A Treatise of Conversion, Chapter 3
CHAP. III.
SECT. I.
Ʋse 1. HAving thus cleared the way, by shewing you the meaning, and the truth of the Point in hand; I shall next come to the Application of it to our selves. And first by way of Inference you see from hence, that there is a Kingdom of Heaven to be obtained. It were in vain to talk who shall come thither, and who shall not, if there were no such thing to be had. Doubt not Christian, Thou hast the word of the God of Heaven for it. Challenge the Tempter, if he would draw thee to doubting, to prove that ever the God of this word Deceived any. If he would tempt thee to question whether it be his word, or not: shew him upon it his Image and Superscription, with the Seal of his manifold uncontrouled Miracles. And ask him what better Evidence Mortals can expect, unless they would have God, who cannot be seen, to walk among them, and speak to every particular man. Oh, that thou wouldst be true to God and thy self, and then thou shalt find God will be true to thee. As sure as there is an earth for thee to tread on, and as sure as there is a Sun whose light thou seest: so sure is there an heavenly Everlasting Glory, for every converted persevering Soul: There can be no better ground of Assurance then the Word of God. I know, that man, whiles he is in this flesh, is strange to things beyond his sense, and hath a Natural desire to have his senses themselves to be the Inlets of his knowledge; And therefore he is apt to think, that either he is uncertain of all that he seeth not, (unless he hath seen the like that may help him to understand it;) or else that his knowledge of it, is as no knowledge: But this is a weakness unworthy of a man. What if you had never seen London, or any such City, and should hear the glory of it Described by others? wou'd you think it uncertain that there is such a place? because you have not seen it? Nay further, you have not seen your Souls; Do you think it therefore uncertain, whether you have a Soul, or no? A man that is born blind did never see the Sun, and yet he will not doubt whether there be a Sun; when all the world about him telleth him so: And shall not the word of God be taken as soon as the word of a man▪ You never saw God himself, and yet it is the grossest Errour in the world to think that there is no God, when we see every hour the works that he hath made; and which we know, could none of them make themselves: You see that which assureth you of the things that are unseen. You see the Word of God: You see his works and daily Providences; You see a Divine Testi…ony, the sufficient ground of your Belief. Noah did not see the flood, when he laboured so many years in making the Ar…. …ut though the unbelieving world might deride him in the beginning, at the last the flood came and did convince them, Heb. 11. 7. By Faith Noah being warned of God, of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an Ark, to the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world, and became Heir of the Righteousness which is by Faith. Oh, if the Devil could once make you stagger at the Truth of the Promise, and make you doubt whether there be a Heaven and a Hell, because you see them not; he might then delude you with the Vanities which you do see. But when you Believe it upon Gods Word, as verily as if you saw it, then you will be likely to be Christian indeed. Therefore the Apostle bringeth such proof of the Doctrine of the Resurrection, and when he hath done, he buildeth this Exhortation upon it. Wherefore my beloved brethren, be stedfast, unmovable, alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know your labour is not in vain in the Lord, 1 Cor. 15. ult.
SECT. II.
Ʋse 2. HAving gone thus far with you, and shewed you that a Kingdom of Heaven there is; and that certainly none but the Converted shall enter it: My next business is, to come neerer your hearts, and to enquire of, and beseech you to enquire of your selves, whether you are the converted Heirs of this Kingdom, or not? Sirs, You hear from the mouth of Christ himself, how the case standeth. He that spoke this will be your Judge, and according to this word it is that he will Judge you. Believe you not this? I hope you do Believe it. Me thinks now I should need to say no more to reasonable men, to warn them presently to enter into their own Consciences: and try, and try again whether they are converted. But because that this is so Necessary a work, I will tell you some of those Reasons, that should move you presently to set upon this trail: and shew you now desirable it is to be well resolved in this Point. For I know that the Devil will be such an enemy to it, and the heart so backward to it, that all we can say, is likely to be too little to bring the most, but to a faithful examination of their own souls.
