The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity…

These are the terms upon which this match (so honourable and profitable) is offered to thee, give up an hearty Yea to these two equitable Articles, ⟨p. 80⟩and thou art made for ever. Refuse it, and thou art miserable above all apprehensions, and beyond Millions of ages even to all eternity. What sayest thou to it? Shall I put the same Question to thee, which they put to Rebekah. Wilt thou go with this Man? In thy denial there is no less then eternal Death; Methinks the thoughts of that fire and Brimstone should force thee to fly to this Zoar; In thy unfeigned hearty acceptance, there is no less then Heaven and eternal life; What wouldst thou not do to continue natural life? What then shouldst thou not do or suffer for eternal life? It may be thou desirest time to consider of it; as Rebekahs Mother, thou art willing to the match, but wouldst not have it yet concluded. Austin bewails it in himself, that when God was drawing him to Christ, his carnal pleasures represented themselves before his eyes; Saying, What wilt thou leave us for ever, and shall we be no more with thee for ever? And then he threw himself down, and weeping cried out. O Lord how long, how long shall I say to morrow, why not to day Lord, why not to day? Why should there not be an end of my sinful life this hour? But believe it, delays are dangerous, especially in works of such weight.

These are the terms upon which this match (so honourable and profitable) is offered to thee, give up an hearty Yea to these two equitable Articles, ⟨p. 80⟩and thou art made for ever. Refuse it, and thou art miserable above all apprehensions, and beyond Millions of ages even to all eternity. What sayst thou to it? Shall I put the same Question to thee, which they put to Rebekah. Wilt thou go with this Man? In thy denyal there is no less then eternal Death; Methinks the thoughts of that fire and Brimstone should force thee to flye to this Zoar; In thy unfeigned hearty acceptance, there is no less then Heaven and eternal life; What wouldst thou not do to continue natural life? What then shouldst thou not do or suffer for eternal life? It may be thou desirest time to consider of it; as Rebekahs Mother, thou art willing to the match, but wouldst not have it yet concluded. Austin bewails it in himself, that when God was drawing him to Christ, his carnal pleasures represented themselves before his eyes; Saying, What wilt thou leave us for ever, and shall we be no more with thee for ever? And then he threw himself down, and weeping cryed out. O Lord how long, how long shall I say to morrow, why not to day Lord, why not to day? Why should there not be an end of my sinful life this hour? But beleive it, delays are dangerous, especially in works of such weight.