The conversion of the soul, or, A discourse explaining the nature of that conversion which is sincere and directing and perswading all to cease their loving sin and death, and to turn to God and live / by Nathanael Vincent ...

PSAL. XIX . 7. former part . The Law of the Lord is perfect , Converting the Soul.

THE Works of God , though in himself invisible , shew forth the Workers Wisdom , Power and Goodness a a Opera Dei , s● pius Considerator advertat , perhibent testimonium Creatori ; quid autem borum est quod non sit mirabile , si unumquodque ratione metiamur ! Augustin . Euarrat . in Psal. 118. : The Heavens Preach to Men on Earth , and plainly Declare their Creators Glory ; they utter a Voice which all of all Languages may understand ; here are such lines , in which every Eye may read the eternal Power and Godhead of Him , of whom , and through whom , and to whom are all things , and who is to be glorifified for evermore . Among the other Works of God , the Psalmist takes special notice of the Sun in the Firmament , whose light and influence is so great and beneficial ; and then makes a transition to the Law and Word of God , whose Light in a sense obscures that glorious Luminary ; giving such a clear manifestation , and affecting knowledge to Man , concerning his Maker , as turns his Heart to him , though naturally blind and foolish , alienated and estranged from Him. The Law of the Lord is perfect , Converting the Soul.

This weighty Argument of Conversion , I begin to insist on this day . Conversion to God is the Epitome of Religion , it is the Summe of Law and Gospel ; in a few Syllables , it is fallen Man's recovery and rising again , and the new making of that which Sin had marr'd and spoyled ; it is the shutting of Hell , and is exceedingly opposed by the evil Angels that are there ; it is the opening of the gate of Heaven : There is no Flaming Sword to keep the true Convert from the Tree of Life ; he shall have entrance into the Paradise of God , and be crown'd with Righteousness and Immortality .

But is not the Tongue of an Angel fitter to be employed in calling to Conversion , than that of a mortal Man ? Is there not need of the loudest Thunder , or such an amazing sound as was heard when the Law was delivered on Mount Sinai of old ? How unlikely , alas ! how unlikely are humane endeavours to be successful ! since where Conversion is , the Power of Satan must be vanquisht ; the Dominion of Sin , unto which the whole World almost is subject , must be thrown down ; the Deaf must be made to hear , the Blind must be made to see , and the Dead must be raised to the highest Life in this World , and that is Life Spiritual ; and Nature it self must be changed , and of Old become New. Lord ! what is Man , that he should be employed in such a work as this ! the earthen Vessel is weak , or rather nothing ; the Treasure is the Word of God , and the Excellency of its Power is of the Lord himself . The Law of Lord is perfect , Converting the Soul.

In the Text there are four things observable .

1. The Word of God is called the Law of the Lord . The Law comprehends not only the Preceptive part , but also the whole Doctrine revealed in the Holy Scriptures . The very Gospel it self is styled the Law of Faith : Well may the Word of God be called a Law , since its Author is the great Law-giver , who has Power to save and to destroy ; and considering the deep Obligation it layes Man under . A principal part of the Word , are the Commands of it ; the Promises and Threatnings are Appendices to the Precepts ; and the Examples , in which both Promises and Threatnings are in some measure fulfilled , may strongly excite unto Obedience .

2. Here is an excellent Property of this Word of God , 't is Perfect ; though some most impiously make bold with it , and eke it out with their own Traditions , which they make to be of equal Authority with it ; yet the Word of God is perfect , sufficient as a Means to attain the End whereunto 't is designed , turning Sinners to God , and making them wise unto Salvation . He does most truly consult his own Eternal Peace and Safety , and is indeed the wisest Man , who refuses 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , to be wise above what is written .

3. Here is a notable Effect of the Word of God , and that is Conversion : The Hebrew has it 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and signifies redire faciens , making to return ; some Interpreters referr this to the restoring and comforting Power of the Word of God ; which brings as it were , the Man to life again , who was ready to dye away , and to sink under the burthen of Sin and Misery But this Consolation supposes Conversion and Repentance ; and it seems unlikely , that the Psalmist enumerating the more remarkable effects of the Word of God , should omit this of Conversion , which is one of the chiefest among them all .

