The saints everlasting rest

I shall apply this reproof more particularly to four sorts of men, First the worldly-minded, who is so taken up in seeking the things below, that he hath neither heart nor time to seek this rest.

May I not well say to these men, as Paul to the Galatians in another case, foolish sinners! who hath bewitched you? It is not for nothing that divines use to call the world a witch; for •s in witchcraft, men's lives, senses, goods or cattle are destroyed by a strange, secret, ••seen power of the devil, of which a man can give no natural reason, so here, men will destroy their own souls in a way qui•e against their own knowledge. Would not a man wonder, that is in his right senses, to see what riding and running, what scrambling and catching there is for a thing of nought, while eternal rest lies by neglected! What contriving and caring, what fighting and bloodshed, to get a step higher in the world than their brethren, while they neglect the kingly dignity of the saints! What insatiable pursuit of fleshly pleasures, whilst they look upon the praises of GOD, which is the joy of angels, as a burden! What unwearied diligence is there in raising their posterity, enlarging their possessions, gathering a little silver or gold? Yea, perhaps for a poor living from hand to mouth, while in the mean time their judgment is drawing near; and yet how it shall go with them ⟨p. 127⟩then, or how they shall live eternally, did never put them to one hour's sober consideration.

What rising up early, fitting up late, labouring and caring year after year, to maintain themselves and children in credit till they die; but what shall follow after, that they never think on; and yet these men cry to us, may not a man be saved without so much ado? How early do they rouse up their servants to their labour? [Up, come away to work, we have this to do, and that to do;] but how seldom do they call them [Up, you have your soul to look to, you have everlasting life to provide for; up to prayer, to the reading of the scripture.]