The saints everlasting rest

2. The second sort here to be reproved, are the profane, ungodly, presumptuous multitude, who will not be persuaded to be at so much pains for salvation, as to perform the common outward duties of religion. Yea, though they are convinced that these duties are commanded, yet will they not be brought to the common practice of them. If they have the gospel preached in the town where they dwell, it may be they will give the hearing to it one part of the day, and stay at home the other; or if the master come to the congregation, yet part of his family must stay at home. If they want the plain and powerful preaching of the gospel, how sew are there in a whole town who will travel ⟨p. 129⟩a mile or two to hear abroad, though they will go many miles to the market for their bodies.

And though they know the scripture is the law of GOD, by which they must be acquitted or condemned in judgment; and that it is the property of every blessed man to delight i• this law, and to meditate in it day and night, yet […] they not be at the pains to read a chapter once a […] nor to acquaint their families with this doctrin• of salvation. But if they carry a bible to church, and let it lie by them all the week, this is the most use that they make of it. And though they are commanded to pray without ceasing; and to pray always and not to faint; to continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; yet will they not pray constantly with their families, or in secret. You may hear in their houses two oaths for one prayer. Or if they do any thing this way, it is usually but a running over a few formal words which they have got on their tongues' end, as if they came on purpose to make a jest of prayer, and to mock GOD and their own souls.

And though they know the scripture is the law of GOD, by which they must be acquitted or condemned in judgment; and that it is the property of every blessed man to delight i• this law, and to meditate in it day and night, yet they not be at the pains to read a chapter once a nor to acquaint their families with this doctrin of salvation. But if they carry a bible to church, and let it lie by them all the week, this is the most use that they make of it. And though they are commanded to pray without ceasing; and to pray always and not to faint; to continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; yet will they not pray constantly with their families, or in secret. You may hear in their houses two oaths for one prayer. Or if they do any thing this way, it is usually but a running over a few formal words which they have got on their tongues' end, as if they came on purpose to make a jest of prayer, and to mock GOD and their own souls.