The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Such Persons are like unto men who live in a Country wherein they are not only pressed with Poverty, and all sorts of Misery; but are also obnoxious unto grievous Punishments, and Death it self, if they are taken in it. In this Condition they are told and assured of another Country, wherein so soon as they are arrived, they shall be freed from all Fear of danger of Punishment, and if they pass further into it, they shall meet with Riches, Plenty and a fair Inheritance provided for them. Hereon they betake themselves unto their Voyage to obtain an entrance into it, and Possession of it. But no sooner do they come within the Borders, and so are free from Danger, or fear of Punishment and Death, but they sit down and will go no further, to enjoy the good things of the Country whereunto they are come. And it falls out with many of them, that through their Sloth, Negligence, and Ignorance, they take up short of the true Bounds and Limits of the Country of Liberty and Peace which they aimed at, whereby Danger and Death surprise them unawares. This ruin could not have befallen them, had they industriously endeavoured to enter into the heart of the Country, and have possessed the good things thereof. At best, being only in the Borders, they lead a poor Life all their days, exposed to wants and danger.

Such Persons are like unto men who live in a Country whereni they are not only pressed with Poverty, and all sorts of Misery; but are also obnoxious unto grievous Punishments, and Death it self, if they are taken in it. In this Condition they are told and assured of another Country, wherein so soon as they are arrived, they shall be freed from all Fear of danger of Punishment, and if they pass further into it, they shall meet with Riches, Plenty and a fair Inheritance provided for them. Hereon they betake themselves unto their Voyage to obtain an entrance into it, and Possession of it. But no sooner do they come within the Borders, and so are free from Danger, or fear of Punishment and Death, but they sit down and will go no further, to enjoy the good things of the Country whereunto they are come. And it falls out with many of them, that through their Sloath, Negligence, and Ignorance, they take up short of the true Bounds and Limits of the Country of Liberty and Peace which they aimed at, whereby Danger and Death surprize them unawares. This ruine could not have befallen them, had they industriously endeavoured to enter into the heart of the Country, and have possessed the good things thereof. At best, being only in the Borders, they lead a poor Life all their dayes, exposed to wants and danger.