OF GOD-REDEEMER. 273 pends on the decision, should not examine themselveson it before- hand, and well consider what answer they must then make ? And whether any pains can be too great in so needful a work; and whether he that miscarrieth to save a labor, do not madly betray his soul unto perdition? As if such rational diligence were worse than hell, or his present camal ease were more desirable than his salvation. Let us, then, rouse up ourselves, brethren, in the fear of God, and make this a day of judgment to ourselves. Let us know whether we are children of life or death. O, how can a man that is well in his wits enjoy with any comfort the things of this world, before he know, at least in probability, what he shall enjoy in the next{ How can men go cheerfully up and down' about the business of this life, before they have faithfully labored to make sure that it shall go well with them in the life to come ! That we may now know this without deceit, let us all, as in the presence of the living God, lay bare our hearts, examine them, and judge them, by this portion of his word, according to the evidence. 7. Whoever he be that takes not himself for his own, but lives to his Redeemer, he is one that hath found himself really undone, and bath unfeignedly confessed the forfeiture of his salvation ; and, finding that redemption hath been ruade by Christ, and that there is hope and life to be had in him, and none but him, as he gladly receives the tidings, so he cheerfully acknowledgeth the right of his Redeemer, and in a sober, deliberate, and voluntary covenant, renounceth the world, the flesh, and the devil, and resigneth up himself to Christ as his due. He.'saith, ' Lord, I have too long served thineenemies and mine own ; by cleaving to myself, and forsaking God, I have lost both myself and God: wilt thou be my Savior, and the physician of my soul, and wash me with thy blood, and repair the ruins of my soul by thy Spirit, and I am willing to be thine ; I yield up myself to the conduct of thy grace, to be saved in thy way, and fitted for thy service, and live to God, from whom I have revolted.' This is the case of all that are sincere. By many Scriptures, we might quickly confirm this, if it were liable to question. " If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren and sis- ters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple ; and whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple ; Luke xiv. 26, 27. So verse 33 : "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my dis- ciple." Which is expounded, Matt. x. 37: " He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me." " If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; VOL. II. 35
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