Nil MEDITATIONS AND DISCOURSES things unto an uncertain hazard. And that man who cannot prevail with himself strictly to examine what is his state and condition with respect unto eternity, sloth never do any good, nor abstain from any evil in a due manner. Remember, therefore, that many are called, but few are chosen. To be called, is to enjoy all the outward privileges of the gospel, which is all you unto whom I speak can pretend to, yet this you may do and not be chosen. Even among those unto whom the word is preached, they are but few that shall be saved. In the distribution made by our Lord Jesus Christ of the hearers of the word into four sorts of ground, it was but one of them that received real benefit thereby: and if our congregations are no betterthan were his hearers, there is not above a fourth part of them that will be sa- ved, it may be a far less number; and is it not strange, that every one of them is not jealous over himself and his own condition? Many herein deceive themselves, until they fall under woful surprisals. And this is re- presente'd in the account of the final judgment; for the generality of those who have professed the gospel are introduced as complaining of their disappointments, Mat. xxv. 10, il, 12. For what is there spoken, is only a declaration of what befel them here in the close of their lives, and their personal judgment thereon. Secondly. Take heed of being deluded by common presumptions. Most men have some thoughts in gene- ral about what their state is, and what it will be in the issue: but they make no diligent search into this matter, because a number of common presumptions do immedi- ately insinuate themselves into their minds for their re- lief; and they are such, as all whose force and efficacy unto this end lies in this, that they differ from others, and are better than they; as that they are Christiáns, that they are in the right way of religion, that they are partakers of the outward privileges of the gospel, hear- ing the word, and participation of the sacraments; that they have light and convictions, so as that they abstain from sin, and perform duties so as others do not, and the like. All those with whom it is not so, who are be- hind them in these things, they judge to be in an ill state and condition, whence they entertain good hopes con- cerning themselves; and this is all that most trust unto. It is not my present business to discourse the vanity of presumptions, it bath been done by many; I give only this warning itr general unto those who have the least design or purpose to come to Christ, and to be made,- partakers of him, that they put no trust in them, that they rely not on them: for ifthey do so, they will eter- nally deceive their souls. This was a great part of the preparatory ministry of John the Baptist, Mat. iii. 9, . This was their great comprehensive privilege, contain- ing all the outward church and covenant advantages. These they rested in, and trusted to, unto their ruin: herein he designed to undeceive them. Thirdly. Consider aright what it is to live and die without an interest in Christ, without a participation of him. Where this is not stated in the mind where thoughts of it are not continually prevalent, there can be no one step taken in the way towards him. Unless we are thoroughly convinced that without himwe are in a state of apostasy from God, under the curse, obnoxious unto eternal wrath, as some of the worst of God's enemies, we shall never flee unto him for refuge in a due manner. The whole have no need of a physician, but the sick; Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners to re- pentance: and the conviction intended, is the principal end of the ministry of the law. The miseries of this statehave been the subject of innumerable sermons and discourses: but there is a general misery in the whole, that few take themselves to be concerned therein, or apply these things unto themselves. Let us tell men of it a thousand times, yet they either take no notice of it, or believe it not, or look on it as that which be- longs unto the way and course of preaching, wherein they are not concerned. These things it seems preach- ers most say, and they may believe them who have a mind thereunto. It is a rare thing that any one shall as much as say unto himself, is it so with me? And if we now, together with this caution, tell the same men again, that whilst they are uninterested in Christ, not ingrafted into him by faith, that they run in vain, that all their labour in religion is lost, that their duties are all rejected, that they are under the displeasure and . curse of God, that their end is eternal destruction, which are all unquestionably certain, yet will they let all these things pass by without any further consideration. But here I must fix with them unto whom I speak at present; unless there be a full conviction in them ofthe woful deplorable conditionof every soul, of whatever quality, profession, religion, outward state it be, who is not yet made partaker of Christ, all that 1 havefurther - ... ,. .. .
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