IT is a vanity no less common than dangerous, for such as enjoy the Gospel, and have a relation to the Visible Church, to boast themselves because of Gods Holy Mountain, as if they were therefore secure from all fear of evil: supposing that the Covenant will be their safety, and saying, though we walk in the imagination of our heart, no ill shall come upon us. The Design of this Discourse, is to undeceive such Infatuated Souls, by letting them see what ground they stand upon, and how dreadful the place is, in which they are. It is a singular favour of God to be taken within the pale, and enjoy the benefit ⟨image ?⟩of the means of grace; but, as it may be abused, so their condition will be tremendous who shall at last fall under this guilt. That which first gave occasion to the Preaching of these Sermons, was the awful consideration of a Duty Ministerial, due to such as, being born of Professing Parents, having received the seal of Gods Covenant, and upon their asserting of this Covenant, and putting of themselves under the Discipline of Christ's Appointment, have been acknowledged, and admitted under our watch; and must therefore be accounted for in the great Day. The thought that these should perish at last, must needs be solemn. The hazards which they lie exposed unto of so doing are amazing. To deny them their Title to, and interest in the Gospel privileges, seems to be to bid them go and serve other Gods: The fear lest they should by the abuse of these aggravate their guilt and misery, cannot but fill serious souls with great solicitude: Their great addictedness to vanity, and the small discovery of their being in good earnest for Religion, looks portentously. The awful hand of God which is our against them in several terrible Judgments, is deeply affecting: and who that fears God would not do their utmost to pluck them out of the sire, and save them from burning? These therefore are firstly concerned in this Treatise; and it is ⟨image ?⟩for that reason commended to the• in special, who are called upon to consider what terms they are upon with God, and invited with greatest solemnity to confer the rich opportunity they enjoy of obtaining Salvation, with the danger of their incurring of double Damnation upon their neglect;
IT is a vanity no less common than dangerous, for such as enjoy the Gospel, and have a relation to the Visible Church, to boast themselves because of Gods Holy Mountain, as if they were therefore secure from all fear of evil: supposing that the Covenant will be their safety, and saying, though we walk in the imagination of our heart, no ill shall come upon us. The Design of this Discourse, is to undeceive such Enfatuated Souls, by letting them see what ground they stand upon, and how dreadful the place is, in which they are. It is a singular favour of God to be taken within the pale, and enjoy the benefit ⟨image ?⟩of the means of grace; but, as it may be abused, so their condition will be tremendous who shall at last fall under this guilt. That which first gave occasion to the Preaching of these Sermons, was the awful consideration of a Duty Ministerial, due to such as, being born of Professing Parents, having received the seal of Gods Covenant, and upon their asserting of this Covenant, and putting of themselves under the Discipline of Christ's Appointment, have been acknowledged, and admitted under our watch; and must therefore be accounted for in the great Day. The thought that these should perish at last, must needs be solemn. The hazzads which they lie exposed unto of so doing are amazing. To deny them their Title to, and interest in the Gospel priviledges, seems to be to bid them go and serve other Gods: The fear lest they should by the abuse of these aggravate their guilt and misery, cannot but fill serious souls with great sollicitude: Their great addictedness to vanity, and the small discovery of their being in good earnest for Religion, looks portentously. The awful hand of God which is our against them in several terrible Judgments, is deeply affecting: and who that fears God would not do their utmost to pluck them out of the sire, and save them from burning? These therefore are firstly concerned in this Treatise; and it is ⟨image ?⟩for that reason commended to the• in special, who are called upon to consider what terms they are upon with God, and invited with greatest solemnity to confer the rich opportunity they enjoy of obtaining Salvation, with the danger of their incurring of double Damnation upon their neglect;
