144 A CALL TO 3. From hence also you may learn, that it is no great wonder if wicked men be hinderers of others in the way to heaven, and would have as many unconverted as they can, and would draw them into sin, and keep them in it. Can you expect that they should have mercy on others, that have none upon themselves? and that they should hesitate much at the d~estruction of others, that hesitate·not to destroy themselves? They do no worse by others than they do by themselves. 4. Lastly, You may hence learn that the greatest enemy to man is himself; and the greatest judgment in this life that can befall him, is to be left to himself; that the great work that grace hath to do, is to save us from ourselves; that the greatest accusations and complaints of men should be against themselves; that the greatest work that we have to do ourselves, is to resist ourselves; and the greatest enemy that we should daily pray, _.,and watch, ~nd strive against, is our own carnal hearts and w1lls; and thegreatest part of your work, if you would do good to others, and help them to heaven, is to save them from themselves, even fi·om their blind understandings and corrupted wills, and perverse affections, and violent passions, and unruly senses. I only name all these for brevity's sake, and leave them to your further consideration. Well, sirs, now we have found out the great de- 'linquent and murderer of souls (even men's selves, their own wills,) what remains but that you judge according to the evidence, and confess this great iniquity 'before the Lord, and be humbled for it, and do so no more? To these three ends distinctly, I shall add a few words more. 1. Further to convince you. :2. To humble you. And, 3. To ~ reform you, if there yet be any hope. t 1. We know so much of the exceeding gracious nature of God, who is willing to do-good, and delighteth to show mercy, that we have no reason to suspect him of being the culpable cause of our death,
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