THough the saving of souls be a matter of unexpressible importance , yet ( the Lord have mercy upon them , ) what abundance are there that think it not worthy of their serious enquiry ; nor Mar. 8. 36. Matth . 6. 33. Job 21. 14. & 22. 17. Psalm 1. 2 , 3. Psalm 14. & 12 the reading of a good Book , one hour in a week ? For the sake of these careless slothfull sinners , I have here spoken much in a little room , that they may not refuse to read and consider so short a Lesson , unless they think their souls worth nothing ! Sinner , as thou wilt shortly answer it before God , deny not to God , to thy self , and me , the sober pondering , and faithful practising , these few Directions .

I. Begin at home and Know thy self : Consider what it is to be a MAN . Thou art made a nobler Creature then the Urutes . They serve thee , and are Psal . 8. 4 , 5 , 6. Gen. 1. 26 , 27. Gen. 9. 6. Col. 3. 10. governed by thee ; and Death ends all their pains and pleasures : But thou hast Reason to Rule thy self and them ; to know thy ●od , and foresee thy End , and know thy way , and do thy duty . Thy Reason , and Free-will , and Executive Power , are part of the Image of God upon thy nature : so is thy Domin●on over the Brutes , as ( under him ) thou art their Owner , their Ruler , and their End. But thy Holy Wisdome , and Goodness and Ability is the chief part of his Image , on which thy Happiness depends . Thou hast a soul that cannot be satisfied in Knowing , till thy Knowledge reach to God himself : Nor can it be Disposed off by any other : Nor can it ( or the societies of the world ) be well governed John 17. 3. 1 Joh . 4. 6 , 7. Jer . 9. 24. according to its nature , without regard to his Soveraign authority , and without the hopes and fears of Joy and Misery hereafter ; nor can it be Happy in any thing , but Seeing , and Lovi●g and Delighting in this Luke 12. 4 , 5. Psalm 16. 5. to 11. Isaiah 45. 18. God , as he is revealed in the other world . And is this Nature given thee in vain ? If the nature of all things be fitted to its Use and End , then it must needs be so with thine .

II . By Knowing thy self then , thou must needs know that there ●s a GOD : and that he is thy Maker , and infinite in all perfections : and that he is thy Owner , Gen. 1. 1. Revel . 1. 8. Psalm 14. 1. Rom. 1. 19 , 20. Psalm 46. 10. Psalm 9. 10. Psalm 100. & 23. Psalm . 19. 1 , 2 , 3. Psalm 47. 7. Ezek . 18. 4. Gen. 18. 25. Mal . 1. 6. thy Ruler , and thy Felicity or End. He is mad that seeth not , that such creatures have a Cause or Maker , and that all the Power , and Wisdome , and Goodness of the world , is caused by a Power , and Wisdome , and Goodness , which is greater than that of all the world . And who can be our Owner ▪ but He that made us ? And who can be our Highest Governour , but our Owner ? whose Infinite Power , W●sdome and Goodness , maketh him only fit thereto ? And if he be our Governour , he must needs have Laws ; with Rewards for the good , and Punishment for the bad ; and must Judge and Execute accordingly . And if he be our Chiefest Benefactor , and all that we have is from him , and all our Hope and Happiness is in him , nothing can be more clear than that the very Nature of Man , doth prove , that in hope of future happiness he should absolutely Matth . 22. 37. Jerem . 5. 22. 2 Cor . 5. 8 , 9. resign himself to the Will and disposal of this God , and that he should absolutely obey him , and that he should Love and serve him with all his powers . It being impossible to Love , obey and please that God too much , who is thus our Cause , our End , our All.

III . By knowing thus thy self and God , it is easie to know what Primitive Holiness and Godliness is : Even this hearty , entire and absolute resignation , of the soul to Titus ● 14. 2 Cor . 8. 5. & 6. 16 , 17 , 18. 1 Pet . 2. 9. Psalm 100. Psalm 37. 4. Psalm 40. 8. Col. 3. 1 , 2. Mat . 6. ●0 , 21. 2 Cor . 4. 1● , 18. God , as the Infinite Power , Wisdome and Goodness : as our Creator , our Owner , Governour , and felicity or End : fully submitting to his Disposals ; Obeying his Laws , in Hope of his promised Rewards , and Fear of his threatened punishments ; and Loving and Delighting in Himself and all his appearances in the world , and Desiring and seeking the endless sight and enjoyment of him in Heavenly Glory : and expressing these Affections in daily Prayer , Thanksgiving and Praise . This is the Use of all thy faculties : the end and business of thy life : the health and happiness of thy soul : This is that Holiness or Godliness which God doth so much call for .

IV . And by this it is easie to know , what a state of sin , and ungodliness is . Even the want of all this Holiness ; and the setting up of Carnal-SELF instead Psalm 14. & 1. Heb . 12. 14. Rom. 8. 19. 13. John 3. 3 , 5 , 6. 1 Joh . 2. 15 , 16. Ro . 13. 13 , 14. Rom. 6. 16. Luke 18. 23. & 14 ▪ 26. 33 ▪ of GOD . When men are proudly Great , and Wise , and Good in their own eyes ; and would Dispose of themselves and all their concornments ; and would Rule themselves , and Please themselves , according to the fleshly Appetite and fancy : and therefore Love most the Pleasures and Profits and Honours of the world , as the provision to satisfie the desires of the Flesh : and God shall be no further Loved , Obeyed , or Pleased , than the Love of Fleshly pleasure will give leave , nor shall have any thing but what the Flesh can spare . This is a wicked , a carnal , an ungodly state ; though it break forth in various wayes of sinning .

V. By this , Experience it self may tell you , that most men ( yea all , till Grace renew them ) are in this ungodly miserable state ! ( Though only the Scripture tell us how this came to pass . ) Though all Rom. 3. Psalm 14. Ephes . 2. 2 , 3. Rom. 5. 12 , 17 , 19. John 3. 6. are not Fornicators , nor Drunkards , nor Extortioners , nor Persecutors , nor live not in the same way of sinning ; yet Selfishness and Pride , Sensuality and the Love of worldly things , ignorance and ungodliness , are plainly become the common corruption of the Nature of man : so that their Hearts are turned to the world from God ; and filled with impiety , filthiness , and injustice ; and their Reason is but a servant to their senses ; and their mind , and love , and life is carnal : and this carnal mind is enmity to the Holiness Rom. 8. 5 , 6 , 7. of God , and cannot be subject to his Law : This corruption is hereditary , and is become as it were a Nature to us ; being the mortal malady of all our Natures : And it is easie to know , that such an unholy wicked Nature , must needs be loathsome unto God , and unfit for the happy enjoyment of his love , either here , or in the life to come ! For , what communion Psalm 4. 3. 2 Cor . 6. 17. hath Light with Darkness ?

VI . Hence then it is easie to see what Grace is needfull to a mans salvation . So odious a creature , Psalm 32. 1. 2. 1 Cor . 6. 11. Titus 2. 14. Titus 3. 5 , 6 , 7 , Heb . 14. 14. Mat . 5. 8. such an unthankfull Rebell , that is turned away from God , and set against him , and defiled with all this filth of sin , must needs be both Renewed and Reconciled , Sanctified and Pardoned , if ever he will be saved . To Love God and be Beloved by him , and to be Delighted herein , in the sight of his Glory , is the Heaven and Happiness of souls ; And all this is contrary to an Unholy State : Till men have New and Holy Hearts , they can neither See God , nor Love him , nor Delight in him , nor take him for their chief content : For the Flesh and World have their Delight and Love . And till sin be pardoned , and Rom. 5. 1 , 2 , 3. God reconciled to the soul , what Joy or Peace can it expect from him , whose Nature and Justice engageth him to loath and punish it ?

