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IF any be in danger, but to lose a finger, he will pre∣sentlie with all diligence and carefulnesse seeke vnto the Physition, or Chirurgion for to saue one ioynt of it (if it may be possible:) But to lose their soules how small recko∣ning
doe most men make? what a preposterous course is this? Is the bodie of more worth then the soule? is the life and safetie of this corrup∣tible bodie, yea of one little member thereof to be more esteemed, more carefullie prouided for, then the eter∣nall life and saluation of the soule, yea of soule and bodie? Is anie so destitute of reason and vnderstanding, as once to imagine this? And yet be∣hold, such are the liues and practises of most men, that either they doe, or at least would so perswade them∣selues; or else, how could they be so carefull for the maintenance and preserua∣tion of their bodilie health, and outward estate, and so carelesse, yea desperate, ne∣uer
regarding the present and future estate of their soules, but passing awaie their daies most securelie in the sinfull pleasures and delights of this euill world, euen bathing themselues therein, whiles in the meane time, they willing∣lie, if not wilfullie, depriue themselues of euerlasting life and saluation, and hasten forward vnto that endlesse perdition and destruction, which is prepared for them? Blessed be thy name O merci∣full Lord, that thou hast not giuen me ouer to the foolishnesse of the wicked, who shall perish for euer, but vouchsafest thy grace vnto me, whereby thou hast made me more carefull, to seeke for the assurance of the good estate of my soule in this life,
and the eternall saluation thereof in the heauens after this transitorie life is ended, then for the procuring of the life, and safetie of this mortall & corruptible body of mine, which shall be turned into dust and rottennesse. Increase this grace in me, and in all thine, that so we may haue full assurance that we are thine, and that when the earthlie house of this our tabernacle is destroied, we may liue with thee in glorie for euer, euen in that heauen∣ly kingdome, that celestiall mansion, which thou hast prouided and prepared for vs, and for all thy Saints.