1Secondly, Because there is this natural aptness in all of us, in things that are of any value concerning the body; you will be sure to make sure of them. It may be, if you have Brass and Pewter, or baser Metals, your Kitchen shall serve for that; but things of greater value, as Pearls and Diamonds, they must be in the Closet, and in a Cabinet in that Closet, you will be sure to ensure them. Why how much more should you ensure this great and precious Jewel of Effectual Calling, that so much concerns your immortal souls? When you buy Land, you will be sure your Title is good; to draw up your evidences, so as to be firm in Law. You know Merchants, ⟨p. 23⟩if they venture a great or most part of their estate at sea, where happily there may be hazard in the Voyage, they will run speedily to ensure a great part of their Commodities. Beloved, this should you do; this body of yours is the Ship, and the Merchandise and Freight in this Ship is your souls; and this Ship is going a great Voyage to Glory, Glory is the Port whither this Ship is to come, you shall meet with many dangers in your way, haply with storms and tempests of temptation; yea, haply you may run upon the rocks of presumption, or quick-sands of despair. O now, run to the ensuring Office: what's that? why, run to seek the Testimony of Christs Spirit in your own spirit, by the word, to evidence unto you upon good ground, that the Ship shall be safe, and the Commodities brought secure to the Haven; that Ship, Body, Soul and all shall come safe to Heaven. Beloved, if men will thus ensure their Estates, you have much more reason to ensure your souls. For believe it, if you make not sure your souls, if you suffer shipwreck, ye are •urned Bankrupts presently; Bankrupt to God, you lose him for ever. It is said of an old Usurer, That when any man came to borrow money of him, he would hardly trust one in twenty; and being asked the reason, Why he would do so? O (saith he) it is good to be sure. Why (Beloved) shall a Usurer in all his ways be so secure, and so heedful in all his disbursements, that he could say, It is good to be sure? and may not I much more say to you, It is good to be sure of Heaven? it is good to be sure you are effectually called by Jesus Christ; it is good to be sure that you are Christians in truth, not in name only; that you are Christians in Deed, not in Profession only.
1Secondly, Because there is this natural aptnesse in all of us, in things that are of any value concerning the body; you will be sure to make sure of them. It may be, if you have Brasse and Pewter, or baser Mettals, your Kitchin shall serve for that; but things of greater value, as Pearls and Diamonds, they must be in the Closet, and in a Cabinet in that Closet, you will be sure to ensure them. Why how much more should you ensure this great and precious Jewel of Effectual Calling, that so much concerns your immortal souls? When you buy Land, you will be sure your Title is good; to draw up your evidences, so as to be firm in Law. You know Merchants, ⟨p. 23⟩if they venture a great or most part of their estate at sea, where happily there may be hazard in the Voyage, they will run speedily to ensure a great part of their Commodities. Beloved, this should you do; this body of yours is the Ship, and the Merchandize and Freight in this Ship is your souls; and this Ship is going a great Voyage to Glory, Glory is the Port whither this Ship is to come, you shall meet with many dangers in your way, haply with storms and tempests of temptation; yea, haply you may run upon the rocks of presumption, or quick-sands of despair. O now, run to the ensuring Office: what's that? why, run to seek the Testimony of Christs Spirit in your own spirit, by the word, to evidence unto you upon good ground, that the Ship shall be safe, and the Commodities brought secure to the Haven; that Ship, Body, Soul and all shall come safe to Heaven. Beloved, if men will thus ensure their Estates, you have much more reason to ensure your souls. For believe it, if you make not sure your souls, if you suffer shipwrack, ye are •urned Bankrupts presently; Bankrupt to God, you lose him for ever. It is said of an old Usurer, That when any man came to borrow money of him, he would hardly trust one in twenty; and being ask'd the reason, Why he would do so? O (saith he) it is good to be sure. Why (Beloved) shall a Usurer in all his wayes be so secure, and so heedful in all his disbursments, that he could say, It is good to be sure? and may not I much more say to you, It is good to be sure of Heaven? it is good to be sure you are effectually called by Jesus Christ; it is good to be sure that you are Christians in truth, not in name onely; that you are Christians in Deed, not in Profession onely.
- 1Reas. 2.