1. The first Reason that moveth me to entreat you to try your selves, is, the weight of the business in hand. A wise man may put a small thing to a venture, but he will not venture all his estate, or liberty, or life, if he can help it. How much less should a wise man venture his soul? Great things and Eternal things should be made as sure of as we can. For a man to be in Endless happiness, or misery, is a matter that should not have one cold, or dull and careless thought: much less should it be ordinarily, or wholly made light of. I profess to you Brethren, I wonder how you can so little regard the Assurance of your Conversion, and Salvation, as most of the world doth! As if Hell were grown sufferable: Or Heaven grown of smaller value: and the glory of it did begin to fade. For, a man that is …o Heathen, but Believeth that a Departing soul goes some whither, either to heaven or hell: me thinks he should be willing to know whither it shall go before its gone. For, when its once gone, its past Recalling. Me thinks, as long as you are in much doubting of your Salvation, this one thought should often be running in your mind: what if I should not be converted or saved? what a case were I then Everlastingly in? Your hearts, its like, do cherish some hopes that you are converted, and all shall be well enough with you when you die: Oh, but what if it should prove otherwise? Me thinks this one thought should even amaze you, whiles you are in that estate. For all my hopes, what if I should Perish? Oh, what wise man would put his everlasting Salvation or damnation to the venture, if he could pos…ibly get it out of Doubt! Therefore, Sirs, I beseech you for the Lords sake: get alone again & again, and put this Question to your own Consciences [How can I tell that I am truly converted] And if you are ready to say, I hope it is so, when you have nothing for these hopes, but because you would have it so: call to your Consciences for the proof of what they say: and do not take your own bare words. It is proof that must carry it, and not meer saying that you are Converted. Ask therefore Conscience, How canst thou prove it? What canst thou shew that will Evidence a Conversion, more then unsanctified persons may shew? And I pray you, see that you be not put off too easily, and take not every Gloss for Evidence: but in a matter of such Consequence, see that you deal faithfully, and go to the very quick: Al…s, almost all the comfort of your lives lieth upon it: And your everlasting Salvation lieth upon it, which is much more.
2. Another Reason, which makes me the more earnestly desire that you would try, whether you are truly converted, or not: is, because all men by nature are children of wrath, and need Conversion, and the greatest part of the world do live and die in their Natural state, and never come to be truly Converted. Seeing therefore, that it is a thing that every one must have that will be saved, and yet most men go without it, and therefore are damned, should it not waken you to examine, whether you are of the number of those that are Converted, Yea or Nay? If it were a needless thing that might be spared without your undoing: Or if it were a thing that every body hath, or that almost all, or most have: you might be the more secure: But it is not so. What need we more proof then Gods express word? Matth. 7. 14. [The Gate is straight, and the Way narrow, and few there be that find it] And common experience seconding this Word of God. Do you see that most men are converted, and such as I before Described to you? Oh that it were so. But we shall speak more of this toward the End. Will any man that hath not lost his senses, now stand cavilling, and quarrelling that so few should be saved, instead of making sure his own Salvation? The reason that there is so few, is, because they will not be saved upon Gods terms. And if you will take their course, and quarrel with the gracious word and ways of God, instead of submitting to them, you will speed as they, and be carried down the stream, for company. But those that care for their souls, will take warning by other mens miscarriages, and be awakened to make sure.
3. Another Reason that should move you to examine, whether you be indeed converted or not, is, because the want of this, is one of the greatest causes why so few come to be converted, and to be saved. Nothing doth more keep a man from turning back again, when he hath lost his way, then when he doth not know that he hath lost it: And how can he know, that wandereth in the night, and will not enquire and ask the way, or that is so wilfull and self-conceited, that he will not Believe any man that telleth him he hath lost his way. As long as he is of this mind, he will never turn again. So is it with most of the careless world: they are going into the way of worldliness or vain glory, and live to the flesh, which is clean contrary to the way to heaven; and yet they will not once seriously ask a Minister, or ask any one that can Inform them, whether that be the way, or not? or whethr they shall ever come to Heaven in that way? But they trudge on after their fleshly business, as if they had no tongue in their heads; or as if it were not worth the asking, to know, whether they are in the way to heaven or hell. Surely, if men will not so much as enquire, or consider with themselves, and examine their way by the word of God, to see whether they are right …r wrong, they are never like to be saved. If you, that never had this great cure done upon your souls did but know so much, you would not rest sure, till it were done. You could not lie down quietly, nor rise quietly: You could not eat, or drink, or sleep quietly. Tell me, ever a man or woman of you: Could you be quiet, if you were sure that you were yet unconverted, and in a state, that if Death should find you in, you must be damned? If you kne… …his by your selves, how could you chuse but get presently to God on your knees in secret, and cry out? Help Lord, or I am everlastingly undone. Oh, forgive me, and change my heart and life, or else I am a lost man and woman for ever. How could you chuse, if you knew your selves unconverted, but follow God with your Prayers day and night till he …d changed your hearts. You could not sit at home, but you would go to the Ministers, and to experienced Christians, and ask them for some help, and advice for your Salvation. But, when men think all is well with them, who can expect that they should put themselves to so much trouble? Or seek much to God or man for cure, or make any great matter of the greatest misery? I do not fear any one thing more, to make me lose all this labour, and leave many of you after all this, unconverted; then this conceit, that you are already converted, when you are not. This is it, that … most like to hinder our work, and to undo your souls. And therefore for the Lords sake Sirs, deny me not this one request, to take a little pains to try whether you are converted. For if any man think he is something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself, Gal. 6. 3.
