going on in the high way to destruction, and that blind-folded.
1. What the design of the gospel is. What is it but this? This is the aim of it all; and if it be not the method also, it is very lamentable. It is the everlasting gospel that Christ has made manifest, declaring the will of God concerning the salvation of man.
2. Consider wherefore God did send you out. Was it to win a livelihood to yourself? Woe to them that count gain godliness; that will make the gospel merely subservient to their temporal wants. Rather would I perish for want than win bread that way. Well then, was it not to the effect you might labour to gain souls to Christ? Yea, it was. Have a care then that you are not like some who go to a place, being sent thither by their master, but forget their errand, when they come there, and trifle away their time in vanity and fooleries.
3. Consider the worth of souls. If you remember that, you can not but have an eye to their good. The soul is a precious thing: which appears if you consider, (1.) Its noble endowments, adorned with understanding, capable to know the highest object; will to choose the same; affections to pursue after it, to love God, hate sin, in a word, to glorify God here, and to enjoy him here and hereafter. (2.) It must live or die for ever. It shall either enjoy God through all the ages of eternity, or remain in endless torments for evermore. (3.) No worldly gain can counterbalance the loss of it. "What shall it profit a man, if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (4.) It cost Christ his precious blood ere it could be redeemed. It behoved him to bear the Father's wrath, that the elect should have borne through all eternity; and no less would redeem it. So that the redemption of the soul is indeed precious. (5.) Christ courts the soul. He stands at the door, and knocks, to get in. The devil courts it with his baits and allurements. And will you, O my soul, be unconcerned for the good of what is so much courted by Christ and the devil both? Be ashamed to stand as an unconcerned spectator, lest you show yourself none of the Bridegroom's friends.
4. Consider the hazard that souls are in. Oh! alas, the most part are going on in the high way to destruction, and that blind-folded.