4. The Sincerity of Conversion is signified , when the Soul is said to be Converted . The Soul is sometimes taken for the Person , for the whole Man : The whole Man is by Sin corrupted and depraved , and strongly inclined to depart from God ; there is need that the whole should be renewed and reduced . Sometimes the Soul is taken for the spiritual and immortal part of Man ; and when this is enlightned and inclined , and turned to God , then the very Heart which he so often calls for , is given him , and the Change that is wrought , is inward , real , saving .

I raise four Doctrines from the Text.

First , Conversion to God is of absolute necessity , and the great thing he requires of Man .

Secondly , Conversion to God is then sincere , when the Soul is Converted to him .

Thirdly , The Word of God is the great Means of Conversion .

Fourthly , In the Word of God , which is the Means of Conversion , there is a Perfection and Sufficiency .

Doct. I. I begin with the first of these . Conversion . to God is of absolute necessity , and the great thing he requires of Man : 'T is spoken of in the Text , as that which is Man's Duty , Man's Benefit , and that which is inexpressibly for Mans Interest . Converting the Soul , is really Saving it , and without Conversion there can be no Salvation : He that turns from his evil wayes shall live ; he that is resolved against turning , is in effect resolved to ruine himself ; Death he wills , Death he chuses , and 't is a strange choice that the Will makes , Ezek. 33. 11. As I live , saith the Lord God , I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked ; but that the wicked should turn from his way and live : Turn ye , turn ye from your evil wayes , for why will you dye , O house of Israel .

In the handling of this Doctrine , I shall

First , Speak of the preparative Antecedents of Conversion .

Secondly , Explain the Nature of Conversion .

Thirdly , Tell you what are the Properties of Conversion .

Fourthly , Demonstrate the necessity of Conversion , and the reason why God does so much require it .

Fifthly , Answer the Arguments which the carnal minds of Men object against Conversion ▪ the body of Sin may be more and more destroyed .

4. In Conversion there is a turning from the power of Satan . Unconverted ones are of their Father the Devil , and the lusts of their Father they will do ; but Converts are no longer at his beck , they are not led Captive by him at his will , but are recovered out of his Snare . Satans great Work and Design , is to tempt the Children of men to sin ; he is unalterably confirmed and fixed in wickedness himself , and with might and main he strives to propagate wickedness in the World : He is styled 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Tempter , and the evil One ; he is ever soliciting and perswading men to what is evil , and truly he prevails , and works his will and their woe in the Children of Disobedience ; but Converts resist him by the Word and Prayer , and using both in Faith , they put on the whole armour of God , and stand against the waies of the Devil , Eph. 6. 11.

5. In Conversion there is an alteration of corrupt Nature it self , and its corrupt and vitious Inclination : This the Apostle calls puting off the old Man which is corrupt , according to the deceitful lusts , Eph. 4. 22. The old byass that so strongly inclined the Heart towards Sin , the World , and Hell , is taken away ; habits of sin are left , custom in evil ceases , and Nature is changed ; the heart by a work of new Creation is made after the Heart of God , and that which before Conversion was the worst part of Man , being deceitful above all things and desperately wicked , now becomes the best part of all , and is still desiring that it self and the whole Man were more compleatly cleansed from Sin , and sanctified . I have told you what Conversion is with reference to Sin.

Secondly , Conversion may be considered with reference to this present World : Whenever Conversion is true , as there is a loathing and leaving of Sin , so there is a weaning from this present World. In the Word of God we have the truest Map of this World ; it is set forth as a far Countrey , far from Heaven , bordering upon Hell , and Satan is the Deity that generally here is served , who is therefore called the God of this World , 2 Cor. 4. 4. It is full of danger and snares , the grand Idol that provokes the Lord to jealousie ; 't is that which stands in competition with Christ , and by most Hearts is preferr'd before him ; 't is the Devils most taking bait , wherewith he beguiles and ruins immortal Souls . Christ both Prayed and Dyed , that his followers might be delivered from it : He Prayed , Joh. 17. 15. I Pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the World , but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil . He Died to this end also , Gal. 1. 4. Who gave himself for our Sins , that he might deliver us from this present evil World , according to the will of God and our Father : Converts therefore look not upon this World , and they have good reason not to look upon it as so desirable a thing . Conversion lies much in keeping our selves unspotted from the World , and in denying worldly lusts and defires , Jam. 1. 27. Tit. 2. 12.

