
           .
           They
           are
           so
           full
           of
           the
           thoughts
           and
           desires
           ,
           and
           cares
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           room
           to
           pour
           into
           them
           the
           water
           of
           Life
           :
           The
           cares
           of
           the
           World
           do
           choak
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           become
           unfruitful
           ,
           Mat.
           13.
           22.
           
           Men
           cannot
           serve
           two
           Masters
           ,
           God
           and
           Mammon
           ,
           but
           they
           will
           lean
           to
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           despise
           the
           other
           ,
           Mat.
           6.
           24.
           
           He
           that
           loveth
           the
           World
           ,
           the
           love
           of
           the
           Father
           is
           not
           in
           him
           ,
           1
           John
           2.
           15
           ,
           16.
           
           Men
           cannot
           chuse
           but
           set
           light
           by
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           while
           they
           set
           so
           much
           by
           any
           thing
           on
           Earth
           ;
           It
           is
           that
           which
           is
           highly
           esteemed
           among
           Men
           ,
           is
           abominable
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           ,
           Luke
           16.
           15.
           
           Oh
           this
           is
           the
           ruin
           of
           many
           thousand
           Souls
           !
           It
           would
           grieve
           the
           Heart
           of
           any
           honest
           Christian
           ,
           to
           see
           how
           eagerly
           this
           vain
           World
           is
           followed
           every
           where
           ,
           and
           how
           little
           Men
           set
           by
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           World
           to
           come
           :
           to
           compare
           the
           care
           that
           Men
           have
           for
           the
           World
           ,
           with
           the
           care
           of
           their
           Souls
           ;
           and
           the
           time
           that
           they
           lay
           out
           on
           the
           World
           ,
           with
           that
           time
           they
           lay
           out
           for
           their
           Salvation
           :
           To
           see
           how
           the
           World
           fills
           their
           Mouths
           ,
           their
           Hands
           ,
           their
           Houses
           ,
           their
           Hearts
           ;
           and
           Christ
           hath
           little
           more
           than
           a
           bare
           Title
           :
           To
           come
           into
           their
           company
           ,
           and
           hear
           no
           discourse
           but
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           to
           come
           into
           their
           houses
           ,
           and
           hear
           and
           see
           nothing
           but
           for
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           if
           this
           World
           would
           last
           forever
           ,
           or
           would
           purchase
           them
           another
           .
           When
           I
           ask
           sometime
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           how
           their
           labours
           succeed
           ,
           they
           tell
           me
           ,
           
             People
             continue
             still
             the
             same
             ,
             and
             give
             up
             themselves
             wholly
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             so
             that
             they
             mind
             not
             what
             Ministers
             say
             to
             them
             ,
             nor
             will
             give
             any
             full
             entertainment
             to
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             all
             because
             of
             the
             deluding
             World
             :
          
           And
           ,
           oh
           that
           too
           many
           Ministers
           themselves
           did
           not
           make
           light
           of
           that
           Christ
           whom
           they
           preach
           ,
           being
           drawn
           away
           with
           the
           love
           of
           this
           World
           !
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           Men
           of
           a
           worldly
           Disposition
           do
           judge
           of
           things
           according
           to
           worldly
           advantages
           ;
           therefore
           Christ
           is
           slighted
           ,
           Isa
           .
           53.
           3.
           
           
             He
             is
             despised
             and
             rejected
             of
             men
             ,
             they
             hide
             their
             faces
             from
             him
             ,
             and
             esteem
             him
             not
             ,
             as
             seeing
             no
             beauty
             or
             comeliness
             in
             him
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             desire
             him
             .
          
        
         
         
           7.
           
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           are
           made
           light
           of
           ,
           because
           men
           do
           not
           soberly
           consider
           of
           the
           truth
           and
           weight
           of
           these
           necessary
           things
           ;
           They
           suffer
           not
           their
           minds
           so
           long
           to
           dwell
           upon
           them
           ,
           till
           they
           procure
           a
           due
           esteem
           ,
           and
           deeply
           affect
           their
           Heart
           ;
           did
           they
           believe
           them
           ,
           and
           not
           consider
           of
           them
           ,
           how
           should
           they
           work
           ?
           Oh
           when
           men
           have
           reason
           given
           them
           to
           think
           and
           consider
           of
           the
           things
           that
           most
           concern
           them
           ,
           and
           yet
           they
           will
           not
           use
           it
           ,
           this
           causeth
           their
           contempt
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           are
           made
           light
           of
           ,
           because
           Men
           were
           never
           sensible
           of
           their
           
             sin
             and
             misery
          
           ,
           and
           
             extream
             necessity
          
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Salvation
           :
           their
           eyes
           were
           never
           opened
           to
           see
           themselves
           as
           they
           are
           ;
           nor
           their
           Hearts
           soundly
           humbled
           in
           the
           sense
           of
           their
           condition
           :
           If
           this
           were
           done
           ,
           they
           would
           soon
           be
           brought
           to
           value
           a
           Saviour
           :
           A
           truly
           broken
           Heart
           can
           no
           more
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           than
           a
           hungry
           Man
           of
           his
           food
           ,
           or
           a
           sick
           man
           of
           the
           means
           that
           would
           give
           him
           ease
           :
           but
           till
           then
           ,
           our
           Words
           cannot
           have
           access
           to
           their
           Hearts
           :
           while
           sin
           and
           misery
           is
           made
           light
           of
           ,
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           will
           be
           made
           light
           of
           ;
           but
           when
           these
           are
           perceived
           an
           intolerable
           burden
           ,
           then
           nothing
           will
           serve
           the
           turn
           but
           Christ
           .
           Till
           men
           be
           truly
           humbled
           ,
           they
           can
           venture
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           for
           a
           lust
           ,
           for
           a
           little
           worldly
           gain
           ,
           even
           for
           less
           than
           nothing
           ;
           but
           when
           God
           hath
           illuminated
           them
           ,
           and
           broken
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           then
           they
           would
           give
           a
           World
           for
           a
           Christ
           ;
           then
           they
           
             must
             have
             Christ
             ,
             or
             they
             die
             ;
             all
             things
             then
             are
             loss
             and
             dung
             to
             them
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             the
             excellent
             knowledge
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           Phil.
           3.
           8.
           
           When
           they
           are
           once
           pricked
           in
           their
           hearts
           for
           sin
           and
           misery
           ,
           then
           they
           cry
           out
           ,
           
             Men
             and
             Brethren
             ,
             what
             shall
             we
             do
             ?
          
           Acts
           2.
           37.
           
           When
           they
           are
           awakened
           by
           Gods
           Judgments
           ,
           as
           the
           poor
           Jaylor
           ,
           Acts
           16.
           29.
           then
           they
           cry
           out
           ,
           
             Sirs
             ,
             what
             shall
             I
             do
             to
             be
             saved
             ?
          
           This
           is
           the
           reason
           why
           God
           will
           bring
           men
           so
           low
           by
           humiliation
           ,
           before
           he
           bring
           them
           to
           salvation
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           Men
           take
           occasion
           to
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           ,
           by
           the
           commonness
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           because
           they
           do
           hear
           of
           it
           every
           day
           ,
           the
           frequency
           is
           an
           occasion
           to
           dull
           their
           affections
           ;
           I
           say
           an
           occasion
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           no
           just
           cause
           .
           Were
           it
           a
           rarity
           ,
           it
           might
           take
           more
           with
           them
           ;
           but
           now
           ,
           if
           they
           hear
           a
           Minister
           preach
           nothing
           but
           these
           saving
           Truths
           ,
           they
           say
           ,
           
             We
             have
             these
             every
             day
          
           :
           They
           make
           not
           light
           of
           their
           bread
           
           or
           drink
           ,
           their
           health
           or
           life
           ,
           because
           they
           possess
           them
           
             every
             day
          
           ;
           they
           make
           not
           light
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           because
           it
           shineth
           
             every
             day
          
           ;
           at
           least
           they
           should
           not
           ,
           for
           the
           mercy
           is
           the
           greater
           ;
           but
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           are
           made
           light
           of
           ,
           because
           they
           hear
           of
           them
           often
           ;
           
             This
             is
          
           ,
           say
           they
           ,
           
             a
             good
             plain
             dry
             Sermon
             :
             Pearls
          
           are
           trod
           in
           the
           dirt
           where
           they
           are
           common
           ;
           They
           loath
           this
           dry
           Manna
           ,
           Prov.
           27.
           7.
           
           The
           full
           Soul
           loaths
           the
           hony-comb
           ;
           but
           to
           the
           hungry
           every
           bitter
           thing
           is
           sweet
           .
        
         
           10.
           
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           are
           made
           light
           of
           because
           of
           this
           disjunctive
           Presumption
           ,
           either
           that
           he
           is
           sure
           enough
           
             theirs
             already
          
           ,
           and
           God
           that
           is
           so
           merciful
           ,
           and
           Christ
           that
           hath
           suffered
           so
           much
           for
           them
           ,
           is
           surely
           resolved
           to
           save
           them
           ,
           or
           else
           it
           may
           easily
           be
           obtained
           at
           any
           time
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           not
           yet
           so
           .
           A
           conceited
           facility
           to
           have
           a
           part
           in
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           at
           any
           time
           ,
           doth
           occasion
           men
           to
           make
           light
           of
           them
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           Grace
           is
           free
           ,
           and
           the
           Offer
           is
           universal
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           extent
           of
           the
           preaching
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           true
           that
           men
           may
           have
           Christ
           
             when
             they
             will
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           willing
           to
           have
           him
           on
           his
           terms
           ;
           but
           he
           that
           hath
           promised
           thee
           Christ
           ,
           if
           thou
           be
           willing
           ,
           hath
           not
           promised
           to
           make
           thee
           willing
           :
           and
           if
           thou
           art
           not
           willing
           now
           ,
           how
           canst
           thou
           think
           thou
           shalt
           be
           willing
           hereafter
           ?
           If
           thou
           canst
           make
           thine
           own
           Heart
           willing
           ,
           why
           is
           it
           not
           done
           now
           ?
           Can
           you
           do
           it
           better
           when
           sin
           hath
           more
           hardned
           it
           ,
           and
           God
           may
           have
           given
           thee
           over
           to
           thy self
           ?
           Oh
           sinners
           !
           you
           might
           do
           much
           ,
           tho'
           you
           are
           not
           able
           of
           your selves
           to
           come
           in
           ,
           if
           you
           would
           now
           subject
           your selves
           to
           the
           working
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           set
           in
           while
           the
           gales
           of
           grace
           continue
           ;
           but
           did
           you
           know
           what
           a
           hard
           and
           impossible
           thing
           it
           is
           to
           be
           so
           much
           as
           willing
           to
           have
           Christ
           and
           Grace
           ,
           when
           the
           Heart
           is
           given
           over
           to
           it self
           ,
           and
           the
           Spirit
           hath
           withdrawn
           its
           former
           invitations
           ,
           you
           would
           not
           be
           so
           confident
           of
           your
           own
           strength
           to
           believe
           and
           repent
           :
           nor
           would
           you
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           upon
           such
           foolish
           confidence
           .
           If
           indeed
           it
           be
           so
           easie
           a
           matter
           as
           you
           imagine
           for
           a
           sinner
           to
           believe
           and
           repent
           at
           any
           time
           ;
           how
           comes
           it
           to
           pass
           that
           it
           is
           done
           by
           so
           few
           ,
           but
           most
           of
           the
           World
           do
           perish
           in
           their
           impenitency
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           all
           the
           helps
           and
           means
           that
           we
           can
           afford
           them
           ?
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           thing
           is
           very
           reasonable
           and
           easie
           in
           it self
           to
           a
           pure
           nature
           ;
           but
           while
           Man
           is
           blind
           and
           dead
           ,
           these
           things
           are
           in
           a
           sort
           impossible
           to
           him
           ,
           which
           are
           never
           so
           easie
           to
           others
           .
           It
           is
           the
           easiest
           and
           sweetest
           
           life
           in
           the
           World
           to
           a
           gracious
           soul
           to
           live
           in
           the
           love
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           delightful
           thoughts
           of
           the
           life
           to
           come
           ,
           where
           all
           their
           hope
           and
           happiness
           lieth
           :
           But
           to
           a
           worldly
           carnal
           Heart
           it
           is
           as
           easie
           to
           remove
           a
           Mountain
           ,
           as
           to
           bring
           them
           to
           this
           .
           However
           ,
           these
           Men
           are
           their
           own
           condemners
           ;
           for
           if
           they
           think
           it
           so
           easie
           a
           matter
           to
           repent
           and
           believe
           ,
           and
           so
           have
           Christ
           and
           right
           to
           Salvation
           ,
           then
           have
           they
           no
           excuse
           for
           neglecting
           this
           which
           they
           thought
           so
           easie
           .
           O
           wretched
           impenitent
           Soul
           !
           what
           mean
           you
           to
           say
           ,
           when
           God
           shall
           ask
           you
           ,
           
             Why
             did
             you
             not
             Repent
             and
             Love
             your
             Redeemer
             above
             the
             World
             ,
             when
             you
             thought
             it
             so
             easie
             that
             you
             could
             do
             it
             at
             any
             time
             ?
          
