Use 2. Hence likewise, see what a difficult thing it is to be a true Christian. May a natural Man attain to all this that I have spoken of before? We may then take up that same Question, which the Disciples asked Christ, (when he had told them, that it was as case for a Camel to go through a needles Eye, as for a Rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven) Lord, who then shall be saved? What, may those whose profession hath been eminent, who have been Sainted in every Man's Calendar, may they at last miscarry and perish? Who then shall be saved? If such be not Christians, Christianity seems to be rather some fancied notion, than any thing real and attainable. To this we may make the same answer that Christ gave to the Disciples, With Men indeed these things are impossible, but with God all things are possible: It is impossible for Men by their own strength and natural ability to become Christians, but it is possible for God to make them Christians; It is possible as Miracles themselves are possible, only possible to the Almighty Power of God: There is not any Soul can be persuaded to be a Christian, but he hath a Miracle wrought upon him, and he himself must do that, ⟨p. 58⟩which is little less than a Miracle, he must act beyond the power of nature, and do more than a mere Man can do; therefore well may you suspect your Christianity, who find it so easy a matter to be a Christian. Even natural Men find it a difficult task to attain to that height and pitch, where they shine in moral virtues, though far short of Heaven, and it is easy for you to mount far higher than they, far beyond them; indeed it is an easy matter for any to make a slight formal profession, to run in a round of Hypocritical Duties, and live a moral civil Life, this is easy, there is nothing miraculous in this: But is it casie to pluck out the right Eye, and to cut off the right Hand? It is not easy to crucify a darling Lust, to cut off the right hand, when it lifts up it self to plead for mercy, and to be spared a little longer, to pluck out the right eye, when it drops tears to beg compassion, and a little favour to be granted to it? Is it casie to combat with Principalities and Powers, to basel Devils, and despise the scorns and affronts of the whole World? Is it easy to live like an Angel? Nay to live like Christ, to live like God himself?
Ʋse 2. Hence likewise, see what a difficult thing it is to be a true Christian. May a natural Man attain to all this that I have spoken of before? We may then take up that same Question, which the Disciples asked Christ, (when he had told them, that it was as case for a Camel to go through a needles Eye, as for a Rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven) Lord, who then shall be saved? What, may those whose profession hath been eminent, who have been Sainted in every Man's Kalender, may they at last miscarry and perish? Who then shall be saved? If such be not Christians, Christianity seems to be rather some fansied notion, than any thing real and attainable. To this we may make the same answer that Christ gave to the Disciples, With Men indeed these things are impossible, but with God all things are possible: It is impossible for Men by their own strength and natural ability to become Christians, but it is possible for God to make them Christians; It is possible as Miracles themselves are possible, only possible to the Almighty Power of God: There is not any Soul can be perswaded to be a Christian, but he hath a Miracle wrought upon him, and he himself must do that, ⟨p. 58⟩which is little less than a Miracle, he must act beyond the power of nature, and do more than a mere Man can do; therefore well may you suspect your Christianity, who find it so easie a matter to be a Christian. Even natural Men find it a difficult task to attain to that height and pitch, where they shine in moral vertues, though far short of Heaven, and it is easie for you to mount far higher than they, far beyond them; indeed it is an easie matter for any to make a slight formal profession, to run in a round of Hypocritical Duties, and live a moral civil Life, this is easie, there is nothing miraculous in this: But is it casie to pluck out the right Eye, and to cut off the right Hand? It is not easie to cruci•ie a darling Lust, to cut off the right hand, when it lifts up it self to plead for mercy, and to be spared a little longer, to pluck out the right eye, when it drops tears to beg compassion, and a little favor to be granted to it? Is it casie to combate with Principalities and Powers, to bassle Devils, and despise the scorns and affronts of the whole World? Is it easie to live like an Angel? Nay to live like Christ, to live like God himself?
