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

9. Who then shall be the Judge? Shall we appeal to the very Things themselves, and to the daily experience of the world? You see that worldlings labour for the wind. You see that all their care and pains will not avoid the stroke of death, that turneth the proudest flesh into a clod, and maketh dirt of the greatest Prince. You see that wealth and honour do but mock men, and leave them in the grave, to darkness and corruption. And when you are sure that this will be the upshot of all your fleshly pleasure and worldly gains, are you not satisfied past all doubt, that the smallest hopes or possibility of another life should be sought with far more care then this?

9. Who then shall be the Judge? Shall we appeal to the very Things themselves, and to the daily experience of the world? You see that worldlings labour for the wind. You see that all their care and pains will not avoid the stroak of death, that turneth the proudest flesh into a clod, and maketh dirt of the greatest Prince. You see that wealth and honour do but mock men, and leave them in the grave, to darkness and corruption. And when you are sure that this will be the upshot of all your fleshly pleasure and worldly gains, are you not satisfied past all doubt, that the smallest hopes or possibility of another life should be sought with far more care then this?

10. If none of these witnesses be regarded by thee, I know not whom to appeal to, but thy self! And wilt thou needs thy self decide the case? Hast thou knowledge and experience, honesty, and impartiality enough to fit thee to be judge: If thou hadst, thou wouldst make no doubt of it, but have been resolved for Heaven and Holiness ere this. Thy unresolvedness proves thee blind and partial, and very much forsaken by the spirit of light: And should such a one be judge? But go to, I will much ⟨p. 126⟩refer thy case to thy self (reserving still the final judgement to the Lord) upon these just and reasonable conditions.

10. If none of these witnesses be regarded by thee, I know not whom to appeal to, but thy self! And wilt thou needs thy self decide the case? Hast thou knowledge and experience, honesty, and impartiality enough to fit thee to be judge: If thou hadst, thou wouldst make no doubt of it, but have been resolved for Heaven and Holiness ere this. Thy unresolvedness proves thee blind and partial, and very much forsaken by the spirit of light: And should such a one be judge? But go to, I will much