        
         
           IV.
           Use
           1.
           
           We
           come
           now
           to
           the
           Application
           :
           and
           hence
           you
           may
           be
           informed
           of
           the
           blindness
           and
           folly
           of
           all
           carnal
           men
           :
           how
           contemptible
           are
           their
           judgements
           that
           think
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           contemptible
           ?
           and
           how
           little
           reason
           there
           is
           why
           any
           should
           be
           moved
           by
           them
           ,
           or
           discouraged
           by
           any
           of
           their
           scorns
           or
           contradictions
        
         
           How
           shall
           we
           sooner
           know
           a
           man
           to
           be
           a
           fool
           ,
           than
           if
           he
           know
           no
           difference
           between
           Dung
           and
           Gold
           !
           Is
           there
           such
           a
           thing
           as
           madness
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           if
           that
           Man
           be
           not
           mad
           ,
           that
           sets
           light
           by
           Christ
           and
           his
           own
           Salvation
           ,
           while
           he
           daily
           toyls
           for
           the
           dung
           of
           the
           earth
           ?
           And
           yet
           what
           pity
           is
           it
           to
           see
           ,
           that
           a
           company
           of
           poor
           ignorant
           Souls
           will
           be
           ashamed
           of
           godliness
           ,
           if
           such
           Men
           as
           these
           do
           but
           deride
           them
           !
           Or
           will
           think
           hardly
           of
           a
           holy
           life
           ,
           if
           such
           as
           these
           do
           speak
           against
           it
           !
           Hearers
           ,
           if
           you
           see
           any
           
             set
             light
          
           by
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           do
           you
           set
           light
           by
           that
           Man's
           Wit
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           Words
           ,
           and
           hear
           the
           reproaches
           of
           a
           holy
           life
           ,
           as
           you
           would
           hear
           the
           words
           of
           a
           mad
           Man
           ;
           not
           with
           regard
           ,
           but
           with
           a
           Compassion
           of
           his
           misery
           .
        
         
           Use
           2.
           
           What
           wonder
           if
           we
           and
           our
           preaching
           be
           despised
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           Ministers
           complain
           of
           ill
           success
           ,
           when
           the
           Ministry
           of
           the
           Apostles
           themselves
           did
           succeed
           i
           no
           better
           ?
           What
           wonder
           if
           for
           all
           that
           we
           can
           say
           or
           do
           ,
           our
           hearers
           still
           set
           light
           by
           Christ
           and
           their
           own
           Salvation
           ;
           when
           the
           Apostles
           hearers
           did
           the
           same
           ?
           They
           that
           did
           second
           their
           Doctrin
           by
           Miracles
           :
           If
           any
           Men
           could
           have
           shaken
           and
           torn
           in
           pieces
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Sinners
           they
           could
           have
           done
           it
           :
           If
           any
           could
           
           have
           laid
           them
           at
           their
           feet
           ,
           and
           made
           them
           all
           cry
           out
           as
           some
           ,
           
             What
             shall
             we
             do
          
           ,
           it
           would
           have
           been
           they
           .
           You
           may
           see
           then
           that
           it
           is
           not
           meerly
           for
           want
           of
           good
           Preachers
           that
           men
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           :
           the
           first
           News
           of
           such
           a
           thing
           as
           the
           Pardon
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           the
           Hopes
           of
           Glory
           ,
           and
           the
           Danger
           of
           everlasting
           Misery
           ,
           would
           turn
           the
           hearts
           of
           men
           within
           them
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           as
           tractable
           in
           spiritual
           matters
           as
           in
           temporal
           :
           But
           alas
           ,
           it
           is
           far
           otherwise
           .
           It
           must
           not
           seem
           any
           strange
           thing
           ,
           nor
           must
           it
           too
           much
           discourage
           the
           Preachers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           if
           when
           they
           have
           said
           all
           that
           they
           can
           devise
           to
           say
           to
           win
           the
           hearts
           of
           men
           to
           Christ
           ,
           the
           most
           do
           still
           slight
           him
           ,
           and
           while
           they
           bow
           the
           Knee
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           honour
           him
           with
           their
           Lips
           ,
           do
           yet
           set
           so
           light
           by
           him
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           as
           to
           prefer
           every
           fleshly
           pleasure
           or
           commodity
           before
           him
           .
           It
           will
           be
           thus
           with
           many
           :
           let
           us
           be
           glad
           that
           it
           is
           not
           thus
           with
           All.
           
        
         
           Use
           3.
           
           But
           for
           closer
           application
           .
           Seeing
           this
           is
           the
           great
           condemning
           Sin
           ,
           before
           we
           enquire
           after
           it
           into
           the
           hearts
           of
           our
           hearers
           ,
           it
           beseems
           us
           to
           begin
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           see
           that
           we
           who
           are
           Preachers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           be
           not
           guilty
           of
           it
           our selves
           .
           The
           Lord
           forbid
           that
           they
           that
           have
           undertaken
           the
           sacred
           Office
           of
           revealing
           the
           Excellencies
           of
           Christ
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           should
           make
           light
           of
           him
           themselves
           ,
           and
           slight
           that
           Salvation
           which
           they
           do
           daily
           preach
           .
           The
           Lord
           knows
           we
           are
           all
           of
           us
           so
           low
           in
           our
           Estimation
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           do
           this
           great
           Work
           so
           negligently
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           cause
           to
           be
           ashamed
           of
           our
           best
           Sermons
           ;
           but
           should
           this
           Sin
           prevail
           in
           us
           ,
           we
           were
           the
           most
           miserable
           of
           all
           men
           .
           Brethren
           ,
           I
           love
           not
           censoriousness
           ;
           yet
           dare
           not
           befriend
           so
           vile
           a
           Sin
           in
           my self
           or
           others
           under
           pretence
           of
           avoiding
           it
           ;
           especially
           when
           there
           is
           so
           great
           necessity
           that
           it
           should
           be
           healed
           first
           in
           them
           that
           make
           it
           their
           work
           to
           heal
           it
           in
           others
           .
           O
           that
           there
           were
           no
           cause
           to
           complain
           that
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           are
           made
           light
           of
           by
           the
           Preachers
           of
           it
           .
           But
           ,
           1.
           
           Do
           not
           the
           negligent
           studies
           of
           some
           speak
           it
           out
           ?
           2.
           
           Doth
           not
           their
           dead
           and
           drousie
           Preaching
           declare
           it
           ?
           do
           not
           they
           make
           light
           of
           the
           Doctrin
           they
           preach
           ,
           that
           do
           it
           as
           if
           they
           were
           half
           asleep
           ,
           and
           feel
           not
           what
           they
           speak
           themselves
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           Doth
           not
           the
           carelesness
           of
           some
           mens
           private
           endeavours
           discover
           it
           ?
           what
           do
           they
           for
           Souls
           ?
           how
           slightly
           do
           they
           reprove
           Sin
           ?
           how
           little
           do
           they
           when
           they
           are
           out
           of
           the
           Pulpit
           for
           the
           saving
           of
           mens
           Souls
           ?
        
         
         
           4.
           
           Doth
           not
           the
           continued
           neglect
           of
           those
           things
           wherein
           the
           Interest
           of
           Christ
           consisteth
           ,
           discover
           it
           ?
           1.
           
           The
           Churches
           Purity
           and
           Reformation
           .
           2.
           
           It
           s
           Unity
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Doth
           not
           the
           covetous
           and
           worldly
           lives
           of
           too
           many
           discover
           it
           ,
           losing
           advantages
           for
           mens
           souls
           ,
           for
           a
           little
           gain
           to
           themselves
           ?
           And
           most
           of
           this
           is
           because
           men
           are
           Preachers
           before
           they
           are
           Christians
           ,
           and
           tell
           men
           of
           that
           which
           they
           never
           felt
           themselves
           .
           Of
           all
           men
           on
           earth
           ,
           there
           are
           few
           that
           are
           in
           so
           bad
           a
           condition
           as
           such
           Ministers
           :
           and
           if
           indeed
           they
           do
           believe
           that
           Scripture
           which
           they
           preach
           ,
           methinks
           it
           should
           be
           terrible
           to
           them
           in
           their
           studying
           and
           preaching
           it
           .
        
         
           Use
           4.
           
           Beloved
           hearers
           ;
           the
           Office
           that
           God
           hath
           called
           us
           to
           ,
           is
           ,
           by
           declaring
           the
           glory
           of
           his
           grace
           ,
           to
           help
           under
           Christ
           ,
           to
           the
           saving
           of
           mens
           Souls
           .
           I
           hope
           you
           think
           not
           that
           I
           come
           hither
           to
           day
           on
           any
           other
           errand
           .
           The
           Lord
           knows
           I
           had
           not
           set
           a
           foot
           out
           of
           doors
           but
           in
           hope
           to
           succeed
           in
           this
           Work
           for
           your
           Souls
           .
           I
           have
           considered
           and
           often
           considered
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           mater
           that
           so
           many
           Thousands
           should
           perish
           when
           God
           hath
           done
           so
           much
           for
           their
           Salvation
           ;
           and
           I
           find
           this
           that
           is
           mentioned
           in
           my
           Text
           is
           the
           cause
           .
           It
           is
           one
           of
           the
           wonders
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           when
           God
           hath
           so
           loved
           the
           World
           as
           to
           send
           his
           Son
           ,
           and
           Christ
           hath
           made
           a
           satisfaction
           by
           his
           death
           sufficient
           for
           them
           all
           ,
           and
           offereth
           the
           benefits
           of
           it
           so
           freely
           to
           them
           ,
           even
           without
           mony
           or
           price
           ,
           that
           yet
           the
           most
           of
           the
           World
           should
           perish
           ;
           yea
           the
           most
           of
           those
           that
           are
           thus
           called
           by
           his
           Word
           !
           Why
           here
           is
           the
           reason
           ,
           when
           Christ
           hath
           done
           all
           this
           ,
           men
           make
           light
           of
           it
           .
           God
           hath
           shewed
           that
           he
           is
           not
           unwilling
           ;
           and
           Christ
           hath
           shewed
           that
           he
           is
           not
           unwilling
           that
           men
           should
           be
           restored
           to
           God's
           favour
           and
           be
           saved
           ;
           but
           men
           are
           actually
           unwilling
           themselves
           .
           God
           takes
           not
           pleasure
           in
           the
           death
           of
           sinners
           ,
           but
           rather
           that
           they
           return
           and
           live
           ,
           Ezek.
           33.
           11.
           
