The Conversion of the Soul, Discourse 1 (4 of 5)

The Conversion of the Soul · Discourse 1 (4 of 5)

p. 2123. Hence I inferr the difficulty of Converſion. If the Soul muſt be converted, certainly Converſion is a very difficult thing. It is comparatively more eaſie, though hard ſtill, but comparatively it is more eaſie to order the converſation; to bridle the tongue: But to rule the ſpirit, to bring the thoughts into Captivity; to alter the bent and natural inclination of the Will, and to raiſe the Affections towards thoſe things that are above; to make them prized and purſued, that before were things utterly ſleighted; this is difficult indeed; and really the difficulty would be inſup…rable, were it not for the Reſurrection of Chriſt, and the Power of that Reſurrection ſhewed forth by the Spirit of Chriſt. Before a Soul can turn to God it muſt be new made, it muſt experience the power of Chriſts Spirit, and it muſt riſe with Chriſt, or elſe it can never in good earneſt ſeek thoſe things that are above, Col. 3. 1, 2.

Laſtly, Hence I inferr, that in Examining whether we are Converted or no, a ſpecial Eye must be upon our Hearts and Souls. We muſt take our Souls to task and ſtrictly try them, and ſee what is moſt ſuitable to them, what they love beſt, and what it is p. 213that they deſire moſt: And if God in Chriſt be loved, and choſen above all, then conclude that Converſion is ſound and ſincere. If the Heart be grieved becauſe it is no more ſuited to God, becauſe it hath no more Faith in him; and though it can't ſay with Peter, Joh. 21. 17. Lord, thou knoweſt all things, thou knoweſt that I do love thee, yet it can ſay, Lord, thou knoweſt all things, thou knoweſt that I would love thee! Above all things in the world I deſire to love thee, and to be beloved of thee! Such a kind of deſire as this, doth plainly ſhew that the work of of Converſion is begun, notwithſtanding a great many doubts and fears that do remain about it.

But if under the higheſt Proſeſſion of Religion, if under the moſt conſtant attendance upon all Ordinances, the Heart doth ſecretly go after its Covetouſneſs, the Soul is fond of its Luſts, and of its Vanities, and is reſolved ſtill to be ſo; certainly there is no ſuch thing as a work of Converſion, though there be never ſo high and mighty a Confidence that there is. Ezek. 33. 31. They come unto thee as the People cometh, and they ſit before thee as my People, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their Mouth they ſhew much love, but their Heart goeth after their Covetouſneſs.

p. 214The Second Uſe is by way of Exhortation. I exhort you all, to lift up your Souls to God, with a deſire that he would turn them to himſelf. Naturally your Hearts are in very bad hands, but if you give them unto God, his hands are powerfull, and good, and ſafe. He can new form your Souls both to and for Himſelf: And therefore I beſeech you, give your conſent, and earneſtly deſire that God would take the Work in hand, and Convert every Soul before him to himſelf to day.

To prevail with you thus to Conſent and Deſire; I would lay before you theſe following Arguments.

1. If your Souls are Converted, they will be enlivened, though before dead in Treſpaſſes and in Sins; they will be made alive unto God, Eph. 2. 1. You will preſently be free from the Sentence of Death and Condemnation that ye are under; and ye will be made to live in the Spirit, and to walk in the Spirit, Gal. 5. 25. O what a Life will you lead, when once ye become Converts! your Lives will become Holy, they will be Heavenly, they will be Angelical: The Spirit of God will be that, and a great deal more unto your Souls, than what your Souls are to your Bodies: p. 215The Spirit will ſet you at liberty; The Spirit will act and lead you; The Spirit will fill you with his own bleſſed fruits, that are both pure and peaceable.

2. If your Souls are Converted, they will be healed. Where is the Soul among us that is not ſick of various Maladies? and that Soul is moſt ſick that leaſt feels its ſickneſs. Converſion and healing are joyned together, Iſa. 6. 10. Leaſt at any time they ſhould ſee with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and underſtand with their hearts, and be Converted, and I ſhould heal them. So Jer. 3. 23. Return ye backſliding Children, ſaith the Lord, and I will heal your backſliding; behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God. The Soul is moſt precious, and the beſt part in a Man, the diſeaſes of the Soul are the worſt and moſt dangerous, and conſequently the cure and healing of theſe diſeaſes is moſt of all deſirable. If thou didſt labour under a death-threatning Malady, how wouldſt thou long to be cured! Poor Man! thy Soul labours under a great many Maladies, and all of them Hell-threatning Maladies; and if thou art not Cured, thou muſt be damned, therefore Cure ſhould be prized, and Converſion and Curing go together.

3. If your Souls are Converted, they will p. 216be both beautified and ſtrengthned; the Image of God, is the Souls Beauty, and Glory, and upon all true Converts this Image of God is Inſtampt. Sin makes men vile, Converſion and Sanctification makes them excellent, ſo excellent that the Scripture plainly affirms that the World is not worthy of the Saints that are in it, Heb. 11. 38. And Strength will follow Converſion as well as Beauty. Who is the ſtrongeſt upon Earth? The anſwer is, the Convert is the ſtrongeſt. All the Unconverted are without ſtrength. Alas! they are without Life, and therefore muſt needs be without ſtrength. The Convert is ſtrengthned with might by the Spirit of God, in the inward Man; ſo that he is enabled to do good, he is enabled to bear evils with patience; he is enabled to reſiſt the Enemies of his Salvation, he is enabled to Fight, and to Conquer; nay, which is more emphatical, he is enabled ſo to conquer, as to be more than a Conquerer through him that hath loved him, Rom. 8. 37.

Laſtly, If your Souls are Converted, they will be both ſatisfied and ſecured, and what can you deſire more? It would be a loud lie, if Mammon ſhould ſay that ever he ſatisfied any: All is Vanity, and Vexation of Spirit, and there is no profit under the Sun, Eccleſ. 2. 11. But now the Lord p. 217with truth doth ſay, I have ſatiated the weary Soul, and I have repleniſhed every ſorrowful Soul, Jer. 31. 25. Thoſe Souls that are weary and ſorrowful, ſeem furtheſt off from Satisfaction; yet theſe weary and ſorrowful Souls, the Lord is able to ſatisfie; Nay in Scripture, we read of abundant Satisfaction, Pſal. 35. 8, 9. They ſhall be abundantly ſatisfied with the fatneſs of thy Houſe, and thou ſhalt make them drink of the Rivers of thy Pleaſures.

That which increaſeth the Satisfaction, is, that the Souls of Converts are ſecure; the Hand of Chriſt, and the Hand of the Father which is greater than all, is ſufficient to defend theſe Converted Souls from the force of Earth and Hell, and Sin too. If your Souls are lifted up to God; (Surſum Corda: Up with your hearts unto God;) If your Souls are Converted to Him, they will be ſafe in Life, they will be ſafe in Death, and immediately after death they will be paſt all danger; being admitted into that Houſe not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens, 2 Cor. 5. 1.

Thus have I done with the ſecond Doctrine, That Converſion is then ſincere when the very Soul is Converted.

Doct. 3. Is this, That the Word of God is p. 218the great means of Converſion. And O that the Word that ſounds in your ears to day, may be found an effectual Means of the Converſion of all the Uncoverted here before the Lord! The Law of the Lord in the Text is ſaid to Convert the Soul; becauſe 'tis the Means which the Lord himſelf makes uſe of, and adds an efficacy to, that ſuch an effect may be produced. The Word is ſtyled the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believes, Rom. 1. 16. And by this Word Faith it ſelf is wrought, whereby the Soul comes to Chriſt, and by him does Convert to God, Rom. 10. 17. So then Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God; and whenſoever the Word is effectual to change a Sinner, and turn him into a Believer, 'tis made effectual by no leſs a Power than His who is Omnipotent. Who hath believed our report? There's preaching? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? there's the Power of God graciouſly and gloriouſly manifeſted; that cauſes Preaching to be ſucceſsful.

In the handling of this Doctrine, I ſhall,

Firſt, Shew you, what it is in the Word of God, that is made uſe of as a Means of Converſion.

Secondly, Demonſtrate the aptitude and fitneſs of the Word to be ſuch a Means.

Thirdly, I ſhall tell you, what kind of Means it is.

p. 219Fourthly, Whence this Means comes to be effectual.

Laſtly, Apply.

I begin with the firſt of theſe. What it is in the Word that is made uſe of as the Means of Converſion.

1. The Word layes before Sinners eyes, the juſt, the ſtrict, the holy Law of God. It leads them to Mount Sinai burning with Fire, and to the blackneſs and darkneſs and Tempeſt there: Where all the Congregation heard a Voice that put them into a deadly conſternation and trembling; and ſo terrible was the ſight that Moſes ſaid, I exceedingly fear and quake, Heb. 12. 18, 19, 20, 21.

This Law is the Law of the onelyonly living and true God; the King eternal, Immortal, the bleſſed and onelyonly Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Who has the higheſt Authority, and full power to impoſe what commands he pleaſes upon the Sons of Men, and they in all duty and reaſon are obliged to yield Obedience to them.

This Law of God is ſo large, ſo Spiritual and ſo pure, that every evil action, every idle word, nay every ſinful intent, deſire, and thought, breaks it. Add alſo, that not only the doing, ſpeaking, and p. 220thinking evil; but the not doing, ſpeaking, and thinking what is good, cauſes this … to be tranſgreſſed. What fallen Man can reach this Laws exactneſs! Since it curſes every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them? Gal. 3. 10. 'Tis a certain, and one of the great Oracles of God, That by the deeds of the Law, ſhall no fleſh be juſtified in his ſight, Rom. 3. 20. and the reaſon is added, becauſe by the Law is the knowledge of Sin. The Laws Authority and Purity makes Mans guilt and defilement the more apparent; and the true ſight of theſe goes before Converſion.

