5. And as you must do it plainly, so also seriously, zealously, and effectually. The exceeding stupidity and deadness of men's hearts is such, that no other dealing will ordinarily work. You must call loud to awake a man in a swoon or lethargy. If you speak to the common sort of men, of the evil of their sin, of their need of Christ, of the danger of their souls, and of the necessity of regeneration, they will wearily and unwillingly give you the hearing, and put off all with a sigh, or a few good wishes, and say, GOD forgive us, we are all sinners, and there is an end. If ever you will do them good therefore, you must sharpen your exhortation, and set it home, and follow it, till you have roused them up, and made them begin to look about them. Let them know that thou speakest not to them of indifferent things, nor about children's games, or matters of a few days or years continuance, nor yet about matters of uncertainty, which may never come to pass: but it is about the saving and damning of their souls and bodies; and whether they shall be blessed with Christ, or tormented with devils, and that for-ever and ever; it is, how to stand before GOD in judgment, and what answer to give, and how they are like to speed; and this judgment and eternal state they shall very shortly see, they are almost at it; yet a few more nights and days, and they shall be at that last day: a few more breaths, they have to breathe, and they shall breathe their last; and then as certainly shall they see that mighty change, as the heaven is over their heads, and the earth under their feet. O labour to make men know, that it is mad jesting about salvation or damnation; and that heaven and hell are not matters to be played with, or ⟨p. 207⟩passed over with a few careless thoughts! It is most certain that one of these days thou shalt be either in everlasting, unchangeable joy or torment; and doth it not awake thee? Are there so few that find the way of death? Is it so hard to escape? so easy to miscarry? And that wile we fear nothing, but think all is well? And yet you sit still and trifle! Why, what do you mean? What do you think on? The world is passing away: its pleasures are fading: its honours are leaving you: its profits will prove unprofitable to you: heaven or hell are a little before you: GOD is just, and jealous; his threatenings are true:
5. And as you must do it plainly, so also seriously, zealously, and effectually. The exceeding stupidity and deadness of men's hearts is such, that no other dealing will ordinarily work. You must call loud to awake a man in a swoon or lethargy. If you speak to the common sort of men, of the evil of their sin, of their need of Christ, of the danger of their souls, and of the necessity of regeneration, they will wearily and unwillingly give you the hearing, and put off all with a sigh, or a few good wishes, and say, GOD forgive us, we are all sinners, and there is an end. If ever you will do them good therefore, you must sharpen your exhortation, and set it home, and follow it, till you have rouzed them up, and made them begin to look about them. Let them know that thou speakest not to them of indifferent things, nor about children's games, or matters of a few days or years continuance, nor yet about matters of uncertainty, which may never come to pass: but it is about the saving and damning of their souls and bodies; and whether they shall be blessed with Christ, or tormented with devils, and that for-ever and ever; it is, how to stand before GOD in judgment, and what answer to give, and how they are like to speed; and this judgment and eternal state they shall very shortly see, they are almost at it; yet a few more nights and days, and they shall be at that last day: a few more breaths, they have to breathe, and they shall breathe their last; and then as certainly shall they see that mighty change, as the heaven is over their heads, and the earth under their feet. O labour to make men know, that it is mad jesting about salvation or damnation; and that heaven and hell are not matters to be played with, or ⟨p. 207⟩passed over with a few careless thoughts! It is most certain that one of these days thou shalt be either in everlasting, unchangeable joy or torment; and doth it not awake thee? Are there so few that find the way of death? Is it so hard to escape? so easy to miscarry? And that wile we fear nothing, but think all is well? And yet you sit still and trifle! Why, what do you mean? What do you think on? The world is passing away: its pleasures are fading: its honours are leaving you: its profits will prove unprofitable to you: heaven or hell are a little before you: GOD is just, and jealous; his threatenings are true:
