And then you see here also, that *Religion is a difficult and serious business; men cannot swim to Heaven in a stream of Rose water, nor row up this River while they are asleep: we cannot wrestle with our God, with our hands in our pockets, nor get the blessing without sweat and tears. To repeat so many Pater nosters, or Ave-maries, with the heart on other things, and running sometimes from their knees to other business, in the midst of their Devotion, as many do in the Church of Rome*; or, to say our prayers, and be slumbering, or dressing us the while, as in the guise of many outside Christians, is far from our Religion. The manner of duties is material to the acceptation of them. Ah stupid worldlings! how can ye read those Scriptures, Mat. 7.14. Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it, Mat. 11.12. The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force, and such like, and yet hope for salvation in that secure and formal course you hold. Do you imagine, there are two ways to ⟨p. 237⟩Heaven, one for the diligent mortified and watchful Christian, and another for the idle sluggard, or carnal worldling! Have the holiest Saints much ado to walk with God, and get to him, that make it their business? they are saved, and that's all; and can you live and die well enough, that are neither mortified, nor watchful, nor diligent, that have no delight, but in your vanities? no skill, but in the world? no diligence, but for your base ends? what back-way have you found to Heaven? what blind way have you descried to happiness? Awake, awake! look at the Scripture, and then look at your selves, and be convinced, that the only way to eternal happiness, is to make Christ your choice, Religion your business, the Scriptures your Rule, Heaven your design, the Saints your company, and the Ordinances your delight; and in them, remember that you go to attend upon the Lord, and this must be done without Distractions.
And then you see here also, that *Religion is a difficult and serious business; men cannot swim to Heaven in a stream of Rose water, nor row up this River while they are asleep: we cannot wrestle with our God, with our hands in our pockets, nor get the blessing without sweat and tears. To repeat so many Pater nosters, or Ave-maries, with the heart on other things, and running sometimes from their knees to other business, in the midst of their Devotion, as many do in the Church of Rome*; or, to say our prayers, and be slumbring, or dressing us the while, as in the guise of many outside Christians, is far from our Religion. The manner of duties is material to the acceptation of them. Ah stupid worldlings! how can ye read those Scriptures, Mat. 7.14. Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it, Mat. 11.12. The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force, and such like, and yet hope for salvation in that secure and formal course you hold. Do you imagine, there are two waies to ⟨p. 237⟩Heaven, one for the diligent mortified and watchful Christian, and another for the idle sluggard, or carnal worldling! Have the holiest Saints much ado to walk with God, and get to him, that make it their business? they are saved, and that's all; and can you live and die well enough, that are neither mortified, nor watchful, nor diligent, that have no delight, but in your vanities? no skill, but in the world? no diligence, but for your base ends? what back-way have you found to Heaven? what blind way have you descried to happiness? Awake, awake! look at the Scripture, and then look at your selves, and be convinced, that the only way to eternal happiness, is to make Christ your choice, Religion your business, the Scriptures your Rule, Heaven your design, the Saints your company, and the Ordinances your delight; and in them, remember that you go to attend upon the Lord, and this must be done without Distractions.
- *Quatuor difficillimi labores laborantis in partu, docentis in schola, imperantis in bello. Precantis in Ecclesia. Drexel.
- *Behold the Jesuits Divinity. It is enough to be bodily present at the Mass, though absent as to the mind, provided he behave himself with a certain external Reverence. Conic. q. 83. a. 6. n. 197.Behold the Jesuits Divin•ty. It is enough to be bodily present at the Mass, though absent as to the mind, provided he behave himself with a certain external Reverence. Connick. q. 83. a. 6. n. 197.