1. The Convert has no friendship with the World , because the friendship of the World is Enmity with God , Jam. 4. 4. He values not the Worlds Favour above Gods , he fears not the Worlds Displeasure more than the Lords Anger ; he prizes the Love of God and the light of his Countenance , above all the respects and smiles of Mammon : And if he has but a comfortable assurance that the Lord is at Peace , he does not so much care though all the World fall out with him . Indeed in a sense , the Convert is a true Friend to the World ; he Pities and Prayes for the World , and the World is spared for the Saints sake that are in it , and are to be born into it . A Woman that is condemned to dye , if she be with Child , she is spared till delivered : In this World many are to be born that will be born again , and hence it is that the Sentence of the Worlds burning is not yet Executed . But in the Apostles sense the Convert ceases to be the Worlds friend ; he will be religious though the World be never so angry , he will look towards Heaven , he will look at the things unseen , which are eternal , though the World never give him a good look more .

2. The Convert is not conformed to this World . Conformity in this sense is a damnable thing , and inconsistent with Conversion ; how plain is the Apostles Prohibition , Rom. 12. 2. And be not conformed to this World , but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds , that ye may prove what is that good , that acceptable and perfect will of God. The Conformist to this World minds not the Will of God , nor what is good and acceptable to Him : He that is truly Converted is otherwise minded , he dislikes the manners , and escapes the pollutions of the World ; he runs not out with others to the same excess of riot , he dares not follow a multitude to do evil , because destruction and misery are in their wayes ; but according as the Apostle directs , He lives the rest of his time in the flesh , not to the lusts of men , but to the will of God , 1 Pet. 4. 2.

3. The Convert is not a Lover and Chuser of the World , as if it were the best Por●ion : He is made seriously to take notice of the Vanity and Vexation of Spirit that is found in the enjoyment of the World , and how short a time at longest 't is to be enjoyed ; he concludes , 't were better never to have been a Man , than to be only a Man of the World , better never to have lived , than to be put off with a Portion here in this life , Psal. 17 , 14. Better never to have had a Soul , than to disappoint it with the things of the World , which are unsuitable to its nature , and insusticient for its satisfaction , and to lose it for the gaining of such poor things as these . Contempt of this World is always an ingredient in sincere Conversion ; the highest Profession , the most heavenly Language , argues but the greater Hypocrisie , if the Heart be earthly : Those Hearts that chiefly mind earthly things , should meditate Terrour when they read 1 Joh. 2. 15. Love not the world , neither the things that are in the world ; if any man love the world , the love of the Father is not in him .

4. The Convert is no longer acted by the spirit of this World : 2 Cor. 2. 12. Now we have received not the spirit of the world , but the Spirit which is of God , that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God : And how infinitely more excellent , desirable and durable , are the things which are freely given of God in the Gospel , than all things which the World can boast of ? The spirit of the World , is the genius , nature and disposition of the World ; such a Mind , such a Will ; such Affections as the Men of the World have . The Convert sees not with the Worlds eyes , judges not as the World judges , but discerns between things that differ , and approves the things that are most excellent ; his enlightned and rectified Judgment weighs the things of the World in the ballance of the Sanctuary , and he writes Tekel upon them all , because being weighed they are found wanting .

5. The Convert uses this World as not abusing it : He calls himself bruitish because of his former affecting it , because it made him such a Fool , such a Slave ; but now he recovers his Dominion over the Creatures which was lost by the fall : Earth is now under foot , which is its proper place , and the things of it he improves for God. He lives as a Stranger and Pilgrim , and he puts the Mammon of unrighteousness to holy and gracious uses , and doing good with the World , he scapes the evil of it , and becomes more and more meet for the heavenly Inheritance .