           But
           men
           take
           such
           pleasure
           in
           sin
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           dye
           before
           they
           will
           return
           .
           The
           Lord
           Jesus
           was
           content
           to
           be
           their
           Physitian
           ,
           and
           hath
           provided
           them
           a
           sufficient
           plaister
           of
           his
           own
           blood
           :
           but
           if
           men
           make
           light
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           apply
           it
           ,
           what
           wonder
           if
           they
           perish
           after
           all
           ?
           This
           Scripture
           giveth
           us
           the
           reason
           of
           their
           perdition
           .
           This
           sad
           experience
           tells
           us
           the
           most
           of
           the
           World
           is
           guilty
           of
           .
           It
           is
           a
           most
           lamentable
           thing
           to
           see
           how
           most
           men
           do
           spend
           their
           care
           ,
           their
           time
           ,
           their
           pains
           for
           known
           vanities
           ;
           while
           God
           and
           Glory
           are
           
           cast
           aside
           :
           That
           he
           who
           is
           all
           should
           seem
           to
           them
           as
           nothing
           ;
           and
           that
           which
           is
           nothing
           should
           seem
           to
           them
           as
           good
           as
           all
           ;
           that
           God
           should
           set
           mankind
           in
           such
           a
           race
           where
           heaven
           or
           hell
           is
           their
           certain
           end
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           should
           set
           down
           ,
           and
           loyter
           ,
           or
           run
           after
           the
           childish
           Toyes
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           forget
           the
           Prize
           that
           they
           should
           run
           for
           .
           Were
           it
           but
           possible
           for
           one
           of
           us
           to
           see
           the
           whole
           of
           this
           business
           ,
           as
           the
           all
           seeing
           God
           doth
           ;
           to
           see
           at
           one
           view
           both
           heaven
           and
           hell
           which
           men
           are
           so
           near
           ,
           and
           see
           what
           most
           men
           in
           the
           World
           are
           minding
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           are
           doing
           every
           day
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           the
           saddest
           sight
           that
           could
           be
           imagined
           .
           Oh
           how
           should
           we
           marvail
           at
           their
           madness
           ,
           and
           lament
           their
           self-delusion
           !
           Oh
           poor
           distracted
           World
           !
           what
           is
           it
           that
           you
           run
           after
           ?
           and
           what
           is
           it
           that
           you
           neglect
           ?
           If
           God
           had
           never
           told
           them
           what
           they
           were
           sent
           into
           the
           World
           to
           do
           ,
           or
           whether
           they
           were
           going
           ,
           or
           what
           was
           before
           them
           in
           another
           World
           ,
           then
           they
           had
           been
           excusable
           ;
           but
           he
           hath
           told
           them
           over
           and
           over
           ,
           till
           they
           were
           weary
           of
           it
           .
           Had
           he
           left
           it
           doubtful
           ,
           there
           had
           been
           some
           excuse
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           his
           sealed
           word
           ,
           and
           they
           profess
           to
           believe
           it
           ,
           and
           would
           take
           it
           ill
           of
           us
           if
           we
           should
           question
           whether
           they
           do
           believe
           it
           or
           not
           .
        
         
           Beloved
           ,
           I
           come
           not
           to
           accuse
           any
           of
           you
           particularly
           of
           this
           crime
           :
           but
           seeing
           it
           is
           the
           commonest
           cause
           of
           mens
           Destruction
           ,
           I
           suppose
           you
           will
           judge
           it
           the
           fittest
           matter
           for
           our
           enquiry
           ,
           and
           deserving
           our
           greatest
           care
           for
           the
           cure
           .
           To
           which
           end
           I
           shall
           1.
           
           Endeavour
           the
           Conviction
           of
           the
           guilty
           .
           2.
           
           Shall
           give
           them
           such
           considerations
           as
           may
           tend
           to
           humble
           and
           reform
           them
           .
           3.
           
           I
           shall
           conclude
           with
           such
           direction
           as
           may
           help
           them
           that
           are
           willing
           to
           escape
           the
           destroying
           Power
           of
           Sin.
           And
           for
           the
           first
           ▪
           consider
           ▪
        
         
           1.
           
           It
           is
           the
           case
           of
           most
           sinners
           to
           think
           themselves
           freest
           from
           those
           sins
           that
           they
           are
           most
           enslaved
           to
           ;
           and
           one
           reason
           why
           we
           cannot
           reform
           them
           ,
           is
           ,
           because
           we
           cannot
           convince
           them
           of
           their
           guilt
           .
           It
           is
           the
           nature
           of
           sin
           so
           far
           to
           blind
           and
           befool
           the
           sinner
           ,
           that
           he
           knoweth
           not
           what
           he
           doth
           ,
           but
           thinketh
           he
           is
           free
           from
           it
           when
           it
           reigneth
           in
           him
           ,
           on
           when
           he
           is
           committing
           it
           :
           It
           bringeth
           men
           to
           be
           so
           much
           unacquainted
           with
           themselves
           ,
           that
           they
           know
           not
           what
           they
           think
           ,
           or
           what
           they
           mean
           and
           intend
           ,
           nor
           what
           they
           love
           or
           hate
           ,
           much
           less
           what
           they
           are
           habituated
           and
           disposed
           to
           .
           They
           are
           alive
           to
           sin
           ,
           and
           dead
           to
           all
           the
           Reason
           ,
           Consideration
           and
           Resolution
           that
           should
           recover
           them
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           only
           by
           their
           sinning
           that
           we
           must
           know
           
           they
           are
           alive
           .
           May
           I
           hope
           that
           you
           that
           hear
           me
           to
           day
           ,
           are
           but
           willing
           to
           know
           the
           Truth
           of
           your
           case
           ,
           and
           then
           I
           shall
           be
           encouraged
           to
           proceed
           to
           an
           enquiry
           .
           God
           will
           judge
           impartially
           ;
           why
           should
           not
           we
           do
           so
           ?
           Let
           me
           therefore
           by
           these
           following
           Questions
           try
           whether
           none
           of
           you
           are
           slighters
           of
           Christ
           and
           your
           own
           Salvation
           .
           And
           follow
           me
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           by
           putting
           them
           close
           to
           your
           own
           hearts
           ,
           and
           faithfully
           answering
           them
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           Things
           that
           men
           highly
           value
           will
           be
           remembred
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           matter
           of
           their
           freest
           and
           sweetest
           thoughts
           :
           this
           is
           a
           known
           case
           .
        
         
           Do
           not
           those
           then
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           think
           of
           them
           so
           seldom
           and
           coldly
           in
           comparison
           of
           other
           things
           ?
           Follow
           thy
           own
           heart
           man
           ,
           and
           observe
           what
           it
           daily
           runneth
           out
           after
           ;
           and
           then
           judge
           whether
           it
           make
           not
           light
           of
           Christ
           .
        
         
           We
           cannot
           perswade
           men
           to
           one
           hours
           sober
           consideration
           what
           they
           should
           do
           for
           an
           interest
           in
           Christ
           ,
           or
           in
           thankfulness
           for
           his
           love
           ,
           and
           yet
           they
           will
           not
           believe
           that
           they
           make
           light
           of
           him
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Things
           that
           we
           highly
           value
           will
           be
           matter
           of
           our
           Discourse
           :
           The
           judgment
           and
           heart
           will
           command
           the
           tongue
           .
           Freely
           and
           delightfully
           will
           our
           speech
           run
           after
           them
           .
           This
           also
           is
           a
           known
           case
           .
        
         
           Do
           not
           those
           then
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           shun
           the
           mention
           of
           his
           name
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           in
           a
           vain
           or
           sinful
           use
           ?
           Those
           that
           love
           not
           the
           company
           where
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           is
           much
           talked
           of
           ;
           but
           think
           it
           troublesome
           precise
           Discourse
           :
           That
           had
           rather
           hear
           some
           merry
           Jests
           ,
           or
           idle
           Tales
           ,
           or
           talk
           of
           their
           Riches
           or
           Business
           in
           the
           World.
           When
           you
           may
           follow
           them
           from
           morning
           to
           night
           ,
           and
           scarce
           have
           a
           savory
           word
           of
           Christ
           ;
           but
           perhaps
           some
           slight
           and
           weary
           mention
           of
           him
           sometimes
           ;
           judge
           whether
           these
           make
           not
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           .
           How
           seriously
           do
           they
           talk
           of
           the
           World
           ?
           Psal
           .
           144.
           8
           ,
           11.
           and
           speak
           vanity
           !
           but
           how
           heartlesly
           do
           they
           make
           mention
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           !
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           things
           that
           we
           highly
           value
           ,
           we
           would
           secure
           the
           possession
           of
           ,
           and
           therefore
           would
           take
           any
           convenient
           Course
           to
           have
           all
           doubts
           and
           fears
           about
           them
           well
           resolved
           .
           Do
           not
           those
           men
           then
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           have
           lived
           twenty
           or
           thirty
           Years
           in
           uncertainty
           whether
           they
           have
           
           any
           part
           in
           these
           or
           not
           ,
           and
           yet
           never
           seek
           out
           for
           the
           right
           resolution
           of
           their
           doubts
           ?
           Are
           all
           that
           hear
           me
           this
           day
           certain
           they
           shall
           be
           saved
           ?
           Oh
           that
           they
           were
           !
           Oh
           had
           you
           not
           made
           light
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           you
           could
           not
           so
           easily
           bear
           such
           doubtings
           of
           it
           ;
           you
           could
           not
           rest
           till
           you
           had
           made
           it
           sure
           ,
           or
           done
           your
           best
           to
           make
           it
           sure
           .
           Have
           you
           no
           body
           to
           enquire
           of
           that
           might
           help
           you
           in
           such
           a
           Work
           ?
           Why
           you
           have
           Ministers
           that
           are
           purposely
           appointed
           to
           that
           Office.
           Have
           you
           gone
           to
           them
           and
           told
           them
           the
           doubtfulness
           of
           your
           case
           ,
           and
           asked
           their
           help
           in
           the
           judging
           of
           your
           condition
           ?
           Alas
           Ministers
           may
           sit
           in
           their
           Studies
           from
           one
           year
           to
           another
           ,
           before
           ten
           Persons
           among
           one
           Thousand
           ,
           will
           come
           to
           them
           on
           such
           an
           errand
           !
           Do
           not
           these
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ?
           when
           the
           Gospel
           pierceth
           the
           heart
           indeed
           ,
           they
           cry
           out
           ,
           
             Men
             and
             Brethren
             ,
             what
             shall
             we
             do
             to
             be
             saved
             !
             Acts
          
           16.
           30.
           and
           9.
           6.
           trembling
           and
           astonished
           ,
           Paul
           cries
           out
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             what
             wilt
             thou
             have
             me
             to
             do
             ?
          
           And
           so
           did
           the
           convinced
           Jews
           to
           
             Peter
             ,
             Acts
          
           2.
           37.
           
           But
           when
           hear
           we
           such
           Questions
           ?
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           things
           that
           we
           value
           do
           
             deeply
             affect
          
           us
           ,
           and
           some
           motions
           will
           be
           in
           the
           heart
           according
           to
           our
           Estimation
           of
           them
           .
           Oh
           Sirs
           ,
           If
           men
           made
           not
           light
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           what
           workings
           would
           there
           be
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           all
           our
           hearers
           ?
           What
           strange
           affections
           would
           it
           raise
           in
           them
           to
           hear
           of
           the
           matters
           of
           the
           World
           to
           come
           !
           How
           would
           their
           hearts
           melt
           before
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ?
           what
           sorrow
           would
           be
           wrought
           in
           the
           discovery
           of
           their
           sin
           ?
           what
           astonishment
           at
           the
           consideration
           of
           their
           misery
           ?
           what
           unspeakable
           Joy
           at
           the
           glad
           Tidings
           of
           Salvation
           by
           the
           Blood
           of
           Christ
           ?
           what
           resolution
           would
           be
           raised
           in
           them
           upon
           the
           discovery
           of
           their
           duty
           ?
           Oh
           what
           hearers
           should
           we
           have
           if
           it
           were
           not
           for
           this
           sin
           !
           whereas
           now
           ,
           we
           are
           like
           to
           weary
           them
           ,
           or
           preach
           them
           asleep
           with
           matters
           of
           unspeakable
           moment
           .
           We
           talk
           to
           them
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           till
           we
           make
           their
           heads
           ake
           ;
           Little
           would
           one
           think
           by
           their
           careless
           carriage
           ,
           that
           they
           heard
           and
           regarded
           what
           we
           said
           ,
           or
           thought
           we
           spoke
           at
           all
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Our
           estimation
           of
           things
           will
           be
           seen
           in
           the
           diligence
           of
           our
           endeavours
           .
           That
           which
           we
           highliest
           value
           ,
           we
           shall
           think
           no
           pains
           too
           great
           to
           obtain
           .
           Do
           not
           those
           men
           then
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           think
           all
           too
           much
           that
           they
           do
           for
           them
           ,
           that
           murmur
           at
           his
           Service
           ,
           and
           think
           it
           too
           grievous
           for
           them
           to
           endure
           ?
           that
           ask
           of
           his
           Service
           as
           Judas
           of
           
           the
           Oyntment
           ;
           
             What
             need
             this
             wast
             ?
             cannot
             men
             be
             saved
             without
             so
             much
             ado
             ?
             this
             is
             more
             ado
             than
             needs
             .
          
