Memorials of Godliness and Christianity, Treatise 4
Generall Conſiderations to excite to Watchfulneſs, and to ſhake of ſpiritual drouſineſs.
1. THe glorious and dreadfull Majeſty of God, with whom at all times we have to do, who is a conſuming fire, and therefore his ſervice and obedience to him is not to be ſlighted, but to be performed with watchfulneſs, reverence and godly fear.
2. Our ſins in number exceeding the hairs of our heads; in weight the meaſure of the ſand; The vileneſs of ſin generally, and the unreaſonable odiouſneſs of ones own ſins, in many reſpects worſe than any others we know.
3. The fearful curſes and puniſhments due to ſin (to our ſins) on earth, and torments inconceivable and eternal in hell.
4. The abominableneſs of ſin, demonſtrated ſpecially in that nothing could expiate it, but the bloud and death of Chriſt, not only man, but God.
5. The infinite love of God and Chriſt to ſinful mankind in thoſe ſufferings of Chriſt for ſin.
6. The certainty of damnation ſtill, to thoſe that careleſly deſpiſe or willfully abuſe the grace of Chriſt to carnall ſecurity, or willing cuſtomary ſin.
7. The manifeſt expreſſions of Scripture, that multitudes, even of thoſe that live within the viſible Church, ſhall yet go to Hell.
8. The Devils unwearied malice, violence, cunning; going up and down like a roaring Lion, ſeeking whom he may devour, unto whom they that watch not, muſt needs become a prey.
9. The prodigious and deſperate corruption that is in every ones heart ready to betray us, even to the baſeſt luſt and moſt horrid wickedneſs.
10. The fearfull frights of Conſcience, that God may awaken us withall out of our drowſie dreams.
11. The ſharp and ſtinging ſcourges even in worldly reſpects, wherewith God may rouſe us out of our carnal ſecurity: and muſt and will, with one or other, if other means will not prevail.
12. The wretched unthankfulneſs of deſpiſing his Commandments, or lazily performing any ſervice to him, whoſe mercies have been and are ſo abundant and free toward us, as we have found them; and yet hope for infinitely more hereafter.
13. The Watchfulneſs and diligence of worldly men, and their heat for the Devil, and their own luſts.
14. The danger that may be to us, not onelyonly from worldly men, alluring or oppoſing; but even from thoſe who are godly, and may yet prove tempters and ſnares to us, and ſo we never walk but in the middeſt of ſnares and temptations.
15. The certain ſhortneſs and uncertain continuance of our lives, ſubject to a thouſand caſualties, and nothing to be done for God, or our ſelves after death.
16. The nobleneſs and excellency of our immortal ſouls, born to higher imployment and honour, than a bruitiſh ſervice of the body, or Paganiſh purſuing of this preſent world.
17. The certainty of the hope whereunto they are called, who ſeek the Kingdome of God above all other things.
18. The infinite glory of Heaven, and eternal happineſs, there kept in ſtore for them that fight a good fight and finiſh their courſe, and keep the faith, and love and watch for the appearance of Chriſt.
19. The exceeding greatneſs of the mighty power of God, working for and in them that believe, and live by faith.
20. The exceeding great and precious promiſes of all kinds, even for comfort in this life to them that love God, and walk uprightly, and forſake any thing for Chriſt, That all things ſhall work together for good to them, and no good thing ſhall be withholden from them; and for any thing they have forſaken, they ſhall receive in this world, even in the midſt of perſecutions, an hundredfold more, an eternal life in the world to come.
21. The experience of that ſweet peace of conſcience, and bleſſed contentation, and ſpiritual rejoycing, even in the midſt of Tribulations and Perſecutions, that is to be ſeen in many of the ſervants of God; and which all profeſs to be certainly attainable, by thoſe that watch and pray, and are ſober, and exerciſe their Faith and Grace.