And are Converts thus indeed turn'd from Sin ? do they thus come out from the World ? Lord ! how few will be saved ! for how small is the number of those who are thus Converted ! You see what Conversion is with reference to the World.

Thirdly , Conversion may be considered with reference to the Sinner himself , and so it includes that great Christian Duty of Self-denyal . What a strange Creature has Sin turn'd Man into ! that he must beware of himself , especially as one that is false , and a Foe to himself ; he is to flye from Sin , he is to resist Satan , and from Self how unconceivable is his danger ! Where shall Man find his greatest Enemy ? not among his most malicious Neighbours , not among the evil Angels , though these as so many roaring Lions , go about seeking whom they may devour ; but Man must look into his own Breast , and ransack his own Heart , and there he will find the most deadly Foe ; his Destruction is of himself , he procures evil to himself , Jer. 2. 17. He treasures up unto himself Wrath against the day of wrath , Rom. 2. 5. Our Lord very well knew how pernicious and foolish Mans own Counsels are , how hurtful his own Lusts and Inclinations , therefore he presses Self-denyal upon all his followers , Luk. 9. 23. He said unto them all , If any man will come after me , let him deny himself , and take up his Cross daily and follow me : The true Convert does thus , for he apprehends what a Party there is within him , that is indeed against him .

1. He that is Converted , mortifies Self-love : The Apostle makes it a great part of the Sin , and a great reason of the perillousness of the latter dayes , that Men shall be lovers of their own selves , 2 Tim. 3. 1 , 2. There is an holy Self-love , which is a Love to the Soul , and that 's a Duty ; and in this sense only true Saints are true Self-lovers , and God loves them not the less , but the more for being so . There is a carnal Self-love , when the Flesh is loved and gratified , when the Flesh is the pondus , weight that sets all wheels a going , when the Flesh is the center in which all lines meet : This Self-love excludes the Love of God , of the Soul , and of the Brother , and is a great and fruitful root from whence innumerable other Sins do grow . The Converts mortifie this Love of their Flesh , considering they have Souls that deserve and need their Love and Care , and whose Interest ought mainly to be minded .

2. He that is Converted is not a Self-flatterer . The wicked man flatters himself in his own eyes , until the Punishment inflicted upon him proves his Iniquity is hateful in the eyes of God , Psal. 36. 2. He loves those that flatter him , he sayes to the Seers , see not , to the Prophets , prophesie not unto me right things , prophesie unto me smooth things , though you prophesie Deceits . The Convert is truly willing to know himself , and the worst of himself , he can't endure Dawbers , the Word that searches most is most acceptable . He comes to the Light , that what is good in him may be discovered , and that God who has wrought that good may have the Glory , Joh. 3. 21. and that all remaining evil may be manifest , that it may be mortified .

3. He that is Converted is not a Self-pleaser : To be all for pleasing his external senses he accounts bruitish , to please his sancy he esteems below reason , and contrary to Grace ; and that 't is the highest madness , for the sake of sinful and sensual Pleasures , to incurr the Displeasure and Indignation of the Almighty , and venture the enduring of eternal Vengeance . Moses shewed the truth of his Conversion , in undervaluing the Pleasures of Sin that were but for a season , Heb. 11. 25. He contemn'd the Delight of Pharaoh's Court , the Honour of being the Son of Pharaoh ' s Daughter , and chose Affliction with the People of God , that he might find a truer , an higher , a better Delight in God himself .

