Nor can I think of any rational pretence that can more plausibly be insisted on, then these that have been thus briefly discussed. And it must needs be difficult to bring any appearance of reason for the patronage of so ill a cause, as the careless giving up of a mans soul to perish eternally, that is visibly capable of eternal blessedness. And certainly were we once apprehensive of the case, the attempt of disputing a man into such a resolution, would appear much more ridiculous, then, if one should gravely urge arguments to all the neighbourhood, to persuade them to burn their houses, to put out their eyes, to kill their children, or cut their own Throats. And sure, let all imaginable pretences be debated to the uttermost, and it will appear that nothing with-holds men from putting forth all their might in the endeavour of getting a Spirit Suitable to this blessedness, but an obstinately perverse, and sluggish heart, despoiled, and naked of all show of reason, and excuse. And though that be a hard task to reason against mere will, yet that being the way to make men willing: and the latter part of the work proposed, in pursuance of this direction: I shall recommend only some such considerations as the Text it self will suggest, for the stirring up, and persuading of slothful reluctant hearts (choosing those as the most proper limits, and not being willing to be infinite, herein, as amidst so great a variety of considerations to that purpose, one might.)
Nor can I think of any rational pretence that can more plausibly be insisted on, then these that have been thus briefly discust. And it must needs be difficult to bring any appearance of reason for the patronage of so ill a cause, as the careless giving up of a mans soul to perish eternally, that is visibly capable of eternal blessedness. And certainly were we once apprehensive of the case, the attempt of disputing a man into such a resolution, would appear much more ridiculous, then, if one should gravely urge arguments to all the neighbourhood, to perswade them to burn their houses, to put out their eyes, to kill their children, or cut their own Throats. And sure, let all imaginable pretences be debated to the uttermost, and it will appear that nothing with-holds men from putting forth all their might in the indeavour of getting a Spirit Suitable to this blessedness, but an obstinately perverse, and sluggish heart, dispoil'd, and naked of all shew of reason, and excuse. And though that be a hard task to reason against meer will, yet that being the way to make men willing: and the latter part of the work proposed, in pursuance of this direction: I shall recommend only some such considerations as the Text it self will suggest, for the stirring up, and perswading of slothful reluctant hearts (chusing those as the most proper limits, and not being willing to be infinite, herein, as amidst so great a variety of considerations to that purpose, one might.)
