8. That which men highly esteem, they will so diligently seek after, that you may see it in the success, if it be a matter within their reach. You may see how many make light of Christ, by the little knowledge they have of him, and the little communion with him, and communication from him; and the little, yea, none of his special graces in them. Alas! how many Ministers can speak it to the sorrow of their Hearts, that many of their People know almost nothing of Christ, though they hear of him daily! nor know they what they must do to be saved; if we ask them an account of these things, they answer, as if they understood not what we say to them, and tell us they are no Scholars, and therefore think they are excusable for their ignorance. Oh if these men had not made light of Christ and their Salvation, but had bestowed but half so much pains to know and enjoy him, as they have done to understand the matters of their Trades and Callings in the World, they would not have been so ignorant as they are: They make light of these things, and therefore will not be at the pains to study or learn them. When Men that can learn the hardest Trade in a few years, have not learned a Catechism, nor how to understand their Creed, under twenty or thirty years preaching, nor cannot abide to be questioned about such things; doth not this show that they have slighted them in their Hearts? How will these despisers of Christ and Salvation be able one day to look him in the face, and to give an account of these neglects?
8. That which men highly esteem, they will so diligently seek after, that you may see it in the success, if it be a matter within their reach. You may see how many make light of Christ, by the little knowledge they have of him, and the little communion with him, and communication from him; and the little, yea, none of his special graces in them. Alas! how many Ministers can speak it to the sorrow of their Hearts, that many of their People know almost nothing of Christ, though they hear of him dayly! nor know they what they must do to be saved; if we ask them an account of these things, they answer, as if they understood not what we say to them, and tell us they are no Scholars, and therefore think they are excusable for their ignorance. Oh if these men had not made light of Christ and their Salvation, but had bestowed but half so much pains to know and enjoy him, as they have done to understand the matters of their Trades and Callings in the World, they would not have been so ignorant as they are: They make light of these things, and therefore will not be at the pains to study or learn them. When Men that can learn the hardest Trade in a few years, have not learned a Catechism, nor how to understand their Creed, under twenty or thirty years preaching, nor cannot abide to be questioned about such things; doth not this shew that they have slighted them in their Hearts? How will these despisers of Christ and Salvation be able one day to look him in the face, and to give an account of these neglects?
