First.  They cannot bewail and lament their condition, nor be humbled therefor.

Secondly.  They cannot, and will not seek after a remedy; for the whole will not trouble themselves to seek after a physician.

And sure upon this account, their case calleth for pity and compassion from all that know what a dreadful thing it is to be in such a condition, and should stir up all to pray for them, and to do all they can to help them out of that state of sin and misery, which is dreadful to think upon.

Should not the thoughts and consideration of this put us all to try and search, if we be yet translated from death to life, and delivered out of that dreadful and terrible state, and made partakers of the first resurrection.  It not being my purpose to handle this point at large, I shall not here insist in giving marks, whereby this may be known, and which are obvious in Paul’s Epistles, and to be found handled at large in several practical pieces, chiefly in Mr. Guthrie’s Great Interest.  I shall only desire every one to consider and examine,

1.  Whether or not the voice of Christ, which quickeneth the dead, hath been heard and welcomed in their soul.  This is effectual calling.

2.  Whether or not there be a thorough change wrought in their soul, a change in the whole man, so as all things are become new. 2 Cor. v. 17.

3.  Whether or not there be a principle of life within? and they be led by the Spirit.

4.  Whether or not there be a living to the glory of the Lord Redeemer.

And when by an impartial trial, a discovery is made of the badness of our condition, should we not be alarmed to look about us, and to labour by all means for an outgate?  Considering, (1.) How doleful and lamentable this condition is. (2.) How sad and dreadful the consequences of it are. (3.) How happy a thing it is to be delivered from this miserable and sinful condition.  And, (4.) How there is a possibility of outgate.

Finally.  It may break a heart of stone to think, how people that are in such a condition are so unwilling to come out of it:  For,

1.  How unwilling are they once to suspect their condition, or to suppose that it may be bad, and that they may be yet unconverted?

2.  How unwilling are they, to sit down seriously to try and examine the matter, and to lay their case to the touch-stone of the word?

3.  Yea, how unwilling are they to hear any thing that may tend to awaken them, or to discover unto them the deadness of their condition?

4.  How ready to stifle challenges of conscience, or any common motion of the Spirit, which tendeth to alarm their soul?

5.  How great enemies are they to such ordinances as serve to awaken sleeping consciences?

6.  And how do they hate such ministers as preach such doctrine as may serve to rouse them up, and set them a-work about their own salvation?