Gospel-revelation in three treatises, viz, 1 The nature of God. 2 The excellencies of…

Use. The other Use that remains, is this, If the loss of our souls be so dreadful a thing, and there be so many ways for the losing of them, then it concerns us nearly to examine whether we be not in such a condition for the present, that if our souls should depart out of our bodies, they would certainly be lost; this is a needful scrutiny, and a most necessary inquiry: Many men have these thoughts, ⟨p. 287⟩what if I should now die? I have not made my Will, and my estate would go such and such ways, as I would not have it, it would be squandered away, it would be spent in Suits of Law; I, but rather let thy thoughts run out thus, what if I should now die, would not my soul be lost and perish for ever? Now, though I have said we cannot set forth such a man or woman, and conclude that their souls shall certainly be lost, because we know not what God may do hereafter, but we may say this, that such a man or woman's soul in the condition it is, If God do no more for it than he hath yet done, that then it will certainly be lost: Indeed a man or woman may come to know, and certainly to conclude that they are elected, but none can come to such a conclusion, to know certainly that they are Reprobates: the vilest wretch that is upon the face of the earth, he hath not ground sufficient to conclude against himself that he is a Reprobate, and that his soul shall for ever be lost; and therefore surely we cannot conclude against another, if not against our selves. — Well, but who are they, that if God should work no otherwise upon them than he hath done, that then their souls would be lost?

Use. The other Use that remains, is this, If the loss of our souls bee so dreadful a thing, and there bee so many waies for the losing of them, then it concerns us neerly to examine whether wee bee not in such a condition for the present, that if our souls should depart out of our bodies, they would certainly bee lost; this is a needful scrutiny, and a most necessary inquiry: Many men have these thoughts, ⟨p. 287⟩what if I should now die? I have not made my Will, and my estate would go such and such waies, as I would not have it, it would bee squandered away, it would bee spent in Sutes of Law; I, but rather let thy thoughts run out thus, what if I should now die, would not my soul bee lost and perish for ever? Now, though I have said wee cannot set forth such a man or woman, and conclude that their souls shall certainly bee lost, because wee know not what God may do hereafter, but wee may say this, that such a man or womans soul in the condition it is, If God do no more for it than hee hath yet done, that then it will certainly bee lost: Indeed a man or woman may come to know, and certainly to conclude that they are elected, but none can come to such a conclusion, to know certainly that they are Reprobates: the vilest wretch that is upon the face of the earth, hee hath not ground sufficient to conclude against himself that hee is a Reprobate, and that his soul shall for ever bee lost; and therefore surely wee cannot conclude against another, if not against our selves. — Well, but who are they, that if God should work no otherwise upon them than hee hath done, that then their souls would bee lost?