2. The Word of God ſhews how all that have ſinned, have by the Law the Sentence of Condemnation really paſt upon them. The Sinner that is Unconverted and Unbelieving is ſaid to be condemn'd already, Joh. 3. 18. How cold does it ſtrike to the Malefactors Heart when the Judge pronounces the Sentence of Death upon him! Bidding him go from the Bar to the Gaol, and from the Gaol to the Gallows, and there ſhamefully end his days! The Law of God Sentences every Tranſgreſſor unto Death, not Temporal only but Eternal: And though the Execution of this … is for a while deferr'd, yet the … p. 221of being thus ſentenced, ſhould be exceedingly affrighting and amazing. The Sentence of Condemnation paſt by the Law, is very big with evils; it fills Time with them; nay it comprehends evils enough to fill Eternity. The Sinners Life is miſerable, his Death more miſerable, and after Death he is moſt miſerable, becauſe his miſery will never have an end.

The caſe of a Man is judged very ill and ſad, who is condemned to be broken upon the Wheel; or to be flead alive; or to be roaſted to death before the Fire: But what's all this, if compared with being Sentenced to endure the pains of Hell; to dwell with devouring Flames, which the angry breath of the Lord, as a stream of brimstone doth kindle; to inhabit everlasting burnings? The hearing of ſuch a terrible Sentence, has a mighty tendency to ſtartle and make the ſinners in Sion afraid, and to cauſe fearfulneſs to ſurprize the hypocrites, Iſa. 33. 14. that they may be no longer ſecure while unconverted.

3. The Word of God warns Sinners to flee from the wrath to come, and the very Warning intimates a poſſibility of eſcaping it. The Word from Heaven reveals the wrath of God againſt all ungodlineſs and unrighteouſneſs of men, Rom. 1. 18. It tells them, p. 222that the Lord has an Armoury, which he can open at his pleaſure, and bring forth the weapons of his indignation, Jer. 50. 15. and there is no Shield for the Obſtinate, no ſtanding before theſe weapons. Deut. 32. 40, 41. For I lift up my hand to Heaven, and ſay, I live for ever. If I whet my glittering Sword, and my hand take hold on Judgment, I will render vengeance to my enemies, and will reward them that hate me. The Lord not only ſays but ſwears, and that by his own Life, which is for ever; that Death and Deſtruction will be the Portion and Reward of them that will not turn, but impenitently perſiſt in their rebellion againſt him.

Sinners are in time warned by the Word, of this Sword that's coming. Ezek. 33. 7. Son of Man, I have ſet thee a Watchman unto the Houſe of Iſrael; therefore thou ſhalt hear the Word at my Mouth, and wa…n them from me. They are warned of the Vials that are filling with wrath, as they are filling up the Meaſure of their iniquities: they are warned of the righteous Purpoſe and Decree that is pregnant; before it actually bring forth vengeance. Zeph. 2. 1. 2. Gather your ſelves together; yea, gather together, O Nation not deſired, before the Decree bring forth, before the day paſs as the chaffe, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you; before the p. 223day of the Lords anger come upon you. And in thus admoniſhing them to flee from the wrath that is (without repentance) ſo certainly and juſtly coming, there is much of pity and mercy ſhew'd them.

4. The Word of God encourages Converſion, by repreſenting him in Chriſt, as ready to be reconciled to, and receive all that turn. The elect Angels, when they ſaw God manifeſted in the fleſh, admired his good will towards Men, and proclaimed Peace on Earth, Luk. 2. 14. Mercy is not extorted from God, for ſinners ſenſible of their ſin and miſery; but he delights in ſhewing it. Pardon is not hardly gotten at his hand, and againſt his Nature; but he is ready to forgive. He is not almoſt inexorable when diſtreſſed Souls fear his Power and Wrath, and cry for Peace: but as they intreat Him, ſo He intreats them to be reconciled, 2 Cor. 5. 20. Now then we are Ambaſſadours for Chriſt; as though God did beſeech you by us, we pray you in Chriſts ſtead be ye reconciled to God.

The Word ſpeaks of a Jubilee, of an accepted time, of a day of Salvation, in which the Lord ſeriouſly calls Sinners, and the very worſt of them, to turn; and whoſoever he be that turns in truth, ſhall graciouſly be received; and his former offences and affronts be they what they will, ſhall p. 224not be an Impediment; nay, the former refuſing to turn, though it was never ſo long, ſhall be paſt by. The proclaiming of thi… accepted time, ſhould be lookt upon as glad tidings indeed. 2 Cor. 6. 1, 2. We then … workers together with Him, beſeech you alſo that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain; for he ſaith, I have heard thee in a time accepted; in a day of Salvation I have ſuccoured thee. Chriſt himſelf in the days of his fleſh, was heard; was ſuccoured, was carried by the power of his Godhead through the whole work of Mans Redemption: Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of Salvation. This day of Salvation is the fruit of a Saviours Obedience and Sufferings in his day. Now thoſe that have ſold themſelves to commit Iniquity, and are under the bondage of Corruption, may recover their liberty; thoſe that had loſt the incorruptible and undefiled Inheritance, may be re-inſtated, and again poſſeſſed of it. Now the Lord is neer to them that ſeek him, and ready to be found; and if the wicked forſake their ways and thoughts, and return to Him, he aſſures them he will have mercy, and pardon ſo abundantly, as ſhall exceed their conceptions, and the manner and wayes of mens ſhewing Mercy one to another; as the Heaven is high above the Earth, Iſa. 55. 6, 7, 8.

p. 2255. In the Word of God, there are Inſtances and Examples of very great Sinners who have been converted and ſaved. How great are the Acts of Grace, which have been done by the God of all Grace and comfort! Stand forth, O David, guilty of Adultery and Murther! firſt defiling the Wife, and then killing the Husband afterwards. Stand forth, O thou great Apoſtle Peter, who waſt ſo confident in thy ſelf, that thou ſhouldeſt abide the ſoreſt Trial; but didſt ſo baſely ſhrink; and once, twice, thrice, and with Curſing and Swearing didſt deny thy Lord! Stand forth ye Corinthian Saints, who were Fornicators, Idolaters, Adulterers, effeminate, abuſers of your ſelves with Mankind, who were thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners, 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10, 11. And all of you proclaim, That the Grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with Faith and love which is in Chriſt Jeſus, as the Apoſtle Paul ſpeaks, who himſelf had obtained Mercy; although he had been a blaſphemer, a perſecutor and injurious, 1 Tim. 1. 13, 14.

Setting aſide the unpardonable Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt, and final Impenitency and Unbelief; for ought I know, Heaven can ſhew as great Sinners as Hell, who notwithſtanding all their guilt and filthineſs, were waſhed ſanctified juſtified in the Name of the p. 226Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of our God; and now their Holineſs is perfected in Glory. This is an encouragement to the worſt of men, to hope, if they return to God they ſhall not be rejected. Nay ſuppoſe there ſhould be now a greater. Tranſgreſſour than ever yet obtained Mercy, it would not be impoſſible for ſuch an One to obtain Mercy, for Divine Grace and Mercy have not yet done their very uttermoſt.

6. The Word of God diſcovers Sinners weakneſs, and where that Strength is, without which turning to God will never be. That Grace which brings Man to God; to Heaven, muſt come from the God of Heaven: Can man ariſe from the Dead, till the Voice of the Lord which is powerful ſay, Awake thou that ſleepeſt? Can any come to God but by his Son Jeſus? can any come to Chriſt but thoſe whom the Father drawes? Joh. 6. 44. God Works to Will, He Works to do; and he does the one and the other freely of his own good Pleaſure, Phil. 2. 13. Sinners are then encouraged to ſeek unto God to do both for them. And He can eaſily take away the Heart of Stone, and give a new Heart and a new Spirit; and cauſe thoſe who before neglected, now to turn into the way of Salvation; and to work out their p. 227own Salvation with fear and trembling.

7. I might alſo add, that the Word of God ſhuts the Kingdom of Heaven againſt …hoſe that are reſolved to continue Ʋnconvert…d. Nothing but Indignation and Wrath, Tribulation and Anguiſh is thundred out …gainſt them that will continue in their evil doing; that will not be gathered by a Saviour, that will not be made clean by his Sanctifying Spirit. Nay the Word concludes them under greater miſery, and …ooms them to a ſeverer Damnation who are called to turn and yet refuſe, Mat. 11. 23. Thou Capernaum, that are exalted unto Heaven; who haſt Heaven offer'd, and ſuch advantages of getting thither; foreign, ſhall not only go to Hell, but be brought down with force and fury to one of the hotteſt and loweſt places there: It …hall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomor…ah in the day of Judgment than for Thee. Such kind of threats may help to cure the ſpiritual Lethargy, and to make Sinners …fraid of remaining Unconverted. You ſee what it is in the Word that has a tendency to Converſion.

In the ſecond Place, I am to demonſtrate the Aptitude and fitneſs of the Word to be ſuch a means of Converſion. What has p. 228been ſpoken already, is in part a Demonſtration of it; but this fitneſs of the Word may be further made evident.

1. The Word is a Light which ſhines in a dark place, 2 Pet. 1. 19. and therefore 'tis a proper means to turn men from darkneſs to Light, and from the Power of Satan unto God. The Word diſcovers, what the Prince of darkneſs ſtudiouſly endeavours to conceal: Ignorance and Infidelity are the Pillars of Satans Kingdom; he takes much pains to blind the Minds of the Unbelievers, that the Light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt who is the Image of God, may not ſhine into them, 2 Cor. 4. 4. This light gives a true and faithful repreſentation of Sin, as the moſt hateful and hurtful thing in the whole World; of Satan alſo, as the moſt ſubtle, falſe, envious, malicious Deceiver and Murtherer of the Sons, nay of the very Souls of men. The Word reveals the Devils grand ſecret, that the Broad way is the high Road to Ruine, which has been trod by all the Damned: Hell at the end of this way, becomes naked by the Word of God; which the Lying Spirit would not have at all to be credited, or ſo much as thought on; till Sinners find themſelves thrown into it, and there without any hope of Releaſe and Remedy.

p. 2292. The Word is a Perſpective glaſs, which brings things afar off near to the eye, that ſo the Heart may be the more affected. It ſhews that the whole of Time from the very firſt to the very laſt, is but ſhort, if compared with Eternity; and how the end of all things is at hand, 1 Pet. 4. 7. and the Oath will at length be ſworn, That there ſhall be time no longer: Scoffers indeed, who walk after their own luſts, do ſay, Where is the Promiſe of our Lords coming? They mock at that glorious Redemption which Believers at Chriſts ſecond appearing do expect; and they laugh at, till they feel the Flaming Vengeance that is to be executed upon themſelves. But the Word ſhews the Worlds end, and how 'tis reſerved unto fire againſt the day of Judgment, and Perdition of ungodly men. 2 Pet. 3. 7. The day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the Night, ſadly ſurprizing the moſt of men; in which the Heavens ſhall paſs away with a great noiſe, the Elements ſhall melt with fervent heat; the Earth alſo and the Works therein ſhall be burnt up. Oh dreadful ſpectacle, to behold the whole World in a Flame! the ſerious and believing conſideration of this, conduces very much to Repentance, Converſion, and amendment of our wayes. 'Tis the Apoſtles own inference, p. 230Seeing then that all theſe things ſhall be diſſolved, what manner of Perſons ought ye to be in all Holy Converſation and Godlineſs! 2 Pet. 3. 10, 11.

3. The Word is an Hammer to break the Heart. Contrition and brokenneſs of Heart is one conſtant Ingredient in Converſion: No leſs than Salvation is Promiſed to the contrite ones, Pſal. 34. 18. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken Heart, and ſaveth ſuch as be of a contrite Spirit. Now the Word is the Hammer which breaks the Stony, the Rocky Heart to pieces. Thoſe Hearers who derided the Miraculous Gift of Tongues, the Apoſtle Peters Sermon reached, and pierced their very Hearts, and made them cry out, Men and brethren, what ſhall we do? Act. 2. 37. Now Sin was ſet in order before their eyes, and charged home upon their Conſciencos, now they tremble, and are afraid of deſerved Wrath: now their ſtubborn ſpirits begin to yield unto God. They deſire to know upon what terms they might be ſaved, being willing to conſent to any terms, rather than miſs of Salvation, and periſh everlaſtingly.

4. The Word is a Fire, to melt and purifie, and ſo a proper means of Converſion, which is indeed a turning from Sin to p. 231Holineſs: 'Tis the Nature of Fire to ſeparate the Mettal▪ and the Droſs: Gold and Silver are refined by being put into the Furnace. Thus the Word alſo ſeparates between the Heart and its vicious and evil Habits and Qualities; it ſeparates between the Soul and its fleſhly and worldly Luſts: Now are ye clean, ſays Chriſt, through the Word which I have ſpoken unto you, Joh. 15. 3. This Word is very Pure in it ſelf, and Pure in its Operation and Effects: It ſeverely forbids all filthineſs of the Fleſh and Spirit; and in this Word we find as a Precept concerning Holineſs, that 'tis our Duty to perfect Holineſs in the fear of God, ſo a Promiſe wherein God has ſaid he will work this Holineſs in them that ſeek unto him and deſire it, Ezek. 36. 25. Then will I ſprinkle clean water upon you, and you ſhall be clean; from all your filthineſs, and from all your Idols will I cleanſe you. The Word is a Fire to Melt and Purge the Soul, and then 'tis a Mould alſo, into which the Soul is as it were caſt; ſo that it has another, an excellent form, being conformed to the holy Nature and Will of God himſelf.

5. The Word is as Seed, of which the New Creature is begotten: God himſelf is he who does regenerate all that are Converted, p. 232and he does it of his own meer good Will and Pleaſure; but the Word is the Seed by which he does it, Jam. 1. 18. Of his own VVill beg at he us with the VVord of Truth, that we ſhould be a kind of Firſtfruits of his Creatures: So 1 Pet. 1. 23. Being born again, not of corruptible Seed, but of incorruptible, by the VVord of God, which liveth and abideth for ever: From this Seed comes the New Man, which after God is created in Righteouſneſs and true Holineſs. This Word is quick and powerful, 'tis powerful to quicken and enliven; ſo that the Soul has a new Life, and lives to God, which before was dead in treſpaſſes. This Seed is effectual to a new formation of the Souls faculties and powers: New Eyes there are in the Mind, a new Diſpoſition and Inclination in the Will; the Affections alſo are new, and of low and carnal, they become high, and holy, and heavenly. The Preachers of the Goſpel are the ſowers of this Seed of the Word, and how ſhould they be in travel till a New Creature comes on't, till Chriſt be formed in them that receive it! Gal. 4. 19. My little Children, of whom I travel in birth again, till Chriſt be formed in you.

6. The Word is a proper Means of Converſion, for 'tis the unerring Rule, p. 233which ſhews both good and evil: Evil, that there may be an Averſion from it; Good, that there may be a Converſion to it. The Scripture calls things by their deſerved Names, what that pronounces bad, will be found by the moſt Unbelieving to be bad indeed; and what that affirms to be good, is really good at preſent, and proves beſt at laſt: Here are the Commandments, in conformity to which true Goodneſs lies, and Sin is defined foreign, a tranſgreſſion of them; heark to the Prophet, Mic. 6. 8. He hath ſhewed thee, O Man, what is good; and what does the Lord thy God require of thee, but to do j…ſtly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? All this is good in its own Nature, pleaſing to God, profitable and pleaſant unto Man: The better this is underſtood, the more likely 'tis that evil and dangerous wayes ſhould be forſaken, and thoſe Paths choſen and turn'd into, that are ſafe and holy. The Word ſhews what God approves, and what he abhorrs: It ſhews Mans Duty, which is his Priviledge, and that Sin is Mans Prejudice and Plague: And he is a good Scholar indeed, who has learnt to do well, and ceaſed to do evil.

7. The Word is a fit means of Converſion, becauſe it is the Miniſtration of the p. 234Spirit; 2 Cor. 3. 8. How ſhall not the Miniſtration of the Spirit be rather glorious? The Word of God is of the Spirits Inſpiration, and his own Word he is pleaſed to accompany, he moves, and breaths, and acts in it, ſo that Miracles of Grace are wrought thereby: He ſays to the blind Mind, Receive thy ſight, and know the things that concern thy Peace; to the Deaf the Spirit ſays, Hear my Voice, and yield Obedience; to the Dead he ſays, Ariſe out of thy Sins, and from the Earth, in which thou haſt layn ſo long buried, and live the Life of God, from which thou haſt been ſo long alienated. And as the Spirit thus ſpeaks, ſo he ſpeaks with efficacy: He can work ſo that none ſhall hinder. O bleſſed Word! in which we find that exceeding great and precious Promiſe of the Spirit; 'tis but asking him, and having him, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, 2 Cor. 3. 17. The Captive Sinner is freed from the bondage of Corruption, the cords of Vanity, the ſnare of Satan, and has both a Will and Power given him to Convert to God, and to continue and abide with him. 'Tis manifeſt upon all theſe accounts, that the Word has a fitneſs to be a means of Converſion.

In the third place, I am to tell you, p. 235what kind of Means the Word is.

1. The Word is a Means of Gods own appointing: Divine Inſtitution is a thing of very great ſignificancy: God indeed can work without means, and againſt them; but if he is pleaſed to appoint them, they deſerve to be uſed, and ſhall not be uſed in vain, if they are uſed ſeriouſly. God appointed ſeven Trumpets of Rams▪ horns to be blown, and at length the blaſt is more powerful than a battering Ram; the Walls of Jericho fall down to the ground, and the City is delivered into the hand of Iſrael, Joſh. 6. 4, 20. God has appointed the Miniſters of the Goſpel to lift up their Voices like a Trumpet, to ſhew the Tranſgreſſours their Iniquities, to cry to them to turn. The Word is with Power; the ſtrongeſt holds of the Prince of Darkneſs fall down before it, he is caſt out, his works deſtroyed where before he had the ſureſt Poſſeſſion. The Word is ordained of God as the Means of Converſion, 'tis dangerous, and a great Contempt of God himſelf to neglect it; and truly, after a careleſs manner to attend upon it, is the way to grow more hard-hearted and dead in Sin under it.

2. The Word is uſually moſt Powerful when Preached. Reading of the word muſt p. 236be granted an Ordinance of great uſe … When our Lord was asked by a man what he ſhould do that he might inherit Eternal Life? He anſwers, What is written in the Law? how readeſt thou? Luk. 10. 26. He that would inherit Eternal Life, it concerns him diligently to read the Word which inſtructs him in the way thither: Not only thoſe of a lower condition, but thoſe of the higheſt Eſtate are to read the Word all the dayes of their lives; the Word of God is the beſt Counſellour, even of King… themſelves, Deut. 17. 18, 19. The way to Heaven is one and the ſame both for the High and Low. The Word is to be read not only Privately but Publickly, ſuch publick reading has a warrant in the New Teſtament as well as the Old, 1 Theſ. 5. 27. I charge you, foreign, I adjure you by the Lord that this Epiſtle be read unto a… the Holy Brethren. And publick reading is mentioned no leſs than three times in one verſe, Col. 4. 16. And when this Epiſtle i… read amongst you, cauſe that it be read alſo in the Church of the Laodiceans, and that ye likewiſe read the Epiſtle from Laodicea. Certainly the Scripture is not ſo obſcure, but that it may be read before the Congregation to their Spiritual Benefit.

Yet the Preaching, the opening and applying p. 237of the Word of God, has a ſpecial Honour put upon it, as to the working of Converſion and Faith, Rom. 10. 14, 15. How then ſhall they call on Him, in whom they have not believed? and how ſhall they believe on Him, of whom they have not heard? and how ſhall they hear without a Preacher? and how ſhall they Preach except they be ſent? as it is written, How beautiful are the Feet of them that preach the Goſpel of Peace, that bring glad tidings of good things? They that are ſent of God, ſcripturally qualified, ſeparated and ſet apart to the work of the Miniſtry, 'tis their great buſineſs to Preach the Word, to be inſtant in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon, to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-ſuffering and Doctrine, 2 Tim. 4. 2. And when in Sincerity, with an earneſt deſire to win Souls, they make the Truth manifeſt, and endeavour to commend themſelves to every mans Conſcience in the ſight of God, 2 Cor. 4. 2. the Word of God is the more likely to reach the Conſcience, and to touch and turn the Heart to Him. Glorious things have been done by Preaching: The twelve Apoſtles, and if you will add a thirteenth, the Apoſtle Paul, how powerful was the Word in their Mouths to the Worlds Converſion! They did not as they were ſlander'd, turn the world upſide p. 238down, but were bleſſed Inſtruments to turn it to God, and to deliver it out of that Idolatry, Superſtition, Ignorance and Wickedneſs, in which it had lain buried for many ages.

3. The Word of God is the higheſt means of Converſion, Pſal. 138. 2. Thou haſt magnified thy VVord above all thy Name: Here chiefly thou doeſt make thy ſelf known in the powerful Effects of thy Grace and Spirit, and in the accompliſhment of the Promiſes which thou haſt made. The deſign of Mercies is, that this VVord may be more minded, Rom. 12. 1, 2. I beſeech you therefore, Brethren, by the Mercies of God, that ye preſent your Bodies, a living Sacrifice, holy, acceptable, which is your reaſonable ſervice: And be not conformed to this VVorld, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds; that ye may prove what is that good, that acceptable and perfect VVill of God. Mercies are cords of love to draw us to the Lord, and to conſtrain us to keep his Word and Commandments. The end of Affliction is to turn our Eyes, and Hearts and Feet, into the way of Gods Teſtimonies: The Pſalmiſt tells us, Before he was afflicted he went aſtray but after he kept the VVord with greater care, Pſal. 119. 67. and he p. 239adds, v. 71. 72. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy Statutes; the Law of thy Mouth is better unto me, than thouſands of Gold and Silver. Affliction is ſent to humble for Tranſgreſſion, to reduce the wandring Soul, and to bring it back to the Word of God; and when this Word is truly heeded, received, and highly prized; then the Soul is indeed Converted. The Word declares the meaning of Mercies, the Word is the Tongue that utters the voice and meſſage of the Rod: The Word directs what to pray for, and how to pray ſo as to ſpeed, and inſtructs about every other Ordinance.

4. If the Word be ineffectual to Converſion, alas! what is likely to become efficacious? When Wiſdom had cryed long and upbraided fooliſh Sinners with their hating Knowledge; when they had been called to turn, with a proffer of the Spirit to be poured out, but they refuſed ſtill; their caſe is ſet forth as deſperate: becauſe the Word being rejected, hated and caſt behind their back, nothing was likely to do, or to make them good; dreadful and utter Deſtruction is threatned; and inſtead of being pitied, they are told they ſhall be derided, and laught at in their ruine, Prov. 1. 20,—30. When the Rich man in Hell intreated p. 240that One might be ſent from the dead, to warn his ſive ſecure impenitent Brethren, leſt they ſhould alſo come at laſt into the Place of Torment: The Anſwere firſt is, They have Moſes and the Prophets, let them hear them: And after 'tis anſwered further, If they hear not Moſes and the Prophets, neither will they be perſwaded though one roſe from the dead, Luk. 16. 27.-31.

A Sinner whoſe Heart is all Adamant, and Sermon-proof, the terrours of the Lord don't affright him; the ineſtimable Treaſures of the Goſpel don't take him, the Mediatours Vengeance for neglecting great Salvation is not at all dreaded. Suppoſe a command ſhould be given to unlock the gates of Hell, and a damned Spirit that has been for ſome time tortur'd in the ſlames there; and was once well known to this ſtupid Sinner, ſhould at Midnight appear to him, and the Curtains being drawn aſide, and that Soul out of the midſt of fire, with a ghaſtly horrour in its looks, ſhould thus ſpeak to Him:

Awake, hard-hearted Wretch, awake! awake! What, ſleep and lye ſecure in Sin, that art in danger of dying in Sin every moment! VVhat, take thine eaſe, who art ſo near to endleſs pain and Torment! Thy time has both Feet and VVings, and is with great haſte both p. 241running and flying away from thee; and as thy time in Sin and folly ſpends, ſo thou daily and hourly approache… nearer to a miſerable Eternity. Thy Judgment lingers not, thy Damnation does not ſlumber, while thou refuſeſt to awake to Righteouſneſs: Once I made a mock of Sin as much as thou doſt, was mad to deſtroy my ſelf, as thou art; I made a meer Jeſt of Hell, but now I know, I feel, and wo, wo is me! I ſhall to my Sorrow feel for ever, what 'tis to be damn'd in earneſt. Sin's thy worſt Enemy! Oh caſt it away before it undoe thee paſt remedy. Divine wrath and jealouſie is in the other World, found a hotter and heavier thing than ever could be conceived in this: 'Tis really a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But I have leave to ſtay no longer, be ſure to take this warning I have given thee, I muſt again to the Lake that burns with fire and brimſtone, where there are no ſuch things as Help, or Hope, or Happineſs, but Pain and Miſery are extream and endleſs.

Suppoſe, I ſay, a damned Soul ſhould ſpeak ſuch language to a Sinner that has all along been deaf to the call of the Word, and reſiſted the Spirit of the Lord, he might perhaps be exceedingly amazed; and poſſibly be frighted out of his VVits, p. 242but he would not be ſcared out of his Sins, nor ever by ſuch an Apparition alone, be turned unto God. If Gods own Word will not make thee a Convert, O Sinner, thy diſeaſe is obſtinate againſt the likelieſt remedy, and what means will?

5. The Word is a Means which Thouſands and Millions in the VVorld never were ſo much Priviledg'd, as to enjoy. An Hallelujah is juſtly deſerved and expected from the People of God of old, becauſe he ſhewed his Word unto Jacob, his Statutes and Judgments to the Children of Iſrael; whereas He had not dealt ſo with any Nation, and as for his Judgments they had not known them, Pſal. 147. 19, 20. How great a part of the World is Satans Common, how little comparatively, is ſo much as the viſible Incloſure of our Lord Jeſus. It is the obſervation of a Learned man, that if the World were divided into thirty parts, Nineteen would be found ſtill Pagan, ſix Mahometan, and but five Chriſtian, take in all of all Perſwaſions. But alas, how much darkneſs is there even in Nations that are called Chriſtian! Ignorance is affected, the Word of God and the Knowledg of it is taken away, though the Scripture ſays that for lack of it people are deſtroyed, Hoſ. 4. 6. How Happy would you be, that in p. 243this City, enjoy the light of the Word of Truth, if you would but thankfully and fruitfully improve it. It is as it were Noon day with you, whereas in other places, it is but a dark down, and in moſt parts of the Earth a black midnight.

In the fourth place, I am to tell you, whence this Means, the Word of God, comes to be effectual to Converſion.

'Tis made effectual by the Power of God, and this Power he exerts by his own Spirit, 1 Theſ. 1. 5. Our Goſpel came not unto you in word only, but in Power alſo, and in the Holy Ghoſt, and in much Aſſurance: the wonderful effects of Divine Power wrought by the Holy Ghoſt in the Preaching of the Goſpel, was an Evidence and Aſſurance, that this Goſpel is not the Word of Man, but of God Himſelf. Now the manner of the Spirits working, when he makes the Word effectual to Converſion, I ſhall declare in theſe particulars.

1. The Spirit impreſſes upon the Sinners Heart the Divine Authority of this Word. 'Tis indeed foreign, given by inſpiration of God, 2 Tim. 3. 16. When the Lord Himſelf is eyed and own'd in his Word, then it ſhews it ſelf mighty. If the Meſſengers and Publiſhers of the Word only are regarded, and there is not a looking beyond p. 244them, they being but earthen veſſels; the Word though a Treaſure, will be trampled under foot. But when Sinners are Converted, the Spirit makes it evident that the Word is really of God. The demonſtration of this, is ſtyled the demonſtration of the Spirit. He does demonſtrate the Words divine Authority, ſeveral wayes.

By Signs and VVonders, wrought for its Confirmation, Heb. 2. 4. God alſo bearing them witneſs, both with ſigns and wonders, and divers miracles, and gifts of the holy Ghoſt, according to his own will. That theſe Miracles were done, 'tis plain; for the Word of God pretending to Miracles done ſo openly, ſo often, by and upon, ſo many perſons, in the midſt of cunning and malicious Adverſaries, who were watchful enough to have eſpied the deceit, if there had been any: if ſuch Miracles really had never been wrought, this Word, and the Religion it teaches would never have been received. Our Lord Jeſus, though the Son of God, when upon Earth, was humbled in the form of a Servant; yet affirms himſelf to be the Saviour of the VVorld; preaches a Doctrine contrary to Fleſh and Blood; tells all that will be his Diſciples, they muſt deny themſelves, and forſake all that is dear to them in this World, whenever p. 245they are called to it, for the ſake of a Treaſure and Kingdom in Heaven. And often he appeals to his working Miracles, as a Confirmation of his Doctrine that it was from Heaven. Now if ſuch Miracles had never been wrought, the Impoſture would have been ſo apparent, that the Chriſtian Faith would never have been embraced by any of common ſenſe and underſtanding.

And 'tis evident alſo, that theſe Miracles were done by the power of God. Wonders indeed were wrought by the Egyptian Magicians, but outvied by greater Wonders, effected by Moſes, Gods Servant. Theſe Miracles were beyond the Power and Ability of ſecond Cauſes: Who could make the blind to ſee, and the deaf to hear, and the lame to walk, but that God who formed the Eye, planted the Ear, and curiouſly faſhioned the other Members? Who would raiſe the Dead, but the Lord of of Life himſelf?

The Spirit further alſo demonſtrates the Words Authority from the accompliſhment of Scripture Propheſies; as concerning Cyrus building of the Temple, Iſa. 44. 28. The King of Grecia his ruining the Perſian Monarchy, which was verified in Alexander the Great, Dan. 8. 21. The calling of p. 246the Gentiles, Iſa. 42. 4. Zeph. 2. 11. How many falſe Gods do we find famiſhed, and the Lord Jehovah worſhipped in the Iſles of the Heathen. It was alſo fulfill'd, which our Lord ſpake, concerning his Death; that after his being lift up from the Earth, he would draw all men to him, which was rather likely to drive all men from him: He alſo ſaid he would have a Church to the end of the VVorld, Mat. 28. ult. and notwithſtanding all that Earth and Hell can do, he has had one to this very day.

The Spirit alſo ſhews the divine Matter of the Word, the admirable conſent and agreement of all its parts, and the deſign of the whole, which is to give Glory to God, and to repreſent him as moſt worthy of Admiration, Praiſe, Faith, Fear, and Love, and Service. Its Precepts are ſo excellent and pure; that if the Profeſſors of Religion would but live according to them, the World might quickly be convinced of the unreaſonableneſs of Infidility. A thorow perſwaſion of the Words Authority, is from the Spirit, and has a mighty force to ſtartle the Conſcience, and awe the heart of a Sinner: And to make it ſtoop unto God, which was before rebellious.

2. The Spirit cauſes the Word moſt p. 247firmly to be believed, as that which is of moſt certain verity and truth, this follows upon the former: If it be the Word of God, who cannot lye; there is nothing falſe or uncertain in it. Ever ſince Man firſt harkned to the Father of lies, he is very prone to embrace falſhood. He is not to be truſted as a Guide, any further than God guides him; becauſe ſo apt himſelf to err and miſtake. But let God be true, ſaies the Apoſtle, though it follows, and every Man a Lyar, Rom. 3. 4. God cannot be deceived, becauſe he is Omniſcient, and his underſtanding is Infinite, Pſal. 147. 5. And he will not deceive any, becauſe he is the God of Truth. Whatever has proceeded out of his Mouth, its certainty is not to be doubted of: Faith therefore, which believes whatſoever God ſpeaks, and becauſe he ſpeaks, is indeed the highth and very …lower of Reaſon. We read of a Door of Faith, Act. 14. 27. They rehearſed all things that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. The Word of God has entrance by Faith, as by a Door into the Heart, and Faith as a Door ſhuts it in; then how powerful is it in working! The Commands being lookt upon as indeed the Commands of God, will no longer preſumptuouſly be p. 248broken; the Promiſes being believed … be the Promiſes of God, who keeps Tru… for ever, will be embraced. A firm belief of the Words truth, is at the bottom of all true Converſion to God; and 'tis Infidelity that is the great reaſon of departing from him.

3. The Spirit powerfully convinces the Sinner how evil a thing Sin is, which the Word of God ſo ſeverely and ſtrictly forbids. Sin is that which of all things in the World is moſt of all miſtaken. If it were rightly known by all, not one in the World could love or like it. But moſt are ignorant what 'tis, and whither it tends; and ſecurely and unconcernedly remain under its guilt and power. Mens luſts are ſtyled foreign, deceitful luſts, Eph. 4. 22. they ſeem to conſult their gain and pleaſure, but indeed war againſt their Souls; and yet this War is ſo carried on, that 'tis not perceived: Souls are kept ſtupified and intoxicated, till they are utterly loſt and ruined.

'Tis the work of the Spirit to diſcover what Sin is. He ſhews how contrary 'tis to God, how evil and provoking in the eyes of his Holineſs and his Glory; how contrary 'tis to the Law of God, which is moſt exexcellent, all whoſe Precepts are moſt profitable p. 249and pleaſant to thoſe that love and keep them. He ſhews likewiſe how contrary Sin is to Man himſelf. It loads him with Curſes of various ſorts; it makes every thing he has to be curſed to him: It does defile, debaſe and wound him; and unleſs he turn from it, it will for ever deſtroy and damn him. 'Tis one thing to be told of all this by Man; and another, to have a powerfull diſcovery and Conviction of all this by the Spirit. He ſhews the Vanity of all ſins excuſes, pretences and promiſes of Impunity, Peace and Safety.

The Spirit ſpeaks very home to the Conſcience, and particularly; and cauſes the Sinner to whom he ſpeaks to hear and heed and tremble. Thou art the Man that haſt offended God! Thou art the Soul that haſt ſinn'd, and doſt deſerve to dye! Thou art the Fool-hardy Wretch that haſt engaged the Almighty to be thine Enemy! Againſt thy ungodlineſs and unrighteouſneſs in particular, his wrath is certainly revealed from Heaven! And how ſoon, if thou refuſeſt to forſake thy impious and unrighteous ways, may this wrath fall upon thee, and ſink thee into the bottomleſs pit of Wo. If thou reſolveſt ſtill to go on in thy treſpaſſes, thy very next ſtep may take hold of Hell!

4. The Spirit reveals Chriſt in the Word, p. 250and draws the Sinner to him. The Holy Ghoſt does teſtifie concerning the Lord Jeſus, Joh. 15. 26. The Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father, he ſhall teſtifie of me. And what a Glorious Teſtimony does he give him! Chriſt is the ſumme and ſubſtance of all Supernatural Revelation. All the lines both of the Old Teſtament and of the New, do meet in this Center. The deſign of the Old Teſtament was to forſhew him, as the Peacemaker between God and Man, who was to be wounded for tranſgreſſion, to make his Soul an offering for Sin, to bring in everlaſting righteouſneſs, and to be the Author of pl…nteous and eternal Redemption and Salvation. The New Teſtament, which is the accompliſhment of the Old, does more fully declare Chriſt: Here the Spirit more plainly tells us, of his Godhead, of his fulneſs, of his Manhood, of his Mercifulneſs, what power he has to ſave; what Bowels of. Pity towards them that ſee they are loſt without him. And in ſhewing all this, how does the Spirit ſhew himſelf a Comforter!

And as the Spirit diſcovers Chriſt, ſo he draws the Sinner to him; he cauſes the Word to reach the Heart, and to ſubdue it, ſo that the Heart gladly ſurrenders, and p. 251freely opens to receive Jeſus, which before by ignorance, prejudice and unbelief was very faſt Bolted and Barr'd againſt him. There can be no turning to God, but as he is in Chriſt: for how can guilty and defiled Man, draw near to the Holy and Righteous Jehovah, without a Mediator? And if he be conſidered in this Mediator, there is all poſſible Encouragement to turn to him.

5. The Spirit, as by the Word he works Faith in Chriſt, ſo by the ſame Word, he cauſes the Sinner to yield himſelf to God: He that was before ſtout-hearted and far from Righteouſneſs, now throws down his Weapons of Rebellion, and ſubmitting, cries for Mercy; he dares not ſtill ruſh on in Sin, as the Horſe into the Battel; he is made ſenſible that there is no contending with the Almighty, that none ever hardned themſelves againſt him and proſper'd, Job 9. 4. Therefore he bows and yields, leaſt he be broke and ruin'd. And as the Power of Gods anger makes the Sinner afraid of remaining Unconverted, ſo he is moſt ſtrongly induced to turn, by the Spirits effectual diſcovery of Gods Alſufficiency, Mercy, Loving-kindneſs. He ſees plainly, it can never be well with him while at a diſtance from God; and that in Him and in his p. 252Favour, is really his Life and Happineſs. Thus the poor Prodigal was afraid of continuing in the far Country, leaſt he ſhould there periſh for hunger, and he came hom… to his Fathers houſe, becauſe there was bread enough and to ſpare, Luke 15. 17.