VII . And Experience will tell you , how insufficient you are , for either of these two works your selves : To Renew your souls , or to Reconcile them unto God . Will a Nature that is carnal , resist and overcome the Flesh ? and abhorr Psalm 49. 7 , 8 , 15. 1 Cor . 2. 11. Luke 11. 21. Heb . 14. 12. 2 Pet . 1. 3. the sin which it most dearly lov●th ? Will a worldly mind overcome the World ? When Custome hath rooted your natural corruptions , are they easily rooted up ? Oh how great and hard a work is it , to cause a blind unbelieving sinner , to set his heart on another world , and lay up all his Hopes in Heaven ? and to cast off all the things he feeth , for that God and Glory which he never saw ? And for a hardened , worldly , fleshly heart , to become wise and tender , and holy , and heavenly , and abhorr the sin which it most fondly loveth ? And what can we do to satisfie Justice , and Reconcile such a Rebel-soul to God ?

VIII . Nature and Experience having thus acquainted you with your sin and misery , and what you want , will further tell you that God doth not yet deal Act. 14. 17. & 17 , 24 , 27 , 28. Rom. 1. 19. 20. Romans 2. 4. Job 33. 14. to 25. Matth . 12. 42 , 43. with you according to your deserts ! He giveth you life , and time , and mercies , when your sin had forfeited all these . He obligeth you to Repent and Turn unto him : And therefore experience telling you , that there is some Hope , and that God hath found out some way of shewing mercy to the children of Wrath ; Reason will command you to enquire of all that are fit to teach you , what way of Remedy God hath made known . And , as you may soon discover , that the Religion of Heathens , and Mahometans , is so far from shewing the true Remedy , that they are part of the disease it self ; so you may learn , that a wonderfull person , the Lord Jesus Christ , hath undertaken the Office of being the Redeemer and Saviour of the world , and that he who Isaiah 9. 6 , 7. & 53. Jobn 3. 16. 19. & 1. 1 , 3 , 4. & ● . 2. is the Eternal Word and Wisdome of the Father , hath wonderfully appeared in the nature of man , which he took from the Virgin Mary , being conceived by the Holy Ghost ; that we might have a Teacher sent from Heaven , infallibly and easily to acquaint the world with the will of God , and the unseen things of life Acts 2. 22. Heb . 2. 3 , 4. John 1. 18. Mat . 4. 1 Pet . 2. 22 , 23 , 24 , 25. Mat . 26 , & 27. Acts 1. Heb . 4. Eph. 1. 22 , ●3 . Rom. 5. 1 , 3 , 9. Mat . 28. 19 , 20. Heb . 8. 9. 13. & 8. 6 , 7. Heb . 7. 25. 1 Joh . 5. 10. 12. John 5. 22. & 3. 18 , 19. Mat . 25. eternal ! How God bare witness of his truth , by abundant , open uncontrolled miracles : How he conquered Satan , and the world ; and gave us an example of perfect Righteousness , and underwent the scorn and cruelty of sinners , and suffered the death of the Cross , as a Sacrifice for our sins , to Reconcile us unto God : How he Rose again the third day , and conquered Death , and lived fourty dayes longer on earth , instructing his Apostles , and giving them Commission to Preach the Gospel to all the world , and then ascended bodily into Heaven , while they gazed after him ; How he is now in Heaven both God and Man in one person , the Teacher , and King , and High-Priest of his Church ! Of Him must we learn the way of life : By Him must we be Ruled as the Physitianour of souls : All power is given Him in Heaven and Earth : By his Sacrifice , and Merit , and Intercession must we be pardoned and accepted with the Father ; and only by him must we come to God! He hath procured and established a Covenant of Grace , which Baptism is the seal of : even [ That God will in him be our God , and Reconciled Father , and Christ will be our Saviour , and the Holy Ghost will be our Sanctifier , if we will unfeignedly consent ; that is , if penitently and believingly we give up our selves to God , the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , in these Relations . ] This Covenant in the tenor of it , is a Deed of Guift , of Christ , and Pardon , and Salvation to all the world , if by true Faith and Repentance they will turn to God! And this shall be the Law according to which he will judge all that hear it at the last : For he is made the Judge of all , and will raise all the dead , and will Justifie his Saints , and judge them unto endless Joy and Glory , and condemn the unbelievers , impenitent and ungodly unto endless misery : The soul alone is judged at Death : and body and soul at the Resurrection . This Gospel the Apostles Luke 16. Acts 2. John 17. 23. Preached to the World ; and that it might be effectual to mens salvation , the Holy Ghost was first given to inspire the Preachers of it , and enable them to speak in various languages , and infallibly agree in Mat . 28. 19 , 20. Acts 14. 23. Acts 20. Act. 26. 17 , 18. Titus 3. 5 , 6. John 3. 5 , 6. Romans 8. 9. one , and to work many great and open miracles to prove their word to those they preached to : and by this means they planted the Church ; which ordinary Ministers must increase , and teach , and oversee , to the end of the world , till all the Elect be gathered in . And the same Holy Spirit hath undertaken it , as his work , to accompany this Gospel , and by it to convert mens souls , illuminating and sanctifying them ; and by a secret Regeneration to renew their natures , and bring them to that Knowledge , and Obedience and Love of God , which is the Primitive Holiness for which we were created , and from which we fell . And thus by a Saviour and a Sanctifier must all be Reconciled and Renewed , that will be Glorified with God in Heaven . All this you may learn from the Sacred Scriptures ; which were written by the inspiration 2 Tim . 3. 16. Heb . 2. 3 , 4. of the Holy Spirit , and sealed by multitudes of open Miracles , and contain the very Image and Superscription of God , and have been received and preserved by the Church , as the certain Oracles of God , and blessed by him through all Generations , to the sanctifying of many souls .

