112 OUR TITLE TO [Chap. S. of the world, then, to live so contentedly, without assu- rance of their interests in this rest, and neglect the trying of their title to it ? When the Lord has so fully opened the blessedness of that kingdom, which none but obedient be- lievers shall possess ; and so fully expressed those tor- ments, which the rest of the world must eternally suffer; methinks they that believe this to be certainly true, should never be at any quiet in themselves, till they are fully as- sured of their being heirs of the kingdom. Lord, what a strange madness is this, that men, who know they must presently enter upon unchangeable joy or pain, should yet live as uncertain what shall be their doom, as if they had never heardof any such state ; yea, and live as quietly and merrily in this uncertainty, as if all were made sure, and there were no danger ! Are these men alive or dead ? Are they awake or asleep ? What do they think on ? Where are their hearts ? If they have but a weighty suit at law, how careful are they to know whether it will go for or against them ! If they were to be tried for their lives at an earthly bar, how careful would they be to know whether they should be saved or condemned, especially if their care might surely save them ! If they be dangerously sick, they will inquire of the physician, What think you, sir; shall I escape, or not ? But in the business of their salvation, they are content to be uncertain. If you ask most men " a rea- son of the hope that is in them," theywill say, "Because God is merciful, and Christ died for sinners," and the like general reasons, which any man in the world may give as well as they; but put them to prove their interest in Christ, and in the saving mercy of God, and they can say nothing to the purpose. If God or man should say to them, What case is thy soul in, man ? Is it regenerate, sanctified, and pardoned, or not ? hewould say, as Cain ofAbel, " I know not; am I my soul's keeper ? I hope well I trust God with my soul; I shall speed as well as other men do; I thankGod, I never made any doubt ofmysalvation." Thou hast cause to doubt, because thou never didst doubt ; and yet more, because thou hast been so careless in thy confi- dence. What do thyexpressions discover, but a wilful ne- glect of thy own salvation ? as a ship-master that should let his vessel alone, and say, " I will venture it among the rocks, and waves, and winds ; I will trust God with it; it
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