The pattern of perfection exhibited in Gods image on AdamThe paterne of perfection exhibited in Gods image on Adam

2. When you are come to the market, you must attend upon it. You must bestow your selves upon the means that God hath bestowed upon you: you must come for some good end. A wise man, as he comes to the market betimes, so when he comes there, he attends it: he will not stand hanging about stalls, or slip into an ale-house, (yea rather, an hell-house;) but he will attend his business, and see how the market goes, and observe the penny-worths; he will see the choice things in the market, and will not let a good penny-worth pass his ⟨p. 276⟩hands: so should a good Christian be attentive, and listen, & not suffer any choice thing to slip from him. You must attend the market; for your go upon life and death, upon salvation or damnation; therefore do not lose your market. Rev. 3.2. Be watchful: let not a good penny-worth go out of your hand, but hold it fast. A wise merchant sees a commodity, and lays hold on it, and will not let it go; he will cheapen it, and will not let it go out of his hands for fear he should lose it: so, when the Word meets with you, hold it fast; oh, that's my sin (say,) and that belongs to me. Pro. 4.13 The text saith, Lay hold on instruction, let her not go, keep her, for she is thy life. Deal with it as men do ⟨p. 277⟩many times with a commodity; if they set on it, they will have it whatever it cost them. Oh that men were thus set upon Christ! that they would resolve, he should be theirs, whatsoever he cost them! oh that our hearts were thus set upon the means! When the Lord hath showed thee the necessity of them, and God hath revealed himself, oh, I say, hold fast there, let not that opportunity go: it will be a marvellous folly if thou dost, and it will deprive thine heart of much benefit; nay, thou mayest lose thy soul by such dallying; when you have time and opportunity, and yet lose it, sure it is for want of attendance. Likewise, the children of God must pray privately, besides this, for they ⟨p. 278⟩have private sins as well as other sins. Attend not, look not after temptations, but attend upon the means. Many men, when they come to market, will fall about their homely occasions; that which they should do at home, they do in the market: just so it is here; when the Minister is preaching, then they are reading, or praying, or conferring; oh this is a sinful thing;