IX . When you understand all this , it is time for you to look home , and understand now what state your souls are in . That you were Made capable 2 Cor . 13. 5. Psalm 4. 4. 2 Peter 1. 10. of Holyness and Happiness , you know : that you and all men are fallen from God and Holyness , and Happiness , unto Self , and Sin , and Misery , you know : that you are so far Redeemed by Christ you know , as to have a pardoning and saving Covenant tendered you , and Christ and Mercy offered to your choice . But whether you are truly penitent believers , and Renewed by the Holy Ghost , and so united unto Christ , this is the question yet unresolved : this is the work that is yet to do ; without which there is no salvation : And if thou die before it is done , woe to thee that ever thou wast a man ! Except a man be Regenerate by the Spirit , and Converted , and made a New Creature , and of John 3. 5. 2 Cor . 5. 17. Romans 8. 7 , 9. Phil . 3. 18 , 20. Carnal be made Spiritual , and of Earthly be made Heavenly , and of selfish and sinfull be made Holy and Obedient to God , he can never be saved , no more than the Devil himself can be saved . And if this be so ( as nothing is more sure ) I require thee now who readest these words , as thou regardest thy salvation , as thou wouldst escape Hell fire , and stand with comfort before Christ and his Angels at the last , that thou soberly consider whether Reason command thee not ▪ to try thy state , whether thou art thus Renewed by the Sp●rit of Christ or not ? and to call for help to Acts 16. 14. Acts 2. 37. Acts 16. 30. Acts 11. 23. 2 Cor . 6. 1 , 2. Rev. 2. 7. those that can advise thee , and follow on the search , till thou know thy case ? And if thy soul be a stranger to this Sanctifying work , whether Reason command thee not , without any delay , to make out to Christ , and beg his Spirit , and cast away thy sins , and give up thy self entirely to thy God , thy Saviour and Sanctifier , and enter into his Covenant , with a full Resolution never to forsake him ? To deny thy self , and the desires of the flesh , and this deceitfull transitory world , and lay out all thy Hopes on Heaven ! and speedily , what ever it cost thee , to make sure of the Felicity which hath no end . And darest thou refuse this when God and Conscience do command it ? And further I advise you ,

