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

1. Serious and deliberate. For the Affair is great in reality above all possible Conception or Comparison. All other things, how considerable soever in themselves, yet respectively and in parallel with this, are of no account. Our Saviour told Martha, One thing is necessary: Mary hath chosen the better part, that shall not be taken from her. What Instance can be of equal moment with that of entertaining the Son of God? Yet a serious attention to the Words of Eternal Life dropping from his Lips, was more necessary than making provision for him. The greatest and most weighty Affairs in the World are but a ⟨p. 447⟩vain Employment, but Irregularity and Impertinence, in compare with Eternal Salvation. And the greatest solemnity of Thoughts is requisite, to undeceive the Mind, and engage the Will for Heaven. 'Tis very observable that Errors in Judgment and Choice spring from the same Causes, the not sincere and due weighing of Things. In the decisions of Questions, Truth is discovered by comparing, with an equal staid Attention, the Reasons of the one and the other part: But when some vicious Affection contradicts the Truth, it fills the Mind with Prejudices, that it cannot impartially search into Things, and is deceived with specious Fallacies, with the Image of Truth. For according to the present application of the Mind 'tis determined, and Passion strongly applies it to consider that which is for the Carnal Interest, and consequently Inclination, not Reason, is the Principle of the Persuasion. And this is more evident in Mens foolish Choice: As the Eye cannot see but what is visible, nor the Understanding conceive what is not Intelligible, the Will cannot love and choose what is not ⟨p. 448⟩amiable, at least in show. If the Devil did appear without a Disguise, he would have no Power to persuade, but in all his Temptations there is the mixture of a Lie to make it pleasant. He presents a false Perspective, to make what is but superficial appear solid and substantial. And the carnal Heart turns the Thoughts to what is grateful, without seriously considering what is infinitely better, and accordingly chooses by the Eye of Sense, the happiness of this World. Therefore till Eternal Things are opened in the view of Conscience, and the Mind calmly considers by the Light of Faith their Reality and Greatness, no right valuation, nor wise choice can be made.