           For
           the
           World
           they
           will
           labour
           all
           the
           day
           ,
           and
           all
           their
           lives
           ;
           but
           for
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           they
           are
           afraid
           of
           doing
           too
           much
           .
           Let
           us
           preach
           to
           them
           as
           long
           as
           we
           will
           ,
           we
           cannot
           bring
           them
           to
           relish
           or
           resolve
           upon
           a
           life
           of
           holiness
           .
           Follow
           them
           to
           their
           houses
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           not
           hear
           them
           read
           a
           Chapter
           ,
           nor
           call
           upon
           God
           with
           their
           Families
           once
           a
           day
           ;
           Nor
           will
           they
           allow
           him
           that
           one
           day
           in
           seven
           which
           he
           hath
           separated
           to
           his
           service
           .
           But
           pleasure
           ,
           or
           worldly
           business
           ,
           or
           idleness
           must
           have
           a
           part
           .
           And
           many
           of
           them
           are
           so
           far
           hardened
           ,
           as
           to
           reproach
           them
           that
           will
           not
           be
           as
           mad
           as
           themselves
           .
           And
           is
           not
           Christ
           worth
           the
           seeking
           ?
           Is
           not
           everlasting
           Salvation
           worth
           more
           than
           all
           this
           ?
           Doth
           not
           that
           Soul
           make
           light
           of
           all
           these
           ,
           that
           thinks
           his
           ease
           more
           worth
           than
           they
           ?
           Let
           but
           common
           sense
           judge
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           That
           which
           we
           most
           highly
           value
           ,
           we
           think
           we
           cannot
           
             buy
             too
             dear
          
           :
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           are
           freely
           given
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           most
           of
           men
           go
           without
           them
           ,
           because
           they
           cannot
           enjoy
           the
           world
           and
           them
           together
           .
           They
           are
           called
           but
           to
           part
           with
           that
           which
           would
           hinder
           them
           from
           Christ
           ,
           and
           they
           will
           not
           do
           it
           .
           They
           are
           called
           but
           to
           give
           God
           his
           own
           ,
           and
           to
           resign
           all
           to
           his
           Will
           ,
           and
           let
           go
           the
           Profits
           and
           Pleasures
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           when
           they
           must
           let
           go
           either
           Christ
           or
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           will
           not
           .
           They
           think
           this
           too
           dear
           a
           bargain
           ,
           and
           say
           they
           cannot
           spare
           these
           things
           :
           They
           must
           hold
           their
           credit
           with
           men
           ;
           they
           must
           look
           to
           their
           Estates
           :
           how
           shall
           they
           live
           else
           ?
           They
           must
           have
           their
           pleasure
           ,
           whatsoever
           becomes
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           :
           As
           if
           they
           could
           live
           without
           Christ
           better
           than
           without
           these
           ?
           as
           if
           they
           were
           afraid
           of
           being
           losers
           by
           Christ
           ,
           or
           could
           make
           a
           saving
           match
           by
           losing
           their
           Souls
           to
           gain
           the
           World.
           Christ
           hath
           told
           us
           over
           and
           over
           ,
           that
           if
           we
           will
           not
           forsake
           all
           for
           him
           ,
           we
           cannot
           be
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           Mat.
           10.
           
           Far
           are
           these
           men
           from
           for
           saking
           all
           ,
           and
           yet
           will
           needs
           think
           that
           they
           are
           his
           Disciples
           indeed
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           That
           which
           men
           highly
           esteem
           ,
           they
           would
           
             help
             their
             friends
             to
          
           as
           well
           as
           themselves
           .
           Do
           not
           those
           men
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           can
           take
           so
           much
           care
           to
           leave
           their
           Children
           Portions
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           do
           so
           little
           to
           help
           them
           to
           Heaven
           ?
           That
           provide
           outward
           necessaries
           so
           carefully
           for
           their
           Families
           ,
           but
           do
           so
           little
           to
           the
           saving
           of
           their
           Souls
           ?
           Their
           neglected
           Children
           and
           Friends
           will
           witness
           ,
           that
           either
           
           Christ
           or
           their
           Childrens
           Souls
           ,
           or
           both
           ,
           were
           made
           light
           of
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           That
           which
           men
           highly
           esteem
           ,
           they
           will
           so
           diligently
           seek
           after
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           see
           it
           in
           the
           success
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           a
           matter
           within
           their
           reach
           .
           You
           may
           see
           how
           many
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           ,
           by
           the
           little
           knowledge
           they
           have
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           little
           communion
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           communication
           from
           him
           ;
           and
           the
           little
           ,
           yea
           ,
           none
           of
           his
           special
           graces
           in
           them
           .
           Alas
           !
           how
           many
           Ministers
           can
           speak
           it
           to
           the
           sorrow
           of
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           that
           many
           of
           their
           People
           know
           almost
           nothing
           of
           Christ
           ,
           though
           they
           hear
           of
           him
           dayly
           !
           nor
           know
           they
           what
           they
           must
           do
           to
           be
           saved
           ;
           if
           we
           ask
           them
           an
           account
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           they
           answer
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           understood
           not
           what
           we
           say
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           tell
           us
           they
           are
           no
           Scholars
           ,
           and
           therefore
           think
           they
           are
           excusable
           for
           their
           ignorance
           .
           Oh
           if
           these
           men
           had
           not
           made
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           their
           Salvation
           ,
           but
           had
           bestowed
           but
           half
           so
           much
           pains
           to
           know
           and
           enjoy
           him
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           done
           to
           understand
           the
           matters
           of
           their
           Trades
           and
           Callings
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           have
           been
           so
           ignorant
           as
           they
           are
           :
           They
           make
           light
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           and
           therefore
           will
           not
           be
           at
           the
           pains
           to
           study
           or
           learn
           them
           .
           When
           Men
           that
           can
           learn
           the
           hardest
           Trade
           in
           a
           few
           years
           ,
           have
           not
           learned
           a
           Catechism
           ,
           nor
           how
           to
           understand
           their
           Creed
           ,
           under
           twenty
           or
           thirty
           years
           preaching
           ,
           nor
           cannot
           abide
           to
           be
           questioned
           about
           such
           things
           ;
           doth
           not
           this
           shew
           that
           they
           have
           slighted
           them
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ?
           How
           will
           these
           despisers
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           be
           able
           one
           day
           to
           look
           him
           in
           the
           face
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           these
           neglects
           ?
        
         
           Thus
           much
           I
           have
           spoken
           in
           order
           to
           your
           Conviction
           .
           Do
           not
           some
           of
           your
           consciences
           by
           this
           time
           smite
           you
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           
             I
             am
             the
             Man
             that
             have
             made
             light
             of
             my
             Salvation
             ?
          
           If
           they
           do
           not
           ,
           it
           is
           because
           you
           make
           light
           of
           it
           still
           ,
           for
           all
           that
           is
           said
           to
           you
           .
           But
           because
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           the
           will
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           I
           would
           fain
           have
           this
           damning
           Distemper
           cured
           ,
           and
           am
           loth
           to
           leave
           you
           in
           such
           a
           desperate
           condition
           ,
           if
           I
           knew
           how
           to
           remedy
           it
           ;
           I
           will
           give
           you
           some
           Considerations
           ,
           which
           may
           move
           you
           ,
           if
           you
           be
           men
           of
           reason
           and
           understanding
           ,
           to
           look
           better
           about
           you
           ;
           and
           I
           beseech
           you
           weigh
           them
           ,
           and
           make
           use
           of
           them
           as
           ye
           go
           ,
           and
           lay
           open
           your
           Hearts
           to
           the
           work
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           sadly
           bethink
           you
           what
           a
           case
           you
           are
           in
           ,
           if
           you
           prove
           such
           as
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           .
        
         
         
           Consider
           ,
           1.
           
           Thou
           makest
           light
           of
           him
           that
           made
           not
           light
           of
           thee
           who
           didst
           deserve
           it
           .
           Thou
           wast
           worthy
           of
           nothing
           but
           contempt
           .
           As
           a
           Man
           ,
           what
           art
           thou
           but
           a
           worm
           to
           God
           ?
           As
           a
           Sinner
           ,
           thou
           art
           far
           viler
           than
           a
           Toad
           :
           yet
           Christ
           was
           so
           far
           from
           making
           light
           of
           thee
           and
           thy
           happiness
           ,
           that
           he
           came
           down
           into
           the
           flesh
           ,
           and
           lived
           a
           life
           of
           suffering
           ,
           and
           offered
           himself
           a
           sacrifice
           to
           the
           Justice
           which
           thou
           hadst
           provoked
           ,
           that
           thy
           miserable
           Soul
           might
           have
           a
           remedy
           .
           It
           is
           no
           less
           than
           Miracles
           of
           love
           and
           mercy
           that
           he
           hath
           shewed
           to
           us
           ;
           and
           yet
           shall
           we
           slight
           them
           after
           all
           ?
        
         
           Angels
           admire
           them
           ,
           whom
           they
           less
           concern
           ,
           1
           Pet.
           1.
           12.
           and
           shall
           redeemed
           Sinners
           make
           light
           of
           them
           ?
           What
           barbarous
           ,
           yea
           devilish
           ,
           yea
           worse
           then
           devilish
           Ingratitude
           is
           this
           ?
           the
           Devils
           never
           had
           a
           Saviour
           offered
           them
           ,
           but
           thou
           hast
           ,
           and
           dost
           thou
           yet
           make
           light
           of
           him
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Consider
           the
           work
           of
           Man's
           Salvation
           by
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           is
           the
           Master-piece
           of
           all
           the
           works
           of
           God
           ,
           wherein
           he
           would
           have
           his
           love
           and
           mercy
           to
           be
           magnified
           .
           As
           the
           Creation
           declareth
           his
           Goodness
           and
           Power
           ,
           so
           doth
           Redemption
           his
           Goodness
           and
           Mercy
           ;
           he
           hath
           contrived
           the
           very
           frame
           of
           his
           Worship
           so
           ,
           that
           it
           shall
           much
           consist
           in
           the
           magnifying
           of
           this
           work
           ;
           and
           after
           all
           this
           ,
           will
           you
           make
           light
           of
           it
           ?
           His
           Name
           is
           wonderful
           ,
           Isa
           .
           9.
           6.
           
           He
           did
           the
           work
           that
           none
           could
           do
           ,
           John
           15.
           24.
           
           Greater
           love
           could
           none
           shew
           than
           his
           ,
           John
           15.
           13.
           
           How
           great
           was
           the
           evil
           and
           misery
           that
           he
           delivered
           us
           from
           ?
           the
           good
           procured
           for
           us
           ?
           all
           are
           wonders
           ,
           from
           his
           Birth
           to
           his
           Ascension
           ;
           from
           our
           new
           Birth
           to
           our
           Glorification
           ,
           all
           are
           wonders
           of
           matchless
           Mercy
           .
           And
           yet
           do
           you
           make
           light
           of
           them
           !
        
         
           3.
           
           You
           make
           light
           of
           matters
           of
           
             greatest
             excellency
             and
             moment
             in
             the
             World
             :
          
           you
           know
           not
           what
           it
           is
           that
           you
           slight
           ;
           had
           you
           well
           known
           ,
           you
           could
           not
           have
           done
           it
           .
           As
           Christ
           said
           to
           the
           Woman
           of
           
             Samaria
             ,
             John
          
           4.
           10.
           hadst
           thou
           known
           who
           it
           is
           that
           speaketh
           to
           thee
           ,
           thou
           wouldst
           have
           asked
           of
           him
           the
           waters
           of
           Life
           .
           Had
           they
           known
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           have
           crucified
           the
           Lord
           of
           Glory
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           2.
           8.
           
           So
           ,
           had
           you
           known
           what
           Christ
           is
           ,
           you
           would
           not
           have
           made
           light
           of
           him
           ;
           had
           you
           been
           one
           day
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           but
           seen
           what
           they
           possess
           ,
           and
           seen
           also
           what
           miserable
           Souls
           must
           endure
           that
           are
           shut
           out
           ,
           you
           would
           never
           sure
           have
           made
           so
           light
           of
           Christ
           again
           .
        
