üAKING LIGHT GF CHRIST. 599 ache : little would one think, by their careless carriage, that they heard and regarded what we said, or thought we spoke at all to them, 5. Our estimation of things will be seen in the diligence of our endeavors. That whichwe most highly value, we shall think no pains too great to obtain. Do not those men then make light of Christ and salvation, that think all too much that they do for them? that murmur at his service, and think it too grievous for them to endure ? That ask of his service as Judas of the ointment, ' What need this waste? Cannot men be saved without so much ado? This is more ado than needs.' Forthe world they will labor all the day, and all their lives; but for Christ and salvation they are afraid of doing too'much. Let us preach to them as long as we will, we cannot bring them to relish or resolve upon a life of holi- ness. Follow them to their houses, and you shall not hear them read a chapter, .nor call upon God with their families once a day ; nor will they allow himthat one day in seven which he bath sepa- rated to his service. But pleasure, or worldly business,or idleness, must have a part. And many of them are so far hardened as to' reproach them that will not be as mad as themselves. And is not Christ worth the seeking ? Is not everlasting salvation worth more than all this? Doth not that soul make light of all these, that thinks his ease more worth than they ? Let but common sense judge. 6. That which we most highly value, we think we cannot buy too dear : Christ and salvation are freely given, and yet the most of men go without them, because they cannot enjoy the world and them together. They are called but to part with that which would hinder them fromChrist, and they will not do it. They are call- ed but to give God his own, and to resign all to his will, and let go the profits and pleasures of this world, when they must let go either Christ or them, and they will not. They think this too dear a bargain, and say they cannot spare these things : they must hold their credit with men ; they muat look to their estates : how shall they live else? They must have their pleasure, whatsoever be- comes of Christ and salvation ; as if they could live without Christ better than without these ; as if they were afraidof being losers by Christ, or could make a saving match by losing their souls to gain the world. Christ bath told us, over and over, that if we will not forsake all for him we cannot be his disciples ; Matt. x. Far are these men from forsaking all, and yet will needs think that they are his' disciples indeed. 7. That which men highly esteem, theywouldhelp,their friends. to as well as themselves. Do not those.men make light of Christ and salvation, that can lake so much care to leave their children.
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