A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

2. Nor would it less affect the Hearers, and awake their Conscience to improve the Labours of their Ministers, could they maintain upon their Hearts a vigorous Sense, that they are dying apace from their faithful Ministers, and they from them; to Repent, Pray, Believe, work out their Salvation, make their Calling and Election sure, at another rate of Diligence than what is usually found amongst them.

Reader, I will engross thee no longer to my self: Be no more my Reader, but the Author's; there thou wilt find much better Entertainment. And yet because I would not lose thy good Company,

First, It must be a ravishing Sight to behold Divine Grace in all its Dimensions; Grace working in the Heart of God towards lost Man; and Grace working in the Heart of renewed Man towards God. Let us therefore fix our Meditations upon Titus II.11, 12, 13, 14. where we shall meet with, (1.) The whole Duty of Man, viz. The Grace of God teaching us, that denying Ungodliness and worldly Lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present World. A Word suitable, seasonable to our present Day, wherein the Vigour of Religion runs out into Leaves; when empty Notions, too high for this World, and ⟨p. vii⟩too low for the next, have eaten out the Life and Power of Practical Godliness; when we dispute and quarrel our selves out of our Charity each to other, and our Obediential Love to our God; when the Name of Grace is abused to Gracelessness, and Professors can believe any thing, and practise nothing. But Grace would teach us other Lessons: as first, to live soberly, and temperately to our selves; not perverting the Ends of Divine Bounty and Indulgence, to make provision for the Flesh, to be Food for devouring Lusts, Fuel for the Fire of raging Corruptions; but moderately to serve our Bodies, that they may serve our Souls, and both serve our God. Secondly, to live righteously towards all Men; giving to all their Due, in all Relations, Superiors, Inferiors and Equals; owing nothing to any Man but Love; a Debt which we must always pay, and always owe; That we may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, ver. 10. This is that which recommends Religion to the Sons of Men; 'tis this Well-doing, which puts to silence the Ignorance of foolish Men,