Page:Christian's pocket-book, or, A bundle of familiar exhortations to the practice of piety (2).pdf/3

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Bundle of Familiar Exhortations.

EXHORTATION I.

CONSIDER your ſoul concerns with the greateſt ſeriouſneſs; all other concerns are but trifles and vanities in compariſon hereof: inconſideration is the bane and ruin of ſouls, it is the parent of ſloth and of ſecurity, and the great hinderance of needful reſolution: and ſpecially conſider, that ye have precious immortal ſouls, which, after the end of this ſhort life, will live for ever, either in everlaſting happineſs, or everlaſting miſery. It is your chief concern to ſee to theſalvation of your ſouls, as ye would not be found inconſiderate fools, or ſtupid ſots, Mat. xvi. 20. Hoſ. ii. 12.

Exh. 2. Lay deeply to heart your natural ſtate of ſin and miſery: Bethink you, that beſides your original guilt, and the corruption of your whole nature, which was brought to the world with you, that you are alſo guilty of innumerable actual ſins, by breaking all the commands of God in thought, word, and deed: for all which you are worthy of God's heavy curſe and