4. He that is Converted is not a Self-seeker : He is not taken as once he was , with secular honour , and temporal gain , such things sway not with him , when the Honour of God and his own Salvation lye at stake . In different respects he is the greatest Self-seeker and the least : No man minds his truest Interest , durable Riches , and everlasting Glory , but himself , and such as are like-minded ; and yet he can bear the scorn of Men , and the spoyling of his Goods , and if Christ be but magnified , he can lye in the dust contentedly : He seeks not great things for himself on Earth ; the Praise of Men he looks upon as empty and dangerous breath , without Gods approbation , and the gaining of the whole World nothing , if God be not reconciled and enjoyed . How far were the Apostles from being Self-seekers , when that they might make Christ known in the World , and perswade the World to receive him and be saved by him , they were contented to be made a spectacle to Angels and Men , to be hungry , thirsty , naked , buffetted , and without any certain dwelling-place ; ●ay , to be esteemed the very filth of the World , and the off-scouring of all things , 1 Cor. 4. 9 , 13.

5. He that is Converted is not Self-confident : He dares not glory in his own Wisdom , for God has made foolish the wisdom of this World , 1 Cor. 1 20. He dares not trust to his Strength , for God gives Power to the faint , and that perceive they have none of their own to help themselves , Isa. 40. 29. He dares not think that his righteousness is sati●factory to divine Justice , or meritorious of divine Favour , but cryes out with David , Enter not into Judgment with thy servant , for in thy sight shall no man living be justified , Psal. 143. 2. He that places his Confidence in himself , plainly discovers great Ignorance of himself , and also of Gods design in the Gospel , which is , that his Grace in Christ may be All , and that no Flesh may glory in the Lords Presence .

6. He that is Converted , is engaged in a Combat with himself ; his Heart is a Field , where many a Battel is fought between him and his proud Self , between him and his lustful Self , between him and his worldly Self , between him and his unbelieving Self . 'T is easier to resist the very Prince of the Devils , and to withstand the importunity and solicitations of Satans Instruments ; but for a Man to be at defiance with himself , to be continually almost chiding , loathing , crossing and opposing himself , in this lies the most difficult part of the Christian warfare . Within the Converts own Breast is the very heat of the Battel ; Oh what striving is there against Self-exalting Imaginations ! what struggling against Self-will , and selfish affections and designs ! And with good reason is Self thus opposed by the Convert , since Self does so much oppose the Converts Salvation .

And if turning be thus Self-denying , the prevalency of carnal Interest , and the power of Self among Professors of Religion , proves that though they are externally Called , yet there are few sincere Converts among them : How tender are they in point of Gain , and Honour , and Reputation ! every person and thing that here stands in their way is a great eye-sore : Religion shall stoop to worldly Interest , this shall be secured , though Faith and Conscience be cast over-board . Thus have I consider'd Conversion with reference to the Sinner himself .

Fourthly , Conversion may be consider'd with reference to God : The Sinner forsakes him , and rebels against him , the Convert ●eturns and submits to him . 'T is God that ●alls to Conversion , and 't is Conversion to ●imself that he calls for , Zech. 1. 3. Turn ●e unto me , saith the Lord of Hosts , and I ●ill turn unto you , saith the Lord of Hosts .

1. Conversion is a turning to the living ●nd true God ; 1 Thes. 1. 9 , 10. Ye turned to God from Idols , to serve the living and true God , and to wait for his Son from Heaven , ●ven Jesus who delivered us from the Wrath ●o come : The glorious and gracious Jeho●ah , who made Heaven and Earth , and ●reserves and governs all things ; who promised a Seed to Adam that should bruise ●he Serpents Head , who renewed his Cove●ant with Abraham , who spake from Mount Sinai to Israel , who has deliver'd lively Ora●les by the Prophets and Apostles in the Ho●y Scriptures ; and who is the God and Fa●her of Jesus Christ , and has sent him to ●e a Propitiation and Saviour ; this Jeho●ah is the only living and true God , and ●s such , is known and acknowledged by ●very true Convert .

2. Conversion is a turning to God for Himself , Jer. 4. 1. If thou wilt return , O Is●ael , saith the Lord , return unto me , q. d. 〈◊〉 Israel , expect all safety , protection , all manner of Benefits and Blessings from my hand ; but place thy principal happiness in my self . The Hypocrite seems to turn , and seek unto God ; but 't is for the Creatures sake ; his Security or advantage is in his Eye . The Convert by the Creatures is led unto God , and though he should receive never so many temporal Mercies , he would look upon himself as miserable , unless with the Mercies he enjoyed the Father of them .

3. Conversion is a choosing of God before all things , such a choice is wise and rational . Moses saw Him that is Invisible , and saw so much in him ; that the Egyptian Crown and Throne were esteemed trifles in comparison of Communion with the God of Israel . The Psalmist though he had just had a sight of worldly Mens Prosperity and was ready to envy them their happiness ; yet going into the Sanctuary he did discern that in God , which eclips'd and obscured the whole World with all its Wealth and Dignity , and made it look but like a great and empty Bubble ; and he cries out , Psal. 73. 25. Whom have 〈◊〉 in Heaven but Thee ! and there is none o● Earth that I desire besides Thee ! The Convert chuses God for his Portion , and accounts no other heritage so goodly . He had rather have the Lord to be his God , his own God , as the Phrase is , Psal. 67. 6. and ●o enjoy the light of his countenance , than ●o have the greatest abundance of Corn and Wine , and whatsoever on Earth is call'd desirable .

There is a twofold enjoyment of God , on Earth ; and in Heaven . On Earth God is known but in part , and Sin remaining in the very best , is still a bar unto compleat Communion with him , which shall be the priviledge of all that come to Heaven . The Convert values fellowship with God in his Ordinances ; but principally ●ongs for the Vision of God face to face in his Kingdom ; he begs to be kept in the path of Life , and to be brought at last to that heavenly City which has eternal foundations ; in which God does for ever vouchsafe his glorious Presence , where God himself is All in All , where there is fulness of Joy and Pleasures forevermore , Psal. 16. ●ult .

4. Conversion is a devoting the whole Man to God. 'T is said of the Macedonians , that most willingly they gave of their substance to a good use , and they gave their own selves unto the Lord , 2 Cor. 8. 5. Whose I am , says the Apostle , and whom I serve , Act. 27. 23. 'T is the very Language of a Convert , and he speaks it from his Heart . The Convert is sensible he is not a Debtor to the flesh , to live after the flesh : Fleshly Lusts do war against the Soul , and he that lives after the flesh shall dye . Neither is he a Debtor to the World , the World is not worthy of his Heart , which can neither be a sufficient Price for Mans Redemption , nor affords him any true Contentment : But the Convert reckons himself a Debtor to God , as his Creator , Preserver , Owner , Redeemer , and to be under innumerable Obligations to be subject to Him , and active and zealous in his Service . Well may Religion be styled Righteousness , for all the acts of it , which the Lord calls for , he justly claims as due to him : And since those bonds which Converts are under , are bonds of Love and Kindness as well as Duty , 't is most unreasonable for any to say , as Psal. 2. 3. Let us break these bands asunder , and cast away these cords from us .

5. Conversion to God is a transformation into his Image and Likeness ; 2 Cor. 3. 17 , 18. Where the Spirit of the Lord is , there is liberty ; and we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord , are changed into the same image from glory to glory . The Apostle intimates , that the Image of God is Mans glory , and that his glory is the greater , the more fully this Image is instampt upon him , and that all that are Converted are changed into this Image : Not a true Convert but partakes of the divine Nature , and escapes the Corruption that is in the World. This Image of God consists in Knowledge , Righteousness , Holiness , and Dominion over the Creatures : All these things were lost by Adam's defection , all are recovered in Conversion , and the recovery is more compleat as Conversion is progressive . The Convert is called out of Darkness into marvellous Light , his Heart is made pure and clean , his Works are righteous , and the Creatures no longer Lord it over him , but he makes them subservient to the religious designs he is carrying on . Converts are in a sense the only Rulers in the World ; the greatest Monarchs that are graceless , are slaves to their ambition , carnal interests , and to divers lusts and pleasures ; but the Converted are more than conquerors , and recover that dominion over the Creatures which was lost in the first transgression .

