THE fourth Evil in their Nature,1 is, That they are sins about the most serious business*. The most grand affairs under the Sun, are transacted in an Ordinance. I have read of a Noble Man of this Nation, that when his Cause of Life and Death was trying, though he had a pardon in his pocket at the same time, he was irrevocably sentenced, being that while asleep; he was sleeping, while the Judge was sentencing, was not this a gross neglect, and did not he (trow ye) bite his nails, and beat his head, that could ⟨p. 152⟩not watch, when his head was in question? Sinner, thy head, and life, and soul, and all are in question: thy eternal happiness is handling, or thy dreadful sentence passing, and is this a time to trifle and straggle away from God? If you should come to the elbow of a Counsellor pleading at the Bar, much more of one impeached for Treason, and tell them, such a companion hath sent for them to the Tavern, or that such a Cock is like to win the Game, the Cattle broken into such a field, such a game at Chess likely to be lost; with what disdain and indignation would they turn back such a message, and cry, Is this time to trouble me with these things? when the very hearing of such an errand may lose my cause, or hazard my life*. Are Cocks, or Corn, or Companions, parallel to immortal souls? what are these to the things between God and me? If the dead must not be buried, when Christ calls; nor a man stay to take leave of his friends, how greatly doth he trespass that runs riot after toys and sins, when the great God calls and calls again? ⟨p. 153⟩We have a clear instance, Luk. 10.41, 42. the Preacher was at Martha's house, and serious in his Sermon: Martha (good woman) was highly cumbered, and distracted with much serving: Mary sate at her Saviour's feet, and heard his word. Saith Martha, I think it much that my Sister must have all the Dainties, and I all the Distractions: Master, rectify this inequality. Ah, saith our Lord, Martha, Martha, thou art cumbered (or as the word signifies distracted) about many things. But one thing is needful. Mary is embarked in a most necessary affair, and worldly cumber is improper for an heavenly business. She that's working for her soul, hath work enough at that time. Salvation, Eternal salvation! Eternal salvation of soul and body; these are not things to dally about.
THE fourth Evil in their Nature,1 is, That they are sins about the most serious business*. The most grand affairs under the Sun, are transacted in an Ordinance. I have read of a Noble Man of this Nation, that when his Cause of Life and Death was trying, though he had a pardon in his pocket at the same time, he was irrevocably sentenced, being that while asleep; he was sleeping, while the Judge was sentencing, was not this a gross neglect, and did not he (trow ye) bite his nails, and beat his head, that could ⟨p. 152⟩not watch, when his head was in question? Sinner, thy head, and life, and soul, and all are in question: thy eternal happiness is handling, or thy dreadful sentence passing, and is this a time to trifle and straggle away from God? If you should come to the elbow of a Counsellor pleading at the Bar, much more of one impeach't for Treason, and tell them, such a companion hath sent for them to the Tavern, or that such a Cock is like to win the Game, the Cattel broken into such a field, such a game at Chess likely to be lost; with what disdain and indignation would they turn back such a message, and cry, Is this time to trouble me with these things? when the very hearing of such an errand may lose my cause, or hazard my life*. Are Cocks, or Corn, or Companions, parallel to immortal souls? what are these to the things between God and me? If the dead must not be buried, when Christ calls; nor a man stay to take leave of his friends, how greatly doth he trespass that runs riot after toys and sins, when the great God calls and calls again? ⟨p. 153⟩We have a clear instance, Luk. 10.41, 42. the Preacher was at Martha's house, and serious in his Sermon: Martha (good woman) was highly cumbred, and distracted with much serving: Mary sate at her Saviour's feet, and heard his word. Saith Martha, I think it much that my Sister must have all the Dainties, and I all the Distractions: Master, rectifie this inequality. Ah, saith our Lord, Martha, Martha, thou art cumbred (or as the word signifies distracted) about many things. But one thing is needful. Mary is imbarked in a most necessary affair, and worldly cumber is improper for an heavenly business. She that's working for her soul, hath work enough at that time. Salvation, Eternal salvation! Eternal salvation of soul and body; these are not things to dally about.
- 1§. 4. Distractions are sins about the most serious business.
- *Claudatur contra adversarium pectus, & soli Deo pateat — nec aliud habeamus in cord, & aliud in voce, quasi sit aliud quod magis debeas, cogitare, quam quod cum Deo loqueris. Cyprian. de Orat. Domin.Claudatur contra adversarium pectus, & soli Deo pateat — nec aliud habeamus in corde, & aliud in voce, quasi sit aliud quod magis debeas, cogitare, quam quod cum Deo loqueris. Cyprian. de Orat. Domin.
- *Consider what a prayer is worth; every thing is worth, according to what we can have for it, why a man may have grace and glory for a fervent prayer. If you should sell that for a trifle, when another had thousands for the same, wouldest thou not befool thy self? Mr. White of vain thoughts. p. 80.Consider what a prayer is worth; every thing is worth, according to what we can have for it, why a man may have grace and glory for a •ervent prayer. If you should sell that for a trifle, when another had thousands for the same, wouldest thou not befool thy self? Mr. White of vain thoughts. p. 80.
