A Treatise of Conversion, Chapter 6 – Chapter 7

A Treatise of Conversion · Chapter 6 – Chapter 7

p. 209CHAP. VI.

SECT. I.

Ʋse of Exhortation.

BEloved Hearers, I am not come hither to day of my own head, nor in my own name, nor on my own business: But in the name of Christ, and on the business of your Salvation. I know this great Assembly will be all very shortly in another world, and we shall meet ere long in a far greater Assembly, at the day of Christs Judgement which will be upon us, for all the seeming delay, before the careless world is aware. That you may be ready for that day, and stand with boldness before the Judge, when the unconverted world stands trembling and amazed, as overwhelmed with the unexpected terrours of the Lord, This is the business that I come hither about to day; no less, no lower business then this. That I have not trifled with you, and filled your ears with witty Toyes and strange Matters. I hope you will easily pardon me, when you have considered your condition and the business of our Office. I hate that preaching that passeth over the one thing Necessary, and onelyonly tickleth the ears of miserable men, when it should endeavour their Relief. If the Town were on fire, it were no commendable matter to be Fidling and Dancing, when you should quench it. If I saw you but sinking in a broken vessel, and ready to drown, if you had not help, it would seem no part of wisdom to me to make a learned Oration to you, when I should be helping you out of present danger: I must tell you therefore, that I came not hither onelyonly to talk to you, that you might go home and say you had heard a fine or a learned Sermon: But I come to help you out of the misery of an unconverted state. I see the gulf of Remediless destruction is a little before you, and I come to require you in the name of the Lord to make a stand, and go no further in the way of wickedness; But look about you and consider your way, and presently return. Have you been ignorant inconsiderate Worldlings, and forgotten p. 210that God that should have had your heart, and forgotten the life where you must live for ever? Be awakened then, and look before you; Lift up the eye of Faith and see that Joy or Torment that is even at hand: Have you lived to the flesh, as if you had nothing but it to care for? And thought it more ado then needs, to provide for Everlastingness? In a word, have your hearts been set more on this life, then that to come? and on the things below, then on God above? If this be so, flatter not your selves in vain hopes: delay not a day longer, but presently return from that condition: Believe the Word of God, it will else be thy undoing, Rom. 8. 13. For if you live after the flesh, ye shall die, Psalm 73. 27. For they that are far from thee shall perish; but it is good for me to draw nigh to God, Mat. 6. 21. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. What say you Sirs, will you return to God from the lusts of the flesh, and the love of this world, and a lazy careless ungodly life; or will you not? Will you justifie your selves no longer in a state of Death, nor excuse, nor befriend the sins that have endangered you, but yield to the converting Work of the Spirit, and strive not against that Grace that would Recover you? I pray you give me not the bare hearing, but let your hearts make answer, I, or no? Will you return and be converted, or will you not? Dare any of you say No? I hope you dare not. But it is next to saying no, if your hearts say, Nothing. Tell me not of your cold Wishes and Purposes, and you hope you shall: a thousand such faint and heartless meanings have left souls to perish in endless misery: it is Resolution; strong Resolution, and present Resolution that you must have, and that God expects. What say you? are you Resolved to return; or are you not? Take heed what you say, for God is here present and seeth your hearts. Do not halt between two opinions; but if Baal be God, follow him, if the flesh and the world be God, and will make you happy, follow them; but if the Lord be God, follow him, 1 King. 18. 21. Do not put me off with to morrow, or sometime hereafter, as if it were not yet time, or you could not spare your sin, as yet: No Resolution is sincere, but present Resolution; he that would keep his sins a day longer, would keep them a year, and seven year, and for ever, if he might. He that would not close with Christ to day, would never do it, by his good will. No man loveth God, that longeth not presently to be such as God would have him be. Again therefore, I ask you, are you resolved presently to Return, p. 211or not? This is the business I come hither upon, and I do not mean to go away thus, till I have my Errand, unless you say me shamefull nay. I am resolved to leave you better, or worse: either converted, or more inexcusable then you were before; and to say that which shall be a witness against you, if it convert you not: And here first, if you be not yet Resolved, I shall desire that you will soberly answer me to these few Questions following.

SECT. II.

Quest. 1. VVHat do you think had come of you, if God had cut you off by Death all this while before you were converted? Where do you think you should have been this very hour, if Death had found you in an unconverted state? Do you not know? Why, doth not my text tell you? Will not you believe Jesus Christ? I know, if you do not, you had been as sure in hell, as you are now on earth. Oh Sirs, how many a fair advantage hath God had against you? He could have killed you with one frown; with a bit of bread, with a draught of Drink, by the turning of a hand, by the slipping of a foot, by the stumbling of a horse: Besides many hundred Diseases that would have opened the door, or rather have broken down your dusty Cottages, and let out your guilty unprepared souls into another world. Oh, you cannot now apprehend what a dreadful thing it is for an unchanged soul to appear before the holy God! Doth it not sometimes amaze the best to think what a change it is that Death makes? And what it is for a man that hath lived among Mortals on earth, to find himself in a moment among Angels and other Spirits? How much more should the thoughts of a more Lamentable change amaze the unconverted? It is onelyonly, or chiefly some Doubts and some strangeness to that heavenly state, that amazeth the godly; which will all be dispelled at the twink of an eye, by that joy and glory that they shall find themselves possessed of▪ But it is another kind of matter, even the everlasting misery that should amaze the wicked. Oh dear Friends, what a case had you been in, if you had died before Conversion? Your hearts are not able to conceive of the thousandth part of the misery that you would have been in. And have you lived all this while in so much danger, and will you live in it still? God forbid. Hath a wonder of Mercy p. 212kept you out of Hell so long, and will you loyter yet longer in the old Condition? Me thinks I look upon you as imitating Lot, when he was called out of Sodom, Gen. 19. That after he had been warned by the Angel to get away out of Sodom with all that he had, as he loved his life, yet Sons and Daughters, or one thing or other so long detain him, that he lingreth away the time, till, God being mercifull unto him, the Angels did even carry him forth, ver. 16. and said, scape now for thy life, look not behind thee, and make no stay, ver. 17. So God hath mercifully called you out of the Sodom of your sins, and you have lingred till now: Oh, that the Lord would be so merciful to you as to lay hands as it were upon those hearts, and take them off the world and your lusts, and bring you away: this warning however I am bound to give you. Scape now for your lives, look not behind you, stay not any longer, lest you perish in your Negligence. So much for my first Question, what had become of you, if you had died before Conversion?

SECT. III.

Quest. 2. MY next Question is this: Are you sure if you delay returning another day, that you shall be that day out of hell? If you refuse this offer that God maketh you now, are you sure you shall ever have another? Can you say that your bodies shall not lie in the Church-yard, and your souls past hope a…d help in misery, before the next meeting in this place, if you so long delay and harden your hearts? You are not sure of it: if you are, let us see your evidence of security. Hath God any where promised you another daies time? Why! Can you live a day whether God will or not? You know you cannot: I dare say you know it. You know that many a one as strong as you, and that f…ared Death as little, hath been quickly gone; and go you must h…wever at the last. Well Brethren, do I need to ask you such a question now, whether it be wisdom, or madness rather; for any man wilfully or negligently to live one day or night longer in such a Condition as if you should die in it you were undone for ever? Will you venture to live another day in such a Case in which y…u cannot be sure that one day to be out of hell? Oh, me thinks▪ while you are unconverted, this saying of Christ should be still ringing in your ears; Verily, I say unto you, except ye b… p. 213converted and become as little children, you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven: And me thinks every night when you lie down in bed, you should think with your selves, what if I should die in an unconverted state before the next morning? Me thinks the very dreams of this should awake you with Terror. Me thinks when you rise in the morning you should think with your selves, what if I should die in an unconverted state before Night? Me thinks the daily thoughts of this should marr your Mirth, and sowr to you all the sweetness of the World! How can you forbear in such a danger to think of it, in your shops, and at your Plough; at home, and abroad, which way soever you go, or whatsoever you are doing? If you say, Though I am not sure to live a day, yet I am likely, for I have lived many a one already, when I had no assurance of it. I Answer: But who would leave such a matter as his everlasting salvation upon such hazard? I warn thee therefore from God, in the Words of God, Prov. 27. …. Boast not thy self of to morrow, for who knoweth what a day may bring forth?

SECT. IV.

Quest. 3. MY third Question to you is this: which dost thou really think is better, God or the Creature, Heaven or Earth, a life in Glory, or the present pleasure of sin? Is it indeed thy setled judgement, that it is better be drunk then sober, and better take the delight of thy flesh and follow this world, then live to God here, and with God hereafter? Is this thy setled judgement, or is it not? If it be, thou art an Infidel, or an Atheist, and not a Christian. Nay worse then most Infidels or Heathens in the world. If it be not thy judgement, how darest thou do it? Wilt thou go against thy own knowledge? Wilt thou not do that which thou knowest is both pleasing to God and best for thy self? Shall God shew thee thy misery and wilt thou wilfully run into it? And shall he shew thee thy happiness, and wilt thou wilfully forsake it? Dost thou think that it is better to be converted, or not? If thou think it to be a better state, how darest thou neglect it, or refuse it as thou dost? Who can help thee, if thou know that thou dost evil, and yet wilt do it? If thou know that thy way is the way of Death▪ and yet wilt go on in it? And who shall pity thee, if knowingly thou wilt d…mn thy self?

p. 214SECT. V.

Quest. 4. MY fourth Question to thee is this: Dost thou believe that man is made for this world onelyonly, or for a better? If Heaven were never so desirable, if it be not attainable, it is in vain to seek it: But if it may be had, what hearts have they that will neglect it, or prefer any other thing before it? Do you think that man was made onelyonly to take a life of pleasure on this Earth, and go no further, and theres an end of him? If you think so, you are blinder then most Heathens in the World. Three sorts of Creatures did God Create; One sort are pure spirits without flesh, and these were placed in their happiness at the first to be nearest to God, and employed by him in his noblest works: onelyonly being not at first confirmed, some of them fell away, and are become Devils: Another sort of Creatures have flesh without Immortal souls, having no other life then what is fitted to their earthly state; I mean beasts, and birds, and all other unreasonable Creatures: These are not capable of any higher felicity then they here enjoy: They were never intended for it, and therefore thei… Natures are not fitted to it. But man is of a middle sort▪ partaking somewhat of both these; he hath flesh like the beasts, because he must live on earth as they, and so must eat, and drink, and sleep, and die, and his flesh must perish as well as theirs: But with this flesh he hath a soul that is a kin to Angels, and therefore is capable of an endless Life, and fitted for it: So that, so far as he is fleshly, so far he is earthly, and is like the beasts that perish; but as he is a living soul, he is disposed to an endless Life, and may there be like to the Angels of God, Luk… 20. 36. You may see this difference between bruits and men, in their very Natures here. They know not that there is another Life, and we do: They live not in hopes and fears of another Life, but we do. Experience certainly discovers this; they fear but one Death, and we fear two, in fearing a misery after Death; we govern them onelyonly by present Objects: but God ruleth us by Promises and threatnings of unseen things, and by the hopes and fears of another Life: Its our Nature to be thus governed, and theirs to be ruled by sensual Objects.

Well then, if man was made for higher things, should he not seek them, and live for them? Remember then I beseech you, that p. 215the work of Conversion is but to set your hearts on the things that you were made for: It is to make you know that you are men and not beasts, and to bring you to live the life of men. Sin doth unman us, and in a sort even brutisie us; and Conversion restoreth us, in our present measure to the ends that we were created for, and to the Image of God that we were created in, which disposeth us to those ends: If you believe then that man is not a beast, but made for an everlasting Life with God, away with fleshly worldly vanities, and live as strangers here, and as those that are heirs of that everlasting Life.

SECT. VI.

Quest. 5. MY next Question to you is; Have you ever soberly and considerately compared the gain and the loss that Conversion will bring you? Did you ever on the one side consider of all the present peace and safety, and that everlasting glory which is the portion of them that cleave to God, and of the misery of all others, as I have before discovered it to you? And on the other side, have you considered how small a matter it is that you can lose, if you yield to that Grace that would prepare you for this Glory? Sure if you had ever considered both of the wining and the losing, and laid one in the one end of the scales, and the other in the other, the Case might have been resolved with you long before now. Sinners, when God and his Ministers make such a stir with you to perswade you to be converted, and all will not serve, but year after year you are still the same, there is somewhat sure that is the Cause? If somewhat did not stick with you, you would have yielded before this time. Somewhat there is sure that you are afraid of losing by the change, or else what should be the matter that you refuse, or delay? Well, let us hear what it is that you are afraid it will deprive you of? Is it any thing that is better then God; then Heaven, then the saving of your souls? This is the Benefit that Conversion bringeth, and if it would take from you any thing that is better, refuse it then, and spare not. I tell you sinners, God hath no need of you; It is for your own good, and that honour and pleasure that he takes in doing good, that he is so earnest with you to come in. And if any of you dare charge the God of Heaven with dissembling, as if he p. 216meant your hurt, while he thus pretendeth your good, and would take from you more then he offereth you▪ or would give you; make good thy charge, if thou canst, or rather take heed, if thou love thy self, of such Blasphemous Imaginations. Oh poor soul, if God would do thee harm, who dost thou think will do thee good? If the chief Good be not good, where wilt thou find good? Dost thou fear lest the Sun should deprive thee of thy light, when thou canst have none but what it affordeth thee? Dost thou run away from the fire lest it should make thee cold? What, fear lest God should do thee harm, when there is no good but what doth stream from him? Who wilt thou go to for any good, if thou flee from him? Hath any creature the least relief for thee, except they receive it from God, and he send it thee by their hands? They have nothing but what he lendeth them, nor can they give thee any succour but by his consent. What is it then that thou art affraid of losing, by being Converted? Is it any thing that is worth the keeping? It is incredible that God should envy thee thy happiness; that is the work of the Devil which moved him to tempt us from it! And dare you make God like him; or father on God his Nature, or his works? It is incredible wrong that men do to God while they Question his goodness, and dislike his holy Laws and waies, and quarrel with him, as if he were their enemy; and when he would draw them out of the prison of the Devil, and the power of sin, they draw back, as if he would draw them into bondage. Oh base unthankful wretches! must Salvation be so dearly bought, and so kindly offered you, and do you thus reject it? Oh foolish self-destroying wretches, are you so far delivered from all your enemies, that your happiness is brought to your own choice, and you may freely have it if you will, and now will you not have it? and will you be the last and deadly enemy to your selves? Why, what is it that you are so loth to leave? Is it your sins? Is it your fleshly pleasures? or your worldly Profits, or your ease, or Credit, or which of these? Is it not a sad Case that reasonable men should come to such a pass, that they are afraid of returning to the favour of God, and of coming from the thraldom of the Devil, into his service, lest they should lose their pleasure? As if there were less delight in the love of God, then in flesh-pleasing filthiness; or as if the Joyes of Heaven were less then the mirth of an Ale-house. Is it not a sad case that ever men should be afraid of being losers by God? or of missing their Money, or their houses▪ p. 217or Lands, when they come to Heaven? As if there were any want there where all are glorious Kings; and as if Lazarus had not changed his state! And is it not a shameful thing, that men should be ashamed to be the servants of the God of Heaven, and think it a discredit to be the heirs of Glory? Is it to any purpose to talk to such men as these? Will they ever hear reason that are so unreasonable? If preaching were not the Ordinance of God which he hath commanded us to use, and therefore may set in with his blessing, when he pleaseth, we should even throw by all, and look on such as these as mad men and think; Till God shall bring them to their wits, there is no good to be done by speaking to them. If a man will flie from God, to an Alehouse, or Gaming-house for pleasure; or from God to the World for profit or honour, what shall we say to such a man, but even take him in this as besides himself? For who will think better of him that will run into a prison, or to his enemies for his Liberty? Or that will tumble in the Chanel, or lie down in the Sink, and will not come out for fear of being fouled? I would ask the Drunkard, or Fornicator, or Worldling, or whosoever he be that hath the most that sin can do for him; Dost thou think that thou hast a more comfortable life then those that are furthest from thy sin? Dost thou think that they that abhor thy drunkenness, whoredom, or worldly courses of life, have not a more comfortable life then thou? besides that which they shall have in Heaven; when sin hath brought thee into Torment (if true Conversion do not prevent it) even in this life; which think you have the more peaceable and comfortable life; I am even ashamed to make the comparison. A wise and godly man doth abhor these things that are the felicity of ungodly men. Your filthy lives which you are loth to leave, would make the heart of a sober man to rise to think of them. What wise man would not think it a misery, if he were condemned to live your lives but a few daies? A swine takes pleasure to tumble in the mire, but a man in his wits will take no pleasure to bear him company. And is this all that you are like to lose by it, if you be Converted, and yet will you stand off? Well, I say no more of it now but this; If after all this you take the world to be better then God, and the pleasures of sin to be greater then the pleasures of a holy life, and the Joy that God would give you with himself▪ And if you are affraid of turning to God lest you be losers by him, you may take your Course, and stay till the end shall make you wiser to your cost.

p. 218SECT. VII.

Quest. 6. MY next Question to you, is this; Have you now any reason to give against your speedy effectual Conversion, which you will undertake to stand to, and justifie at the Bar of God? Do you know any harm by that state and Life that God by converting Grace would bring you to? You have heard much that may be said for it; what now have you to say against it? I know that a great many of sensless words are poured out by foolish sinners against the holy waies of God: But they are such as shew their folly and malice, and proceed from wilfulness and not from Reason. Not one of all these that you hear in a corner scorning at godliness, or Reasoning against it, dare sland to these Reasons when God shall deal with him. For my part Sirs, I would perswade you to nothing unreasonable and unfit: I have told you my Reasons for the Necessity of Conversion: If you are against it now, either you have reason to be against it, or you have not; If you have no reason for it, how dare you, how can you do it? What! Will you Renounce your Reason in the greatest matters, where you have the greatest use for it? Or will you be wilfully bruits? Or will you set your selvs knowingly against God and your own souls? In the name of God consider first what you do: it must be either deluded reason or meer wilfulness that shall cause you now to refuse or delay to be converted. I beseech you let me have the Answer of your heerts here before the Lord. Deal truly, have you any Reason, why you should not be converted and turn to God before to morrow? I pray you do not pass it over carlesly, but give me your Answer. Have you any Reason for it, or have you not? If you have not, your Conscience is then witness that you are wilfull in your Neglect. You turn not to God because you will not turn: you go on in sin because you will go on. You do then in your hearts as it were set God at defiance, and say, I confess I have no Reason to sin, but yet I will do it; I have no reason to delay my return to God an hour, but yet I will do it: And I will do it, though reason as well as the Word of God cry out against it. Who can you blame then, if the plagues of God shall reach such a Rebel, and if he deal with you as wilfull sinners should be dealt with? If you had done it ignorantly, you had some excuse, or you might have p. 219been beaten with the fewer stripes; but wilfull sin hath no excuse, and on such the Lord will pour out his wrath. If your own reason tell you you should presently return to God, and you will not, how can you expect in reason to find mercy with the Lord? Oh that you knew what a hainous thing it is to sin wilfully after the knowledge of the Truth: it would make every joint of you to tremble, lest if you go a little further, there should be no more sacrifice for sin, but a certain looking for of judgement, and fire which devoureth the Adversary, Heb. 10. 26. Well Sirs, let me again put the question to you: what say you? Will you presently return to God, or will you not? Halt not between both, but resolve, off or on. Say plainly, you will, or you will not: if you will not, tell me then, why will you not? Have you any Reason for it, or have you none? If none, how dare you be wilfull: But if you have any Reason, I pray you answer my next Question. Is your Reason such as you will undertake to stand at the bar of God? Its an easie matter to deceive your selves and others, and to dawb over a cause that is apparently naught, and to bring fair pretences for the most foul Actions. Something men wil have to say, to stop the mouth of those that would convince them, be their course never so ungodly; But the Question is, whether you have any reasons for your sin, and against your speedy and effectual return, which you will undertake to stand to before the Lord. I pray you bethink your selves soberly of an Answer, before you hold on your course any longer; lest you be at the bar before you are aware. One mans reason it, his sin is sweet, and he hopes he may safely keep it a little longer, and then he means to let it go. It seemeth then you had rather sin, then not, and that shews that at present thou art a graceless wretch. But is the sweetness of thy sin a sufficient Reason for thee to refuse the sweetness of a pardon, and the sweetness of the Reconciled face of God, and the sweetness of everlasting glory? Dare you stand to such a reason as this is before God? I know you dare not: How then dare you delay your convrsion upon such reasons. Is sin swet to thee, and is not holiness sweeter? is not pardon, and life, and Grace, and Christ, and God and glory sweeter? Oh what kind of reasons be these for a reasonable man to venture his salvation upon! I shall not stand to try the rest of them, because they will fall under a more particular consideration hereafter: Only in general I charge and require you, plead not such reasons as you dare not stand to at the bar of God.

p. 220SECT. VIII.

Quest. 7. MY next Question to you, is this; Have you ever well considered who they be that are for your conversion, and who they be that are against it? You may easily conjecture by this whether it be good or bad. You have heard already who they be that are for it: God is for it, Christ is for it; the Holy Ghost is for it, the Angels of Haven are for it, the Ministers of the Gospel are for it, and every wise and godly man is for it. God is so much for it, that he sent his Son to purchase it, and his Word to command and call you to it, and to give you directions how it must be done, and his Ministers to perswade you to hear and submit. He is so much for it, that he followeth you with Mercies and Afflictions, and all to this end, to lead you to Repentance: He is so much for it, that he hath sworn that he hath, no pleasure in the Death of the wicked, but rather that he Return and Live; and pleadeth the case with you, and asketh you, why you will die, Ezek 33. 11. Christ is so much for it, that he hath made it his Office; he took the Nature of man on him to that end, that he might seek and save that which was lost; and for that end he submitted to the cursed Death of the Cross, and for that end hath he made the Promises of his Gospel, and sent abroad his Ministers to proclaim them: He is so much for it, that he is purposely become the Captain of our Salvation; and having first given us his own Example, doth lead us on in all encounters, and calleth us to follow him, that we may conquer as he hath done: he is so much for it, that upon this very ground will he condemn at last the impeni…ent world because they would, not be converted by him. The Holy Ghost is so much for it, that he moveth and importuneth sinners thereunto, and effectually worketh it in all the Elect. The Angels of heaven, as you have heard, are so much for it, that it is their Joy when a sinner is converted. The Ministers of Christ are so much for it, that they make it their business, and study, and preach and pray, and suffer, and think nothing too much if they might but accomplish it. They are willing to spend and be spent for this end, 2 Cor. 12. 15. They account not their lives dear to them, so they may but finish their course with Joy, and the Ministry which they have received of the Lord in preaching the Gospel of the Grace of God, Acts 20. 24. They are content to instruct p. 221those in meekness that oppose themselves, If God peradventure will give them Repentance to the Acknowledging of the Truth, that they may escape out of the snares of Satan, 2 Tim. 2. 25. All the godly are so much for it, that it is their daily prayer and earnest desire, and they would do any thing they could to accomplish it. Oh how heartily do they pray for your conversion, that the Kingdom of God may come in your hearts! How glad are they when they hear of the conversion of a sinner! Well sinners, me thinks you should consider with your selves, For what reason do all these desire my conversion? Who is it that shall be the gainer by it? What doth God get by it? What doth Christ the Redeemer get by it? What doth the Spirit that moveth me get by it? What profit is it to the Ministers of the Gospel? Might they not as easily let me alone, and please me in my sins, and tell me of no danger? What profit is it to all my godly friends, that they should so earnestly desire it, and pray for it? Is it not I that am like to have the gain? and should I set against all the friends I have that endeavour my own good, even my everlasting good?

You se who they be that are for your conversion; Will you now consider who they be that are against it? Are they better then God? Are they truer friends to you then Christ and his Ministers, and those that perswade you to repent and Live? Are they such as love you better then all these do? Why, who are they? First, the chiefest enemy to your conversion is the Devil himself. It is he that disswadeth you; that raiseth Doubts and Temptations in your mind, and casteth so many Rubs in your way: he would not have you converted if he could hinder it: If all his subtilty can hinder it: if all his power and malice can hinder it; if all the instruments that he can raise up against it, can hinder it, you shall never be converted. He knows he shall lose a servant and subject of his Kingdom; he shall be cast out of that possession which he hath kept in peace: if he do not rule you he shall not Torment you, which is pleasant to his Malice. No one in all the world is so much against your conversion as the Devil. When you say, you will never be so Pure, or so godly, nor live so holy and heavenly a life: Oh how you please him! You could not have said a word that he more delighteth to hear: For it is as much as if you had said, I will never leave my Master the Devil to serve Christ. Nay, it is all on as if you said, I am resolved I will never be saved: seeing there is no salvation without conversion. When you p. 222say you will do as your Forefathers have done; and you will take your pleasure, and follow the world, and not be so precise, nor trouble your minds so much about the case of your souls, or the matters of Eternal Life; Oh, how you please the Devil by this! This is that he would have. You speak even as he would have you speak: For indeed it is he that Tempteth you to spak it. But for Gods sake, and your souls sake sinners, will you consider whether God or the Devil is your better friend? You are the cause that I am put upon such a strange Question to you: whether that be liker to be for your good, which God would have, and Christ would have, and the Holy Ghost would have, and Ministers would have, and all godly peopl would have; or that which th Devil himself would have? Do I need to bid you consider of this? A little consideration sure may Resolve it: Can you think that all these forementioned are against you, and Satan is for you? That all these are your enemis, and Satan is your friend? If you will indeed take God and Christ, and his Spirit, and People, and all for your enemies, and him that is your greatest enemy, for your friend, and that after such warnings as you have had; you may reap those fruits of his friendship which you little think of.

But there are some other besides the Devil against your conversion! True. But who be they? None, but his Agents, and those that are deceived by him themselves. Prhaps, you will hardly think so; for one may be your Father, another your Mother, another a husband or wife, or those that profess themselves your friends, and some perhaps may be thought wise and learned in the world: But what doth God say of them, who is most to be believed? He telleth you, they are foolish, and wicked, and enemies to the Cross of Christ: You call them friends, but God tels you they are your enemies. If you think I speak too hardly of them, in telling you that they are ignorant blinded sinners, believe God that saith the same: I hope you will not accuse him of wronging them, or any one: Never man spake against Conversion that knew what he said, and was Converted himself. It is onelyonly those that never knew or tried the waies of God, that perswade you from them: will you go to the blind for Direction? Or to the slaves of Satan for counsel whether you should return to God? If they were wise men, they would Return themselves: and if they be not wise, they are unfit to give p. 223you counsel. And me thinks your own Reason might tell you, that that man cannot be wise that would draw the hearts of others from God, and would have them venture upon the drawn sword of his Vengeance; and do that which he hath threatned everlasting Destruction to. Can that be a wise man that doth himself prefer this dunghil world, and the swinish Mirth of a sinner before all the holy Joy and glory of the Saints, even before the present Life of Grace, and the future Life of glory? Ask your Reason whether this can be a wise man? I may boldly say then, that there is none but the Devil and wicked fools that are against your Conversion. Tell them how I call them and spare not; for God cals them more, and their own conscinces will call them so for ever, if they do not do that themselves which they would disswade you from doing. I say it again, Theres not one in the world, but the Devil and wicked fools that are against your conversion: And if these shall be your Counsellors, and ye will be ruled more by them, then God, and all the truest friends you have in the world, Let your own consciences Judge whether you have dealt well with God, or with your selves?

SECT. IX.

Quest. 8. YEt I have some more Questions to ask you, and my next is this; Had you rather die in a Converted, or a… Unconverted state? And in which of these had you rather appear before the Lord? I pray you put this question to your own hearts, and soberly answer it. I say, which of these two Conditions had you rather be in at Death and Judgement? Had you rather die the Death of the Righteous, or of the wicked? And had you rather stand among the Unconverted, or the Converted, at the Bar of God? Had you rather that Death should find you with clean hands, an innocent Life, and an heavenly mind, Delighting in God, and hoping for Christs appearing; or that it should find you either in your ignorance, or worldliness, or Fornication, or Drunkenness, or with the guilt of any of these upon your souls, and with a heart that is ot unfeignedly turned from them unto God? I do not think there is the most blockish or stout hearted sinners among you, no, not they that make a mock … godliness, and discourage others from it, but they had rather p. 224be among the godly, then the ungodly at the last. And is it not a strange thing, that men should set against that course, which they would wish to be found in? and should live contrary to it, when yet at the same time they had rather die in it, then as they are? Sinners, should you not be now such as you would be found then? And should you not live in that state as you would die in? Will it be best then, and is it worst now? How can that be? Believe it Sirs, you have neither your Lives, nor the Grace of God at your will. If you would be found among the converted at the Last, become such quickly, lest that Last should come before you are aware. If life forsake you not, you cannot tell whether the Spirit of God may forsake you. If Grace must be had, or else you are undone, take it while you may have it, lest you be given over to the hardness of your hearts.

SECT. X.

Quest. 9. MY next Question is this; if God should send an Angel from Heaven to you, to plead against your sinful course, and to perswade you to be converted, would you hearken to him and obey him; or would you not? If he should appear to you in your careless and worldly course of Life, or if he should come to you in the very Act of your sin, and tell you how the Lord abhorreth your iniquity; and how his Vengeance hangs over your head, and will fall upon you, if you speedily, Repent not; and should perswade and entreat you to Lament your folly, and turn to God with all your heart, without Delay, What would you do? And what answer would you give? Would you tell him to his face, I will not be converted; I will take my pleasure, and follow the world, and venture my soul rather then live so strict a Life? Would you say thus to him? You would not, sure you durst not do it. Would you not tell him, I am sorry for my sins, and resolve to turn without delay; But if you should so tell him, if you did not do it, your promise would but prove you hypocrites, and rise up against you to your condemnation. Oh, you do not know how such a sight would amaze you, and awaken you from security. An hand that appeared writing upon a wall, did make the knees of a sensual King to tremble; it loosed his very loins, it changed his countenance, it troubled p. 225his thoughts, Dan. 5. 6 The Appearance of an Angel▪ at the Resurrection of Christ did make the keepers of the grave to shakee, and become as dead men, Matth. 28. 4. How an Angels appearance aff…cted Cornelius; And an Earthquake with the effects did move the Jaylor, may be seen, Acts 10. & 16. and many the like Exampls we might give you. What if an Angel of God should but come and speak over this very Text to you, that I am preaching: Verily except you be converted, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven? Would you yield, or would you not? if you would not, you are hardened with a witness. If you would, let me follow my question a little further with you. Should not the written word of Christ himself, and the Voice of his Messengers that speak in his Name, and all the Judgements and Mercies that second these: I say, should not all these prevail with you as much, and more then an Angels voice? You hav here the Protestation, or vehement Asservation of the Lord himself, and should not that be of greatest Authority with us? Angels are but the servants of Christ, and Ministring Spirits for the good of his Elect: would you hear them, and will you not hear their Master? Would you hear an unusual Messenger, and will you not lern in Christs appointed way? If it be a Doctrine to be received from Angels, tell me if you can, why it should not be received now from the Word of God, and from his Ministers?

SECT. XI.

Quest. 10. THe last Question that I shall now trouble you with, is this; Do you think that man who after all this shall refuse to turn to God, and after all this shall remain unconverted, will have any just excuse before the Lord? Or will he not be left speechless and under the condemnation of his own conscience for ever? Is it any Pitty to cast away that man, that will without all Pity cast away himself? and no saying will serve him, and no reason will satisfie him? Or when he is convinced and silenced, yet for all that will not be converted? When it is their own doing, and they were their own undoing, and when God did not spare for cost and perswasion to have done them good, and when he shall say after all, as in Isa. 5. 4. What could have been done more to my Vineyard, that I have not done in it? What should I p. 226have said more to this sinner, then I have said? What Plea is left for such a sinner? or what can he say why he should not be sentenced to perdition? Will you say you did it ignorantly, or you had no warning? you cannot say it. Indians may say it, and many barbarous Nations of the world may say it; but England cannot say it, nor you that hear me cannot say it. You hav warning after warning, and all said to you that we knew how to say, that was likely to move the heart of a sinner. Will you say that you were not able, because it was a work above your power? Why, you cannot thus excuse your sin: for if you had been but truly willing, you might have done it? Your disability lay in your obstinate unwillingness. Are you willing this day, unfeignedly willing to turn to God, or are you not? If you be, you will return without delay: For if you are willing, who can hinder you? But if you be not truly willing, how can you say, that you would have done it if you could? Or how can you excuse your selves by your disability? Ʋnwillingness is a disability which excuseth no men, but aggravateth their sin. If you could have said that you would have returned with all your hearts, but were not able for all that you were willing, then you had some excuse; but now you have nothing to say for your selves.

Object. We know there is no pleading for our selves, nor any excuse to be made with God, but yet we hope we may be saved for all that?

Answer. How can you have any hope, if you have no ground of hope to shew? If you have no reason to give against the … tence of your condemnation, how can you think to escape it? God is Just, and will Judge in Righteousness according to his Word; and they that have not now a Title in the word for their Justification at Judgement, shall never be there justified, whatsoever they may dream.

SECT. XII.

BEloved Hearers, I have been all this while pleading with you by the Reasons of the Word of God, to see if it were possible for me to perswade you to yield to the Light, and be converted, that you may live. I have meant you no harm, unless salvation be your harm. The threatnings of the Scripture, and the miserable p. 227state of unconverted souls were all this while before me, which moved me to use so many perswasions with you. Have I prevailed with you, or have I not? Are you Resolved for Conversion, fully Resolved, or are you not? God hath all this while stood by and heard what I have said to you, and seeth now what answer is in your hearts, and what effect these words have had. Shall all this be lost? and when we have said all that we can, must we sit down in sorrow, and say, who hath believed our Reports? Isa. 53. 1. Is there one man or woman of you that dare go on in an unconverted state, and draw back from God, and loiter out your time, and still return to your former sins after all that I have said? if you do so, do it at your Peril; and when you find your selves in hell, remember the Sermons that have been preached to you on this Text, and blame not me, but your wilfull negligence. Think not much that I bid you remmeber these Sermons when you find your selves in Hell, for you shall do it then whether you will, or not: There is not a soul of you that shall live or die in an unconverted state, but shall remember the warnings that I have now and formerly given you. Sermons will be remembred in hell, that are forgotten on earth: and they that were weary to hear them here, and would not be at the small labour to repeat them, or hear them repeated, or else ponder in secret of what they heard, shall there think of it, and think again to their sorrow. As Abraham said to the condemned worldling, Luke 16. 25. Remember that thou in thy life Receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus his evil things, but now he is comforted and thou art Tormented. So shall you Remember the time, and means, and warnings that you once had. If you ask me how I know that? Why, because the word of God doth tell me, that the consciences of wicked men will be their Accusers, Rom. 2. 15. And that they shall mourn at the last, and say, How have I hated Instruction, and my heart despised Reproofs, and have not obeyed the voyce of my teachers; nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me? Prov. 5. 11, 12, 13. And many other Scriptures assure me of the same. Oh how much better were it now to believe the Lord, and foresee this evil, and think of your way while you have Opportunity to escap? How much safer were this for you? and how much more pleasing would it be to God and us? Oh, do not cast away your souls, and displease God, and all the true friends you have, onelyonly to please the Devil and your flesh. Let me urge you a little further in the words of your Maker, p. 228and I charge you to regard them, as you will answer the contempt of them at your Peril. Did you never observe how God doth pitty the stir that poor sinners make in the world for nothing, and the unprofitable trade of sinning that they drive on, and how he inviteth them to himself, as the true gain and felicity? Isa. 55. 1. 2, 3. Wherefore do you spend your money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken Diligently to me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul Delight it self in fatness: Incline your ear and come unto me; hear and your soul shall live, Isa. 1. 16. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes: Cease to do evil, learn to do well: come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, Prov. 1. 22, 23. How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity? and ye scorners delight in scorning? and fools hate knowledge? Turn ye at my Reproofs, behold, I will pour out my Spirit to you; I will make known my words to you, Jonas 2. 12. Turn ye even to me with all your hearts; with fasting, and weeping, and mourning? Rent your hearts and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God; for he is gracious and mercifull to them that turn, but not to them that go on in their iniquity, Ezek. 18. 23, 30, 31, 32. When a wicked man turneth away from his wickedness, which he hath committed, and doth that which is lawfull and Right; he shall save his soul alive. Repent, and turn your selves from all your Transgressions, so Iniquity shall not be your ruine. For I have no pleasure in the Death of him that dyeth; Wherefore turn your selves and live ye. The like I recited to you from Ezek. 33. 11.

These are the Cals of the God of Mercy, inviting you into the way wherein his saving Mercy is onelyonly to be found. Oh how glad would many thousands be that are now past hope, if they had but the Call of God to Repent, as you have this day! How glad should you be that you have such an offer, and that it is not yet too late? And therefore how cheerfully should you yield to be converted? I shall in conclusion say but this; if ever a man or woman of you all shall appear before the Lord in Judgement, in a Carnal Uncoverted state, after all the warnings you have Received, I hope God will not charge it upon me, who faithfully, though weakly, endeavoured to prevent it.

p. 229CHAP. VII.

SECT. I.

BY this time I hope many of you are willing to be Converted, and are ready to enquire what you should do to that End? and whether there be any thing on your parts to be done that may further it? And in hope that you are willing, I shall next proceed to give you my best advice herein. And if it were so that you could do nothing to further it, because I am sure you may do much to hinder it, and have done all this while, or else it had been better with you then it is; Therefore I shall shew you what are the common hinderances of Conversion, which you must carefully endeavour to remove or conquer; and with them I shall adjoyn he contrary D…rections, which concern your Necessary Duty to this End. And though some of their contraries are Real parts of Conversion, yet the Reason that I mention them here is, because the not yielding to the initial Acts, in the understanding, is the hinderance of the compleative Acts on the heart and Life.