4. Another Reason, that should make you never rest till you know that you are converted, is, because of the many exceeding benefits that the true knowledge of this one thing would afford you. For the truly converted, holding on to the Death, shall Certainly be saved. Oh Sirs, if you had but this Assurance once, you might five quietly, and abound with Comforts! You might lie down, and nothing make you afraid: you might Rejoyce in the Mercies of the Lord, as the tokens of his Love; and bear his Rod with greater peace, as being the chastisement of a Father. Had you but this Assurance once, you might hear, and read the word with Comfort: and when you come to the Promises, say, These are mine: You might secretly and publikely pray with comfort, and have access with boldness to the Throne of Grace, Heb. 10. 19. Eph. 3. 12. You might run to God when any thing ayleth you, and call him your Father in confidence of his Acceptance: You might gladly feast with the Saints in the holy Communion of the Church: You might cheerfully sing Gods Praises, and glory in the thoughts of his great Salvation And when you are dying, you might look to heaven as your home, and long to be dissolved and to be with Christ, Phil. 1. 23. And might joyfully let go your departing souls, and say as Christ, Father, into thy hand I commend my Spirit. Oh Sirs, What a blessed life is this, when a man can look upon every thing with comfort! If he look on the godly, he can say, They are my Brethren; If on the wicked, he can say, I am delivered from their sad estate. If he look on any of the Mercies which he possesseth, he can say, They are the fruits of the blood of Christ, and the Toke… of his Fathers love. If on his poverty, or want, he can say: My greater wants are supplyed, and these prepare for the ever-during Riches. If he look on the Law, he can say, It hath nothing against him, because he hath pardon through him that hath born the curse. If on the Gospel, he can Rejoyce in it, as the glad Tydings of his Salvation: If he look on the Threatning, he can say, It reacheth not a pardoned sinner: If on the Promise, he can say, It is my Charter for Heaven. If he look upward to Heaven, he can say, It is my own Inheritance, thither I am going, and there I shall shortly be. If he …ook downward, toward the place of Torments, he can say, From thence did Grace deliver me. If there were any terrour to a mans soul, it would be in sin, and Satan, and Death, and Hell, but none of these are matter of terrour to him. Not sin, for it is pardoned, and mortified in part, and will be perfectly ere long: Not Satan, for he is conquered, and cast out of his possession: Not Death, for it hath lost its sting, and is become the passage into Everlasting Life: Not Hell, for it will be our perpetual joy, to see that we are delivered from such everlasting Torments. In a word, because he can say [God is my Father, Christ is my Saviour, and my Head, the Holy Ghost is my sanctifier] Therefore he can say [All is mine, as I am Christs, and Christ is Gods] 1 Cor. 3. 21. And 2 Cor. 4. 15. Oh Sirs, What would you give; Nay, what would you not give, to be presently put into such a Condition? Had you not as lieve as all the world now, that you were sure that you are converted, and in this state of life? Sure, If you are well in your wits, you had. Who would care what becomes of the World, if he were once sure of Heaven? Or what become of his corruptible flesh, if he were sure it should go well with his soul; and that flesh it self should rise …n to Glory. Oh, What a terrible thing it is, for a soul to go out of the body, and not know whither! And how much more to depart under the curse of God! from the Damnation of the Law, to the Condemnation of the Judge. But how blessed is it, to remove from the state of a frail and sinful man, to live with Christ, to be equal with the Angels, Luk. 20. 36.
What say you now, Beloved Hearers? Is there not weight enough in these Reasons, to perswade you to try whether you are converted, or not? Dare you say there is not? If you dare not, you are witness your selves that you are convinced. You see it is your Duty; or see it is Necessary for your own good. Your labour will be small in comparison of the profit: the loss will be nothing; the commodity may be unspeakable. Shall I then as your Minister beseech you presently to fall to thi… work? As a Messenger of Christ shall I entreat it of you? As a friend to your souls shall I entreat it of you? It is for your selves: It is no unreasonable matter you see, that I ask of you. Conscience shall witness one day to the face of Refusers, that it was not unreasonable. Neighbours, I pray you for the Lords sake, and for your souls sake, do not d…ny it me. I profess in the presence of the Lord▪ I had rather you would grant me this small request, then giv… me all you have in the World: Even that you would but make it your business to try, and throughly try, whether you are yet converted, or no? But then, let me entreat you to do it seriously, and make somewhat of it, and leave not till you have done your best to be Resolved whether it be so with you, or not? You do not need to ask me what ayleth me to be so earnest with you for such a thing. You have heard by the foregoing Reasons what ayleth me. You may see here in my Text what ayleth me. When Christ himself saith, Except you be converted, and become as little children, ye cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the thing then that I entreat you to do: that you would be take your selves at your next Opportunity without delay into some private place, and there bethink your selves what you have heard; or at least what is said here in my Text: and say thus with your selves, [I see there is no hope of salvation without conversion; my heart must be turned from the world, and flesh, and sin, to God by Christ, or else I cann…t enter into Heaven: I know I shall shortly leave this life: Doth it not concern me then to see by times that I be converted? Was ever … a change as this wrought in my heart, or not? There is no dissembling with God, he will not be mocked. What sayest thou Conscience: have I ever had such a change, or not? Thus follow on the enquiry and leave it not, till you can say, of or on whether you have been converted, or not? Or at least till you have some more light into the business then you had before: And if you cannot do it at o…e time, as it is likely you cannot fully go do it again and again▪ Think on it as you lie in bed: Think on it when you are alone, and say to your selves; seeing I must be converted, or condemned, is it not time for me to know whether it be so with me, or not?] And if you cannot get the case well Resolved, let me entreat one thing more, which I have often entreated of you. That you would come to one of us that are your Teachers, or go to some Judicious able Christian, and ask advice to help you in the trial: For in so great a business, tis dangerous to be mistaken. I do not speak all this to those Christians that have lived long in the fear of God, and have doubts raised in their minds by the …mptations of the Enemy, or by their own great c…re of the matter of their Salvation, and have asked help of Ministers, and taken pains, and done what lieth in them to be Resolved, and yet find some doubts remaining. It is not these that I now sp…k to. Thoug… I would not grudge my labor to these whensoever I have can tim… for it, to do them any good I could. Yet I would rather …dvise them to acknowledge the Light of Grace that shineth in their eyes, and not forget their own experiences, nor ma…e light of the abundance of that Mercy, which hath translated them fr… darkness into the Kingdom of Christ, and feed upon that Glory that is propounded to their Faith. But I speak to those, that either never did yet set to the work of examination; or never followed it, till they discerned their miserable estate; or … le… till they got out of it, but are still sticking in the world a… …esh: And also to those young unsetled Christians that be not yet well Resolved for a change; or at least those that never yet had the advice of any Minister, or Judicious person, for the right setling of their spiritual estate: For all these, but especially for those that never set upon examination before: I would entreat them, if they find themselves in the dark, and cannot well manage it themselves, nor cannot find whether they are converted or not, that they would come to us, and seek advice. I pray you Neighbou…, do not think that we are either so stout, or so careless of your …uls, as to despise you, or to think it much to take this pains with y…. The poorest beggar in Town shall be welcom to us, that will come to us on this errand. Indeed, Ministers are set in every Chu…ch, as the Physitian is in the Town for all that are in Distress, to resort to for advise, that their Diseases may not prove their Death. It is not onelyonly to preach to you that we are made Ministers, but especially to give advice and Direction for their Salvation, to all that have special need, and come to us. Indeed, for small matte…s you should no more trouble a Minister, then you should trou…le a Physitian for a cut-finger, because you have others enough at hand to give you advice: If all the people of England would use their Ministers to this kind of Imployment, it would be happier for their souls, and happy for the Nation, and would make men know better the Nature and need of the Office of the Ministry. We do not desire you to come to us, as the Papist Priests make all their people do, to confess every secret sin that they have committed in the Lent, before they receive the Sacrament at Easter: But when you … out of the Word of God, that no man can be saved except …e be converted, …nd yo… set your selves to try whether you are converted of not, and cannot find it out: Here your Salvation lieth much on that business, and therefore Common Reason telleth you, that y…u should take the best Advice you can, and that pres…ntly, without delay. And so, you may be much better Resolved, and yo… minds more quieted, and you may go upon surer grounds for your Salvation, then perhaps you would otherwise do. There's never an honest Minister in England, but would be willing to fo… his meat, or sleep, as far as Nature would bear, to help his people in such straits as these: When they come to us, and tell us, [I have taken somed pains to try whether I am converted truly, or not, and I am not able to discern: I know its your Office to help me, … y… help to Resolve my Doubt, for I am Resolved I will no… …ture my soul so carelesly as I have done till now.] You do not know what good you might get, if you would but take this course to be Resolved: For God will bless his own Ordinances. … pray you therefore let no carelesness, or bashfulness hinder you; for matters of Salvation are not such things, that you should either be careless or ashamed of: However say not, but we of…d you our help.
But perhaps you will ask me, When I …m examining my Conscience, how shall I know whether I am …nverted, or not? By what marks may it be discerned? To this answer, I have so often given you divers marks already in the …ons I have preached, and the Books that I have written for y…ur Use, that I am loth to do the same thing over too oft. But f… this time it may suffice, if you will but remember that Description of the Work of Conversion, which I gave you before. For in that are all the Marks that are Necessary.
When you are examining your …wn hearts, enquire then: 1. Whether you ever found that ch…ge upon your mind, that I before mentioned: Are you soundly perswaded of the Truth of the Word of God, and the Life to c…me? And do you know and believe how vile a thing sin is? and …hat need you have of Christ▪ and what he hath done for you, and offereth to do? And do you esteem of the Love of God, and the hopes of Salvation above all things in this World, and account of all but as dung, that you may win Christ? Are you fully perswaded of the Riches of free Grace, and of the N…cessity of a holy Life, how much soever you … have sleighted the… …eretofore?
2. And have your he…rts been so far changed hereupon, as that you have laid up yo…r Treasure and hopes in the Life to come; an… that is it tha… you take for your Felicity: so that you can tr…ly say, that the main bent and Drift of your Life, is, Not for the pleasure or profits of the World, but how to please God, and be happy for ever? Though you may step out of the way by humane Infirmity, yet this is the bent and scope of your Life: This is your chief care, and this hath your most serious thought and busin…ss. Can you truly say, you use the world for God and …or He … and do not serve God for the World? And that you take all th…e outward things, but as Necessaries in your journey, but look at Heaven as your home and happiness? and that God hath the highest room in your hearts, and the World and flesh stand under him; and that you do not prefer these things before him? A …t you are Resolved whatsoever it cost you, to stick to God t… …ou lose the World, and not stick to the World when it loses y… favour of God? And that God shall be first served, and t… World shall have his leavings; and not the world first served, and God have its leavings? Have you tasted of the Infinite Love, which he hath manifested for your Salvation in the blood of his …n, and admired that free Grace, that hath thus purchased your …edemption? And fled to Christ as the only Refuge of a guilty …oul, from the curse of the Law, and the wrath of God: Renoun…ing all Conceits of any Merits, or Legal Righteousness of your …wn: taking Christ and his Merits for your Righteousness? D… you find that you hate the former sins that you loved, and ta…e pleasure in those holy waies, that you had no pleasure in befor…? And are you Resolved thus to hold on to the Death?
3. Is all this to be seen in your Life? Have you in good sadness changed your for…er Courses, and Resolved to turn to them no more? Have you left your old ungodly company further then your Calling, or Nece…y, or Charity requireth you to be with them? And have you …etaken your selves into the company of those that fear God, and take pleasure in their holy Communion, and in their help and company in the way to Heaven? Especially do you avoid those great Transgressions, by which you were carried away in your ignorance? And are you willing to destroy the remnants of your sin, whatsoever it cost you, and not to spare, or cherish, or befriend it? So that, there i… …o known sin that y… will fully live in; nor no known Duty …at you wilfully cast off. But you would fain be what God wou…d have you be, …nd your greatest sorrow is, that you can be n…better. And …f you fall by any Temptation, you rise again with shame, and grief, and free Confession, and renew your Resolution by the Grace of God, to take better heed for the time to come.
This is the sum of the work of Conversion, and this is the state of a gracious soul. I have left out divers Particulars, lest I should be too long, because you may see them together before you: But th… rest are Implyed in these.
When you go then to examine your hearts, …t these few Questions before you, and put them to your hearts, or else peruse those Marks that I have given you in my Directions of peace of Conscience, Or those in my Treatise of Judgement: Or those in my Bo…k of Rest. You do not need to be at a loss for Marks …o …ry by. Books will help you, or Ministers will help you, or … will help you. But all the Difficulty is in two things. 1. To …our heart to the work. 2. To be able to know your own heart…▪ For they are so dark and Deceitful, that without a special Lig…t and Diligence, you may easily be mistaken in your selves.
Well Brethren, I again renew my Request to you, That seeing you must be converted, or condemned, wil… …ou set your selves to try whether you are converted, or not? I hope you be not willing to be deceived; and I hope you do not think that Salvation is not worth this much Labour. I should ho…e that I might request as much as this from you. If it were fo…y self, or a friend; how much more when it is for your Salvation. Tell me therefore, will you do this much at my request, a… Christs request, yea, and at his Command; or will you not? Will you bestow now and then a secret hour about it, and follow it on till you get Resolution? and know whether you are converted, or not? Truly Neighbours, I do not speak these words to you carelesly, or customarily, as matters that I shall never look af…r, when I am out of the Pulpit; or as if I cared not whether you …er more minded them, or not. But it is the matter of Practice that I regard: whether you will do the thing that I am desiring …f you. I am loth you should spend another day in a state of Condemnation, and not know it. I am loth you should spend another day in Negligent uncertainty of your everlasting state. If you are converted, I wo… fain have you know it: If I could Procure it, I would have you …ure to go to heaven w…en you die, before you pass another week; or before you go this night to bed. And if you are not yet converted, I would fain …ave you know it, that you may lay to heart your condition, and without any more delay, may make …ut for the Grace of Christ, that must Recover you. I pray you do not think that it is utter despair that I am driving you to. If you should upon trial find that you are unconverted, you need not despair, and say, There is no Hope: No, but you must know, that there is Mercy before you. Christ hath prepared it for you, and offereth it to you, …nd is willing you should have part in it, if you be willing. Only you must consent to be changed now at last, and Resolve to go no further in the old way. It is Conversion, and not Desperation that God requireth. And I hope a man may seek after his Errour to amend it, rather then to despair of the amendment. What if upon examination, you should perceive that till this hour, …ou have been in a state of Death? it doth not follow, that you mus… live and die so; but that you must make hast to get out of it: which you will hardly ever do, till you find that you are in it. It were a foolish Traveller that will say, I will not ask the way, lest I find that I have missed it, and then I have no hope of getting home: but rather he should ask the way, that if he have misse… …, he may know it, and get in the right way before it be night. And because it is my present business, rather to convince the Unconverted for their Recovery, then the Converted for their comfort; I shall here tell you for the Negative, who they be that are ye… Unconverted, and must be changed, if ever they will be saved.
SECT. III.
1. THat man or woman, that never yet perceived and felt that sin is a great and detestable evil, deserving the wrath of God, and that never felt what need they stand in of the pardon of sin by the blood of the L…rd Jesus; Nor was ever humbled in the apprehension of his unworthy dealing with God, but can bear …i… sin as a tolerable burthen, is yet unconverted; and without Conversion cannot be saved, Mat. 11. 28. Luke 13. 3, 5. Psalm 51. 17. Isa 57. 15. Luke 14. 11. & 18. 14.
2. That man or woman that was never driven to Christ for deliverance, nor beaten out of the con…s of Merit, or sufficie…y in himself: Nor brought to admire the glorious Design of God in the great work of Redemption; nor savored the sweetness of the glad Tydings of Salvation, which are brought to distressed sinners in the Gospel. So that, his heart was never warmed with the sense o… the Redeemers Love, and Blood: but heareth and readeth the Gospel as a common story: Or as if it were not he that was thus Redeemed; is …et unconverted, whatsoever he may seem, Phil. 3. 8, 9. Ephes. 3. 18, 19. Luk. 7. 47, 48. Rom. 10. 15. Act. 13. 32.
3. That person that hath not his heart a…d hopes in Heaven, and looketh not at that as his onelyonly happiness, …nd doth not make it the business of his life to attain it; but setteth his heart more upon the things of this life, is certainly unconverted, whatever he may pretend, Phil. 3. 21. Matth. 6. 21. Rom. 5. 2. Tit. 1. 2. Heb. 11. 1 Cor. 15. 19. Col. 1. 5, 23.
4. That person that is not weary of all known sin, and hateth it not, an… would not be rid of it with all his he…t; and is not willing to be at the labour or cost of Duty, in the Use of those means which God hath required for the obtaining of a Conquest: but will venture his soul upon a careless life, rather then he will be brought to diligent Godliness; And taketh up Godliness in part upon meer Necessity, having rather l… it alone if he durst; And taketh it for a grievous thing to be hindered from his sin: That person is not as yet converted, but must have a further change before he can be brought into a state of Life, Luke 18. 23, 24. Rom. 6. 14, 16, 17, 21. & 7. 13, 22, 24. Psalm 119. 5.
5. That person that doth not set himself to the Duties of holiness to God, and Righteousness, and mercy toward man, that hath not the Spirit of Christ within him, and the Image of God upon him, and doth not express it in his worship and obedience; and is not loving, compassionate and merciful to others, nor humble and low in his own eyes, nor delighteth not in doing good; Nor is willing to do, as he would be done by; I say, that person is not yet truly converted, whatsoev… seemings of Conversion …e may have; but must yet be otherwise converted, or be condemned. Matth. 5. Heb. 12. 24. 1 Pet. 1. 15, 16. & 2. 5. 2 Pet. 3. 11. Heb. 3. 1. Psalm 1. 2.
6. That man or woman that hath any thing in this world, that is so dear to them, that they cannot spare it, and part with it for Christ, and obedience to his Command, but will rather ve…ture their souls upon his Threatnings, and will onelyonly take up so much of Religion, as may stand with their worldly Prosperity, or seeming Felicity, and are not resolved by the strength of Grace, rather to let go all, then Christ. I say, that person is yet unconverted, and must have a further change, or be condemned, Matth. 16. 24. & 10. 37, 38. Luke 14. 33. Phil. 3. 19. Mat. 13. 6, 20, 21.
Now the Lord have mercy on poor sinners; what a world of them are yet in the state of Death! And how little do they Believe it, or lay it to heart! I wonder what men think of such words in Scripture, when they meet with them. Sure, they cannot chuse but consider that they concern them, as well as others: and if no man can be saved without Conversion, they must needs know they cannot. What then do these men think of themselves? Do they think that they are converted; Or that they are not? If they think they are not, then surely they durst not rest till they are. For I do not think they are willing to be damned. It must needs be therefore, that they think they are converted, when they are not; and thats the things that deceiveth and quieteth them in their misery. But it is worth enquiry to find out, what it is that so deceiveth men, that the grossest worldling, or the vilest Sensualist, are yet perswaded that they are converted gratious men: And I find …mong others these three things are the cause. 1. They do not know what Conversion is, but take that to be true Conversion, which is no such thing. 2. They do not know themselves, but take themselves to have what they have not; and do what they do not, and be what they be not. And 3. They are Resolved to believe, what they would have to be true, be it never so false; and therefore will rather think they are well already, then they will be at the trouble to know that it is otherwise, and to use the means for a through Discovery.
SECT. IV.
Ʋse 3. BY the foregoing Enquiry, we have certainly found▪ that Conversion is too strange a thing in the World; and that the greatest …art of the World; yea, of those that are called by the preaching of the Gospel, are yet unconverted. The Consideration of this, must needs be a grief to the heart of every faithfull Minister, that knoweth the misery of an Unconverted man, and foreseeth his later End. It will be a grief to any honest Physitian, if he have a whole Hospital of sick persons under cure, to see that the most of their diseases are mortal, and to find but few recovered by the greatest skill and care that he can use: How much more must the everlasting danger of mens souls▪ be grievous to these that are appointed to watch over them? Would the Lord but cause you to know your own misery, as we know it, and to compassionate your selves, as we must compassionate you, we should have the more hope of your Recovery. Will you now joyn with us in Lamenting your own Condition, and lay to heart what a Case it is to be Unconverted? Truly Humanit… and much more Christianity, doth bind us to think on your Condition with Lamentation. Should we see an Enemy; should we see a very do… in Torment, and have no compassion? How much less, so many men and women that are so near us, and so dear to us in the flesh. Alas, that there is such a glory, and most men will miss of it! That there is such a fire prepared for the Devil a…d his Angels, and the most will run themselves wilfully into it! Why, Faith maketh Absent things as if they were present. That which will be so one of these daies, I look on it as if it were even so already. Oh! me thinks I see the thousands of the unconverted, departing from the face of an Angry Judge; who hath newly shut them up under his Final Sentence, Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire, Matth. 25. 41. If you ask me, why I tell you of such sad things? Truly Brethren it is, Because they are much sadder to suffer▪ then to hear of: and because you are yet alive in a possibility o… preventing them. If you marvel that I should believe such things, when no man seeth them; It is because I am a Christian. And if you believe them not as well …s I, you would do well to say so plainly, and do not dissemble any longer, and take on you to be Christians, when you are not; and to believe Gods Word, whe… you do not. I profess to you, I should take it but for a Paultry Profession to ride up and down to preach the Gospel, and trouble the minds of men in vain, and get the ill will of most of our Neighbours, and tire and spend our selves in this work, if it were not certainly true which we must tell them: and if the Gospel were a Fable or humane device. If the word of God were not true, Ministers have the most unworthy Employment upon earth. But if it be true (as nothing more certain) Oh Lord, what hard hearts then have we, that we are no more affected with your Condition! And what hearts have you, that are no▪ more affected with your own! The Lord knows, if I were not confident that this word is true, that telleth us of the danger of all that are unconverted, I would not have been here to day; Nay, I would shut up my books, and take another Trade in hand, and never preach more. But shall a man that knows the unconverted will be condemned, forbear to tell them of the misery that is neer them? Then were our case more sinful then yours, for you know it not, and therefore Love not to hear of it. I believe it, and know it, and yet should I silence it? I know it is unpleasant Doctrine, but it is Necessary: And it is most true: God never yet did prove a liar: If he were not true, he were not God. You will believe your selves the things that you see not, upon common Experience; and why should not I Believe that which I see not, upon a better Ground? You do not see the Sun at midnight, and yet you believe that it will rise the next morning; because it useth to do so. You see no Flowers or Fruits on the earth in Winter, and yet you believe that you shall see them the next year, because they use to come in their seasons. You are now all alive, and see not your graves dig'd, nor your friends about you, there laying you, and leave