20 The Life of Faith. much ado about the matters of their falvation; and why they cannot do as others, and make as light of Chrift and Heaven, as they that &fire to be excufed, and think they have moreneedful things tomind. But did you fee with the eyes of a true Bclievcr, and were the amazing things that God Lath revealed to us, but open to your fight, how quickly would you be fatisfied, and fooner mockat the diligence ofa- drowning man, that is ftriving for his life, or at the labour of the City, when they arc bully quenching the flames in their habitations,than mock at them that are ttriving for thc ever- fatting life, and praying and labouring againti thc ever- burning flames ? How loon would you turn your admiration, againtt the flupidity of the carelefs world, and wonder more that ever men that hear the Scriptures, and fee with their eyes. the works ofGod, can make fo light ofmattersof fuch unfpeak- able eternal confequence ? ad youbut fee Heaven and Hell, it would amaze you. to think. that ever many, yea fo many, and fofeeming wife, (hould wilfully run into everlafling fire, and fell their fouls at fo low a rate, as ifit were as catie to be inHell as in an Ale-honk, andHeaven were no better than a beaftly lift ? 4 then with what altonithment would you. think ! [Is this the fire that (inners do fo little fear ? Is this the glory that is fo negleâed ? ] You would then fee that themadnefs of the ungodly is the wonder. Vfe 3. By this time I thould think that fome of your own Confciences have prevented me, in the Vfe of Examination, which I am next to call you to. Ihope while [have been holding you the glak, youhave not turnedaway your faces, nor (hut your eyes : But that you have been judging your (elves by the light which hath been let up before you. Have not fome of your confciences faid-by this time [If this be the nature and ufc ofFaith, to make things'unfeen, as if we faw them, what a defolatecafe then is my foul in ?. how void of Faith? how full oflnfidelity? how far from the truth and power of Chriiiiani:y ? How dangeroufly have I long de- ceivedmy fell in calling my felfa true Chrifian, and pretend- ing to be a true Believer ? When I never knew the life of Faith but took a dead opinion, bred only by, education, and- thc
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