The Hazard and Unprofitableness of Losing A Soul for Gaining the World, Application
APPLICATION.
USE I.
Hence we may see something of the Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin; which has Debased, and Wrong'd so Noble a thing as the Soul of Man is. The Soul is of a Divine Extraction and Original; Glorious in its Make and Endowments; and it argues the Vileness of Sin, that it has sunk the Soul below its Original Dignity, Weakned its Powers, Slurr'd its Lustre, and Cloath'd it with the most ignominious tokens of Slavery. For, the greater is the Mischief done, the viler is the Cause of it. Tis Sin that has bro't all the Mischief upon the Soul: Tis this has clipt its Wings, and clog'd it from soaring to its Native Heaven; hinders its delightful Converse with Angels, and its Eternal Father; keeps it grov'ling in the Dust, like a Beast; and has brought it under the Government of the Senses. Tis this has fill'd it with Principles of Rebellion, made it a Traitor to its Rightful Sovereign, engag'd it in a Conspiracy against its own Life, and entail'd upon it Wounds, Bruises, and putrifying Sores.
Tis this has procured it a Sentence of Eternal Banishment from God, the immense Fountain of Blessedness; and has Damn'd it to the lowest Misery, where the smoke of her Torment ascendeth for ever and ever. So does he that Sinneth, wrong his own Soul, Prov. VIII. 36. Which argues the heinous and vile Nature of Sin; and should provoke us to loath and abhor it.
USE II.
Is the Gain of the World so small a thing as we have seen, then, how mightily are they Deceived, who expect Great things from it? Here lies our great Mistake: while we are in pursuit of the World, we view it through a Magnifying Glass; and pleasing our selves with its mighty appearance, forget to make allowances for the encrease of its Dimensions; hence our hopes are raised, and we expect great things from it. We form our Schemes according to our present Sight of it, and so enlarge our desires, and quicken our endeavours to Gain it. But when we come to bring it near, and take a closer View of it, without those deceitful Glasses, (like some Paintings that appear beautiful in a proper distance, so) its glory vanishes, and we behold it in all its imperfection. Where is the man, that by indulging his Sensual Appetites, and following after his Pleasures, ever found that in them which he expected? As his hopes and expectations were great, so is the trick and cheat that is put upon him, when he finds, that notwithstanding its fair Shew and Promises, tis all like Eve's Apple, false and deadly within. He will as certainly find himself deceived, as the Sensualist in the Gospel, (a)Luk. xii. 19.who said to his Soul, Soul, take thine case, Eat, Drink, and be Merry; thou hast Goods laid up for many years. For they are neither proportionable Goods, nor can he retain them: but that very Night God may require his Soul of him: and then whose shall all these things be?
USE III.
Is the Loss of the Soul such as I have shewed? then, tis certainly the Greatest Loss that can be; and Consequently so is its Salvation. Its Loss is the greatest for what has a man to lose equal in Worth and Value with his Soul? which raises him above the level of the viable Creation, and fixes him upon a Seat with Angels. And what is and the affliction and sorrow the Body is liable to, compared with the endless Torments of a lost Soul? Tis the loss of the Soul, that involves the Body in its greatest Plagues. This then, is the greatest Loss that tis possible to sustain; more than to part with the dearest Enjoyments of this World, and even Life it self.
And hence it will follow, that the Salvation of the Soul is the Greatest, for the same reason that its Loss is: And therefore tis called Great Salvation, Heb. II. 3. And tis what our Glorious Mediator peculiarly aims at, in His undertaking the work of Redemption; that the Soul might not be lost under the Wrath of God abiding on it; but inherit everlasting Life: (a)Joh. iii. 36.And this is the end of our 'Faith, the Salvation of our Souls. (b)1Pet. i. 9..
USE IV.
Do they make the most Unprofitable Bargain, who Lose a Soul to Gain a World? hence we may see their extream Folly and Madness who do so. He that is wise, is wise for himself. (c)Prov.ix. 12.Wisdom ever appears in a mans being chiefly concerned, for what most nearly touches him, and his foregoing all lesser interests to secure the Main. And tis a plain Demonstration of unaccountable Folly and Madness, to let go things of greater importance for the sake of the less. What Fools then are they that lose their Souls, to gain a World! That part with a Kingdom, to catch Flies! That snatch at the Shadow, and lose the Substance! That contemn Beauty, and court Deformity! That prefer the vilest Slavery, to the noblest Liberty! That can part with Heaven, and all the Glory of it, for this empty Bubble of a World! Nay, that for the sake of a blast of Honour; a little Jollitry and Sensual Pleasure; and deceitful Riches, and all but for a Moment; will make themselves over Vassals to Satan, and Drudges to Eternal Misery!
