Pneumatologia, a treatise of the soul of man

By Gate understand whatsoever is introductive to Blessedness and Salvation. By the Epithet, strait, understand the difficulties and severities attending Religion, all that suffering and self-denial which those that are bound for Heaven must count and cast upon. And by striving understand the diligent and constant use of all those means and duties, how hard, irksome, and costly soever they be. The word [Greek or Hebrew] hath a deep sense and Emphasis, and imports striving even to an agony: and this duty is enforced two ways upon him, and every man else, first by the indisputable Sovereignty of Christ from whom the command comes; and also from the deep interest and concern every Soul hath in the commanded duty. It is not only a simple compliance with the will of God, but what also involves our own Salvation and eternal Happiness in it: our great duty and our great interest are twisted together in this command; your eternal happiness depends upon the success of it. A man is not crowned, except he strive lawfully, i. e. successfully and prevalently. O therefore so run, so strive, that ye may obtain. If you have any value for your Souls, if you would not be miserable to Eternity, strive, strive. Believe it, you will find that the assurance of Salvation drops not down from Heaven in a night-dream, as the Turks fable their Alcoran to have done in that lailato hanzili, night of demission, as they call it; no, no, the righteous themselves are scarcely saved: many seek, but few find; strive therefore as men and women that are heartily concerned for their own Salvation. Sit not with folded arms, like so many heaps of stupidity and sloth; whilst the door of Hope is yet open, and such a sweet voice from Heaven calls to you, saying, Strive, Souls, strive; if ever you expect to be partakers of the Blessedness that is here to be enjoyed, strive to the uttermost of your abilities and ⟨p. 448⟩opportunities. Such an Heaven is worth striving to obtain; such an Hell is worth striving to escape; such an invaluable Soul is worth striving to save.

By Gate understand whatsoever is introductive to Blessedness and Salvation. By the Epithet, strait, understand the difficulties and severities attending Religion, all that suffering and self-denial which those that are bound for Heaven must count and cast upon. And by striving understand the diligent and constant use of all those means and duties, how hard, irksom, and costly soever they be. The word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 hath a deep sense and Emphasis, and imports striving even to an agony: and this duty is enforced two wayes upon him, and every man else, first by the indisputable Soveraignty of Christ from whom the command comes; and also from the deep interest and concern every Soul hath in the commanded duty. It is not only a simple compliance with the will of God, but what also involves our own Salvation and eternal Happiness in it: our great duty and our great interest are twisted together in this command; your eternal happiness depends upon the success of it. A man is not crowned, except he strive lawfully, i. e. successfully and prevalently. O therefore so run, so strive, that ye may obtain. If you have any value for your Souls, if you would not be miserable to Eternity, strive, strive. Believe it, you will find that the assurance of Salvation drops not down from Heaven in a night-dream, as the Turks fable their Alcoran to have done in that lailato hanzili, night of demission, as they call it; no, no, the righteous themselves are scarcely saved: many seek, but few find; strive therefore as men and women that are heartily concerned for their own Salvation. Sit not with folded arms, like so many heaps of stupidity and sloth; whilst the door of Hope is yet open, and such a sweet voice from Heaven calls to you, saying, Strive, Souls, strive; if ever you expect to be partakers of the Blessedness that is here to be enjoyed, strive to the uttermost of your abilities and