P! 146 HOW TO DISCERN OUR TITLE hell ! How lively will-it make thee in the work of the Lord, and how profitable to all around thee ! %Vhat vigour will it infuse into all thy graces and af- fections; kindle thy repentance, inflame thy love, quicken thy desires, and confirm thy faith ; be ,a fountain of continual rejoicing; overflow thy heart with thankfulness, raise thee high 'in the delightful work. of praise, help thee to be heavenly - minded, and render thee persevering in all ! All these sweet effects of assurance would make thy life a heaven upon. earth. 1Y. Though I. am certain these motives have weight of reason in them ; yet I am jealous, Reader, lest you lay aside the book, as if you had done, and never set yourself to the practice of the duty. The case in hand is of the greatest moment, whether thou shalt everlastingly live in heaven or hell. I here request thee, in behalf of thy soul, nay, I charge thee, in the name of the Lord, that thou- defer no longer, but take thy heart to task in good earnest, and think with thyself, " Is it so easy, so common, and so dangerous, to be mistaken ? Are there so many wrong ways ? Is thy heart so deceitful ? Why then do I 'not search intò every corner, till I know my state? Must I so shortly undergo the trial at the bar of Christ ? and do I not presently . try myself! What case were I in, if I should then miscarry ! May I know by a little diligent inquiry now and do I stick at the labour ?"But perhaps thou wilt say, " I know not how to do it." In that. I am now to give thee directions; but alas ! it will be in vain, if thou art not resolved to practice them. Wilt thou, therefore, before thou goest any farther, here promise before the Lord, to set thyself upon the speedy performance of the duty, according to the directions 1 shall lay down from the word of God. I demand nothing unreasonable or impossible. It is but to bestow a few hours, to know what shall be- come of thee for ever. If a neighbour, or a friend desire but an hour's time of thee in conversation, or business, or any thing in which thou mayest be of
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=