Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

what is the reason that the word wants this effect in you, as not to humble you? what is the reason, that you are not more affrighted with the judgements of God then you are? what is the reason that you remain as ignorant and careless as ever you were, but because you do not believe, that is, you want a true saving and applying faith; for if you had, the word would work other effects in you then it doth, as for example: if one should tell a man, that such a benefit or Legacy is befallen him, that would raise ⟨p. 56⟩him to great honour, though before he lived but in a mean condition; if this man did but believe it, surely he would be affected with it and rejoice: So truly if you did but believe that Christs Grace and Salvation were so excellent, and that Holiness, and the strengthening of the Inward man, would bring you to so happy a condition and estate, as to be the heirs of Heaven, you would rejoice in Christ and grace only. Again if you did but believe that the word of God is true, and that God is a just God, I say if the drunkard did but believe that the drunkard shall be damned: or if the Adulterer did believe that no Adulterer should inherit the Kingdom of God and of Christ, or if the profane person and the Gamester did but know that they must give an account for all their misspent time and idle words, and vain communication, they would not sport themselves in their sins, as they do;

what is the reason that the word wants this effect in you, as not to humble you? what is the reason, that you are not more affrighted with the judgements of God then you are? what is the reason that you remain as ignorant and careless as ever you were, but because you do not believe, that is, you want a true saving and applying faith; for if you had, the word would work other effects in you then it doth, as for example: if one should tell a man, that such a benefit or Legacie is befa•n him, that would raise ⟨p. 56⟩him to great honour, though before he lived but in a mean condition; if this man did but believe it, surely he would be affected with it and rejoyce: So truly if you did but believe that Christs Grace and Salvation were so excellent, and that Holiness, and the strengthening of the Inward man, would bring you to so happy a condition and estate, as to be the heirs of Heaven, you would rejoyce in Christ and grace onely. Again if you did but believe that the word of God is true, and that God is a just God, I say if the drunkard did but believe that the drunkard shall be damned: or if the Adulterer did believe that no Adulterer should inherit the Kingdom of God and of Christ, or if the prophane person and the Gamester did but know that they must give an accompt for all their mispent time and idle words, and vain communication, they would not sport themselves in their sins, as they do;