SEEKING THE SAINT'S REST. 111 they hear. This reproof is more particularly appli- cable to the worldly- minded, the profane multi- tude, the formal professors, and even to the godly themselves. 2. The worldly - minded are so taken up in seeking the things below, that they have neither heart nor time to seek this rest. O foolish sinners, who hath bewitched you? The world bewitches men into brute beasts, and draws them some degrees beyond madness. See what. riding and running, what scrambling and catching, for a thing of nought, while eternal rest lies neglected ! What contriving and caring to get a step higher in the world than their brethren, while they neglect the kingly dignity of the saints! What insatiable pursuit of fleshly pleasures, while they look on the praises of God, the joy of angels, as a tiresome burden ! What un- wearied diligence in raising their posterity, enlarging their possession, (perhaps for a poor living from hand to mouth,) while judgment is drawing near ; but how it shall go with them, never puts them to one hours consideration ! What rising early, and sitting up late, and labouring from year to year, to maintain themselves and children in credit till they die; but what shall follow after they never'think on ! Yet these men cry, " May we not be saved without so much ado ?" How early do they rouse up their servants to their labour ; but how seldom do they call them to prayer or reading the scriptures! What bath this world done for its lovers and friends, that it is so eagerly followed, and painfully sought after, while Christ and heaven stand by, and few regard them? Or what will the world, do for them for the time to come ? The common entrance into it is through anguish and sorrow. The passage through it is with continual care and labour. The passage out of it is the sharpest of all. O unreasonable be- witched men ! will mirth and pleasure stick close to you? Will gold and worldly glory prove fast friends to you in the time of your greatest need? Will they hear your cries in the day of your calamity ? At the
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=