Judah, Why will ye die, O House of SERM. Trael? XV. LASTLY, from hence we may infer that, as no Man has Reason to despair on the one Hand, fo ought he to be equally careful that he doth not prefume on the other. There are Difficulties enough in Religion to oblige us to ftand upon our Guard, and to be vigilant; and yet, were there more than there are, God has given us Power and Ability to conquer them; and if we put forth that Strength which God has afforded us, and make Use of thofe Powers which we are furnished withall, with an honeft and good Heart, we may be affured of obtaining the Victory over our fpiritual Enemies, and our Endeavours will be crowned with Succefs. WHAT remains therefore but that every one, being justly fenfible of those many Difficulties which lie in our Way to Heaven, do use our utmost Care and most vigorous Endeavours to overcome and conquer them, and to work out our Salvation with Fear and Trembling. This is the most just and reasonable Confequence from the Confideration, that the Gate is ftrait, and the Way is narrow, that leads unto Life, that therefore SERM. therefore we should prefs forward unto the XV. Mark of our high Calling: For, fince there are fo few that fhall enter in, how great Care ought we to take that we be of that Number? It is true, were the Gate fo ftrait, and the Way so narrow, that it was impoffible for us to enter in; were our Hands and Feet bound with an invincible Bond, and our Condition already determined by an abfolute Decree, it would then be to no Purpose for us to contend, all our Endeavours would then be ineffectual, and our wifeft Courfe would be to submit to our Fate, to fit ftill and reft contented with our Doom: But, Thanks be to God, our Cafe is far different, it is in every Man's Power, and left to his Choice, whether he will be happy or miserable to Eternity. God has not been wanting on his Part, or flack in the Fulfilling any of his Promises; he has used all proper Means to make us good and holy in this Life, and by Confequence happy hereafter. Let us then be prevailed on to quit ourselves like Men, let us refolve to run the Race that is fet before us, earnestly contending for the Prize; and, though we must expect to meet with many Lets and Difcouragements, many Difficulties and Temptations, yet this Confideration Confideration may be fufficient to fupport SERM, us under them all, that he, who has com- XV. manded us to strive, will enable us to obtain what we strive for; he will give us his Grace to refresh and strengthen us, and affift our weak and feeble Endeavours; he will furnish us with the whole Armour of a Christian, whereby we fhall be enabled to overcome all Oppofition which stands in the Way between us and Heaven. That God, who has fown the good Seed of Grace in our Hearts, will manure and cultivate it, he will water it with the former and latter Rain, till at last it bring forth the Fruits of Righteousness, everlasting Peace and Rest to our Souls. LET no Man therefore fay within himfelf, The Way to Heaven is unpaffable, and the Gate fo ftrait, it is impoffible for me to pass through it; and therefore it is good for me to be here, to make fure of my Portion in this World, and to take up with the Pleasures of Sense: But let the Confideration of the Difficulties, which attend an holy and religious Life, have a contrary Effect upon us, and rather quicken our Diligence, and make us watchful and attentive, left all our Endeavours should be to no Purpose, and left, after we have run SERM. run well for fome Time, we should at laft XV. lofe the Prize. To this End there will nothing be of greater Ufe to us, than a conftant and regular Course of Devotion both in public and in private. These are the Means which God has appointed to keep our Refolutions steady, and to kindle in our Hearts the Flames of an ardent Love both to God and Man, and a zealous Expreffion of it in Prayer and Thanksgiving: And if we make Use of these Means, attend God's Worship conftantly, pray devoutly, hear attentively, meditate ferioufly, and receive the Sacrament with the utmost Care and Application we are able; we shall find our fpiritual Strength increased, our Corruptions mortified, our Paffions more calm, our virtuous Habits more ftrong, and the Practice of Religion become more pleasant and easy to us. If we fet about this Work refolutely, and purfue it with a good and honest Heart, and a Chriftian Refolution, the Divine Grace and Affiftance will not be wanting, to render our Endeavours fuccefsful, and to make us fufficient Amends for our Labour. LET us therefore give all Diligence to make our Calling and Election fure, and Seek |