         
         
           Oh
           Sirs
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           trifle
           ,
           or
           jesting
           matter
           that
           the
           Gospel
           speaks
           of
           .
           I
           must
           needs
           profess
           to
           you
           ,
           that
           when
           I
           have
           the
           most
           serious
           thoughts
           of
           these
           things
           my self
           ,
           I
           am
           ready
           to
           marvel
           that
           such
           amazing
           matters
           do
           not
           overwhelm
           the
           souls
           of
           Men
           ;
           that
           the
           greatness
           of
           the
           Subject
           doth
           not
           so
           overmatch
           our
           understandings
           and
           affections
           ,
           as
           even
           to
           drive
           men
           besides
           themselves
           ,
           but
           that
           God
           hath
           always
           somewhat
           allayed
           it
           by
           the
           distance
           ;
           much
           more
           that
           Men
           should
           be
           so
           blockish
           as
           to
           make
           light
           of
           them
           .
           Oh
           Lord
           ,
           that
           Men
           did
           but
           know
           what
           everlasting
           Glory
           ,
           and
           everlasting
           Torments
           are
           .
           Would
           they
           then
           hear
           us
           as
           they
           do
           ?
           Would
           they
           read
           and
           think
           of
           these
           things
           as
           they
           do
           ?
           I
           profess
           I
           have
           been
           ready
           to
           wonder
           ,
           when
           I
           have
           heard
           such
           weighty
           things
           delivered
           ,
           how
           People
           can
           forbear
           crying
           out
           in
           the
           Congregation
           ;
           much
           more
           ,
           how
           they
           can
           rest
           till
           they
           have
           gone
           to
           their
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           learned
           what
           they
           should
           do
           to
           be
           saved
           ,
           that
           this
           great
           business
           might
           be
           put
           out
           of
           doubt
           .
           Oh
           that
           Heaven
           and
           Hell
           should
           work
           no
           more
           upon
           Men
           !
           Oh
           that
           Everlastingness
           should
           work
           no
           more
           !
           Oh
           how
           can
           you
           forbear
           when
           you
           are
           alone
           ,
           to
           think
           with
           your selves
           what
           it
           is
           to
           be
           everlastingly
           in
           Joy
           or
           in
           Torment
           !
           I
           wonder
           that
           such
           thoughts
           do
           not
           break
           your
           sleep
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           come
           not
           in
           your
           mind
           when
           you
           are
           about
           your
           labour
           !
           I
           wonder
           how
           you
           can
           almost
           do
           any
           thing
           else
           :
           how
           you
           can
           have
           any
           quietness
           in
           your
           minds
           :
           how
           you
           can
           eat
           ,
           or
           drink
           ,
           or
           rest
           ,
           till
           you
           have
           got
           some
           ground
           of
           everlasting
           Consolations
           !
           Is
           that
           a
           Man
           or
           a
           Corps
           that
           is
           not
           affected
           with
           matters
           of
           this
           moment
           ?
           That
           can
           be
           readier
           to
           sleep
           than
           to
           tremble
           ,
           when
           he
           heareth
           how
           he
           must
           stand
           at
           the
           Bar
           of
           God
           ?
           Is
           that
           a
           Man
           ,
           or
           a
           
             Clod
             of
             Clay
          
           ,
           that
           can
           rise
           and
           lie
           down
           without
           being
           deeply
           affected
           with
           his
           everlasting
           Estate
           ?
           that
           can
           follow
           his
           worldly
           Business
           ,
           and
           make
           nothing
           of
           the
           great
           business
           of
           Salvation
           or
           Damnation
           ;
           and
           that
           when
           they
           know
           it
           is
           hard
           at
           hand
           ?
           Truly
           Sirs
           ,
           when
           I
           think
           of
           the
           weight
           of
           the
           matter
           ,
           I
           wonder
           at
           the
           very
           best
           of
           God's
           Saints
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           no
           better
           ,
           and
           do
           no
           more
           in
           so
           weighty
           a
           case
           .
           I
           wonder
           at
           those
           whom
           the
           World
           accounteth
           more
           holy
           than
           needs
           ,
           and
           scorns
           for
           making
           too
           much
           ado
           ;
           that
           they
           can
           put
           off
           Christ
           and
           their
           Souls
           with
           so
           little
           :
           that
           they
           pour
           not
           out
           their
           Souls
           in
           every
           Supplication
           ;
           
           that
           they
           are
           not
           more
           taken
           up
           with
           God
           ;
           that
           their
           thoughts
           be
           not
           more
           serious
           in
           preparation
           for
           their
           account
           .
           I
           wonder
           that
           they
           be
           not
           an
           hundred
           times
           more
           strict
           in
           their
           lives
           ;
           and
           more
           laborious
           and
           unwearied
           in
           striving
           for
           the
           Crown
           ,
           than
           they
           are
           .
           And
           for
           my self
           ,
           as
           I
           am
           ashamed
           of
           my
           dull
           and
           careless
           Heart
           ,
           and
           of
           my
           slow
           and
           unprofitable
           course
           of
           Life
           ;
           so
           ,
           the
           Lord
           knows
           ,
           I
           am
           ashamed
           of
           every
           Sermon
           that
           I
           preach
           ,
           when
           I
           think
           what
           I
           have
           been
           speaking
           of
           ,
           and
           who
           sent
           me
           ;
           and
           that
           Men's
           Salvation
           or
           Damnation
           is
           so
           much
           concerned
           in
           it
           .
           I
           am
           ready
           to
           tremble
           ,
           lest
           God
           should
           judge
           me
           ,
           as
           a
           slighter
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           and
           the
           souls
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           lest
           in
           the
           best
           Sermon
           I
           should
           be
           guilty
           of
           their
           blood
           .
           Me-thinks
           we
           should
           not
           speak
           a
           word
           to
           men
           in
           matters
           of
           such
           Consequence
           ,
           without
           Tears
           ,
           or
           the
           greatest
           earnestness
           that
           possibly
           we
           can
           ;
           were
           not
           we
           too
           much
           guilty
           of
           the
           sin
           which
           we
           reprove
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           so
           .
           Whether
           ,
           we
           are
           alone
           ,
           or
           in
           company
           ,
           me-thinks
           our
           end
           ,
           and
           such
           an
           end
           ,
           should
           still
           be
           in
           our
           mind
           ,
           and
           as
           before
           our
           eyes
           ;
           and
           we
           should
           sooner
           forget
           any
           thing
           ,
           and
           set
           light
           by
           any
           thing
           ,
           or
           by
           all
           things
           ,
           than
           by
           this
           .
        
         
           Consider
           4.
           
           Who
           is
           it
           that
           sends
           this
           weighty
           Message
           to
           you
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           God
           himself
           ?
           Shall
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           speak
           ,
           and
           Men
           make
           light
           of
           it
           ?
           You
           would
           not
           slight
           the
           Voice
           of
           an
           Angel
           or
           a
           Prince
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Whose
           Salvation
           is
           it
           that
           you
           make
           light
           of
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           your
           own
           ?
           Are
           you
           no
           more
           near
           or
           dear
           to
           your selves
           ,
           than
           to
           make
           light
           of
           your
           own
           happiness
           or
           misery
           ?
           Why
           Sirs
           ,
           do
           you
           not
           care
           whether
           you
           be
           saved
           or
           damned
           ?
           Is
           Self-love
           lost
           ?
           Are
           you
           turned
           your
           own
           Enemies
           ?
           As
           he
           that
           slighteth
           his
           Meat
           ,
           doth
           slight
           his
           life
           ;
           so
           if
           you
           slight
           Christ
           ,
           whatsoever
           you
           may
           think
           ,
           you
           will
           find
           it
           was
           your
           own
           Salvation
           that
           you
           slighted
           .
           Hear
           what
           he
           saith
           ,
           Prov.
           1.
           36.
           
           
             All
             they
             that
             hate
             me
             ,
             love
             Death
             .
          
        
         
           6.
           
           Your
           sin
           is
           greater
           ,
           in
           that
           you
           profess
           to
           believe
           the
           Gospel
           which
           you
           make
           so
           light
           of
           .
           For
           a
           professed
           Infidel
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           that
           believes
           not
           that
           ever
           Christ
           died
           ,
           or
           rose
           again
           ;
           or
           doth
           not
           believe
           that
           there
           is
           a
           Heaven
           or
           Hell
           ,
           this
           were
           no
           such
           marvel
           ;
           but
           for
           you
           that
           make
           it
           your
           Creed
           ,
           and
           your
           very
           Religion
           ,
           and
           call
           your selves
           Christians
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           baptized
           into
           this
           Faith
           ,
           and
           seemed
           to
           stand
           to
           it
           :
           this
           is
           
           the
           wonder
           ,
           and
           hath
           no
           excuse
           .
           What!
           believe
           that
           you
           shall
           live
           in
           endless
           Joy
           or
           Torment
           ,
           and
           yet
           make
           no
           more
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           escape
           Torment
           ,
           and
           obtain
           that
           Joy.
           What!
           believe
           that
           God
           will
           shortly
           judge
           you
           ,
           and
           yet
           make
           no
           more
           preparation
           for
           it
           ?
           Either
           say
           plainly
           ,
           
             I
             am
             no
             Christian
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             believe
             these
             wonderful
             things
             !
             I
             will
             believe
             nothing
             but
             what
             I
             see
          
           ;
           or
           else
           ,
           let
           your
           hearts
           be
           affected
           with
           your
           Belief
           ,
           and
           live
           as
           you
           say
           you
           do
           believe
           .
           What
           do
           you
           think
           when
           you
           repeat
           the
           Creed
           ,
           and
           mention
           Christ's
           Judgment
           and
           everlasting
           Life
           ?
        
         
           7.
           
           What
           are
           these
           things
           you
           set
           so
           much
           by
           ,
           as
           to
           prefer
           them
           before
           Christ
           and
           the
           saving
           of
           your
           Souls
           ?
           Have
           you
           found
           a
           better
           friend
           ,
           a
           greater
           and
           surer
           happiness
           than
           this
           ?
           Good
           Lord
           !
           What
           dung
           is
           it
           that
           men
           make
           so
           much
           of
           ,
           while
           they
           set
           so
           light
           by
           everlasting
           Glory
           !
           What
           Toyes
           are
           they
           that
           they
           are
           daily
           taken
           up
           with
           ,
           while
           matters
           of
           life
           and
           death
           are
           neglected
           !
           Why
           Sirs
           ,
           If
           you
           had
           every
           one
           a
           Kingdom
           in
           your
           hopes
           ,
           what
           were
           it
           in
           comparison
           of
           the
           everlasting
           Kingdom
           ?
           I
           cannot
           but
           look
           upon
           all
           the
           Glory
           and
           Dignity
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           Lands
           and
           Lordships
           ,
           Crowns
           and
           Kingdoms
           ,
           even
           as
           on
           some
           brainsick
           beggarly
           Fellow
           ,
           that
           borroweth
           fine
           Cloaths
           ,
           and
           plays
           the
           part
           of
           a
           King
           or
           a
           Lord
           ,
           for
           an
           hour
           on
           a
           stage
           ,
           and
           then
           comes
           down
           ,
           and
           the
           sport
           is
           ended
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           beggers
           again
           .
           Were
           it
           not
           for
           God's
           interest
           in
           the
           Authority
           of
           Magistrates
           ,
           or
           for
           the
           service
           they
           might
           do
           him
           ,
           I
           should
           judge
           no
           better
           of
           them
           .
           For
           as
           to
           their
           own
           Glory
           ,
           it
           is
           but
           a
           smoak
           :
           what
           matter
           is
           it
           whether
           you
           live
           poor
           or
           rich
           ,
           unless
           it
           were
           a
           greater
           matter
           to
           dye
           rich
           than
           it
           is
           ?
           You
           know
           well
           enough
           that
           Death
           levels
           all
           :
           What
           matter
           is
           it
           at
           Judgment
           ,
           whether
           you
           be
           to
           answer
           for
           the
           life
           of
           a
           rich
           man
           ,
           or
           a
           poor
           man
           ?
           Is
           Dives
           then
           any
           better
           than
           Lazarus
           ?
           Oh
           that
           men
           knew
           what
           a
           poor
           deceiving
           shadow
           they
           grasp
           at
           ,
           while
           they
           let
           go
           the
           everlasting
           Substance
           !
           The
           strongest
           and
           richest
           ,
           and
           most
           voluptuous
           Sinners
           ,
           do
           but
           lay
           in
           fuel
           for
           their
           sorrows
           ,
           while
           they
           think
           they
           are
           gathering
           together
           a
           treasure
           .
           Alas
           !
           they
           are
           asleep
           ,
           and
           dream
           that
           they
           are
           happy
           ;
           but
           when
           they
           awake
           ,
           what
           a
           change
           will
           they
           find
           ?
           Their
           Crown
           is
           made
           of
           Thorns
           !
           their
           pleasure
           hath
           such
           a
           sting
           as
           will
           stick
           in
           the
           heart
           through
           all
           Eternity
           ,
           except
           unfeigned
           Repentance
           do
           prevent
           it
           .
           Oh
           how
           sadly
           will
           these
           wretches
           be
           convinced
           ere
           long
           ,
           what
           a
           foolish
           