And yet, alas! How many are there that are Guilty of this Prodigious Folly and Madness? How many are there, who greedily swallow down the delightful Morsel? Yet know 'twill issue in Everlasting Bitterness! Who resolve if possible to raise themselves to the Loftiest Pinnacle; tho' they fall, like Lucifer, to the Depth of the Bottomless Pit! Who will swim down the Golden sanded Stream; tho' it carry them into the Lake that burns with Fire and Brimstone! Hence tis we see Men lavish away all their Thought, Time, and Pains upon this world; like Martha, (tho' in a worse sense,) careful and troubled about many things, while the One thing Needful lies neglected (a)Luk. x. 42.. Hence we see them leap the Boundary of the Divine Law, break thro' all the Obligations of nature, trample upon Humanity, and fly in the face of Common Justice and Equity; and all to compass a little Portion of this worlds Good: but never retire within, to see how it fares with their Souls; won't entertain one serious Thought about them, nor be at the least pains to secure their Happiness. How do they drudge and toyl all the Day long, exhaust their Spirit, consume their Strength, and weary themselves for very Vanity (b)Heb. ii. 13.? Yea, all to Destroy an Immortal Soul! which if they were but as truely painful and laborious to Preserve, they might Save for ever.
USE. V.
Is there such great Danger, left we lose our Souls to gain this World? it concerns us then, to take all proper Methods to Guard against it. This is a Danger that Encompasses every one of us: for we all carry Flesh and Sense about us, for the world to operate upon; and a Corrupt Principle in us, inclining us to receive the impressions of the world: and so strong are the Temptations from without, and such a treacherous Adversary is secretly lodg'd within, that great is the Hazzard, left we comply with the offer made us from this and Stop our Ears against the Charms of the Heavenly World. Need have we therefore, to use our Utmost Endeavours, to harden our selves against the Allurements, and save our selves from splitting upon this fatal Rock.
And give me Leave to say to you, my Brethren, who are entring upon the Affairs of this world, and engaging in the Hurry and Bustle of it; that there is great hazzard, left the Cares of this Life, which you, and your Families support and comfort, Necessarily call you to attend, should so far prevail upon you, as to become the Chief things you are concern'd about; and so the Lives of your Immortal Souls be neglected and lost. No doubt but you have felt something of the Force and Power of the Temptations of the world; and from your own Experience have seen something of the Danger you are in: But Unquestionably, if you live any considerable while longer, you will be assaulted with much stronger allurements, than ever yet you have met with. Suffer me therefore, to set before you a few necessary Rules for Your Behaviour in the world; by which you may Guard against the inticing snares that endanger the loss of your Souls.
Briefly;
1. Be Moderate with respect to the things of this World. Bring your Appetites and Desires under a good Regulation; that you mayn't be hurry'd away by the vehemence of your own cravings. Seek not great things for your selves: For the more moderate your Desires are, the freer will you be from the Influence and power of the world, and the less Danger will there be of your losing your Souls to gain it. Let your labours after the things of the world be moderate too: for he that pursues the world with all eagerness, is continually liable to fall. This is the Holy Apostle's advice, Phil. IV. 9. Let your Moderation be known unto all Men. It becomes those that call themselves Christians, to let all Men see that they are not the Men of this world who have their Portion in this life only, by being Moderate in their desires and labours after it. Tis the inordinate Cares of this Life, that Eat out the heart of Religion, and choak the good Seed; but it your Appetites and Pains are kept within due limits, the world is not like to fasten upon you, Ben't therefore anxiously careful what you shall Eat, or what you shall Drink, or what you shall put on; for your Heavenly Father knoweth what you need of these things: But acknowledge the Divine Government by a suitable Quietness of mind, and Acquiescence in your Portion.
2. By no means Allow of any Known Sin, for the sake of the World. Whatever form and address the world may appear to you in be not allured, or forced by it, to commit a known Trespass upon the Law of God: But say with good Joseph, Gen. XXXIX. 9. How shall I do this great Wickedness, and Sin against God? You must therefore take special Care, that you use no Unrighteous Methods to Gain the World; that you don't injuriously take from your Neighbour, what you have no Right to; that you don't Cheat and Deceive, in your Business and Dealings with him; that you don't impose upon his Ignorance; nor oppress him under his Necessities; nor use such Knavish Shuffling Tricks, to advance your Secular interest, as are the Shame of a Christian, and the Bane of humane Society. You must also take Care, that you don't forfeit your Word, or, break your Trust; tho' you might have never so great an Advantage by it, to enlarge your Possessions. For such things as these will argue, that your hearts are set upon this world, and will bar your entring into the Kingdom of Heaven: For no Unrighteous Person shall inherit the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. VI. 9.