you in darkness to the worms: and yet you know that such a day will come, though now you see it not: As truly do I know, that there is endless wo to every sinner that dieth unconverted. I see not the flames, nor do I hear the cries of damned souls, but yet I know that there they are, while we sit here, and there they will be to all Eternity. Its like, the man in Luke 16. was a Gentleman of Quality, that had so bountiful a Table, and was clothed so Gorgeously every day. Alas, his poor Brethren its like, did little think what was become of his soul, when they had laid his body in the earth. If a preacher should have told them he was afraid he was in hell▪ do you think they would not have been ready to fly in his face, or account him Intollerably self-conceited, or precise: And yet the Lord Jesus brings us news that he was in hell Torment, wishing that one might be sent from the dead, to warn those his poor Brethren that he had left behinkd him on the earth. No doubt, he knew that they were all of the same mind as he was, when he was alive; and as fleshly, and worldly, and careless of their Salvation, and therefore were in the road way to the same condemnation; or else, if he had known them to be godly, heavenly-minded men, he would never have thought them in such danger, as it seems he did. But we read not that they had any such fears of themselves as he had. If one had come to them from the dead, and told them, that their late Worshipful Brother was in hell for his sin and knowing them to be all in the way to the same misery, had sent to them to beseech them presently to be converted, lest they also come to that place of Torment: What welcom do you think such a Messenger would have had? I know not well what fear of a dead man appearing to them might have done; But I partly Imagine what entertainment a Minister should have had, that had said the like. Verily Sirs, The case of careless sinners is never the safer, because they see not, and fear not the danger. A man in a Consumption, or Dropsie, is never the further from death, though he be never so Confident that he shall not die. If a Thief at the Gallows have a conce…t that he shall escape, that will not save his life. What if you should have an hundred men that you had known on earth, sent to you from the dead one after another, and all of them should tell you this one sentence in my Text▪ That there is none enter into heaven but converted souls? Would you not begin to look about you, and say to your selves, am I converted, or not? What a case am I in then, that am yet in the flesh.] It may be if one appeared to you in your chamber in the night, and told you this news, it would onelyonly affright you a little, and you would forget it. Perhaps, if two or three onelyonly should appear to you, and tell you it, you might forget it again; But if twenty should tell it you, me thinks it should awaken you. Why Sirs, the Words of the Lord are of more weight, then the words of a thousand dead men are. If you will not Believe him, neither will you be perswaded though one rise from the dead, Luk. 16. 31. Seeing these things are so, I do not blame Ministers, if they be plain and earnest with you, though some may think them precise, and besides themselves. Paul was put to make this Answer, 2 Cor. 5. 13. For whether we be besides our selves, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. Truly, we are like a Physitian, that seeth a foolish man eating Arsenick, or Mercury, and telleth him [Oh, what are you doing? it is deadly poyson, you must presently take a vomit, or it will kill you.] But because it is sweet, derides the Physitian, and bids him look to himself, he hopes he shall do as well as he, till he feel the griping and burning at his heart, and then he will believe it. Oh, the gripes of a damned mans conscience, when he reflects on the day of Grace which he lost on earth! We tell you not of this to drive you to despair, but to perswade you to take the Vomit of Repentance, and to cast up your sins before you are past hope. Do not think we wrong you, to foretell you what will come of it, if you die unconverted. If there were any wrong in it, it must be laid on God that can do no wrong. If he have not bid us tell you of them, then take us for your enemies, and spare not: call us liars, if we shew you not his Word for it. But alas, when God hath revealed your danger, must we hide it? And that when he hath foretold us, that if we tell you not of it, your blood shall be required at our hands, Ezek. 3. 18. Read that Text well, and tell me then, whether you would have us such cruel enemies; I had almost said, such Devils to you and to our selves, as to hide a matter of such unconceivable Moment from your eyes? What Good would it do you to be thus flattered into Hell? What Good would it do you to have us to be damned with you, for being unfaithfull for the preventing of your damnation? Who will laugh at this but Satan, the great enemy both of us and you? Alas, you may easily think with your selves that it is no pleasure to a Minister to tell you so sad a story of your Misery. But if a Balaam must say, Num. 22. 18. If Balak would give me the house full of gold and silver, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord, to do less or more; Must not Christs Ministers be as faithfull? I say again, If this Gospel were not true, I would be a sweeper of Channels, rather then a Preacher; and I would joyn in a Petition to have all Ministers banished the Land: But seeing it is otherwise, I appeal to your Consciences, who it is that wrongeth you: whether Christ and his Ministers to tell you of your danger, or your selves to make light of it, and to refuse the Cure.