           bargain
           they
           made
           in
           selling
           Christ
           and
           their
           Salvation
           for
           these
           Trifles
           !
           Let
           your
           Farms
           and
           Merchandize
           then
           save
           you
           if
           they
           can
           ;
           and
           do
           that
           for
           you
           that
           Christ
           would
           have
           done
           .
           Cry
           then
           to
           thy
           Baal
           to
           save
           thee
           !
           Oh
           what
           thoughts
           have
           Drunkards
           and
           Adulterers
           ,
           &c.
           of
           Christ
           ,
           that
           will
           not
           part
           with
           the
           basest
           lust
           for
           him
           !
           For
           a
           piece
           of
           bread
           ,
           saith
           Solomon
           ,
           such
           men
           do
           transgress
           ,
           Prov.
           28.
           21.
           
        
         
           8.
           
           To
           set
           so
           light
           by
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           is
           a
           certain
           mark
           that
           thou
           hast
           no
           part
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           if
           thou
           so
           continue
           ,
           that
           Christ
           will
           set
           
             as
             light
          
           by
           thee
           :
           Those
           that
           honour
           him
           he
           will
           honour
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           despise
           him
           shall
           be
           lightly
           esteemed
           ,
           1
           Sam.
           2.
           30.
           
           Thou
           wilt
           feel
           one
           day
           that
           thou
           canst
           not
           live
           without
           him
           .
           Thou
           wilt
           confess
           then
           thy
           need
           of
           him
           ;
           and
           then
           thou
           mayst
           go
           look
           for
           a
           Saviour
           where
           thou
           wilt
           ;
           for
           he
           will
           be
           no
           Saviour
           for
           thee
           hereafter
           ,
           that
           wouldst
           not
           value
           him
           ,
           and
           submit
           to
           him
           here
           :
           Then
           who
           will
           prove
           the
           loser
           by
           thy
           contempt
           ?
           Oh
           what
           a
           thing
           will
           it
           be
           for
           a
           poor
           miserable
           Soul
           to
           cry
           to
           Christ
           for
           help
           in
           the
           day
           of
           extremity
           ,
           and
           to
           hear
           so
           sad
           an
           Answer
           as
           this
           !
           Thou
           didst
           set
           light
           by
           me
           and
           my
           Law
           in
           the
           day
           of
           thy
           Prosperity
           ,
           and
           I
           will
           now
           set
           as
           light
           by
           thee
           in
           thy
           Adversity
           .
           Read
           Prov.
           1.
           24.
           to
           the
           end
           .
           Thou
           that
           as
           Esau
           didst
           sell
           thy
           Birth-right
           for
           a
           Mess
           of
           Pottage
           ,
           shalt
           then
           find
           no
           place
           for
           repentance
           ,
           though
           thou
           seek
           it
           with
           tears
           ,
           Heb.
           12.
           17.
           
           Do
           you
           think
           that
           Christ
           shed
           his
           blood
           to
           save
           them
           that
           continue
           to
           make
           light
           of
           it
           ?
           and
           to
           save
           them
           that
           value
           a
           Cup
           of
           Drink
           or
           a
           Lust
           before
           his
           Salvation
           ?
           I
           tell
           you
           Sirs
           ,
           though
           you
           set
           light
           by
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           God
           doth
           not
           so
           :
           He
           will
           not
           give
           them
           on
           such
           Terms
           as
           these
           :
           He
           valueth
           the
           Blood
           of
           his
           Son
           ,
           and
           the
           everlasting
           Glory
           ;
           and
           he
           will
           make
           you
           value
           them
           ,
           if
           ever
           you
           have
           them
           .
           Nay
           ,
           this
           will
           be
           thy
           condemnation
           ,
           and
           leaveth
           no
           remedy
           .
           All
           the
           World
           cannot
           save
           him
           that
           sets
           light
           by
           Christ
           ,
           Heb.
           2.
           3.
           
           Luke
           14
           24.
           
           None
           of
           them
           shall
           taste
           of
           his
           Supper
           ,
           Mat.
           10.
           37.
           
           Nor
           can
           you
           blame
           him
           to
           deny
           you
           what
           you
           made
           light
           of
           your selves
           .
           Can
           you
           find
           fault
           if
           you
           miss
           of
           the
           Salvation
           which
           you
           slighted
           ?
        
         
           9
           ,
           The
           time
           is
           near
           when
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           will
           not
           be
           made
           light
           of
           as
           now
           they
           are
           .
           When
           God
           hath
           shaken
           those
           careless
           Souls
           out
           of
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           and
           you
           must
           answer
           for
           all
           your
           sins
           in
           your
           own
           Name
           ;
           O
           then
           ,
           what
           what
           would
           you
           
           give
           for
           a
           Saviour
           ?
           when
           a
           thousand
           Bills
           shall
           be
           brought
           in
           against
           you
           ,
           and
           none
           to
           relieve
           you
           ,
           then
           you
           will
           consider
           ,
           
             Oh
             ,
             Christ
             would
             now
             have
             stood
             between
             me
             and
             the
             wrath
             of
             God
             :
             had
             I
             not
             despised
             him
             ,
             he
             would
             have
             answered
             all
             .
          
           When
           you
           see
           the
           World
           hath
           left
           you
           ,
           and
           your
           companions
           in
           sin
           have
           deceived
           themselves
           and
           you
           ,
           and
           all
           your
           merry
           days
           are
           gone
           ;
           then
           what
           would
           you
           give
           for
           that
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           now
           you
           account
           not
           worth
           your
           labour
           ?
           Do
           you
           think
           when
           you
           see
           the
           Judgment
           set
           ,
           and
           you
           are
           doomed
           to
           everlasting
           Perdition
           for
           your
           Wickedness
           ,
           that
           you
           should
           then
           make
           as
           light
           of
           Christ
           as
           now
           ?
           Why
           will
           you
           not
           judge
           now
           ,
           as
           you
           know
           you
           shall
           judge
           then
           ?
           Will
           he
           then
           be
           worth
           ten
           thousand
           Worlds
           ,
           and
           is
           he
           not
           now
           worth
           your
           highest
           Estimation
           ,
           and
           dearest
           Affection
           ?
        
         
           10.
           
           God
           will
           not
           only
           deny
           thee
           that
           Salvation
           thou
           madest
           light
           of
           ,
           but
           he
           will
           take
           from
           thee
           all
           that
           which
           thou
           didst
           value
           before
           it
           :
           He
           that
           most
           highly
           esteems
           Christ
           ,
           shall
           have
           him
           and
           the
           creatures
           so
           far
           as
           they
           are
           good
           here
           ,
           and
           him
           without
           the
           Creature
           hereafter
           ,
           because
           the
           Creature
           is
           not
           useful
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           sets
           more
           by
           the
           Creature
           than
           by
           Christ
           ,
           shall
           have
           some
           of
           the
           Creature
           without
           Christ
           here
           ,
           and
           neither
           Christ
           nor
           it
           hereafter
           .
        
         
           So
           much
           of
           these
           considerations
           ,
           which
           may
           shew
           the
           true
           face
           of
           this
           hainous
           sin
           .
        
         
           What
           think
           you
           now
           friends
           of
           this
           business
           ?
           Do
           you
           not
           see
           by
           this
           time
           what
           a
           case
           that
           Soul
           is
           in
           that
           maketh
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ?
           What
           need
           then
           is
           there
           that
           you
           should
           take
           heed
           lest
           this
           should
           prove
           your
           own
           case
           :
           The
           Lord
           knows
           it
           is
           too
           common
           a
           case
           .
           Whoever
           is
           found
           guilty
           at
           the
           last
           of
           this
           sin
           ,
           it
           were
           better
           for
           that
           man
           he
           had
           never
           been
           born
           .
           It
           were
           better
           for
           him
           he
           had
           been
           a
           Turk
           or
           Indian
           ,
           that
           never
           had
           heard
           the
           Name
           of
           a
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           that
           never
           had
           Salvation
           offered
           to
           him
           :
           For
           such
           men
           have
           no
           Cloak
           for
           their
           sin
           ,
           John
           15.
           22.
           
           Besides
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           their
           sins
           ,
           they
           have
           this
           killing
           sin
           to
           answer
           for
           ,
           which
           will
           undo
           them
           .
           And
           this
           will
           aggravate
           their
           misery
           :
           That
           Christ
           whom
           they
           set
           light
           by
           ,
           must
           be
           their
           Judge
           ,
           and
           for
           this
           sin
           will
           he
           judge
           them
           .
           Oh
           that
           such
           would
           now
           consider
           how
           they
           will
           answer
           that
           Question
           that
           Christ
           puts
           to
           their
           Predecessors
           ,
           Mat.
           23.
           33.
           
           
             How
             will
             ye
             escape
             the
             Damnation
             of
             Hell
             ?
          
           or
           
           Heb.
           2
           ▪
           3.
           
           
             How
             shall
             we
             escape
             if
             we
             neglect
             so
             great
             Salvation
             ?
          
           Can
           you
           escape
           without
           a
           Christ
           ?
           or
           will
           a
           despised
           Christ
           save
           you
           then
           ?
           If
           he
           be
           accursed
           that
           set
           light
           by
           Father
           or
           Mother
           ,
           Deut.
           27.
           16.
           
           What
           then
           is
           he
           that
           sets
           light
           by
           Christ
           ?
           It
           was
           the
           hainous
           sin
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           that
           among
           them
           were
           found
           such
           as
           set
           light
           by
           Father
           and
           Mother
           ,
           Ezek.
           22.
           7.
           
           But
           among
           us
           men
           slight
           the
           Father
           of
           Spirits
           .
           In
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           Brethren
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           to
           consider
           how
           you
           will
           then
           bear
           his
           Anger
           which
           you
           now
           make
           light
           of
           ?
           You
           that
           cannot
           make
           light
           of
           a
           little
           sickness
           or
           want
           ,
           or
           of
           natural
           Death
           ,
           no
           not
           of
           a
           Tooth-ach
           ,
           but
           groan
           as
           if
           you
           were
           undone
           ,
           how
           will
           you
           then
           make
           light
           of
           the
           Fury
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           which
           will
           burn
           against
           the
           Contemners
           of
           his
           Grace
           ?
           Doth
           it
           not
           behove
           you
           beforehand
           to
           think
           of
           these
           things
           ?
        
         
           Hitherto
           I
           have
           been
           convincing
           you
           of
           the
           evil
           of
           the
           sin
           ,
           and
           the
           danger
           that
           followeth
           :
           I
           come
           now
           to
           know
           your
           Resolution
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           .
           What
           say
           you
           ?
           Do
           you
           mean
           to
           set
           as
           light
           by
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           as
           hitherto
           you
           have
           done
           ?
           and
           to
           be
           the
           same
           men
           after
           all
           this
           ?
           I
           hope
           not
           .
           Oh
           let
           not
           your
           Ministers
           that
           would
           fain
           save
           you
           ,
           be
           brought
           in
           as
           Witnesses
           against
           you
           ,
           to
           condemn
           you
           .
           At
           least
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           put
           not
           this
           upon
           me
           .
           Why
           Sirs
           .
           If
           the
           Lord
           shall
           say
           to
           us
           at
           Judgment
           ,
           Did
           you
           never
           tell
           these
           men
           what
           Christ
           did
           for
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           what
           need
           they
           had
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           how
           nearly
           it
           did
           concern
           them
           to
           look
           to
           their
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           they
           made
           light
           of
           it
           ?
           we
           must
           needs
           say
           the
           Truth
           :
           Yea
           Lord
           ,
           we
           told
           them
           of
           it
           as
           plainly
           as
           we
           could
           ;
           we
           would
           have
           gone
           on
           our
           knees
           to
           them
           ,
           if
           we
           had
           thought
           it
           would
           have
           prevailed
           ;
           we
           did
           intreat
           them
           as
           earnestly
           as
           we
           could
           ,
           to
           consider
           these
           things
           :
           They
           heard
           of
           these
           things
           every
           day
           ;
           but
           alass
           ,
           we
           could
           never
           got
           them
           to
           their
           hearts
           ;
           they
           gave
           us
           the
           hearing
           ,
           but
           they
           made
           light
           of
           all
           that
           we
           could
           say
           to
           them
           .
           Oh
           sad
           will
           it
           prove
           on
           your
           side
           ,
           if
           you
           sorce
           us
           to
           such
           an
           Answer
           as
           this
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           the
           Lord
           do
           move
           the
           hearts
           of
           any
           of
           you
           ,
           and
           you
           resolve
           to
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           no
           more
           :
           Or
           if
           any
           of
           you
           say
           ,
           we
           do
           not
           make
           light
           of
           him
           ;
           let
           me
           tell
           you
           here
           in
           the
           conclusion
           what
           you
           must
           do
           ,
           or
           else
           you
           shall
           be
           judged
           as
           slighters
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           .
        
         
         
           And
           first
           I
           will
           tell
           you
           what
           will
           not
           serve
           the
           turn
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           You
           may
           have
           a
           notional
           knowledge
           of
           Christ
           and
           the
           necessity
           of
           his
           blood
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           excellency
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           yet
           perish
           as
           neglecters
           of
           him
           .
           This
           is
           too
           common
           among
           profest
           Christians
           .
           You
           may
           say
           all
           that
           other
           men
           do
           of
           him
           ;
           What
           Gospel
           passages
           had
           Balaam
           ?
           Jesus
           I
           know
           ,
           and
           Paul
           I
           know
           ,
           the
           very
           Devils
           could
           say
           ,
           who
           believe
           and
           tremble
           ,
           Jam.
           2.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           You
           may
           weep
           at
           the
           History
           of
           his
           Passion
           ,
           when
           you
           read
           how
           he
           was
           used
           by
           the
           Jews
           ;
           and
           yet
           make
           light
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           perish
           for
           so
           doing
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           You
           may
           come
           desirously
           to
           his
           word
           and
           ordinances
           .
           Herod
           heard
           gladly
           ;
           so
           do
           many
           that
           yet
           must
           perish
           as
           neglecters
           of
           Salvation
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           You
           may
           in
           a
           sit
           of
           fear
           have
           strong
           desires
           after
           a
           Christ
           ,
           to
           ease
           you
           ,
           and
           to
           save
           you
           from
           God's
           wrath
           :
           as
           Saul
           had
           of
           David
           to
           play
           before
           him
           ;
           and
           yet
           you
           may
           perish
           for
           making
           light
           of
           Christ
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           You
           may
           obey
           him
           in
           many
           things
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           will
           not
           ruine
           you
           in
           the
           World
           :
           and
           escape
           much
           of
           the
           Pollutions
           of
           the
           World
           by
           his
           knowledge
           ,
           and
           yet
           neglect
           him
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           You
           may
           suffer
           and
           lose
           much
           for
           him
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           leaveth
           you
           an
           earthly
           Felicity
           ;
           as
           Ananias
           ;
           the
           young
           man.
           Some
           parcels
           of
           their
           pleasures
           and
           prosits
           many
           will
           part
           with
           in
           hope
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           shall
           perish
           everlastingly
           ,
           for
           valuing
           it
           no
           more
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           You
           may
           be
           esteemed
           by
           others
           a
           man
           zealous
           for
           Christ
           ,
           and
           loved
           and
           admired
           upon
           that
           account
           ,
           and
           yet
           be
           one
           that
           shall
           perish
           for
           making
           light
           of
           him
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           You
           may
           verily
           think
           your selves
           ,
           that
           you
           set
           more
           by
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           than
           any
           thing
           ,
           and
           yet
           be
           mistaken
           ,
           and
           be
           judged
           as
           Contemners
           of
           him
           :
           Christ
           justisieth
           not
           all
           that
           justisie
           themselves
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           You
           may
           be
           zealous
           Preachers
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           reprove
           others
           for
           this
           neglect
           ,
           and
           lament
           the
           sin
           of
           the
           World
           in
           like
           expressions
           as
           I
           have
           done
           this
           day
           ;
           and
           yet
           if
           you
           or
           I
           have
           no
           better
           evidence
           to
           prove
           our
           hearty
           esteem
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           we
           are
           undone
           for
           all
           this
           .
        
         
         
           You
           hear
           Brethren
           what
           will
           not
           serve
           the
           turn
           ;
           Will
           you
           now
           hear
           what
           persons
           you
           must
           be
           if
           you
           would
           not
           be
           condemned
           as
           slighters
           of
           Christ
           ?
           O
           search
           whether
           it
           be
           thus
           with
           your
           Souls
           ,
           or
           no.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           Your
           esteem
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           must
           be
           greater
           than
           your
           esteem
           of
           all
           the
           Honors
           ,
           Profits
           ,
           or
           Pleasures
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           or
           else
           you
           slight
           him
           :
           
             No
             less
          
           will
           be
           accounted
           sincere
           ,
           or
           accepted
           to
           your
           Salvation
           :
           Think
           not
           this
           hard
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           no
           comparison
           in
           the
           matters
           esteemed
           .
           To
           esteem
           the
           greatest
           Glory
           on
           Earth
           before
           Christ
           and
           Everlasting
           Glory
           ,
           is
           a
           greater
           Folly
           ,
           and
           Wrong
           to
           Christ
           ,
           than
           to
           esteem
           a
           Dog
           before
           your
           Prince
           ,
           would
           be
           folly
           in
           you
           ,
           and
           a
           wrong
           to
           him
           .
           Scripture
           is
           plain
           in
           this
           ,
           Mat.
           10.
           37.
           
           
             He
             that
             loveth
             Father
             or
             Mother
             ,
             Wife
             ,
             Children
             ,
             House
             ,
             Land
             ,
             or
             his
             own
             Life
             more
             than
             me
             ,
             is
             not
             worthy
             of
             me
             ,
             and
             cannot
             be
             my
             Disciple
             ,
          
           as
           Luke
           14.
           26.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           You
           must
           manifest
           this
           esteem
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           in
           your
           daily
           endeavours
           and
           seeking
           after
           him
           ,
           and
           in
           parting
           with
           any
           thing
           that
           he
           shall
           require
           of
           you
           .
           God
           is
           a
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           take
           an
           hypocritical
           Profession
           instead
           of
           the
           heart
           and
           spiritual
           Service
           which
           he
           commandeth
           .
           He
           will
           have
           the
           heart
           or
           nothing
           ;
           and
           the
           chief
           room
           in
           the
           heart
           too
           .
           These
           must
           be
           had
           .
        
         
           If
           you
           say
           that
           you
           do
           not
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           ,
           or
           will
           not
           hereafter
           ;
           let
           me
           try
           you
           in
           these
           few
           particulars
           ,
           whether
           indeed
           you
           mean
           as
           you
           say
           ,
           and
           do
           not
           dissemble
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Will
           you
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           make
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           the
           chiefest
           matter
           of
           your
           care
           and
           study
           ?
           Thrust
           them
           not
           out
           of
           your
           thoughts
           ,
           as
           a
           needless
           and
           unprofitable
           Subject
           ;
           nor
           allow
           it
           only
           some
           running
           slight
           thoughts
           ,
           which
           will
           not
           affect
           you
           .
           But
           will
           you
           make
           it
           your
           business
           once
           a
           day
           to
           bethink
           you
           soberly
           when
           you
           are
           alone
           ,
           What
           Christ
           hath
           done
           for
           you
           ;
           and
           what
           he
           will
           do
           if
           you
           do
           not
           make
           light
           of
           it
           :
           and
           what
           it
           is
           to
           be
           everlastingly
           happy
           or
           miserable
           ?
           and
           what
           all
           things
           in
           this
           World
           are
           in
           comparison
           of
           your
           Salvation
           ?
           and
           how
           they
           will
           shortly
           leave
           you
           ?
           and
           what
           mind
           you
           will
           be
           then
           of
           ;
           and
           how
           you
           will
           esteem
           them
           ?
           will
           you
           promise
           me
           now
           and
           then
           to
           make
           it
           your
           business
           to
           withdraw
           your selves
           from
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           set
           your selves
           to
           such
           considerations
           as
           these
           ?
           If
           you
           will
           not
           ,
           are
           not
           you
           slighters
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           will
           not
           be
           perswaded
           soberly
           to
           
           think
           on
           them
           ?
           This
           is
           my
           first
           Question
           to
           put
           you
           to
           the
           Trial
           ,
           whether
           you
           will
           value
           Christ
           or
           not
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Will
           you
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           ,
           set
           more
           by
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           contains
           the
           discovery
           of
           these
           excellent
           things
           ,
           and
           is
           your
           charter
           for
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           your
           guide
           thereunto
           ?
           You
           cannot
           set
           by
           Christ
           ,
           but
           you
           must
           set
           by
           his
           Word
           ;
           Therefore
           the
           Despisers
           of
           it
           are
           threatned
           with
           Destruction
           ,
           Prov.
           13.
           13.
           
           Will
           you
           therefore
           attend
           to
           the
           publick
           preaching
           of
           this
           Word
           ?
           will
           you
           read
           it
           daily
           ?
           will
           you
           resolve
           to
           obey
           it
           whatever
           it
           may
           cost
           you
           ?
           If
           you
           will
           not
           do
           this
           ,
           but
           make
           light
           of
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           you
           shall
           be
           judged
           as
           such
           as
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           whatever
           you
           may
           sondly
           promise
           to
           your selves
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Will
           you
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           esteem
           more
           of
           the
           Officers
           of
           Christ
           ,
           whom
           he
           he
           hath
           purposely
           appointed
           to
           guide
           you
           to
           Salvation
           ?
           and
           will
           you
           make
           use
           of
           them
           for
           that
           end
           ?
           Alas
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           to
           give
           the
           Minister
           a
           good
           word
           ,
           and
           speak
           well
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           pay
           him
           his
           Tythes
           duly
           ,
           that
           will
           serve
           the
           turn
           :
           Is
           it
           for
           the
           necessity
           of
           your
           Souls
           that
           God
           hath
           set
           them
           in
           his
           Church
           ;
           that
           they
           may
           be
           as
           Physitians
           under
           Christ
           ,
           or
           his
           Apothecaries
           to
           apply
           his
           Remedies
           to
           your
           spiritual
           Diseases
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           publick
           ,
           but
           also
           in
           private
           :
           That
           you
           may
           have
           some
           to
           go
           to
           for
           the
           resolving
           of
           your
           doubts
           ,
           and
           for
           your
           instruction
           where
           you
           are
           ignorant
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           help
           of
           their
           Exhortations
           and
           Prayers
           .
           Will
           you
           use
           hereafter
           to
           go
           to
           your
           Ministers
           privately
           ,
           and
           sollicite
           them
           for
           advice
           ?
           and
           if
           you
           have
           not
           such
           of
           your
           own
           as
           are
           fit
           ,
           get
           advice
           from
           others
           ;
           and
           ask
           them
           ,
           
             What
             you
             shall
             do
             to
             be
             saved
             ,
             how
             to
             prepare
             for
             Death
             and
             Judgment
             ?
          
           and
           will
           you
           obey
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           in
           their
           Mouths
           ?
           If
           you
           will
           not
           do
           this
           much
           ,
           nor
           so
           much
           as
           enquire
           of
           those
           that
           should
           teach
           you
           ,
           nor
           use
           the
           means
           which
           Christ
           hath
           established
           in
           his
           Church
           for
           your
           help
           ,
           your
           own
           Consciences
           shall
           one
           day
           witness
           ,
           that
           you
           were
           such
           as
           made
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           .
           If
           any
           of
           you
           doubt
           whether
           it
           be
           your
           duty
           thus
           to
           ask
           counsel
           of
           your
           Teachers
           ,
           as
           sick
           men
           do
           of
           their
           Physitians
           ,
           let
           your
           own
           necessities
           resolve
           you
           ;
           let
           God's
           express
           word
           resolve
           you
           ;
           see
           what
           is
           said
           of
           the
           Priests
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           even
           before
           Christ's
           coming
           ,
           when
           much
           of
           their
           work
           did
           lie
           in
           Ceremonials
           !
           Mal.
           2.
           5
           ,
           6.
           
