The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being…

3. Learn hence the danger of despising these teachings. And all those do so, who do not seek to learn by them, nor hearken to the counsel and directions therein given them: who are weary of the Gospel; and though God affords them line upon line, do yet hold on their course in the way of death, and neither care to acquaint themselves with the Rules of life, nor to regulate themselves by them. And are there not many such who live under the clearest and most convincing Doctrinal teaching? herein is their danger great, because by so slighting Gods offered kindness, they aggravate their Guilt, and will come under the Condemnation of those, Luk. 12. 47. What fearful woes doth Christ denounce against such? Matt. 11. 20. &c. Let these be advised to fear and tremble.

USE. II. For Trial: by this we may understand whether we rightly improve these Teachings. We enjoy great plenty of Gospel teaching, and God expects an answerable improvement, which if we neglect, we shall have a bad account to make another day. Now we then only profitably improve them, when we use them to the design that God appointed them for, viz. When they help us into, and guide us in our way. If then sinners be not Converted under and by them, and if they do not help the Children of God forward in their Obedience, they certainly lose the proper end of them. It will be but a vain brag, that we have a respect ⟨p. 454⟩for the Ordinances, delight in waiting on them, are constant in coming to the house of God, and have made a good proficiency in literal knowledge; if this be all, we shall be inexcusable. Let us then ask our own Souls solemnly; say, I go frequently to the house of God, I attend on the means in season and out of season, I gain knowledge, and can discourse much on the points of Religion; but how far hath all this advanced me in the way I ought to go in? What sins are mortified by the word? What acquaintance do I get with God? how much nearer doth every Ordinance set me to eternal life? Such reflections, well resolved, will be instructive to us, and help us to make a right judgment of our selves.