them; which they may make use of, when they cannot have the help and affiftance of a Minifter. I have fhewed how they should examine themfelves: And that they may not flubber over that great bufineffe, but may come (in fome measure) to difcern the multitude of their fins, and the manifold waies, whereby they have offended God: I have fet down a Catalogue of the duties commanded and finnes forbidden in the ten Commandments, as also the fins against the Golpel: That fo people may not only in general fay they are finners, (and yet when they come and profeffe to humble their fouls, and to confeffe their fins unto God, can find few they are guilty of) but may fee themfelves to be exceeding vile and finful: I know 'tis very unpleafing to people to search their own Confciences, and find themfelves great finners: They had rather fit down with a falfe peace, than arraign and terrifie themselves in this manner. But who that is in his right wits, would content himself with a shadow of repentance, or a fhadow of Faith, without finding the fubftance and truth of thefe Graces in his foul, when his everlasting welfare depends upon. it. Thofe Directions there mentioned may be of ufe alfe to all perfons, who defire at any time more folemnly to humble themselves before the Lord for the fins of their life paft, and more efpecially before the receiving the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.

The Twentieth Chapter contains a discourse of the tour last things, Death, Judgment, Hell, Heaven. There I fhew the neceffity of Learning (even in time of health) that great art and skill, how to die well. Next, what the Scripture declares concerning the day of judgment, and the everlafting ftate both of the righteous and the wicked: And methinks the serious confideration of these weighty matters, fhould hagely affect us. O did people oftener think and confider of thofe things, they would live at another rate than ufually they do. All the bafineffes of this life. would feem fmall and little (even like childrens play) in comparison of fecuring the foul to all eternity.

Thus (My Loving Neighbours and Friends) I have given you a fhort draught and fcheme (as it were) of my whole Book. What entertainment it will find with you, I know note 1 can in fome measure of fincerity fay, that an hearty defire of your eternal happiness first fet me upon this work. And now (throw the affiftance of God) it is finifhed, my prayers fhall not be wanting that it may do you good, yea, much good. If any of you will #ot afford leifure to read it, nor time to confider of the things therein contained, but after you have had it a little while, fhall throw it afide, then I defire you ferionfly to think before hand, what account you will be able to give to God of this your wilful neglect, when you fball stand at his

dread

dreadful Tribunal. For my part, I have no other defign upon any of you, but that you may attain eternal life. My great defire is that true Piety and Godlineffe, that that Religion that faves fouls may flourish among you. My defire and en deavour is that where the faving work of Grace is begun upon any of your hearts, it may be carried on daily, and that you may encrease and abound more and more in the fruits of holineffe and righteousneffe, to the praise and glory of God. And where this bleffed work of converfion is not yet begun, my hearts defire and prayer to God is that it may be wrought, if it be his holy will. You fee the plot and defign 1 have upon you is of fo innocent a nature, that you have no reafon in the world to go about to defeat me in it. 'Tis my duty to fhew finners the evil and danger of ignorance and ungodlineffe. 'Tis my duty to perfwade, intreat, and be earnest with them to leave the tents of fin and Satan, and to come in to Chrift, that by him they may have pardon and life, And O that I could even compel them to come in, Luke 14.23. Were it in my power, not a foul among you should refuse or stand out. But if (notwithstanding all my prayers, intreaties, and endeavours) many among you will still prefer a life of bruitifh fenfuality, before the life that confifts in righteoufneffe, peace, and joy in the holy Ghost: If Satan that curfed murderer (who you know labours to ruine you foul and bo

dy for ever) must still be preferr'd before that bleffed Saviour, who fuffered and endur'd fo much to redeem mankind, and offers you falvation on fo fair terms: If neither the joyes of Heaven, nor the torments of Hell can affect you, but the pleasures and profits of this world must still ingroffe your minds and hearts; remember what I say unto you, it will one day cut you to the very foul to confider that you were fhewed the way to eternal life, and invited, perfwaded and intreated to walk in it, but you would not. O Neighbours, think with your felves (1 beseech you) that 'tis but a fhort time, and your fouls must be either among Saints or Devils. Does it not concern me therefore to be earnest with you, and in all ferioufneffe to call upon you, to work out your falvation,now while you have time? For the Lords fake, as ever you intend to fee Gods face with comfort,remember thefe few following directiós.

1. Take heed of a loose converfation, of living to the flesh, to fulfill the lufts thereof. If ye live after the flesh ye shall die, Rom.8.13. Now the works of the flesh are manifeft, Gal. 5.19. Which are thefe, Adultery, fornication, uncleanneffe, lalcivioufneffe, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, ftrife, feditions, here fies, envyings, murders, drunkenneffe, and fuch like: Of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do fuch things fhall not inherit

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the Kingdom of God. Never comfort your felves with the hopes of Gods mercy in Chrift, if ye live in known and wilful fins. The holy nature of God will never be reconciled to finners, while they go on in their fins. And Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil. He came not to fave men, by bringing them to Heaven in their ungodlineffe, or to Glory in their fins, but to deftroy their fins, that would keep them ent of Glory. If he fave us, his Grace must have dominion in our hearts. Without holinesse no man shall see the Lord, Heb.12.14.

2. Take heed of worldly-mindedneffe. I do not go about to perfwade you to idleneffe or negligence, in your Callings, but to take you off from the eager and inordinate love of this world, which duls and deads the heart to Heavenly things. Beware left ye be the thorny ground, Look to it, that the cares of this life do not choak the good feed that is weekly fown among you. Some people give up themselves wholly to the world, and thrust God out of their hearts and houfes; Take you heed of that. Believe it that man that hath the main bent of his heart fet upon pleafing God, and whose great end is to be happy with him for ever, will be careful only fo to converse with this world, and only fo to mind things temporal, as he may not lose things eternall. He will first and chic fly feek the Kingdom of God, and his righteoufneffe. He will look

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