! but how heartlessly do they make mention of
Christ and salvation!

3. The things that we highly value we would secure the possession
of, and, therefore, would take any convenient course to have all
doubts and fears about them well resolved. Do not those men then
make light of Christ and salvation that have lived twenty or
thirty years in uncertainty whether they have any part in these
or not, and yet never seek out for the right resolution of their
doubts? Are all that hear me this day certain they shall be
saved? Oh that they were! Oh, had you not made light of
salvation, you could not so easily bear such doubting of it; you
could not rest till you had made it sure, or done your best to
make it sure. Have you nobody to inquire of, that might help you
in such a work? Why, you have ministers that are purposely
appointed to that office. Have you gone to them, and told them
the doubtfulness of your case, and asked their help in the
judging of your condition? Alas, ministers may sit in their
studies from one year to another, before ten persons among a
thousand will come to them on such an errand! Do not these make
light of Christ and salvation? When the Gospel pierceth the heart
indeed, they cry out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do to be
saved?" Trembling and astonished, Paul cries out, "Lord, what
wilt thou have me to do?" And so did the convinced Jews to
Peter. But when hear we such questions?

4. The things that we value do deeply affect us, and some motions
will be in the heart according to our estimation of them. O sirs,
if men made not light of these things, what working would there be
in the hearts of all our hearers! What strange affections would it
raise in them to hear of the matters of the world to come! How
would their hearts melt before the power of the Gospel! What sorrow
would be wrought in the discovery of their sins! What astonishment
at the consideration of their misery! What unspeakable joy at the
glad tidings of salvation by the blood of Christ! What resolution
would be raised in them upon the discovery of their duty! Oh what
hearers should we have, if it were not for this sin! Whereas, now
we are liker to weary them, or preach them asleep with matters of
this unspeakable moment. We talk to them of Christ and salvation
till we make their heads ache; little would one think by their
careless carriage that they heard and regarded what we said, or
thought we spoke at all to