158 TIIE DUTY OF GOD'S PEOPLE so eagerly follow the world, and talk of nothing but the things of the world. If you were in Christ,, you would be a new creature old things would be passed away, and all things would become new : you would have new thoughts, new talk, new company, new endeavours, and a new conversation. Certainly, without these you can never be saved: you may think otherwise, and hope otherwise as long as you will, but your hopes will all deceive you, and perish with you." Thus must you deal faithfully with men, if ever you intend to do them good. It is not in curing men's souls, as in curing their bodies, where they must not know their danger, .lest it hinder their cure. They are here agents in their own cure; and if they know not their misery, they will never bewail it, nor :know their need of a Sa- viour. Dó it also seriously; zealously, and effectually_ Labour to make men know, that heaven and hell are not matters t6 be played with, or passed over with a few careless thoughts. " It is most certain that one of these days thou_ shalt be in everlasting joy or torment: and loth it not awaken thee? Are there so few that find the way of life? so many that go the way of death? Is it so hard to escape ? so easy to miscarry ? and yet .you do sit still, and trifle ? What do you mean ? The world is passing. away : its pleasures, honours, and profits, are fading, and leav- ing you ; eternity is a little before you : God is just and jealous : his threatenings are true : the great day will be terrible : time runs on : your life is un- certain : you are far behind -hand : your case is dan- gerous : if you die to-morrow, how unready are you! with what terror will your souls go out of your bodies! And do you yet loiter? Consider, God is all this, while waiting your leisure : his patience bear: eth : his long-Suffering forbeareth : his mercy entreat - eth you : Christ offereth you his blood and. merits : the Spirit is persuading : conscience is accusing : Sa- tan waits to have you. This is your time now or never. Had you rather burn in hell than repent on earth ? have devils your tormentors, than ,Christ
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