Some I suppose, that merely upon the hearing of the greatness of these things, cannot but have some misgiving thoughts; If these things be so great, surely they concern not me, they belong not to me; Can I think in my conscience that I am that man or woman that God should have such great thoughts upon, and should look upon me, so as to make it the greatest design that he hath to glorify the riches of his mercy upon me? What work of Gods grace have I ever had upon me? I would not have those that are affected with the greatness of Gods grace to mankind, think that these things do not belong to them because they are great. But those that never had their hearts affected with the excellency and glory of Gods grace toward man, when they hear of the greatness and glory of those things that are reserved for the Saints, they may justly have their consciences misgive them, and think surely they do not belong to them. Canst thou that art a base drunkard, that prizest nothing but a little drink, and some outward things, think that God should make it the greatest work that he hath in the world, for to communicate the riches of his grace and goodness unto thee? The greatness of these things may be enough to cast thee off; As it is with a Beggar, a Beggar comes and asks an alms, if a man put his hand in ⟨p. 660⟩his pocket, and take out a penny or two pence, he hath hope to have that; but if he take out a piece of gold, he hath no hope of that, because it is so much: So when men have but natural thoughts of heaven and happiness hereafter, you think you might have that, but when you come to have heaven opened to you, and you see it is such a great and glorious thing, your hearts may justly think it is not for us. Cast a bone to a Dog, he falls to it presently, but set a joint of meat before him well dressed, in a large dish, and he goes away, he dares not venture upon that: So for these things in the world, the ordinary favours of God, these bones that God casts to Dogs, you may fall upon them, and think these are for you; but when you come to the dainties, and infinite treasures of God, can such a swinish heart, such a base, filthy, unclean spirit as yours is, that never minded nothing but the satisfying of your base lusts, think that these are for you? you cannot but have misgiving thoughts, and think either these things are but notions, or else I have no part in them.
Some I suppose, that meerly upon the hearing of the greatness of these things, cannot but have some misgiving thoughts; If these things be so great, surely they concern not me, they belong not to me; Can I think in my conscience that I am that man or woman that God should have such great thoughts upon, and should look upon me, so as to make it the greatest design that he hath to glorifie the riches of his mercy upon me? What work of Gods grace have I ever had upon me? I would not have those that are affected with the greatness of Gods grace to mankinde, think that these things do not belong to them because they are great. But those that never had their hearts affected with the excellency and glory of Gods grace toward man, when they hear of the greatness and glory of those things that are reserved for the Saints, they may justly have their consciences misgive them, and think surely they do not belong to them. Canst thou that art a base drunkard, that prizest nothing but a little drink, and some outward things, think that God should make it the greatest work that he hath in the world, for to communicate the riches of his grace and goodness unto thee? The greatness of these things may be enough to cast thee off; As it is with a Beggar, a Beggar comes and asks an alms, if a man put his hand in ⟨p. 660⟩his pocket, and take out a peny or two pence, he hath hope to have that; but if he take out a piece of gold, he hath no hope of that, because it is so much: So when men have but natural thoughts of heaven and happiness hereafter, you think you might have that, but when you come to have heaven opened to you, and you see it is such a great and glorious thing, your hearts may justly think it is not for us. Cast a bone to a Dog, he falls to it presently, but set a joynt of meat before him well drest, in a large dish, and he goes away, he dares not venture upon that: So for these things in the world, the ordinary favors of God, these bones that God casts to Dogs, you may fall upon them, and think these are for you; but when you come to the dainties, and infinite treasures of God, can such a swinish heart, such a base, filthy, unclean spirit as yours is, that never minded nothing but the satisfying of your base lusts, think that these are for you? you cannot but have misgiving thoughts, and think either these things are but notions, or else I have no part in them.