I come in the laſt place to the Application: I begin with ſome Inferences that may be drawn from this Doctrine.

1. If the Word of God be the great means of Converſion, hence I infer, that this Word is a great Priviledge: The giving us the Light and Influence of the Sun, and Moon, and Stars, is acknowleged to be the needful Bounty of the God of Heaven, but the vouchſafing of the Word ſpeaks a more peculiar favour, and is a means to convey a far greater benefit. In this Word of God, there is a general Proclamation, a Proclamation of a general pardon of all offenders againſt the higheſt Majeſty, and that upon the moſt equal terms; that they prize this favour, make uſe of his Sons mediation to obtain it, and conſent by Sin willingly to wrong their own Souls no more. This Word carries in it a Proclamation to open the priſondoors; to unlooſe the bonds and fetters, to grant liberty unto all thoſe that are weary p. 253of the bondage of corruption, and that are willing to become the Lords Free men; this Word is an Invitation to all ſenſible Souls, that perceive they have ſpent their labour for that which is not bread, to come for the bread of God which comes down from Heaven, and which giveth life unto the World, Joh. 6. 33. O the tender mercy of God, in vouchſafing his Word to any.

When the Light of this Word ſhines, it finds Sinners in Darkneſs, imployed in the works of darkneſs, haſtning towards the blackneſs of darkneſs for ever; and it doth give them the knowledge of Salvation by the remiſſion of Sin, and guide their feet into the way of peace, Luke 1. 77, 78, 79. Thoſe are glorious times indeed, that is indeed a Golden age, when the Word of God is heard by every ear; when Labourers are many and Faithful, and are hard at work for God, for Chriſt, for Souls; when ſaving Knowledge doth fill all the corners of a Land: Happy, happy is that People that is in ſuch a caſe, if they do but rightly improve their priviledge; for this Word doth direct them to walk in the Light of Gods Countenance.

2. Hence I inferr, how inexcuſable they are that remain Ʋnconverted ſtill under the Word of God, which is the great Means of p. 254Converſion. The Light of Nature leaves thoſe that gloriſie not God as God, without excuſe, Rom. 1. 21. But the Light of the Word, doth much more take away all Apology from them that neglect it. They that are not Converted to God, when they hear this Word, neglect to trade with one of the choiceſt Talents that any of the Children of Men can be entruſted with.

To paſs over the whole Volume and Book of Nature, to take no notice of God in it, though every Creature be deſigned as a Remembrancer of Him; to paſs by the works of Providence, and not hereby to be brought to the Fear of, and Faith in God, who exerciſeth loving kindneſs and Judgment in the Earth; Nothing can be ſaid to defend it. But for a Sinner, a loſt Sinner, a miſerable Sinner, that is ready every Moment to fall into Hell; for this Man to hear the Goſpel of Chriſt, to have Pardon ſo fully and freely offered to him, and yet to be deaf to the offer, to refuſe to turn to the Lord, though hereby he will live for ever; this doth argue a far more exceeding and exceſſive madneſs.

What can the Unconverted Sinner plead for himſelf, that he doth not turn? Can he ſay, that he hath not been warned to flee from the wrath to come? Alas, the p. 255Almightys anger and indignation hath often been pealed in his ear. How often hath he heard, Wo to the wicked, it ſhall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands ſhall be given to him, Iſa. 3 11. Can he ſay that he hath not been called to turn? No ſuch matter: Wiſdom hath cried aloud, cryed vehemently, How long ye ſimple ones, will ye love ſimplicity, and the ſcorners delight in their ſcorning, and fools hate knowledge; turn ye at my reproof, Prov. 1. 22, 23. Again, can the Sinner plead that he hath not had encouragement to turn to God? No, no; the God of Heaven, the God of Truth, hath ſolemnly proteſted by his own Life, that he hath no pleaſure in the Sinners death, but had rather that he ſhould turn and live: Hear O Heaven! Hearken O Earth! and judge, whether the Sinner that is called to turn to God, and won't, does not deſerve to dy in his iniquities!

3. If the Word of God is the great means of Converſion, hence I inferr, that the Removal of the VVord is a very ſore Judgment; How ſore, I wiſh that England may never feel by ſad experience! A Famine of Bread, is affirmed to be worſe than the Plague of Peſtilence, worſe than the Sword of VVar; though Plague and Sword are very terrible; but a Famine of the VVord of God, is the worſt ſort of Famine, and it p. 256is threatned as a puniſhment, which is an indication of far greater wrath, Amos 8. 11. It ſhall come to paſs in thoſe days ſaith the Lord God, that I will ſend a Famine in the land; not a Famine of Bread, nor a thirſt for water; but a Famine of hearing the VVord of the Lord. The Antitheſis here between theſe two Famines doth heighten the ſeverity of the puniſhment. A Famine of the VVord is a puniſhment that is Spiritual, ſo much the more hurtful, becauſe it reaches the Spirits of Men; ſo much the more hurtful, by how much the Soul is more precious than the Body.

Ay, but, may ſome one ſay, what great harm is there if there ſhould come ſuch a Famine? I will tell you. To have the VVord of God removed, it is to have the Sun of Righteouſneſs ſet, and all hopes of Converſion and healing quite gone. To have a Famine of the VVord ſent, it is to have a Church unchurched, a Vineyard laid waſt, and not only turned into a Common, but into barren and curſed ground. To have a Famine of the VVord ſent, it is to have the Lord to ſpue a people out of his mouth, and ſay, I will never return to this Vomit again. To have a Famine of the VVord ſent, it is to have the Lord to give a Bill of Divorce, and upon this Bill p. 257of Divorce writ Loammi; you are not my people; Loruhamah, I will no more have mercy on you. Tremble, tremble, every one that hears me this day, at the thoughts of ſuch a Judgment as a Famine of the VVord of God! Pray! pray, that this Judgment may never be inflicted upon England! I read that there was ſeven years plenty in Egypt, before there was the greateſt Famine that ever Egypt knew. I heartily wiſh that our preſent Liberty, and plentiful injoyment of the VVord of God, be not a fore-runner of the moſt dreadful Famine of it that ever England knew! Pray it may not be ſo, pray that God would ſtill give you Paſtors after his own heart! Pray that God would cauſe you to lye down in green paſtures, that he would load you beſides the ſtill waters, that he would reſtore your Souls, and lead you in the paths of righteouſneſs for his Names ſake, Pſal. 23. 2, 3. And when you pray for this, fill your mouths with Arguments. Tell the Lord of his own honour, which his VVord doth direct the Children of Men to yield to him: Tell the Lord of his Sons Intereſt; He will neither be believed in, nor known, unleſs there be the VVord of God to reveal him: Mention the promiſe that the Father hath made unto the Son the Mediator, p. 258to give him the Heathen for his Inheritance, and the utmoſt parts of the Earth for his Poſſeſſion, Pſal. 2. 8. That of the increaſe of his Kingdom and Government, there ſhall be no end, Iſa. 9. 7. Urge him with that word that he hath ſaid, the Earth ſhall be filled with Knowledge as the waters cover the Sea, Iſa. 11. 9. Be importunate in pleading ſuch Promiſes as theſe, and it will manifeſt that you prize the VVord of God, and are afraid of its going. And this importunity will be mighty pleaſing to God, and very prevalent with Him.

4. Hence I inferr, That whenſoever the Word of God is effectual to the Converſion of any, there is juſt cauſe of great thankfulneſs. When means attain their deſigned end, it is a ſatisfaction unto thoſe that uſe them; and the higher and better the end is, the ſatisfaction is the more: The Converſion of a Sinner to God is one of the beſt things that can be done in the World: to feed the hungry, to cloath the naked, to relieve the oppreſſed, to cure the dangerouſly diſeaſed, to ſheath the Sword of War, and to eſtabliſh Peace in Kingdoms and Nations, all theſe are works very good; but let me tell you, that the turning of a Sinner unto God doth imply a far greater p. 259benefit, becauſe it doth include Eternal Bleſſedneſs. The loſt Sheep, the loſt Silver, the loſt Son, were all miſſed with trouble, and were all found with great Joy. When the Word is Powerful to Convert a Soul; Oh, what a precious thing is then ſecured! It is ſecured from Eternal Miſery, and there is an everlaſting Kingdom that it ſhall at laſt be brought ſafe unto, 2 Tim. 4. 18. The Lord ſhall deliver me from every evil work, and he will preſerve me unto his Heavenly Kingdom.

When a Sinner is Converted, how thankful ſhould he himſelf be! for he is catched, as a Fire-brand out of the burning; he is delivered from intolerable Wrath, and intereſted in unchangeable Love! How thankful ſhould Miniſters be, when they ſee their ſpiritual Offspring, and Chriſt formed in them! How thankful ſhould Saints be, when they behold their Number increaſed! If they beheld the Tranſgreſſours and were grieved, certainly, with gladneſs ſhould they behold them turn…ng from Tranſgreſſion. Nay, thoſe Angels that are in Heaven, take notice of Converſion, as a juſt ground of great Joy: What was ſaid concerning the firſt Crea…ion, may be applyed unto the new Crea…ion, the Morning Stars do ſing together, and p. 260all the Sons of God, the whole Hoſt of th… Principalities and Powers of Heaven … ſhout for Joy, when any are converted and made indeed new Creatures.