X. Understand how it is that Satan hindereth souls from being sanctified : that you may know how to res●st his wiles . Some he deceiveth by malitious suggestions , that holiness is nothing but fansié or hypocrisie ! ( And if God , and Death , Act. 24. 14. & 28 , 22. & 24. 5 , 6. and Heaven , and Hell were fancies ▪ this might be believed . ) Some he debaucheth by the power of fl●sh●y appetite and lust , so that their sins will not let their Reason speak Some he keepeth in utter ignorance , by the evil education of ignorant Parents , and the negligence of ungodly soul-murdering Mal . 2. 7. 9. Hos . 4. 9. Prov. 13. 20. Eph. 4. 18 , 19. Mal . 1. 13. Teachers : Some he deceiveth by worldly Hopes , and keepeth their minds so taken up with worldly things , that the matters of Eternity , can have but some loose uneffectual thoughts , as bad as none : Some are entangled in evil company , who make a scorn of a holy life , or feed them with continual diversions and vain delights : And some are so hardened in their sin , that they are even past feeling , and neither fear Gods wrath , nor care for their salvation , but hear these things as men asleep : and nothing will awake them : Some are discouraged with a conceit that Godliness is a life so grievous , sad , and melancholly , that rather then endure it , they will venture their souls , come on it what will ( As if it were a grievous life , to Love God , and Hope for endless Joyes , and a pleasant life to Love the world and sin , and live within a step of Hell ! ) Some that are convinced , do put off their conversion Mat . 25. 3. 8. & 24. 43. 44. with Delayes ; and think its time enough hereafter ; and are purposing and promising , till it be too late , and life , and time , and hope be ended . John 8. 39. 8. 42. 44. Rom. 3. 1 , 2. Gal. 4. 29. Mat . 13. 19 , 20 , 21 , 2● . Mat . 15. 2 , 3 , 6. Gal. 1. 14. And some that see there is a necessity of Holiness , are cheated by some dead opinions , or names , or Shewes and Images of Holiness : Either because they hold a strict opinion : or because they joyn with a Religious Party ; or because they are of that which they think is the true Church ; or because they are baptized with water , and observe the outward parts of worship ; and perhaps because they offer God , a great deal of lip-service , and lifeless ceremony , which never savoured of a holy soul . Thus deadness , sensuality ; worldliness and Hypocrisie , do hinder millions from sanctification and salvation .

XI . If ever thou wouldst be saved , oppress not Reason , by sensuality or diversions : but sometimes Psalm 4. 4. Hag . 1. 5. Deut . 32. 7. 29. retire for sober Consideration . Distracted and sleepy Reason is unuseful : God and Conscience have a great deal to say to thee ; which in a crowd of company and business thou art not fit to hear . It is a dolefull case that a man who hath a God , a Christ , a Soul , a Heaven , a Hell to think of , Job 34. 27. Isaiah 1. 3. Jer . 23. 20. Psalm 119. 59. will allow them none , but running thoughts , and not once in a week bestow one hour in man-like serious Consideration of them ! Sure thou hast no greater things to mind . Resolve then sometimes to spend half an hour in the deepest thoughts of thy Everlasting state .

XII . Look upon this world and all its Pleasures , as a Man of Reason who forseeth the End , 2 Cor . 4. 18. Deut . 32. 29. 1 John 2. 17. 1 Cor . 7. 31. Luk 12. 19 , 20. John 14. 1 , 2. 1 Thess. 5. 13. and not as a beast , that liveth but by sense on present objects . Do I need to tell thee Man , that thou must dye ? Cannot carkasses , and bones , and dust instruct thee , to see the End of Earthly glory , and all the pleasures of the flesh ? Is it a Controversie whether thy flesh must shortly perish ! and wilt thou yet provide for it before thy soul ? What a sad farewell must thou shortly take , of all that worldlings sell their souls for ! And O how quickly will this be ! Alas man , the day is even at hand . A few dayes more , and thou art gone ! And darest thou live unready , and part with Heaven for such a world as this ?

XIII . And then think soberly of the life to come : what it is for a soul to appear before the Living God , and be judged to Endless Joy or Luke 12. 4. Rom. 10. 14. Eccles . 12. 7. 2 Pet . 3. 11. 2 Cor . 4. 18. Phil . 3. 18 , 20. Misery ! If the Devil tempt thee to doubt of such a life , remember that Nature , and Scripture , and the worlds Consent , and his own temptations are witnesses against him . O man , canst thou pass one day , in company or alone , in business or in idleness , without some sober thoughts of Everlastingness . Nothing more sheweth that the hearts of men are asleep or dead , than that the thoughts of Endless joy or pain , so near at hand , constrain them not be Holy , and overcome not all the temptations of the flesh , as toyes and inconsiderable things .

