heard, nor heart conceived : at the instant of their dismission from the bod}', they shall be borne on the wings of angels into the regions of the blest, and lie in the bosom of their Lord to all eternity.]
Address —
1. To those who disregard religion —
[You indeed may plead long prescription (even from the days of Cain) and general practice too, in favour of your habits : but do you doubt which is the better way ? Do you not in your hearts envy those who walk in the good old way ; and wish that you were able to live as they live ? If then you would not persist in following a track, which you knew would lead to a place extremely distant from that which you were desirous to reach, attend to the warning now given, and turn unto God in the way marked out for you in his Gospel.]
2. To those who seek indeed the paths of religion, but find no rest in them —
[There are many who approve of coming to Christ for salvation, but wish to be excused from taking his yoke upon them ; while others, on the contrary, would be content to render obedience to his law, if they might be at liberty to de- cline the humiliating method which he has prescribed for their acceptance with God. Others, again, profess to approve of the good old way ; but cannot renounce the cares and plea- sures of the world which retard their progress in it. No wonder then if such persons find no solid rest : indeed, it is well for them that they do not ; since it would only deceive them to their eternal ruin. If we would have rest, either here or hereafter, it must be obtained in the way that has been pointed out ; nor can it be obtained in any other to all eternity*1.]
3. To those who are walking comfortably in the good way —
[Be not contented to go to heaven alone ; but labour in your respective spheres to bring others along with you. This was the disposition of the Church of olde; and should be the desire of all who have a hope towards God. It is scarcely to be conceived how much the exertions of Christians in their several families would extend the benefits of ministerial la- bours. The public ministration of the word would be far better attended, and incomparably more improved. Since then all are commanded to seek instruction, let all endeavour
d John iii. 36. Heb. xii. 14. e Cant. i. 4.