5. Hence I inferr, that it is no wonder that Sathan and his Inſtruments would fai… have this VVord of God out of the VVorld, ſince it is the great means of Converſion, O what a hateful Book unto Hell is the Holy Bible! If evil Angels might have their wiſh, I am perſwaded their wiſh would be this; that Souls may burn … Hell, and that Bibles might be burnt on Earth. Oaths, Curſes, Blaſphemies, Lying, Slanders, Railing, filthy Diſcourſe prophane Songs, and Laughter, Mirth and Muſick, damnable Hereſies and Doctrines theſe have all a very pleaſing ſound i… Sathans ears: Ay, but the powerful an… plain Preaching of the Word of God Sathan cannot bear; this is very harſh, and it is very grating to him, and he dot… endeavour to ſtop the mouths of skil… Diſpenſers of the Word of Righteouſneſs for he fears their voice, leſt his ſtro… holds ſhould be pulled down. If in ſpig… of him a door of utterance be opened, th… evil and envious One, endeavours to … men with prejudices againſt them, that the… may have but very few …e…rers; but p. 261their H…a… are a very great Multitude, O then …w doth he beſtir himſelf to …inder the entrance of the Word, that Eyes, and Ears, and Hearts may be ſhut againſt it! Chriſt compares the Word of God unto Seed, and evil Angels unto Fowls, that endeavour to catch it away as ſoon as ſown, Mat. 13. 4. that ſo it may be altogether fruitleſs, or bring forth no fruit unto Eternal Life. When there are a great many Pick-pockets in a Crowd, upon notice, Perſons are the more careful of their Purſes: O what a company of evil Angels are here, that are arrant Thieves! and they will endeavour to rob you of the Word of God; it concerns you to heed the Word, and to hide it in your Hearts, and then it will be ſafe; a good and an honeſt Heart will certainly ſecure this Treaſure.

6. Hence I inferr, that the Diſpenſers and Preachers of the VVord of God, which is the great means of Converſion, ought highly to be eſteemed in Love for their works ſake, 1 Theſ. 5. 12, 13. VVe beſeech you Brethren, to know them that labour among you, are over in the Lord, and admoniſh you, and to eſteem them very highly in love for their works ſake, and be at peace among your ſelves. When Chriſt aſcended up on high, p. 262far above all Heavens, that he might fill all things, the Miniſtry of the VVord was a gift that he did beſtow upon his Church, Eph. 4. 11. The Miniſters of the Goſpel as they are inſtrumental to ſeed the Flock, ſo they are inſtrumental to make the Flock too; for the Spirit of God doth accompany their Miniſtry, and makes it effectual to alter corrupted Nature, ſo that thoſe that were before like Dogs, like Swine, like VVolves, like Lyons, are changed, and they become the Lambs, and the Sheep of the Lord Jeſus. VVhatever kindneſs is done for the Preachers of the Goſpel, it is not comparable unto the kindneſs they do, when they are made inſtrumental unto the Converſion of any. Theodoſius, that wore an Imperial Diadem, was ſenſible of this, when he ſaid, I thank God more that I have been a member of Chriſt, than that I have been the Emperour of the VVorld. The Miniſtry of the Goſpel is the Gift of Chriſt, and if this Gift be deſpiſed, Chriſt the giver is contemned, and the Father which hath ſent him too, Luk. 10. 16. He that heareth you, heareth me, he that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me, and he that deſpiſeth me, deſpiſeth him that ſent me.

7. How earneſtly ſhould Preachers pray, that the Word in their Mouths may be effectual p. 263to Converſion. Ay, and they ſhould call in the help of others Prayers too, that they may ſucceed in the preaching of the Goſpel of Reconciliation, 2 Theſ. 3. 1. Finally Brethren pray for us, that the word of the Lord might have free courſe and be glorified, even as it is with you. Every Sermon that the Preacher makes ſhould be the Gift of Heaven; it ſhould be the return of Prayer, and both before and after preaching; having Heaven, and Hell, and Precious Souls, all in his Eyes together; being in a holy agony, he ſhould pray with all poſſible earneſtneſs that precious Souls may not be irrecoverably loſt and ruined! Memorable is the paſſage of the Apoſtles, Acts 6. 4. VVe will give our ſelves continually unto Prayer and unto the Miniſtry of the word. Prayer is firſt mentioned. If by Prayer the Preachers can prevail with God, the VVord of God in their Mouths, is the more likely to be prevalent with Men. A Preacher ſhould be a man of Bowels, and becauſe his own are Marble, he ſhould long after the Converſion and Salvation of Souls in the Bowels of Jeſus Chriſt, Phil. 1. 8. Alas, the Souls that are before him, if they won't hear, they can't live: if they won't repent, Deſtruction is at the door; if they won't believe they muſt be damned; p. 264and there is no remedy. How therefore ſhould we cry to the God whoſe VVord we preach, that he would give Grace to repent, Grace to believe, Grace to turn to him; for though a Paul be the Planter, though an Apollo be the Waterer, both are nothing, but God that gives the increaſe he is all, 1 Cor. 3. 7.

8. If the Word of God be the great means of Converſion, then hence I inferr, that, that Society and Church is to be avoided, that takes away this Word from the common People. The true Church it doth concern you to know, and I will tell you how it may be known; it is built upon the Foundation of the Apoſtles and Prophets, Jeſus Chriſt himſelf being the chief Corner Stone, Eph. 2. 20. There is an agreement between the Doctrine of the Apoſtles, and Prophets: This Doctrine ſets forth Chriſt as the Foundation of a Chriſtians Faith and Hope; ſets forth Chriſt as the only Saviour, and as a Saviour to the utmoſt. If therefore this Doctrine be decryed by any, thoſe that do decry it are to be avoided. It is certainly Helliſh cruelty unto Souls, to take away the means of Converſion and Salvation from them. That can't be the Kingdom of Chriſt, the props of which, are Ignorance of the Word of God, and an implicite p. 265Faith in men. The Apoſtle Paul ſpeaks plainly, 2 Cor. 4. 3, 4. If our Goſpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loſt: and v. 6. God who commanded the Light to ſhine out of darkneſs, hath ſhined in our Hearts, to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt. But the Practice of many plainly ſhew, that they are of another mind, and their mind is this, that if the Goſpel be revealed, it is revealed to them that are loſt; and that God, inſtead of commanding the Light to ſhine into the minds of thoſe that are ſaved, doth command darkneſs to abide there ſtill.

But here is an Objection that muſt be removed out of the way. Say ſome, If the common People are permitted to look into the Word of God, inſtead of being turned to God, they are but likely to miſtake his Mind, and to run into abundance of errour, and ſo to hurt and poyſon themſelves. An ordinary Objection, but it is eaſily anſwer'd.

1. This is plainly to charge the God of Heaven fooliſhly, and blaſphemouſly, as if he had given ſuch a dangerous VVord to his Church, as that it is not fit, or ſafe for them to make uſe of. The Objectors don't take notice, that God hath with ſuch Goodneſs, Wiſdom, and care compiled the p. 266Holy Scripture, that it is a Means to prevent running into Errour, and the trueſt Knowledge is derived from hence. Hark to the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 119. 105. Thy VVord it is a Light unto my Feet, and a Lamp unto my Path. Wo to them that put Darkneſs for Light, and Light for Darkneſs! And before v. 104. the Pſalmiſt ſaid, Through thy Precepts I get underſtanding, therefore I hate every falſe way.

2. I anſwer to this Objection, That the Jewiſh Church, though in a State of Minority, had not the VVord of God withheld from them. All were to read it, all were to meditate upon it, and yield obedience to it: Nay obſerve, that even the Children were not to be Ignorant of the Scripture, Deut. 6. 6, 7. Theſe VVords that I command thee this day, ſhall be in thine Heart; and thou ſhalt teach them diligently to thy Children, and thou ſhalt talk of them when thou ſitteſt in thy houſe, and when thou walkeſt by the way, and when thou lieſt down, and when thou riſeſt up. If the Jewiſh Church, which was a Church in Minority, had the Word of God generally vouchſafed, certainly the Chriſtian Church ought not to be denyed it, which are arrived unto a State of greater Maturity, as the Apoſtle intimates, Gal. 4. 1, 2, 3.

p. 267Laſtly, Whereas it is ſaid, that if the common People read the Scriptures, and ſtudy the Word of God, they will be in danger of running into Errour. I anſwer, How much Errour, how much miſtake is there in groſs Ignorance? Beſides, thoſe men that have been the great broachers of Errour and Hereſie in the Church of Chriſt, have been men of great parts, and men of profound Learning, as Arrius and Pelagius, and the reſt. So that if there was any force in this Objection, the Word of God muſt not be medled with by any at all. Bleſſed be God, that the humble have a Promiſe of Guidance and Inſtruction from Heaven, Pſal. 25. 9. The meek will he guide in Judgment, and the meek will he teach his way. And while Chriſtians are uſing the Word of God, if they cry to the Father of Lights, that gives wiſdom liberally, without upbraiding, they ſhall have a Heart to know him, that he is the Lord, Jer. 24. 7. and they ſhall return to him with the whole Heart.

