Beloved hearers, I may suppose that we are all come hither to day, for the great end of our lives; and to labour in that work ⟨p. 2⟩for which we are created, redeemed, preserved, instructed, and furnished with the helps and means of Grace: even to prepare for death that is coming to arrest us, and for the presence of our Judge, who stands as at the door; and to make our Calling and Election sure, that the glory of the Saints may be our lot, when the world of the ungodly are cast into endless misery and despair. And I hope I may suppose that in order to this end, you would gladly be acquainted with the causes of damnation, that you may avoid them; with your greatest dangers, that you may escape them; and with the hinderances of your salvation, that you may overcome them. When we read in the Gospel, that salvation is to be offered unto all, and no man is excepted or shut out, but such as shut out and except themselves; and yet read ⟨p. 3⟩that there are but few that find the strait gate, and the narrow way, and that the flock is little that shall have the Kingdom, and that many shall seek to enter that shall not be able, (Matth. 7. 13, 14. Luk. 12. 32. and 13. 24.) we must needs conclude that some powerful enemy standeth in the way, that can cause the ruin of so many millions of souls: But when we go further and find what rich preparations God hath made, and what means he hath used, and what abundant helps he offereth and affordeth to bring men to this blessed state of life, it forceth us to admire that any enemy can be so strong, as to frustrate so many, and such excellent means. But when we yet go further, and find that salvation is freely offered, and that the purchase is made by a Saviour to our hands, and that hearty consent is the condition of our Title, and nothing ⟨p. 4⟩but our wilful refusal can undo us; when we find that salvation is brought down to mens wills, and also what motives and convincing helps, and earnest persuasions are appointed and used to make men willing; we are then surprised with yet greater admiration, that any deceiver can be so subtle, or the heart of man can be so foolish, as to be drawn (in despite of all these means) to cast away the immortal crown, that else no enemy could have taken from him. And now we discern the quality of our enemy, of our snares, of our danger, and of our duty: It is not mere Violence but Deceit that can undo us:
BEloved hearers, I may suppose that we are all come hither to day, for the great end of our lives; and to labour in that work ⟨p. 2⟩for which we are created, redeemed, preserved, instructed, and furnished with the helps and means of Grace: even to prepare for death that is coming to arrest us, and for the presence of our Judge, who stands as at the door; and to make our Calling and Election sure, that the glory of the Saints may be our lot, when the world of the ungodly are cast into endless misery and despair. And I hope I may suppose that in order to this end, you would gladly be acquainted with the causes of damnation, that you may avoid them; with your greatest dangers, that you may escape them; and with the hinderances of your salvation, that you may overcome them. When we read in the Gospel, that salvation is to be offered unto all, and no man is excepted or shut out, but such as shut out and except themselves; and yet read ⟨p. 3⟩that there are but few that find the strait gate, and the narrow way, and that the flock is little that shall have the Kingdom, and that many shall seek to enter that shall not be able, (Matth. 7. 13, 14. Luk. 12. 32. and 13. 24.) we must needs conclude that some powerful enemy standeth in the way, that can cause the ruine of so many millions of souls: But when we go further and find what rich preparations God hath made, and what means he hath used, and what abundant helps he offereth and affordeth to bring men to this blessed state of life, it forceth us to admire that any enemy can be so strong, as to frustrate so many, and such excellent means. But when we yet go further, and find that salvation is freely offered, and that the purchase is made by a Saviour to our hands, and that hearty consent is the condition of our Title, and nothing ⟨p. 4⟩but our wilful refusal can undo us; when we find that salvation is brought down to mens wills, and also what motives and convincing helps, and earnest perswasions are appointed and used to make men willing; we are then surprized with yet greater admiration, that any deceiver can be so subtile, or the heart of man can be so foolish, as to be drawn (in despight of all these means) to cast away the immortal crown, that else no enemy could have taken from him. And now we discern the quality of our enemy, of our snares, of our danger, and of our duty: It is not meer Violence but Deceit that can undo us:
