The saints everlasting rest

If GOD should ask them for their souls, as he did Cain for his brother Abel, they could return but such an answer as he did. If GOD or man should say to them, what case is thy soul in, man? Is it regenerate, and pardoned or no? Is it in a state of life, or a state of death? He would be ready to say, I know not; am I my soul's keeper. I hope well, I trust GOD with my soul, I shall speed as well as other men do, I thank GOD I never made any doubt of my salvation. Thou hast the more cause to doubt a great deal, because thou never didst doubt; and yet more because thou hast been so careless in thy confidence. What do these expressions discover, but a wilful neglect of thy own salvation? As a ship-master that should let his vessel alone, and say, I will venture it among the rocks, and the waves, and winds; I will trust GOD with it; it will speed as well as other vessels do. Indeed as well as other men's that are as careless and idle, but not so well as other men's that are diligent and ⟨p. 164⟩watchful. What horrible abuse of GOD is this, for men to pretend they trust GOD, to cloak their own wilful negligence! If thou didst truly trust GOD, thou wouldest also be ruled by him, and trust him in that way which he hath appointed thee. He requires thee to give all diligence to make thy calling and election sure, and so to trust him, 2 Pet. i. 10. He hath marked thee out a way by which thou mayst come to be sure; and charged thee to search and try thyself, till thou certainly know. Were he not a foolish traveller, that would go on when he doth not know, whether it be right or wrong; and say, I hope I am right; I will go on and trust GOD? Art not thou guilty of this folly in thy travels to eternity? Not considering that a little serious enquiry whether the way be right, might save thee a great deal of labour which thou bestowest in vain, and must undo again, or else thou wilt miss of salvation, and undo thyself. Did I not know what a desperate, blind, carnal heart is, I should wonder how thou dost to keep off continual terrors from thy heart: and especially in these cases following:

1. I wonder how thou canst either think or speak of the dreadful GOD without exceeding terror and astonishment, as long as thou art uncertain whether he be thy father or thy enemy, and knowest not but all his attributes may be employed against thee. If his saints must rejoice before him with trembling, and serve him with fear: If they that are sure to receive the immovable kingdom, must yet serve GOD with reverence and godly fear, because he is a consuming fire: how terrible should the remembrance of him be to them that know, not but this fire may for-ever consume them? 2. How dost thou think without trembling, upon JESUS CHRIST? When thou knowest not whether