XIV . Mark well what mind most men are of , Numb . 23. 10. Mat . 25. 8. & 7. 21 , 22. Pro . 1 , 23 , 24. when they come to die ! Unless it be some desperate forsaken wretch , do they not all speak well of a Holy life ! and wish that their lives had been spent in the most fervent Love of God , and strictest obedience to his Laws ! Do they then , speak well of lust and pleasures , and magnifie the wealth and honours of the world ! Had they not then rather die as the most mortified Saints , than as careless , fleshly , worldly sinners ! And dost thou see and know this , and yet wilt thou not be instructed , and be wise in time ?

XV . Think well , what manner of men those were , whose Names are now honoured for their Holiness ! What manner of life did Saint Peter , Mat . 23. 29 , 30 , 31 , 33. Heb . 11. 38. John 8. 39. and St. Paul , St. Cyprian , St. Augustine , and all other Saints and Martyrs live ? Was it a life of fleshly sports and pleasures ! Did they deride or persecute a holy life ? Were they not more strictly holy than any that thou knowest . And is he not self condemned , that honoureth the Names of Saints , and will not imitate them ?

XVI . Think what the difference is between a Christian , and an Heathen . You are loath to be Heathens Matth . 10. 15. Romans 2. Act. 10. 34 , 35. or Infidels ; But do you think a Christian excelleth them but in Opinion ! He that is not Holier than they , is worse , and shall suffer more than they .

XVII . Think what the difference is between a Godly Christian and an Ungodly . Do not all the opposers of Holiness among us , yet speak for the Rom. 2. 28 , 29 , 24. 12. Matth . 25. 28. Luke 19. 22. Acts 24. 15. Gal. 4. 29. same God , and Christ , and Scripture , and profess the same Creed , and Religion with those whom they oppose ? And is not this Christ the Author of our Holiness , and this Scripture the Commander of it ? Search and see ! whether the difference be not this , that the Godly are serious in their profession ; and the ungodly are Hypocrites , who hate and oppose the practise of the very things which themselves profess ; whose Religion serveth but to condemn them , while their lives are contrary to their tongues .

XVIII . Understand what the Devils policy Ephes . 4. 14. Acts 20. 30. 1 Cor . 11. 19. 2 Tim . 4. 3. & 2. 14. 16. 1 Tim . 1. 5 , 6. Titus 3. 9. Eph. 4. 3. &c. 1 Cor . 12. Mat . 12. 25. Rom. 2. 12. 27. 28 , 29. is , by raising so many Sects , and Factions , and Controversies , about Religion in the world . Even to make some think , that they are Religious , because they can prate for their opinions ! or because they think their party is the best : Because their faction is the Greatest , or the Least , the uppermost , or the suffering side . And to turn holy edifying conference into vain wrangling : And to make men Atheists , suspecting all Religion , and true to none , because of mens diversity of minds : But remember that Christian Religion is but One ; and a thing easily known by its ancient Rule ; and the Universal Church containing all Christians , is but one . And if carnal interest or opinions so distract men , that one party saith , We are all the Church , and another saith , It is we ; ( as if the Kitchin were all the House , or one Town or Village all the Kingdome ) wilt thou be mad with seeing this distraction ? Hearken sinner ! All these Sects in the day of Judgement shall concurr as witnesses against thee , if thou be unholy ▪ because however else they differed , all of them that are Chr●stians , professed the necessity of Holiness , and subscribed to that Scripture , which requireth it . Gal. 1. 7 , 8. Mat . 28. 20. James 3. 17. Though thou canst not easily resolve every Controversie , thou maist easily know the true Religion ; It is that which Christ and his Apostles taught , which all Christians have professed ; which Scripture requireth ; which is first pure and then peaceable ; most spiritual , heavenly , charitable , and just .

XIX . Away from that company which is sensual , Ephes . 5. 11. Prov. 23. 20. 2 Cor . 6. 17 , 18. Psalm 15. 4. Deut . 13. 3. and an enemy to Reason , Sobriety , and Holiness ; and consequently to God , themselves and thee . Can they be wise for thee , that are foolish for themselves ? or friends to thee that are undoing themselves , or have any pitty on thy soul , when they make a jeast of their own damnation ? Will they help thee to Heaven , who are running so furiously to Hell ? Choose better familiars , if thou wouldst be better .

