A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…

Verily Sirs, I think, as to any good that cometh by it, there is very little difference between having Reason, and having none, if we had nothing to do with it, but cunningly to lay up our food, and make provision for this corruptible flesh, and had not another life to mind. It were no such great difference, in my opinion, as it commonly goes for, whether we were men or dogs, ⟨p. 33⟩if it were only for the matters of this transitory life. For though I may not deny but yet man were the nobler creature, yet alas the difference would be but gradual and small, as an Ape or Dog excels a Swine: And as to his Happiness, it is doubtful whether Man would not have the worst of it. For as brutes have not mans knowledge, so they have not his toil and trouble of mind, his care, and fear, and griefs, and disappointments: Nor have they so terrible fore-thoughts of death through all their lives, as man must have, much less such fears of what would follow after death.

Verily Sirs, I think, as to any good that cometh by it, there is very little difference between having Reason, and having none, if we had nothing to do with it, but cunningly to lay up our food, and make provision for this corruptible flesh, and had not another life to mind. It were no such great difference, in my opinion, as it commonly goes for, whether we were men or dogs, ⟨p. 33⟩if it were only for the matters of this transitory life. For though I may not deny but yet man were the nobler creature, yet alas the difference would be but graduall and small, as an Ape or Dog excells a Swine: And as to his Happiness, it is doubtful whether Man would not have the worst of it. For as brutes have not mans knowledge, so they have not his toil and trouble of mind, his care, and fear, and griefs, and disappointments: Nor have they so terrible fore-thoughts of death through all their lives, as man must have, much less such fears of what would follow after death.

And therefore I may boldly say, that you have thrown away your wits, and laid by your Reason as to the principal use of it, if you have forgot, or have not chiefly sought the One thing necessary. Where were your wits when a lump of flesh was preferred before immortal souls? and when the trouble and dung of a transitory world, was more esteemed then God and endless Glory? Where were your wits when you might have had Christ, and Life in him, and his pardoning, healing, sanctifying grace, and you had no mind of him, and were not sensible of your necessity, and past him by with as much neglect, as if you could have been saved without him? When you might long ago have made sure of Heaven; and now you are even ready to drop into Hell, and stay but for a Fever, or Consumption, or some other disease to cut the thread, and turn the key, unless a speedy sound conversion shall yet prevent it. What have you done in all your life-time, that should make a wise man judge you Reasonable? Is that your Reason to be penny wise and pound foolish; to be wise to do evil, and to have no knowledge to do good?