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

From hence we may discover the ⟨p. 184⟩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, 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 ⟨p. 185⟩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 for which they are unprepared, and therefore try all ways to elude the force of the most satisfying Arguments. They do not fear Hell, but are afraid they should be fearful of it. This is such a piece of Folly as that of the West Indians, who at the first Invasion by the Spaniards, were so terrified with the glittering of their Swords that they presently fled, and very advisedly resolved to hide themselves in the day, and assault their Enemies in the night. They were fearful to see their Danger, and rash to encounter it, and fighting in the dark were killed in the dark. The Threatenings of Eternal Death are the brandishings of God's glittering Sword before he strikes, and sensual Infidels are afraid lest the belief of those terrible Truths should enter into their Breasts; therefore are utterly careless of what may convince them of their danger, and will not foresee what they shall certainly suffer. This is obstinate, and ⟨p. 186⟩