XX . Judge not of a Holy life by hearsay : for it cannot so be known . Try it awhile , and then judge John 5. 40. Luke 14. 29 , 30. John 6. 35. 37. 45. as thou findest it . Speak not against the things thou knowest not . Hadst thou but lived in the Love of God , and the lively belief of endless Glory , and the delights of Holiness , and the fears of Hell , but for one moneth or day , and with such a heart , hadst cast away thy sin , and called upon God ; and Matth . 11. 19. Isaiah 55. 6 , 7. Luke 14. 33. ordered thy family in a holy manner , especially on the Lords day ; I dare boldly say , experience would constrain thee , to justifie a holy life . But yet I must tell thee , it is not true Holiness , if thou do but Try it with Exceptions and Reserves : If therefore God hath convinced thee that this is his will and way , I adjure thee as in his dreadfull Rev. 22. 17. John 1. 12. Rev. 2. & 3. 1 Joh . 5. 10. 12. Psalm 34. 7. Psalm 73. 26. Mat . 25. Luke 20. 36. Heb . 2. 3. 2 Thes . 2. 12. presence , that thou Delay no longer , but Resolve , and Absolutely give up thy self to God , as thy Heavenly Father , thy Saviour and thy Sanctifier , and make an everlasting Covenant with him ; and then He and all his Mercies will be thine : His grace will help thee ; and his mercy pardon thee : his Ministers will instruct thee , and his people pray for thee , and assist thee : His Angels will guard thee ; and his Spirit comfort thee , and when flesh must fail , and thou must leave this world , thy Saviour will then Receive thy soul , and bring it into the participation of his Glory : and he will raise thy body , and justifie thee before the world , and make thee equal to the Angels ; and thou shalt Luke 19. 27. Prov. 29. 1. & ● . 25. Live in the sight and Love of God , and in the Everlasting Pleasures of his Glory . This is the end of Faith and Holiness . But if thou harden thy heart , and refusest mercy , everlasting woe will be thy portion , and then there will be no remedy .

And now , Reader , I beg of thee , and I beg of God on my bended knees , that these few words may sink into thy heart , and that thou wouldst read them over and over again , and bethink thee as a man that must shortly die , whether any deserve thy Love and obedience more than God ? and thy thankful remembrance more than Christ , and thy care and diligence more than thy salvation ? Is there any felicity more desirable than Heaven ? or any misery more terrible than Hell ? or any thing so regardable as that which is Everlasting ? Will a few dayes fleshly pleasures pay for the loss of heaven and thy immortal soul ? or will thy sin and thy prosperity be sweet at death , and in the day of Judgement ? As thou art a man , and as ever thou believest that there is a God , and a world to come , and as thou carest for thy soul whether it be saved or damned , I beseech thee , I charge thee , think of these things ; think of them once a day at least ! think of them with thy most sober serious thoughts ! Heaven is not a Maygame ! and Hell is not a flea-biting ! Make not a jeast of Salvation or Damnation ! I know thou livest in a distracted world , where thou maist hear some laughing at such things as these , and scorning at a holy life , and fastening odious reproaches on the godly , and merrily drinking , and playing and prating away their time , and then saying , that they will trust God with their souls , and hope to be saved without so much ado ! But if all these men do not change their minds , and be not shortly down in the mouth , and would not be glad to eat their words , and wish that they had lived a holy life , thought it had cost them scorn and suffering in the world , let me bear the shame of a deceiver for ever : But if God and thy Conscience bear witness against thy sin , and tell thee that a Holy life is best , regard not the gainsayings of a Bedlam world , which is drunk with the delusions of the flesh : But Give up thy soul and life to God by Iesus Christ in a faithful Covenant ! Delay no longer man , but Resolve ; Resove immediately ; Resolve unchangeably ; and GOD will be thine , and thou shalt be his for ever . Amen , Lord : Have mercy on this sinner , and so let it be Resolved by Thee and him .

