Moreover, you know that you are uncertain of the continuance of the Gospel. You know not whether you shall have ⟨p. 12⟩such lively serious Preachers, as you have now: Nor you know not whether you shall have such godly neighbours, and company to encourage you, and help you in the work. God will remove them one after another to himself, and then you will have fewer Prayers for you, and fewer warnings, and good examples, and perhaps be left wholly to the company of deceived ungodly fools, that will do nothing but hinder and discourage you from Conversion. And you are not sure that Religion will continue in that reputation, as now it is in. The Times may turn, before you turn: and godliness may become a scorn again, and it may be a matter of suffering, and may cost you your lives to live as the servants of Christ must do. And therefore if you stop at it now as a difficult thing, when you have all the helps and encouragements that you can expect, and the way to Heaven is made so fair; and when Magistrates, and Ministers, and Neighbours, are ready to encourage and help you; what will you do in times of persecutions and discouragement? If you cannot turn when you have all these helps and means, what will ⟨p. 13⟩you do when they are taken from you? If you cannot row with the stream, how will you row against it? If you dare not set to Sea, when you have wind, and tide, and sunshine; what will you do in storms and tempests, when all is against you! O what would some of your forefathers have given to have seen the days that you see! How glad would many a thousand in other Countries of the world be, to have but the helps to Heaven that you have? Never look to have the way fairer and easier while you live. If you think Heaven is offered you at too deer a rate now, you may even let it go, and try whether Hell be better: for the next offer is like to be upon harder terms rather then easier. If you cannot now find in your hearts to turn and live a holy life; What would you have done in the days of the Apostles, or ancient Christians? and, What would you have done in Spain or Italy, where it would cost you your lives? He that will not be Converted now, but thinks the terms of grace too hard, is so impious a despiser of Christ and Heaven, that it is no wonder if God resolve that he shall never ⟨p. 41⟩taste of the salvation that was offered him, Luk 14. 24.
Moreover, you know that you are uncertain of the continuance of the Gospel. You know not whether you shall have ⟨p. 12⟩such lively serious Preachers, as you have now: Nor you know not whether you shall have such godly neighbours, and company to encourage you, and help you in the work. God will remove them one after another to himself, and then you will have fewer Prayers for you, and fewer warnings, and good examples, and perhaps be left wholly to the company of deceived ungodly fools, that will do nothing but hinder and discourage you from Conversion. And you are not sure that Religion will continue in that reputation, as now it is in. The Times may turn, before you turn: and godliness may become a scorn again, and it may be a matter of suffering, and may cost you your lives to live as the servants of Christ must do. And therefore if you stop at it now as a difficult thing, when you have all the helps and encouragements that you can expect, and the way to Heaven is made so fair; and when Magistrates, and Ministers, and Neighbours, are ready to encourage and help you; what will you do in times of persecutions and discouragement? If you cannot turn when you have all these helps and means, what will ⟨p. 13⟩you do when they are taken from you? If you cannot row with the stream, how will you row against it? If you dare not set to Sea, when you have wind, and tide, and sunshine; what will you do in stormes and tempests, when all is against you! O what would some of your forefathers have given to have seen the daies that you see! How glad would many a thousand in other Countries of the world be, to have but the helps to Heaven that you have? Never look to have the way fairer and easier while you live. If you think Heaven is offered you at too deer a rate now, you may even let it go, and try whether Hell be better: for the next offer is like to be upon harder termes rather then easier. If you cannot now find in your hearts to turn and live a holy life; What would you have done in the daies of the Apostles, or antient Christians? and, What would you have done in Spain or Italy, where it would cost you your lives? He that will not be Converted now, but thinks the termes of grace too hard, is so impious a despiser of Christ and Heaven, that it is no wonder if God resolve that he shall never ⟨p. 41⟩taste of the salvation that was offered him, Luk 14. 24.