9. Hence I inferr, That we ſhould be ſuch lovers of Mankind, as to wiſh the whole World did enjoy the Word of God, the great means of Converſion. It ſhould be a ſadning thought to our Hearts, that though all mankind have ſinned, and are in a loſt p. 268eſtate, the Word of God that informs concerning the only Saviour, is known to ſo very few! The Jewiſh Church of old for hundreds of years did put up that Prayer, and at length it was anſwered in the Vocation and calling of the Gentiles, Pſal. 67. …. That thy way may be known upon the Earth, and thy ſaving health among all Nations▪ Chriſtians ſhould Pray in the ſame ſtrain, that this Petition may be heard further. Chriſtians ſhould be compaſſionate Interceſſours for the poor World that lyes in darkneſs and wickedneſs, that the Light of the Goſpel may come wherever the Sun in the Firmament ſhines, that ſo whole Kingdoms and Nations, by thouſands and by millions, may not thus throng the way to Hell, for want of Saving Knowledge and Converting Grace.

And as we ſhould pity and pray for the Infidel VVorld, ſo we ſhould pity and pray for poor Poſterity; that they, when they come to be born into England, may find this a Land of Light: for if we ſhould leave them without the glorious Goſpel of the bleſſed God, we ſhould leave them under Sathans Power, and in the Con…l…es of Hell! O let us put on Bowels, and pray hard that thoſe that ſhall be born, twenty, forty, a hundred years hence and more, p. 269may find England the Land of Immanuel, and may be priviledged with the Word of God, that may be a means of their being regenerate and born again.

10. Laſtly, Hence I inferr, How inexcuſable thoſe are, that turn the VVord of God, the great means of Converſion and Salvation, into a deadly ſavour to themſelves. O the evil Nature of that Sin of unbelief! the evil Heart of unbelief doth make the greateſt Bleſſings to become Curſes. To grow more blind under the Light; to grow more deaf and diſobedient, the louder God calls; to grow more barren and unfruitful, notwithſtanding all advantages to make you thrive in Grace and Goodneſs; what excuſe can be brought for this? To receive the Grace of God in vain, is a very great folly; but to turn the Grace of God into wantonneſs, to Sin becauſe Grace doth abound, this is to turn the very Remedy and Antidote into Poyſon, and to periſh the more certainly, the more fearfully.

The Apoſtle Paul, 2 Cor. 2. 16. telleth us, that his Miniſtry was a ſavour of death unto death to ſome, they grew more dead, more eſtranged from God and Holineſs, even while they heard the Goſpel, that is a Doctrine according to Godlineſs, preached p. 270to them; and growing more dead … a ſpiritual ſence, eternal Death did prove the ſorer to them. That man that under the Word of God grows worſe and worſe, comes daily to hear, but goes away more vain, more filthy, more wedded to his will, and to his hateful and hurtful luſts, this Man is indeed deſparately wicked; this man doth fix himſelf under the Laws Curſe, he pulls down upon his own Head the Mediators Vengeance, and after his hardneſs and impenitent Heart, treaſures up unto himſelf wrath againſt the day of wrath, and the Revelation of the righteous Judgment of God.

The ſecond Uſe is by way of Reproof. If the Word be the great means of Converſion, ſeveral ſorts of Perſons are ſharply to be reprehended.

1. Thoſe that diſlike and hate the VVord of God; theſe are Fools in the worſt and moſt dangerous ſence, that hate Inſtruction, and caſt the Laws of God behind their backs, Pſal. 50. 17. Theſe are bruitiſh, that can't endure to be reproved for doing harm to themſelves; they are certainly bewitched that will not obey the Truth, Gal. 3. 1. As Chriſt ſays, For which of my good works do ye ſtone me? ſo ſay I, For which of the p. 271good Effects of the VVord of God do you hate it? It is Light in darkneſs, a means of conveying Life to the dead, Food to the hungry, a Cordial to the fainting, a Sword to ſecure you againſt, and to conquer your ſpiritual Enemies. And therefore, if you diſlike this Word of God, you are even unto ſottiſhneſs, without underſtanding: It is a Scripture phraſe, Jer. 4. 22. My people are fooliſh, they have not known me, they are ſottiſh Children, and without underſtanding; they are wiſe to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

2. Thoſe are ſharply to be reproved, who endeavour to hinder the Efficacy of the VVord of God upon others; this they do by ill Counſel, and by worſe Example. This they do by being Contentious againſt the Truth, and by pleading for unrighteouſneſs. This they do by promoting prejudices againſt the Word of God; as if the embracing of it, were the way to Melancholick, ſadneſs, ſorrow, and ſcorn, which is indeed the way to the trueſt Gain, and the ſureſt Peace. They that are troubled to ſee others minding Heaven, are ſtrangely degenerate, and are become Factors for Hell; and diſcover a moſt diabolical Diſpoſition. But whatſoever Perſons ſpeak againſt Grace and Holineſs, whatever they ſay for the p. 272continuance in a wicked way; all their words are but vain words, and every ea… ſhould be deaf to them. Eph. 5. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words, for becauſe of theſe things cometh the wrath of God upon the Children of diſobedience.

3. Looſe Profeſſours of Religion are to be reproved, who are indeed a diſcredit to the Word of God: they come and hear the Word of God, but what are they in their Families? what are they in their Cloſets? what are they in the whole courſe of their Lives? Filthineſs, greedineſs after Gain, exceſſive Drinking, Impurity, Covetouſneſs, theſe things indeed they can ſhew but too much of: But any thing of true Holineſs of Humility, of Strictneſs, of Contempt of this World, of Delight in minding another World, they are utter Strangers to. Will you remember one Truth? The Converſion of the prophane is very much hindred, by the licentiouſneſs of the Hypocrites; the former won't be prevailed with to turn into the way of Truth, becauſe the latter by their evil Courſes do make this way of Truth to be evil ſpoken of, 2 Pet. 2. 2.

I ſhall conclude with a Ʋſe of Direction. How may the Word of God be heard ſo, as that it may be effectual to the Converſion of the hearers?

p. 2731. Conſent that all the Impediments of the Words efficacy ſhould be removed. Be unwilling that your hearts ſhould be like the high-way ground; utterly careleſs, groſsly Ignorant of the Truths you hear. My Beloved, do you think that Sathan hath not carefully treaſ…red up all the Sermons that you have loſt? all the Sermons that you have ſlept away? all the Sermons that you have remained Ignorant and ſtupid under? Sathan hath them to produce and ſhew againſt you at the great approaching day.

Be unwilling that your Hearts ſhould remain like ſtony ground: a hard heart will hinder the Word of God from taking root. Be not terrified at any Perſecutions, that you may meet with for the Words ſake: Let the fear of God ſwallow up the enſnaring fear of Man. Pluck up all the thorns, and how many of them are in your hearts. Away with your cares about the World, let not theſe eat up the heart and time, and expell the more needful care about the one thing nec…ſſary. Be not deceived by Earthly Riches, let not theſe dazle your eyes with their gliſtering, nor cauſe you to look with a ſtrange eye upon the Treaſures of Heaven which are everlaſting. In a word, be not fond of your Luſts, of your Pleaſures any longer. Sin hath kept p. 274you at a diſtance from God, and the Children of wrath and diſobedience, but too long already.

2. Chuſe to ſit under that Miniſtry th… ſpeaks moſt home to the Conſcience; and that doth manifeſt the moſt earneſt deſire after the Converſion of Souls: Thoſe that are inſtructed from Heaven rightly to wield the ſword of the Spirit; ſo that it ſhall pierce the heart, and as it were di… …ect the Soul, and make the ſecrets of … manifeſt; really, their pains are very much to be prized; and it were to be wiſht that the voice of ſuch could reach the ears of thouſands and of millions; becauſe theſe Preachers are bound for Heaven themſelves, and it is their deſire and deſign that great multitudes may go along with them thither.

3. Be glad of, and take the watchmans warning; believe and tremble at the Sword of God, that is coming to wound, to ſlay all thoſe that go on ſtill in their treſpaſſes, Pſal. 68. 21. Deſtruction from the Almighty, in which the Power of God is to be manifeſt in the glory of it, muſt needs be exceeding terrible: ſettle it upon your hearts, that every Sin doth anger God: Flee from Sin you muſt, or eſcape his wrath you cannot. As certainly as God is holy, juſt … p. 275true, ſo certainly none but thoſe that are holy ſhall be happy in and with him; ſo certainly all that refuſe to turn to him, …hall be Sentenced to depart for ever from …im into everlaſting burnings. Your Blood will not lye upon my head, I have told …ou of the Sword that is a coming: I …ave given the watchmans warning, if …ou love God, if you love your ſelves, take ….

4. Hear God himſelf ſpeaking by the Mi…istry of Man, if you would have the Word …ffectual to your Converſion: Alas! the word …f Man is but feeble breath, but the Word …f God can raiſe the dead, John 5. 25. Ve…ily, verily, I ſay to you, the hour is com…g and now is, when the dead ſhall hear the …oice of the Son of God, and they that hear …all live. It is not Man (miſtake not.) It … not Man, but God, that telleth you that …e Soul that ſinneth ſhall dye. It is not Man but God that tells you, if you turn … him, he will turn to you, and he will …ecome a God and Father to you; and you, …ough never ſo much strangers, though …ver ſo great enemies; ſhall become the …ns and Daughters of the Lord Almighty, Cor. 6. ult. Theſe Goſpel invitations, theſe …oſpel Promiſes ought to be heeded, ought … be credited, as if God had utter'd them p. 276with an audible Voice from Mount Sion, as he did the Law of old from Mount Sinai: Friend, where are you? You are before God who is ſpeaking to you: You are taking notice of the man; Pray look further, God ſpeaks to you by the Tongue of a mortal Man. In hearing the Word, remember that you have to do with God, and how dare you refuſe to turn to him?