The saints everlasting rest

CHAP. VI. An Exhortation to Seriousness in seeking Rest.

I HOPE, reader, by this time thou art somewhat sensible, what a desperate thing it is to triste about eternal rest; and how deeply thou hast been guilty of this thyself. And I hope also, that thou darest not now suffer this conviction to die; but art resolved to be another man for the time to come: What said thou? Is this thy resolution? If thou wert sick of some desperate disease, and the physician should tell thee, if you will observe but one thing, I doubt not to cure you, wouldst thou not observe it? Why, if thou wilt observe but this one thing for thy soul, I make no doubt of thy salvation; if thou wilt now but snake off thy sloth and put to all thy strength, and be a downright christian, I know not what can hinder thy happiness. As far as thou art gone from GOD, if thou now return and seek him with thy whole heart, no doubt but thou shalt find him. As unkindly ⟨p. 139⟩as thou hast dealt with JESUS CHRIST, if thou didst but feel thyself sick and d••d, and seek him heartily, and apply thyself in good earnest to the obedience of his laws, thy salvation were as sure as if thou hadst it already: but as full as the satisfaction of Christ is, as free as the promise is, as large as the mercy of GOD is; yet if thou do but look on these, and talk of them, when thou shouldst greedily entertain them, thou wilt be never the better for them: and if thou shouldst loiter when thou shouldst labour, thou wilt lose the crown. O fall to work then speedily, and seriously, and bless GOD that thou hast yet time to do it: and though that which is past cannot be recalled, yet redeem the time now by doubling thy diligence.

I HOPE, reader, by this time thou art somewhat sensible, what a desperate thing it is to triste about eternal rest; and how deeply thou hast been guilty of this thyself. And I hope also, that thou darest not now suffer this conviction to die; but art resolved to be another man for the time to come: What sayed thou? Is this thy resolution? If thou wert sick of some desperate disease, and the physician should tell thee, if you will observe but one thing, I doubt not to cure you, wouldst thou not observe it? Why, if thou wilt observe but this one thing for thy soul, I make no doubt of thy salvation; if thou wilt now but snake off thy sloth and put to all thy strength, and be a downright christian, I know not what can hinder thy happiness. As far as thou art gone from GOD, if thou now return and seek him with thy whole heart, no doubt but thou shalt find him. As unkindly