Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

In short, the precious Promises in the Gospel, of the Pardon of Sin, and eternal Salvation, are so proposed to us, that the Hope of returning Sinners may be cherished and confirmed, and the Presumption of secure Sinners may be dashed and controlled. While we are in this middle State, the fear of Caution, joined with the lively hope of Mercy, is the most congruous Temper, and becoming the Breast of a Christian. The Presumer is like a Ship without Ballast, floating so lightly in his own Folly, that every Gust of Temptation oversets him. The fearful Spirit is like a Ship over-laden; and if not lightened, will certainly sink and perish. Fearless Security exposes to all the Temptations that gratify the Carnal Appetites: desponding Fear causes a neglect of the Remedy. If there be no fear of Punishment, ⟨p. 316⟩or no hope of Pardon, the Consequences are equally fatal.

In short, the precious Promises in the Gospel, of the Pardon of Sin, and eternal Salvation, are so proposed to us, that the Hope of returning Sinners may be cherish'd and confirm'd, and the Presumption of secure Sinners may be dash'd and controul'd. While we are in this middle State, the fear of Caution, join'd with the lively hope of Mercy, is the most congruous Temper, and becoming the Breast of a Christian. The Presumer is like a Ship without Ballast, floating so lightly in his own Folly, that every Gust of Temptation oversets him. The fearful Spirit is like a Ship over-laden; and if not lightned, will certainly sink and perish. Fearless Security exposes to all the Temptations that gratify the Carnal Appetites: desponding Fear causes a neglect of the Remedy. If there be no fear of Punishment, ⟨p. 316⟩or no hope of Pardon, the Consequences are equally fatal.

3. 'Tis necessary in order to the bringing Men to Christ, to remove their carnal Prejudices. The first and most feared Difficulties are, That serious Religion will be a damp to all their Joys, a harsh and unreasonable Restraint of their Liberties, a Bar against all the Advantages of the World: the sickly Fancy is frightened at the thoughts of this. If the Way to Heaven were short and fair, Men would like it; but 'tis long and deep, and they are discouraged, as the Israelites with the tedious and troublesome Wilderness, before their arrival at the Land of Promise. Accordingly Carnal Men cast a slanderous Shade upon Religion, as a melancholy, severe and joyless Discipline. Now we may rectify these Mistakes