           
             My
             Covenant
             was
             with
             him
             of
             life
             and
             peace
             :
             and
             I
             gave
             them
             to
             him
          
           (
           to
           Levi
           )
           
           
             for
             the
             fear
             wherewith
             he
             feared
             me
             ,
             and
             was
             afraid
             before
             my
             name
             .
             The
             Law
             of
             Truth
             was
             in
             his
             mouth
             ,
             and
             Iniquity
             was
             not
             found
             in
             his
             lips
             ;
             he
             walked
             with
             m●
             in
             Peace
             and
             Equity
             ,
             and
             did
             turn
             many
             away
             from
             Iniquity
             .
             For
             the
             Priests
             lips
             should
             keep
             knowledge
             ,
             and
             they
             should
             seek
             the
             Law
             at
             his
             Mouth
             :
             For
             he
             is
             the
             Messenger
             of
             the
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             .
          
        
         
           Nay
           ,
           you
           must
           not
           only
           enquire
           ,
           and
           submit
           to
           their
           advice
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           their
           just
           reprehensions
           ,
           and
           Church
           censures
           :
           And
           without
           proud
           repining
           ,
           submit
           to
           the
           Discipline
           of
           Christ
           in
           their
           Hands
           ,
           if
           it
           shall
           be
           used
           in
           the
           Congregations
           whereof
           you
           are
           Members
           .
        
         
           4
           Will
           you
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           ,
           make
           Conscience
           of
           daily
           and
           earnest
           Prayer
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           have
           a
           part
           in
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ?
           do
           not
           go
           out
           of
           doors
           till
           you
           have
           breathed
           out
           these
           desires
           to
           God
           ;
           do
           not
           lie
           down
           to
           rest
           till
           you
           have
           breathed
           out
           these
           desires
           ;
           say
           not
           ,
           God
           knoweth
           my
           necessity
           without
           so
           often
           praying
           ;
           for
           though
           he
           do
           ,
           yet
           he
           will
           have
           you
           to
           know
           them
           ,
           and
           feel
           them
           ,
           and
           exercise
           your
           desires
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           graces
           of
           his
           Spirit
           in
           these
           Duties
           :
           It
           is
           he
           that
           hath
           commanded
           to
           pray
           continually
           ,
           tho'
           he
           know
           your
           needs
           without
           ,
           1
           Thess
           .
           5.
           17.
           
           Christ
           himself
           spent
           whole
           nights
           in
           prayer
           ,
           and
           encourageth
           us
           to
           this
           course
           ,
           Luke
           18.
           1.
           
           If
           you
           will
           not
           be
           perswaded
           to
           this
           much
           ,
           how
           can
           you
           say
           that
           you
           make
           not
           light
           of
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ?
        
         
           5.
           
           Will
           you
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           ,
           resolvedly
           cast
           away
           your
           known
           sins
           at
           the
           command
           of
           Christ
           ?
           If
           you
           have
           been
           proud
           or
           contentious
           ,
           or
           malicious
           and
           revengeful
           ,
           be
           so
           no
           more
           .
           If
           you
           have
           been
           Adulterers
           ,
           or
           Swearers
           ,
           or
           Cursers
           ,
           be
           so
           no
           more
           .
           You
           cannot
           hold
           these
           ,
           and
           yet
           set
           by
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           .
        
         
           What
           say
           you
           ?
           Are
           you
           resolved
           to
           let
           them
           go
           ?
           If
           not
           ,
           when
           you
           know
           't
           is
           the
           will
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           he
           hath
           told
           you
           ,
           such
           shall
           not
           enter
           into
           his
           Kingdom
           ,
           do
           not
           you
           make
           light
           of
           him
           ?
        
         
           6.
           
           Will
           you
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           ,
           serve
           God
           in
           the
           dearest
           as
           well
           as
           in
           the
           cheapest
           part
           of
           his
           service
           ;
           not
           only
           with
           your
           tongues
           ,
           but
           with
           your
           purses
           and
           your
           deeds
           ?
           shall
           the
           poor
           find
           that
           you
           set
           more
           by
           Christ
           than
           this
           World
           ?
           shall
           it
           appear
           in
           any
           good
           uses
           that
           God
           calls
           you
           to
           be
           liberal
           in
           ,
           according
           to
           your
           Abilities
           ?
           Pure
           Religion
           and
           undefiled
           before
           
           God
           is
           this
           ;
           
             To
             visit
             the
             Fatherless
             and
             the
             Widows
             in
             their
             afflictions
             ,
          
           Jam.
           1.
           ult
           .
           Will
           you
           resolve
           to
           stick
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           make
           sure
           this
           work
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           tho'
           it
           cost
           you
           all
           that
           you
           have
           in
           the
           World
           ?
           If
           you
           think
           these
           terms
           too
           dear
           ,
           you
           make
           light
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           judged
           accordingly
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           Will
           you
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           make
           much
           of
           all
           things
           that
           tend
           to
           your
           Salvation
           ;
           and
           take
           every
           help
           that
           God
           offereth
           you
           ,
           and
           gladly
           make
           use
           of
           all
           his
           Ordinances
           ?
           Attend
           upon
           his
           strengthening
           Sacraments
           ,
           spend
           the
           Lord
           's
           own
           day
           in
           these
           holy
           Employments
           .
           Instruct
           your
           Children
           and
           Servants
           in
           these
           things
           ,
           Deut.
           6.
           6
           ,
           7.
           get
           into
           good
           company
           that
           set
           their
           faces
           Heaven
           ward
           ,
           and
           will
           teach
           you
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           help
           you
           thither
           :
           and
           take
           heed
           of
           the
           wicked
           Scornors
           ,
           or
           foolish
           ,
           voluptuous
           ,
           fleshly
           men
           ,
           or
           any
           that
           would
           hinder
           you
           in
           this
           work
           .
           Will
           you
           do
           these
           things
           ?
           Or
           will
           you
           shew
           that
           you
           are
           slighters
           of
           Christ
           by
           neglecting
           them
           ?
        
         
           8.
           
           Will
           you
           do
           all
           this
           with
           delight
           ,
           not
           as
           your
           toyl
           ,
           but
           as
           your
           pleasure
           ?
           and
           take
           it
           for
           your
           highest
           Honour
           that
           you
           may
           be
           Christ's
           Disciples
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           admitted
           to
           serve
           and
           worship
           him
           ;
           and
           rejoyce
           with
           holy
           Confidence
           in
           the
           sufficiency
           of
           that
           Sacrifice
           by
           which
           you
           may
           have
           pardon
           of
           all
           your
           failings
           ,
           and
           right
           to
           the
           Inheritance
           of
           the
           Saints
           in
           light
           ?
           If
           you
           will
           do
           these
           things
           sincerely
           ,
           you
           will
           shew
           that
           you
           set
           by
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           ;
           else
           not
           .
        
         
           Dearly
           Beloved
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           I
           have
           now
           done
           that
           work
           which
           I
           came
           upon
           ;
           what
           effects
           it
           hath
           ,
           or
           will
           have
           upon
           your
           Hearts
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           nor
           is
           it
           any
           further
           in
           my
           power
           ,
           to
           accomplish
           that
           which
           my
           soul
           desireth
           for
           you
           .
           Were
           it
           the
           Lord's
           will
           that
           I
           might
           have
           my
           wish
           herein
           ,
           the
           words
           that
           you
           have
           this
           day
           heard
           ,
           should
           so
           stick
           by
           you
           ,
           that
           the
           secure
           should
           be
           awakended
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           none
           of
           you
           should
           perish
           by
           the
           slighting
           of
           your
           Salvation
           .
           I
           cannot
           now
           follow
           you
           to
           your
           several
           Habitations
           ,
           to
           apply
           this
           Word
           to
           your
           particular
           necessities
           :
           but
           oh
           that
           I
           could
           make
           every
           Man's
           Conscience
           a
           Preacher
           to
           himself
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           do
           it
           ,
           which
           is
           ever
           with
           you
           :
           that
           the
           next
           time
           you
           go
           Prayerless
           to
           Bed
           ,
           or
           about
           your
           business
           ,
           Conscience
           might
           cry
           out
           ,
           
             Dost
             thou
             set
             no
             more
             by
             Christ
             and
             thy
             Salvation
             ?
          
           that
           the
           next
           time
           you
           are
           tempted
           to
           think
           hardly
           of
           a
           holy
           and
           diligent
           life
           ,
           (
           I
           will
           not
           say
           to
           deride
           it
           as
           
             more
             ado
             than
             needs
          
           )
           Conscience
           might
           cry
           out
           ,
           
             Dost
             thou
             set
             so
             light
             by
             Christ
             and
             thy
             Salvation
             ?
          
           
           that
           the
           next
           time
           you
           are
           ready
           to
           rush
           upon
           known
           sin
           ,
           and
           to
           please
           your
           fleshly
           desires
           against
           the
           command
           of
           God
           ,
           Conscience
           might
           cry
           out
           ,
           
             Is
             Christ
             and
             Salvation
             no
             more
             worth
             ,
             than
             to
             cast
             them
             away
             ,
             or
             venter
             them
             for
             thy
             Lusts
             ?
          
           that
           when
           you
           are
           following
           the
           World
           with
           your
           most
           eager
           desires
           ,
           forgetting
           the
           World
           to
           come
           ,
           and
           the
           change
           that
           is
           a
           little
           before
           you
           ,
           Conscience
           might
           cry
           out
           to
           you
           ,
           
             Is
             Christ
             and
             Salvation
             no
             more
             worth
             than
             so
             ?
          
           That
           when
           you
           are
           next
           spending
           the
           Lord's
           day
           in
           idleness
           or
           vain
           sports
           ,
           Conscience
           might
           tell
           you
           what
           you
           are
           doing
           .
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           that
           in
           all
           your
           neglects
           of
           duty
           ,
           your
           sticking
           at
           the
           supposed
           labour
           or
           cost
           of
           a
           godly
           Life
           ;
           yea
           ,
           in
           all
           your
           cold
           and
           lazy
           Prayers
           and
           Performances
           ,
           Conscience
           might
           tell
           you
           ,
           how
           unsuitable
           such
           endeavours
           are
           to
           the
           Reward
           ;
           and
           that
           Christ
           and
           Salvation
           should
           not
           be
           so
           slighted
           .
           I
           will
           say
           no
           more
           but
           this
           at
           this
           time
           :
           It
           is
           a
           thousand
           pities
           ,
           that
           when
           God
           hath
           provided
           a
           Saviour
           for
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           when
           Christ
           hath
           suffered
           so
           much
           for
           their
           sins
           ,
           and
           made
           a
           full
           satisfaction
           to
           Justice
           ,
           and
           purchased
           so
           glorious
           a
           Kingdom
           for
           his
           Saints
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           is
           offered
           so
           freely
           to
           Sinners
           ,
           to
           lost
           unworthy
           Sinners
           ,
           even
           for
           nothing
           ,
           that
           yet
           so
           many
           millions
           should
           everlastingly
           perish
           ,
           because
           they
           
             made
             light
             of
             their
             Saviour
             and
             Salvation
             ,
             and
             prefer
             the
             vain
             World
             and
             their
             Lusts
             before
             them
             .
          
           I
           have
           delivered
           my
           Message
           ,
           the
           Lord
           open
           your
           Hearts
           to
           receive
           it
           ,
           I
           have
           perswaded
           you
           with
           the
           Word
           of
           truth
           and
           soberness
           ;
           the
           Lord
           perswade
           you
           more
           effectually
           ,
           or
           else
           all
           this
           is
           lost
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .