A Treatise of Conversion, Chapter 7 · Section 38 – Section 40
SECT. XXXVIII.
Direction 19. IF ever you would be converted, humbly submit to the Word of God, and the Instructions of those whom he hath appointed to inform you. What unreasonable pride is it in you that are ignorant unlearned men, to despise the counsel of the most Able godly Ministers, and that in points wherein the godly through all the world are agreed? Yea, where God himself doth lead them by his Word? Are not they liker to know more then you that have studies it all their daies? Discourse with them, and try whether they or you have more knowledge. Consider what you do when you proudly reason against the Necessity of Conversion and a holy life. What, are you wiser then your Teachers? and then the ablest Teachers in the Land? Yea, then all the Ministers in the world, and then all the godly people in the world? Silly souls, that scarce know any of the Principles of Religion, are yet so proud as to despise instruction from the wisest, who ever. But if you think your selves wiser then all the Ministers in the world, will you also think your selves wiser then God? I tell you, either Illuminating Grace, or the conviction of Gods Judgement shall take down your lofty hearts ere long, and make you wish you had stooped to Instruction. The day is coming that will abate your pride and make you talk a little more submissively. Harken therefore in time, lest that befall you that is mentioned, Prov. 5. 11, 12, 13. Lest thou mourn at last when thy flesh and body are consumed; and say, how have I hated Instruction, and my heart despised Reproof? And have not obeyed the voyce of my Teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me? If you are too wise to learn, you will prove in the end too foolish to be saved.
SECT. XXXIX.
Hinderance 20. THe last Hinderance of Conversion that I shall mention, is: Wilfull obstinacy. When men have long resisted Grace, they are given over oftentimes to themselves, and then they grow wilfull: and when they have nothing else to say why they should not be converted and become the people of God, they can say, they will not: They will never be so holy, nor deny their flesh, nor forsake the World, nor set themselves to a Heavenly Life: They will not Believe that this is so Necessary: nor will they ever yield to such a course: come on it what will, they are Resolved against it; before they will do it they will venture their souls; and let God do with them what he will: and this desperate wilfulness is the Devils last hold.
SECT. XL.
Direction 20. VVHat Direction should I give you against this Hinderance? When the will is so corrupt and obstinate, whatsoever I give, it will be rejected. If you were but willing I should make no doubt but the work might prosper; or if you were but reasonable, and teachable, and perswadable, I should make no doubt, through the blessing of God, but the former means might make you yield: But if men be wilfull and resolved to perish, what Remedy? If men could give us any reason against conversion and a holy life, and did err through the meer mistake of their understandings, I should make no doubt, through the blessing of God, but by bare reason they might he rectified. But when their will is their reason, and they are resolved whatsoever comes of it, to hold on and stop their ears against advice, what can we say to these men? All that I can do, is, to commend to them the former consideration, and to desire them to think of those Motives before delivered which may change their wills. But I have but little hope to prevail with them so much as soberly to think of it. And because so many of our poor people are of this strain; I am forced here to end this subject with Lamentation.