The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

But how many appear faithful while their Faith is not to be showed by difficult Works, and proved by Sufferings. The Seed that fell on the stony Ground, sprang up as hopeful as the Seed in the good Ground at first; but when Tribulation came, it withered away wanting the Root of Sincerity. And that which was sown among Thorns, was choked by the Cares and Pleasures of the World. Some Lust in the Heart ⟨p. 157⟩interweaves with the Affections and causes Apostasy. How many from glorious Beginnings have made a lamentable End? not only Mercenaries in Religion, whose Zeal is a foreign Complexion, not springing from an inward Principle of Life and Health, relinquish even the profession of Godliness, when their gain ceases, but some who have thought themselves sincere, yet in times of danger their resolutions like sick Feathers dropped away. As the foolish Builder that computed not the charges of his designed Work, began to raise a magnificent Structure, but unable to finish it, laid the Foundation in his own Shame. They repented their choice of Heaven, when they saw what it must cost them, and would save the World with the loss of their Souls.

But how many appear faithful while their Faith is not to be shewed by difficult Works, and proved by Sufferings. The Seed that fell on the stony Ground, sprang up as hopeful as the Seed in the good Ground at first; but when Tribulation came, it wither'd away wanting the Root of Sincerity. And that which was sown among Thorns, was choakt by the Cares and Pleasures of the World. Some Lust in the Heart ⟨p. 157⟩interweaves with the Affections and causes Apostacy. How many from glorious Beginnings have made a lamentable End? not only Mercenaries in Religion, whose Zeal is a foraign Complexion, not springing from an inward Principle of Life and Health, relinquish even the profession of Godliness, when their gain ceases, but some who have thought themselves sincere, yet in times of danger their resolutions like sick Feathers dropt away. As the foolish Builder that computed not the charges of his designed Work, began to raise a magnificent Structure, but unable to finish it, laid the Foundation in his own Shame. They repented their choice of Heaven, when they saw what it must cost them, and would save the World with the loss of their Souls.