Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

Thirdly; The promised Rewards of the Gospel have no affective Force upon the Carnal Mind, and Affections. 'Tis true, the Gospel has opened Heaven, and brought Life and Immortality to light; a State of entire endless Joy in the Presence of God. Is it possible that Men should be indifferent and careless of their final Happiness? 'Tis almost equally difficult to induce Men to believe and choose the Favour and Fruition of God as their only Felicity, as to convince them they do not believe and choose it. But their Actions declare their Choice, and their Choice declares their Esteem: for if his Favour were esteemed an unvaluable Treasure, it would be the chief Object of their Desires; they would not forfeit it for all the World: 'tis therefore evident that the choosing the Pleasures of Sin, and the Profits of the World, is the direct despising the Favour of God. And the ⟨p. 248⟩account of it is clear: for tho Heaven be a State of eternal and inexpressible Blessedness, yet 'tis future and spiritual: it makes but a weak Impression upon their Minds, and is unsuitable to their Affections. Can carnal Men have but an imaginary Representation of the World to come, and their Assent to it is overshadowed and eclipsed by the present World with its Advantages and Pleasures; they cannot relish a Happiness purely spiritual. 'Tis not the Goodness of the Object, but the Inclination of the Heart that makes it desirable. The wise Philosopher observes, That such as the radicated Disposition and Habit of a Man is, such will the End appear of him. Therefore a supernatural spiritual Good cannot appear to a sensual Man so attractive, as to be chosen as his Felicity. Only the pure in Heart can see God, and love him, and enjoy ⟨p. 249⟩him in his amiable Excellencies: the Unrenewed have no certain nor satisfying Notions of the Happiness that his Presence diffuses among the Blessed above. This will be discoursed of more particularly under another Head.

Thirdly; The promised Rewards of the Gospel have no affective Force upon the Carnal Mind, and Affections. 'Tis true, the Gospel has open'd Heaven, and brought Life and Immortality to light; a State of entire endless Joy in the Presence of God. Is it possible that Men should be indifferent and careless of their final Happiness? 'Tis almost equally difficult to induce Men to believe and chuse the Favour and Fruition of God as their only Felicity, as to convince them they do not believe and choose it. But their Actions declare their Choice, and their Choice declares their Esteem: for if his Favour were esteem'd an unvaluable Treasure, it would be the chief Object of their Desires; they would not forfeit it for all the World: 'tis therefore evident that the chusing the Pleasures of Sin, and the Profits of the World, is the direct despising the Favour of God. And the