3. Let not the Cares of this World Hinder your Attendance upon any known Duty. You will find very much of the Policy of the world lies here, so to possess your Minds with the Cares of this Life, how you shall be Provided for, how you shall go through this Difficulty, or be able to accomplish this Undertaking; I say, its design is, by filling your Minds with such Cares, to jostle all sober thoughts of God, and your own Souls, out of your hearts, and so to prevent your Attendance upon those Religious Duties, which are the only proper Methods of Gain to your Souls. You must therefore be careful, that you omit no Duty for the sake of the World. Don't suffer the hurry of your Business, to hinder you from such Publick Worship of God, as you might conveniently enough attend upon: And to be sure, let it not defraud you of the Duties of your Families, and the Secret and Retired Devotion you owe to God and your own Souls. When Religious Duties, and Worldly Business seem to interfere, impartially Examine, which is the present Necessary Duty? and that that must be attended now, or not at all, let the other give place to: And tho' the affairs of this world, may sometimes necessitate your Religious Duties to give place for a few Minutes; yet they can't make it necessary, that you wholly neglect them. And if you do; you will Starve your Souls, to Feed your Bodies. This was their Bane, whom our Saviour invited to the Wedding Dinner, one had his Farm, another his Merchandise to mind, … they made light of it, and went their way, Mat. XXII. 5.
4. Watch and Pray against Temptations from this World. When Our Saviour bid His Disciples take heed, that their hearts be not overcharged with Surfeiting and Drunkenness, and the Cares of this Life; He immediately adds, Watch ye therefore, and Pray alwayes, Luke. XXI. 36. You will find the world to be full of Temptations. There are the lusts of the Flesh, the lusts of the Eye, and the Pride of Life, which make head with their numerous hosts under their Command, and fiercely assault the Soul: And you had need therefore be upon your Watch and Guard, that they mayn't take you at Unawares, & surprize you in their Snares.
And thus you must Pray against them as well as Watch: and that not only in the common course of your Devotion; but as you find Temptations to arise: at least by short & pathetical Ejaculations, to crave the Divine Assistance against them. For this is the holy Breath of the Soul which blasts the designs of the world. This carries the Soul into the Heavenly World, takes a view of the Entertainments of it, and so keeps her out of the reach of this World. This will gain the assistance of the Great Captain of your Salvation, who will not suffer you to be Tempted, above what you are able.
5. Lastly, Improve what you Enjoy of this World to the Best Ends and Purposes. We are advised, 1 Cor. X. 31. Whether ye Eat, or Drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the Glory of God. You must take care, that you don't Dishonour the Name of God, by gratifying only your Sensual appeties, and Consuming upon your Lusts, the Enjoyments of this World, which He favours you with: but you must endeavour, to make all that you have subservient to this great End, The Glory of God: For this is the End for which you were made, and have the lower streams of His goodness flowing down to you. Let therefore a suitable Portion of your worldly Interest, be more peculiarly devoted to His Service, that all the rest may be Sanctified to your use and improvement. Works of Piety and Charity; the promoting and maintaining the Honour of God, in His House and Worship; and the relieving the wants of the Indigent, & Distressed; demand a Portion of your worldly Estate; and you must not withhold your hands therefrom, To Do Good, and to Communicate, forget not, Heb. XIII. 16. By this means, instead of Losing your Souls, to Gain the World, you will further their Welfare, by a wise Improvement of these things; and make to your selves Friends of the Mammon of Unrighteousness, that when they fail you, you may be received into Everlasting Habitations.
These short Rules well observed, you will wisely guard against the Hazzards and Danger, you are exposed to from the World.
USE VI.
Let us all then be Exhorted to a Just Concern for our Immortal Souls; and make their Safety and Welfare the First and Chief of our Cares. We are ready enough to take care of our Bodies, to Feed, to Cloathe, to Beautify, and Preserve them Healthy; to repair the Injuries that may be done them, by Distempers, or Accidents; and see that they want nothing Necessary, or that may be Convenient. But we have immortal Souls within us, of infinitely greater Worth and Value, which earnestly demand our Care; whose Safety is of the last importance to us. Well then, Let us not be Deaf to their Cries, but let them have the First of our Care; left the prepossessions of the World clap a strong Bias upon us, and having been used to indulge our selves in its Vanities, and Gaities, its Sinful Delights and Pleasures, we find it hard to shake off a contracted Habit; and turn the current of our Affections into a new Channel: left we Slip the Opportunity of Recovering them, and too late would give any thing in Exchange for them; but find 'em irrecoverably gone. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, was our Blessed Saviour's Advice; with an Assurance, that all these things, (a Sufficiency of them,) shall be added, Mat. VI. 33.
And let them have the Chief of our Care also. They certainly deserve it: and the greatness of the Work, and difficulty of Securing their Welfare, renders it necessary to bend our whole Force, and use our closest Applications; and that all other Affairs be engaged in, as tho' we engaged not, in comparison of them. For tis no easie matter to Work out our Salvation: it must be done with Fear and Trembling; and it requires all Diligence to make our Calling and Election sure.