The fourth (and last) volume of discourses, or sermons, on several scriptures

Well then to conclude this Head, you have at large seen what can be pleaded on the behalf of Obedience; What is it now that you can Object against these Things? Are they not true? Are they not cogent? Your Consciences I know tell you that they are so; why then do they not prevail with ⟨p. 180⟩you? Why sit you still holding your Arms in your Bosoms? Sirs, I have not spoken to you Fables or Mysteries that cannot be understood, but the Truth in all plainness; and if you will not lay it to Heart, believe it there is a Day a coming, when you shall too late know that once you had a proffer of Salvation, and you might have been happy for working for it: But, alas! this is the desperate Folly of Men, they do not prize Salvation while it is attainable, they never account their Souls precious till they are lost, yea, and lost beyond all hope of recovery. I cannot tell how these many and weighty Arguments that have been propounded may work with you, God and your own Consciences know; but this I can tell, the Devil can never bring such strong Reasons why you should destroy and damn your selves, as have now been laid before you why you should work out your own Salvation: And if they do not prevail with you, truly there is nothing that you can plead for your selves: You cannot plead that you could not do these Things, that Objection hath been answered; you cannot plead that there would no Profit arise to you ⟨p. 181⟩if you did them, for the Reward hath been abundantly discovered to you; if you plead any thing it must be because you will not do them, and that is the thing that will condemn you: Therefore if these Things do not prevail with you, if you still continue obstinate, and instead of working the Works of God, you work the Works of your Father the Devil; God acquits himself, your Blood lies not upon him, you have been fairly warned and told of it, but your own Destruction shall justly lie upon your own Heads.

Well then to conclude this Head, you have at large seen what can be pleaded on the behalf of Obedience; What is it now that you can Object against these Things? Are they not true? Are they not cogent? Your Consciences I know tell you that they are so; why then do they not prevail with ⟨p. 180⟩