§ 17. Yet to shew the godly why they, above all men, should be laborious for heaven, I desire to ask them,—What manner of persons should those be, whom God hath chosen to be vessels of mercy? Who have felt the smart of their negligence, in their new birth, in their troubles of conscience, in their doubts and fears, and in other sharp afflictions? Who have often confessed their sin of negligence to God in prayer? Who have bound themselves to God by so many covenants? What manner of persons should they be, who are near to God as the children of his family? who have tasted such sweetness in diligent obedience? who are many of them so uncertain what shall everlastingly become of their souls? What manner of persons should they be in holiness, whose sanctification is so imperfect? Whose lives and duties are so important to the saving or destroying a multitude of souls? and on whom the glory of the great God so much depends?—Since these things are so, I charge thee, Christian, in thy Master's name, to consider and resolve the question, _What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness?_ And let thy life answer the question as well as thy tongue. CHAP. VIII. How to discern our Title to the Saint's Rest. § 1. The folly of men in not inquiring after a title to the Saint's Rest; § 2. and their cause for terror, as long as they are destitute of a title. § 3. Self examination is urged upon them; § 4. (1.) from the possibility of arriving at certainty; § 5-9. (2.) from the hindrances which will be thrown in our way by Satan, sinners, our own hearts, and many other causes; § 10. (3.) from considering how easy, common, and dangerous it is to be mistaken: that trying will not be so painful as the neglect; that God will soon try us, and that to try ourselves will be profitable; § 11. and therefore the reader is entreated no longer to delay the trial. § 12. Then (4.) Directions are given how to try: § 13. and (5.) Marks for trial are added, particularly, § 14. Do we make God our chief good? § 15. Do we heartily accept of Christ for our Lord and Savior? § 16, 17. The chapter concludes with illustrating the great importance of these two marks.