And it is no small aggravation to this loss, that it was a wilful loss ; we had the offers, and means of salvation plentifully afforded us ; we were warned of this danger, over and over ; we were intreated, and bcseeched, npon the knee of importunity, not to throw away our souls, by an obstinate rejection of Christ, and grace ; we saw the diligence and care of others for the salvation of their souls, some rejoicing in the comfortable assurance of it, and others giving all diligence to make their calling and election sure : we knew that our souls were as capable of blessedness, as any of those that are enjoying God in heaven, or panting after that enjoyment on earth ; yea, some souls that are now irrecoverably gone, and many others who are going after them, once were, and now are not far from the kingdoni of God ; they had con-' victions of sin, a sense of their loss, and miserable state ; they began to treat with Christ in prayer, to converse with his ministers and people, about their condition, and after all this, even when they seemed to have clean escaped the snares of Satan, to be again entangled, and overcome ; when even come to the harbour s mouth, to be driven back again, and cast away upon the rocks. O what a loss will this be !
O thou that createdst souls with a capacity to know, love, and enjoy thee for ever; who out of thine unsearchable grace sentest thine own Son out of thy bosom to seek and save that which was lost, pity those poor souls that cannot pity themselves : let mercy yet interpose itself betwixt them and eternal ruin ; awaken them out of their pleasant slumber, though it be at the brink of damna- tion, lest they perish, and there be none to deliver them.
Doct. 2. How precious and tnvaluahle soever the soul of man iSf it may he lost, and cast awayjbr ever.
A XREATISi: OF THE SOUL OF MAN. 181.
This proposition is supposed, and implied in our Saviour'*s words in the text, and plainly expressed in Mat. vii. 13. " Wide is the *' gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many •* there be which go in thereat.'" The way to hell is thronged with passengers ; it is a beaten road ; one draws another along with him, and scoffs at those that are afraid to follow, 1 Pet. iv. 4. Fac'dis descensus averni ; it is pleasant sailing with wind and tide. Some derive the word hell from a verb which signifies to carry, or thrust in; miUions go in, but none return thence: millions are gone down already, and miUions more are coming after, as fast as Satan and their own lusts can hurry them onward. You read not only of single persons, but whole nations drowned in this gulph. Psal. ix. 17. " The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations " that forget God." How rare is the conversion of a soul in the dark places of the earth, where the sound of the gospel is not heard .^ The devil drives them in droves to destruction, scarce a man re- luctating or drawing back *.
And though some nations enjoy the inestimable privilege of the gospel of salvation, yet multitudes of precious souls perish, not- withstanding, sinking into hell daily, as it were, betwixt the merciful arms of a Saviour stretched out to save them. The light of salvation is risen upon us, but Satan draws the thick curtains of ignorance, and prejudice about the multitude, that not a beam of saving light can shine into their hearts. 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4. " But if " our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost : in whom the *' god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe " not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the " image of God, should shine unto them."
If our gospel.] Ours, not by way of institution, as the authors, but by way of dispensation, as the ministers and preachers of it ; and certainly, it was never preached with that clearness, authority, and efficacy by any mere man, as it was by Paul and the rest of the apostles ; and yi-t the gospel so powerfully preached, is by him here supposed to
Be hid.] If not as to the general hght and superficial knowledge of it, yet as to its saving influence and converting efficacy upon their hearts: this iiover reacheth home to the souls and spirits of multitudes that hear it, but it is never finally so hidden, except
To them that are lose.] So that all those to whom the converting and saving power of the gospel never comes, whatever names, an4
• I'he Latin word, Infernus, i, e. Hell, is derived from a verb bignifying to thrust in, because the wicked are so hurried and oast headlong into it, that they can never aeceiid cut of it.
182 A TREATISE OF THE SOUL OF MAX.
reputations they may have among men, yet this text looks upon them all as a lost generation : They may have as many amiable, homiletical virtues, as sweet and lovely natures, as clear and piercing eyes, in all other things, as any others ; but they are such, however,