An Alarm to Unconverted Sinners

11. The prevailing love of Pleasure. 2 Tim. 3. 4. This is a black mark. When men give the flesh the liberty that it craves, and pamper, and please it, and do not deny and restrain it: when their great delight is in gratifying their bellies, and pleasing their senses; whatever appearance they may have of Religion, all is unsound. Rom. 16. 18. Tit. 3. 3. A flesh-pleasing life cannot be pleasing to God. They that are Christs, have crucified the flesh, and are careful to cross it, and keep it under, as their enemy. Gal. 5. 24. 1 Cor. 9. 25, 26, 27.

12. Carnal security, or a presumptuous and ungrounded ⟨p. 100⟩confidence, that their condition is already good. Rev. 3. 17. Many cry peace and safety, when sudden destruction is coming upon them. 1 Thess. 5. 3. This was that which kept the foolish Virgins sleeping, when they should have been working; upon their beds, when they should have been at the markets. Mat. 25. 5, 10. Prov. 10. 5. They perceived not their want of Oil, till the bridegroom was come; and while they went to buy, the door was shut. And oh that these foolish virgins had no successors! Where is the place, yea where is the house almost, where these do not dwell? Men are willing to cherish in themselves, upon never so slight grounds, a hope that their condition is good, and so look not out after a change, and by this means perish in their sins. Are you at peace? Show me upon what grounds your peace is maintained. Is it a Scripture peace? Can you show the distinguishing marks of a sound believer? Can you evidence that you have something more than any Hypocrite in the world ever had? If not, fear this peace, more than any trouble; and know, that a carnal peace doth commonly prove the most mortal enemy of the poor soul, and while it smiles and kisses and speaks it fair, doth fatally smite it as it were under the fifth rib.