If this will not provoke thee, consider thus, 1.  Thy soul is thine own soul, that is either to be saved or lost; thou shalt not lose my soul by thy laziness.  It is thine own soul, thine own ease, thine own peace, thine own advantage or disadvantage.  If it were my own that thou art desired to be good unto, methinks reason should move thee somewhat to pity it.  But, alas! it is thine own, thine own soul.  “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” God’s people wish well to the souls of others, and wilt not thou wish well to thine own?  And if this will not provoke thee, then think.

Again, 2.  If thou lose thy soul, it is thou also that must bear the blame.  It made Cain stark mad to consider that he had not looked to his brother Abel’s soul.  How much more will it perplex thee to think that thou hadst not a care of thine own?  And if this will not provoke thee to bestir thyself, think again.

3.  That, if thou wilt not run, the people of God are resolved to deal with thee even as Lot dealt with his wife—­that is, leave thee behind them.  It may be thou hast a father, mother, brother, etc., going post-haste to heaven, wouldst thou be willing to be left behind them?  Surely no.

Again, 4.  Will it not be a dishonor to thee to see the very boys and girls in the country to have more with them than thyself?  It may be the servants of some men, as the housekeeper, plowman, scullion, etc., are more looking after heaven than their masters.  I am apt to think, sometimes, that more servants than masters, that more tenants than landlords, will inherit the kingdom of heaven.  But is not this a shame for them that are such?  I am persuaded you scorn that your servants should say that they are wiser than you in the things of this world; and yet I am bold to say that many of them are wiser than you in the things of the world to come, which are of greater concernment.

Expostulation.  Well, then, sinner, what sayest thou?  Where is thy heart?  Wilt thou run?  Art thou resolved to strip?  Or art thou not?  Think quickly, man; have no dallying in this matter.  Confer not with flesh and blood; look up to heaven, and see how thou likest it; also to hell, and accordingly devote thyself.  If thou dost not know the way, inquire at the Word of God; if thou wantest company, cry for God’s Spirit; if thou wantest encouragement, entertain the promises.  But be sure thou begin betimes; get into the way, run apace, and hold out to the end; and the Lord give thee a prosperous journey.  Farewell.

TILLOTSON

THE REASONABLENESS OF A RESURRECTION

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE