The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…

For only those who are justified are glorified. Indeed it is not imaginable where the Seed of God remains, the vital Principle of Grace, as it does in all that are born of God, but that notorious Sins that cannot be concealed from the view of Conscience, will cause stings and sorrows proportionable to their malignity, and consequently a hatred and forsaking of them. Now Perseverance principally respects the End of our Course. There may be Interruptions in the way for a time, but if with renewed Zeal and Diligence we prosecute our blessed End, we shall not fall short of it.

Secondly, I come now to consider the second thing propounded, The Reason why Perseverance is requisite in all that will obtain Eternal Life, and 'tis this, That their Sincerity may be discovered by constancy in Obedience under all Trials. Blessed is the Man that endures Temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the Crown of Life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. The Law required unsinning Obedience as ⟨p. 410⟩the Condition of Life, the Gospel accepts of Sincerity, but if that be wanting, there is no Promise that gives right to the Reward. Now Sincerity implies such an entire Love of God, as makes a Person submit to all Duties commanded in his Law, and all Trials appointed by his Providence. A high Example we have of this in Abraham, when he was commanded to offer up his only Son Isaac, and by his own Hands, for a Burnt-Offering. This was to kill a double Sacrifice at one Blow, for the Life of Abraham was bound up in Isaac: he lived in him more dearly than in himself; all his Joy, all his Posterity by Sarah had died in Isaac. What resentments, what resistance of Nature did he suffer? yet presently he addressed himself to perform his Duty. Whoever saw a more glorious Victory over all the tender and powerful Passions of humane Nature? O unexampled Obedience! being an Original without any Precedent to imitate, and without a Copy to succeed it. After this clear infallible Testimony of his Sincerity, the Angel declared from Heaven, Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou ⟨p. 411⟩