ALL is not done when men have begun a Religious life : All Trees that blossome prove not fruitfull : Colos . 1. 23. Hebrews 4. 1. 2 Pet . 2. 20. 1 Cor . 3. Gal. 3. & 4. Matthew 13. 41. & 18. 7. and all fruit comes not to perfection . Many fall off , who seemed to have good beginnings : And many dishonour the Name of Christ , by their scandals and infirmities : Many do grieve their Teachers hearts , and lamentably disturb the Church of Christ , by their ignorance , errors , self-conceitedness , unruliness , headiness , contentiousness , sidings and divisions : In so much that the scandals and the fewds of Christians , are the great impediment of the Conversion of the Infidel and Heathen world , by exposing Phil . 3. 21. Acts 20. 30. Christianity to their contempt and scorn , as if it were but the error of men as unholy and worldly and proud as others , that can never agree among themselves : And many by their passions and selfishness are a trouble to the Families and Neighbours where they live : And more by their weaknesses and great distempers , are snares , vexations and burdens to themselves . Whereas Christianity in its true constitution , is a life of such Holy Light and Love , such Purity and Matth . 5. 16. 1 Pet . 3 1. 1 Pet . 2. 15. & 1. 8. 2 Cor . 1. 12. Peace , such fruitfulness and Heavenlyness , as if it were accordingly shewed forth in the lives of Christians , would command admiration and reverence from the world , and do more to their conversion , than swords , or words alone can do : And it would make Christians usefull and amiable to each other ; and their l●ves a feast and pleasure to themselves . I hope it may prove some help to these excellent ends , and to the securing mens salvation , if in a few sound experienced Directions , I open to you the Duties of a Christian life .

I. Keep still the true form of Christian Doctrine , Desire and Duty orderly printed on your minds : that is , Understand it clearly and distinctly , and remember it . 2 Tim . 1. 13. & 3. 7. Heb . 5. 12. Phil . 1. 9. Rom. 15. 14. I mean the great points of Religion contained in Catechismes : you may still grow in the clearer understanding of your Catechismes , if you live an hundred years : Let not the words only but the matter , be as familiar in your minds , as the rooms of your house are . Such solid knowledge will establish you against seduction and unbelief , and will be Eph. 4. 13 , 14. Coloss . 1. 9. & 2. 3. & 3. 10. 1 Tim . 6. 4. still within you a ready help for every Grace , and every duty , as the skill of an Artificer is for his work : And for want of this , when you come among Infidels or Hereticks , their reasonings may seem unanswerable to you , and shake , if not overthrow your faith : And you will easily erre in lesser points , and trouble the Church with your dreams and wranglings . This is the calamity of many Professors ; that while they will be most censorious Judges , in every controversie about Church-matters , they know not well the Doctrine of the Catechism .

II . Live dayly by faith on Jesus Christ , as the Mediator between God and you : Being well grounded Iohn 17. 3. Ephes . 3. 17 , 18. Matth . 28. 19. Eph. 1. 22 , 23. & 4. 6. 16. Romans 5. 2 Cor . 12. 9. Iohn 16. 33. 1 Iohn 5. 4. Heb . 4 14. 16. Col. 3. 3 , 4. Acts 7. 59. in the Belief of the Gospel , and understanding Christs Office : make use of him still in all your wants . Think on the Fatherly Love of God as coming to you through him alone : and of the Spirit as given by Him your Head ; and of the Covenant of Grace as enacted and sealed by him ; and of the Ministery as sent by him ; and of all time , and helps , and hope as procured and given by him : When you think of sin , and infirmity , and temptations , think also of his sufficient pardoning , justifying and victorious grace . When you think of the world , the flesh and the Devil , think how he overcometh them . Let his doctrine and the pattern of his most perfect life , be alwayes before you as your Rule . In all your doubts , and fears , and wants , go to Him in the Spirit and to the Father by Him , and Him alone . Take him as the root of your life and mercies , and Live as upon him and by his life . And when you die , resign your souls to Him , that they may be with Him where he is , and see his Glory . To live on Christ , and use Him in every want and address to God , is more then a General confused believing in him .