Two treatises tending to awaken secure sinners viz., 1. The terror of the day…

2 Cor. 5. 10, 11. For we must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his Body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the Terrors of the Lord, we persuade Men.

2 Cor. 5. 10, 11. For we must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his Body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the Terrors of the Lord, we perswade Men.

IT is not unlikely that some of those Wits that are taken more with things new than with things necessary, will marvel that I choose so common a Subject, and tell me that they all know this already. But I do it purposely upon these following Considerations. 1. Because I well know it is these common Truths that are the great and necessary things which Mens everlasting Happiness or Misery doth most depend upon. You may be ignorant of many Controversies and in•eriour Points, without the Danger of your •ouls, but so you cannot of these Fundamentals. •. Because it's apparent by the Lives of Men, that few know these common Truths savingly, that think they know them. 3. Because there are several Degrees of knowing the same Truths, and the best are imperfect in Degree; the principal Growth in Knowledge that we should look after, is not to know more Matters than: […] ⟨p. 2⟩knew before, but to know that better and with a clearer Light and firmer Apprehension, which we da•kly and slightly knew before. You may more safely be without any Knowledge at all of many lower Truths, than without some farther Degree of the Knowledge of those which you already know. 4. Besides, it is known by sad Experience, that many perish who know the Truth, for want of the Consideration of it, and making use of what they know, and so their Knowledge doth but condemn them. We have as much need therefore to teach and help you to get these Truths which you know, into your Hearts and Lives, as to tell you more. 5. And indeed, it is the Impression of these great and Master-Truths, wherein the Vitals and Essentials of God's Image upon the Soul of Man doth consist: and it is these Truths that are the very Instruments of the great Works that are to be done upon the Heart by the Spirit and our selves. In the right use of these it is that the principal Part of the Skill and holy Wisdom of a Christian doth consist; and in the diligent and constant Use of these lieth the Life and Trade of Christianity. There is nothing amiss in Mens Hearts or Lives, but is for want of sound Knowing and Believing, or well using these Fundamentals. 6. And moreover, methinks in this Choice of my Subject, I may expect this Advantage with the Hearers, that I may spare that Labour that else would be necessary for the Proof of my Doctrine: