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

From hence we may discover the true cause of the neglect of the great Salvation offered in the Gospel, the Word preached does not profit, not being mixed with Faith in them that hear it. It is astonishing to consider that Earth should contend with Heaven for our Affections, ⟨p. 439⟩and prevail against it; that Vanity should turn the Scale against the exceeding and eternal weight of Glory; that Men should pursue fleeting Shadows, and neglect the most excellent Realities, as if they could be happy here, and continue for ever, and hereafter there were neither Happiness nor Eternity. But this releases the wonder, that all Men have not Faith. Eternal Things are not of conspicuous moment in the carnal Balance. Some are Infidels in Profession, openly declaring themselves to be without Religion, without God, and have the same credit of the Heaven and Hell discovered in the Gospel, as of the Elysian Fields, and Stygian Lake, the Fables of the Poets. These live as if they should never die, and die as if they should never live in the other World, as if Death caused so deep a sleep, that the Voice of the Son of God could not awaken them at the last day. Their Unbelief is not from Reason, but vicious opposite Affections; for the truth of the Eternal State is so clearly revealed, and strongly established in the Gospel, that the sincere Mind must readily assent to it. But the Wicked cannot delight in the discovery of that ⟨p. 440⟩for which they are unprepared, and therefore try all ways to elude the Force of the most satisfying Arguments. Their Infidelity is obstinate and incurable. An instance whereof we have in the Pharisees, who rejected our Saviour. Tho all the Characters of the Messiah were conspicuous in his Person, tho his Doctrines were confirmed by Miracles, yet they would not yield up themselves to that omnipotent conviction, so strong were their carnal Prejudices against his humble State, and holy Doctrines. That Reproach is more justly due to Infidels under the Gospel, than to Israel in the Prophet: Who is blind as my Servant? The Heathens who are blind from their Birth, and have only some glimmering apprehensions that Eternity succeeds Time, are less culpable than those who have infinitely more reason to believe it, and yet believe it less. The Plea for them will be a terrible Accusation against such Unbelievers. If a blind Person falls, it moves Compassion;

From hence we may discover the true cause of the neglect of the great Salvation offered in the Gospel, the Word preached does not profit, not being mixt with Faith in them that hear it. It is astonishing to consider that Earth should contend with Heaven for our Affections,