6. Conversion is a directing all we do to the glory of God. They that take aim , shut one of their Eyes : The Convert in his aims and ends has a single Eye , Gods honour is designed above all . He that makes not God his End , has not yet begun to turn to him in sincerity . The Convert in his civil actions , as buying and selling , in his natural actions , as e●●●●g and ar 〈…〉 does what he does to the glory of God , as the Apostle enjoyns , 1 Cor. 10. 31. And especially in his religi●us actions , his design is that the Name of God may be hallowed and glorified ; in the desiring and working out his own Salvation , he designs that God may have the glory of saving him , as well as he 〈…〉 self the happiness of being saved . Thus have I shewn what Conversion is with reference to God.

Fifthly , Conversion may be considered with reference to Jesus the Mediatour ▪ As God is He to whom we turn , so Christ is He through whom we do it ; and indeed there is no coming to the Father but by this one Mediator between God and Men , the Man Christ Jesus , Joh. 14. 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Christ is both God ▪ and Man in one person , and two Natures so very distinct , and the one so infinitely above the other , being united in the Person of Christ ; hence follows an Vnion and Reconciliation between God and those of the Children of Men , for and of whom Christ undertakes to be an Advocate , a Surety , a Saviour and Redeemer . In Conversion there is an absolute necessity of using the Mediation of Christ ; it is by the Grace of Christ strengthening that the Sinner is enabled to turn to God , and 't is upon the account of the Obedience and Intercession of the Lord Jesus , that the returning Sinner does find acceptance with the Father : Christ is the Lord whom the Prophet speaks of , Isa. 45. 24 , 25. Surely , shall one say , in the Lord have I righteousness and strength , in the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be ●ustified , and shall glory . Now how the Convert in his turning has his Eye and Heart ●n Christ , I shall shew you in these particulars ▪

1. The Convert is perswaded that God is accessible in Christ Jesus ; Eph. 3. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence , by the Faith of him . God is not implacable , he is not mexorable , but ready to forgive , and plenteous in Mercy unto all that cry for it : Christ has satisfied the Justice of God to the very utmost of its demands , he paid more to Justice in an hour , than Believers could have paid unto Eternity ▪ Christ can ●ppease the Almighties 〈◊〉 Anger , and his Blood can do away the greatest transgressions , 1 Joh. ● . 7. The Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanse●● us from all sin . The Convert is encouraged by the Blood of Christ , which is the Blood of him that is God , and by the rich Grace of God in him , Eph. 1. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood , the forgiveness of sins , according to the riches of his Grace : Indeed the Scripture speaks of one Sin that is unpardonable , that against the Holy Ghost ; but the reason is not , as if it were too great for the Blood of Christ to procure the Pardon of it ; but because such Sinners resist and do despight to the Spirit of Christ , and will by no means be brought to him , but trample under foot the Son of God , and count his Blood an unholy and common thing . The Remedy is not insufficient for them , but they perversely despise , and will by no means use it , and therefore perish .

2. The Convert is encouraged by the general , serious , frequent , gracious invitations made in the Gospel : All Offenders are invited to Christ who is Sinners Peace , for the Chastisement of their peace was upon him , Isa. 53. 5. The Captives are invited to this Redeemer , that they may have liberty by him , and such liberty as is freedom indeed , Joh. 8. 36. All thirsty Souls are invited to come to him for the Waters of Life , Rev. 22. 17. Whosoever will , let him drink of the waters of Life freely : Finally , the lost that see themselves to be lost , are invited to come to Christ for Salvation , and He is able to save unto the uttermost , Heb. 7. 25. Whatever the guilt of Sin is , whatever the pollutions are , the Blood , the Spirit of Christ are offer'd in the Gospel , and are sufficient for the justifying and washing of the guilty and defiled .

