Christian letters full of spiritual instructions tending to the promoting of the power of…

Be warned, my dearly Beloved, that you fall not upon those dangerous Rocks upon which so many Professors have been split.

There are three things which I beseech you carefully to beware of.

First, Lest while Christ is in your mouths, the world run away with your hearts: There is many a seeming Professor that will be found a mere Idolater? Many a Soul goes down to Hell in this sin, in the midst of his Profession, and never discerns it till it be too late. Remember, I beseech You, that the Oxen, the Farm, Wife, Merchandise, all of them lawful Comforts, did effectually keep men from a sound and saving closing with Christ, as the vilest lusts of the worst of men. Whatever you find your hearts very much pleased in, ⟨p. 95⟩and in love with, among these earthly Comforts, set a mark upon that thing, and remember that there lies your greatest dan•r. What you love most, you must fear most; and think often wi•h your selves, This, if any thing is like to be my […] multitudes of Professors that perish for ever, by […] •and of this mortal Enemy, I mean the overval•ing of Earthly things. The hearers compared to the thorn• Ground, did not openly fall away and cast off their Profession, as the stony ground did; but while others withered away, the blade of Profession was as green and fresh as ever; and yet their inordinate affection to the things of this life, did secretly undo all at last. Little do most Professors think of this, while they please themselves in their estates, while they delight themselves so freely in their Children, in their Wives, in their habitations and possessions; that these be the things that re like to undo them for ever. How little is that Scripture thought of, which speaks so dreadfully to worldly Professors; Love not the World, for if any man love the World, the Love of the Father is not in him. Are there not many among us, who though they do keep up Prayer, and other holy Duties; yet the strength and vigour of their hearts goeth out after earthly things? And these are their chief care and their chief joy. Such must know, that they are none of Christs, and they were better to understand it now, and seek to be renewed by Repentance, then hereafter when there shall be no place for Repentance.