The Saints' Everlasting Rest

1. One Hinderance is, Mens own Gracelessness and Guiltiness. They have not been ravished themselves with the heavenly delights; how then should they draw others so earnestly to seek them? They have not felt the wickedness of their own natures, nor their lost condition, nor their need of Christ, nor felt the transforming renewing work of the Spirit: How then can they discover these to others? Ah that this were not the case of many a ⟨p. 483⟩learned Preacher in England! and the causes why they preach so frozenly and generally! Men also are guilty themselves of the sins they should Reprove; and this stops their mouth, and maketh them ashamed to reprove.

1. One Hinderance is, Mens own Gracelesness and Guiltiness. They have not been ravished themselves with the heavenly delights; how then should they draw others so earnestly to seek them? They have not felt the wickedness of their own natures, nor their lost condition, nor their need of Christ, nor felt the transforming renewing work of the Spirit: How then can they discover these to others? Ah that this were not the case of many a ⟨p. 483⟩learned Preacher in England! and the causes why they preach so frozenly and generally! Men also are guilty themselves of the sins they should Reprove; and this stops their mouth, and maketh them ashamed to reprove.

2. Another Hinderance is, A Secret Infidelity prevailing in mens hearts: Whereof even the best have so great a measure, that causeth this duty to be done by the halves. Alas, Sirs, we do not sure believe mens Misery. We do not believe sure that the threatenings of God are true. Did we verily believe, that all the unregenerate and unholy shall be eternally tormented, as God hath said, Oh how could we hold our tongues when we are among the unregenerate? How could we choose but burst out into tears when we look them in the face, as the Prophet did when he looked upon Hazael? Especially when they are our kindred or friends that are near and dear to us? Thus doth secret unbelief of the truth of Scripture, consume the vigour of each grace and duty. Oh Christians, if you did verily believe, that your poor, carnal, ungodly neighbours, or wife, or husband, or child, should certainly lie for ever in the flames of Hell, except they be throughly recovered and changed, and that quickly before death do snatch them hence, Would not this make you cast off all discouragements, and lie at them day and night till they were persuaded? and give them no rest in their carnal state? How could you hold your tongue, or let them alone another day, if this were soundly believed? If you were sure that any of your dear friends that are dead, were now in Hell, and persuading to repentance would get him out again, would you not persuade him day and night, if you were in hearing? And why should you not do as much then to prevent it, while he is in your hearing, but that you do not believe Gods Word that speaks the danger? Why did Noah prepare an Ark so long before, and persuade the world to save themselves, but because he believed God, that the flood should come? and therefore saith the Holy Ghost, By faith Noah prepared the Ark.