they never once in their Lives beftowed a fingle Reflection on the Importance of them. For is it poffible, that a Man fhould fee and reject the Offer of endless Happinefs, that he fhould choose rather to undo himself for ever, and fhould calmly and defignedly venture on the Profpect of eternal Ruin? Is it poffible that he fhould choofe this, when the very Terms of future Felicity propofed to him are farther fhewn to be most in general for his prefent Advantage, and always infinitely preferable to any Refuge or Relief which Iniquity can offer? If the general Conduct of Mankind be aftonishing upon this View, and can only be refolved into an abfolute Inattention to the most important Concern of their Being, let us however give Life to these Motives by frequent Reflection, and even on one ferious View of it enter on the World with an unalterable Refolution of fulfilling our Duty at all Events, defpifing the Littleness of all Temptations and Difficulties, which would allure or terrify us from it. Let us both adopt Jephthah's Principle, and as zealously imitate his Refolution in adhering to it, that where we have opened our Mouth unto the Lord, we cannot, we will not go back. We have folemnly profeffed his Religion, and undertaken his Service in our Baptifm; No Power on Earth can abfolve us from this Vow, or reconcile any wilful Iniquity with it. Let us then with Indignation reject the first Step or Propofal towards it; replying with the Spirit, and in the Language of Jofeph, How can I do this great Wickedness and fin against God? Our Duty towards him is and ought to be our first Concern, and when that is fecured, we may look with Indifference on all the other Events of the World. His Favour, in the ufual Course of his Providence, will beft provide us with the Com forts forts of this Life, and give the best Relish to them; or however, will fupport us under the Want of them, and make us eafy with or without them. The Teftimony of a Heart, which no Difficulties could alienate from its Maker, will carry us through this perilous State, not only with Refignation but Joy, and will enable us to bear its worst Afflictions thro' the Prospect of a State, where all Affliction will cease. In a Word, this unvaried Regard to the Will of God will anfwer the End for which he fent us hither; and in fo doing, our Lives will be cheerful, our Deaths comfortable, and our future State unspeakably happy. FINI S. |