Part 90

§ 17. Yet to shew the godly why they, above all men, should be laborious for heaven, I desire to ask them,—What manner of persons should those be, whom God hath chosen to be vessels of mercy? Who have felt the smart of their negligence, in their new birth, in their troubles of conscience, in their doubts and fears, and in other sharp afflictions? Who have often confessed their sin of negligence to God in prayer? Who have bound themselves to God by so many covenants? What manner of persons should they be, who are near to God as the children of his family? who have tasted such sweetness in diligent obedience? who are many of them so uncertain what shall everlastingly become of their souls? What manner of persons should they be in holiness, whose sanctification is so imperfect? Whose lives and duties are so important to the saving or destroying a multitude of souls? and on whom the glory of the great God so much depends?—Since these things are so, I charge thee, Christian, in thy Master's name, to consider and resolve the question, _What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness?_ And let thy life answer the question as well as thy tongue.