3. The Convert receives Christ , and relyes upon him for Pardon , Grace , and Life eternal : He is troubled that he received him no sooner , that his Heart was with a foolish Obstinacy shut against him for so long a time , though to receive him , is to have power to become a Son of God , Joh. 1. 12. But now his Heart is open to entertain this Lord of life , this Prince and maker of Peace ; his accepting Christ is a voluntary , a glad , a thankful acceptance ; and in Him , not in the Flesh , he places his confidence and hopes ; he despairs in himself , and every thing else , but he abounds in hope , because of that superabundant Grace that reigns by Jesus Christ , Rom. 5. 20 , 21. And because the Apostle plainly sayes , He that spared not his own Son , but deliver'd him up for us all , how shall he not with him also freely give us all things ? Rom. 8. 32. The Converts eye is fixt on Jesus at his very first Conversion , and still he is looking to him , to his very dissolution ; he sees in Him an everlasting Righteousness , a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , an all-fulness of Grace ; on Christ therefore he depends for acceptance with God , and all needful Strength and Grace , until he comes to Glory .

4. The Convert submits to the easie Yoak of Christ Jesus : He walks no longer after the course of this World , he fulfils no longer the ●●si●●● of the Flesh and of the Mind , he casts off the Yoak of Mammon and of Satan , and now his great Inquiry is , what the Lord Jesus would have him to do ? that he may do according to his Will : He looks on Christ as Law-giver and King in Sion , and his Laws he is willing to obey ; and he remembers that Christ endured the Cross , and was Crown'd with th●rns , therefore he stumbles not at the Cross , but takes it up and follows the Lamb ; and reckons those are light Afflictions which are but for a moment , and that they ought not to be feared or shunn'd , when they can't be avoided without sin , being they work for those that undergo them , a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory , 2 Cor. 4. 17.

5. The Convert loves the Lord Jesus in sincerity , and lives by Faith on him , is long as he lives here in the flesh . Christ has the highest room in every true Converts Heart , he counts all things loss , that Christ may be gained , Phil. 3. 8. And 't is but reason that Christ should be best loved by him , whose love to him is greatest and most beneficial , and who is altogether lovely , Cant. 5. 〈◊〉 . Vbi amor , ibi oculus ; where the Love is , the Eye is . Christ being loved , the Convert's eye of Faith is set also upon him , and he stayes on Jesus the Author and finisher of his Faith , that he may be preserved in a state of Grace , and strengthned unto all continuance and perseverance in well doing . Let senseless Souls , that are without knowledge and experience , call this Resting a Lolling on Christ , notwithstanding their Ignorance and Blasphemy , the Members of the true Church will ( according as the Holy Ghost by wise Solomon expresses it ) lean upon their Beloved , Cant. 8. 5. in their passage through the Wildern●ss of this World , that they may be conducted and brought safe unto the heavenly and incorruptible Inheritance . Thus much of Conversion with reference to Jesus the Mediatour .

Sixthly and Lastly , Conversion may be considered with reference to the Word of God : This Word is the way into which every true Convert turns , Psal. 119. 59 , 60. I thought on my wayes , and turned my feet unto thy testimonies ; I made haste , and delayed not to keep thy Commandments . The Converts Eye is turned to look into this Word of God , his Ear is turned to hearken to it , his Feet are turned to walk according to it , and his very Heart is turned to love it : As 't is natural to new born Babes to desire the Mothers or Nurses Milk , so 't is spiritually natural to them that are Regenerate and Converted , to desire the Word of God , 1 Pet. 2. 2. As new born Babes desire the sincere milk of the Word , that ye may grow thereby .

1. The Converts natural enmity against the Word of God is cured ; he neither with the Jews counts the Gospel a stumbling-block and matter of offence , nor with the Greeks does he esteem it foolishness ; he does not look upon the Mysteries of the Word as absurd , nor upon the strictest Rules as unreasonable : He owns the Authority of God in his Word , and acknowledges his Wisdom and Goodness , in giving such a Testimony of his Will upon record , as is so faithful and worthy of all acceptation .

2. The Convert approves the whole of the Word of God : He prizes Truth and is afraid of Error , for there are damnable Errors in Judgment , as well as damnable Immoralities in Practice . They that are led away with the Errour of the wicked , do wrest the Scriptures , and that is not without danger of Destruction , 2 Pet. 3. 16 , 17. The Convert sees a need of threatnings to deter him from Sin ; and to keep his flesh in awe , that it become not head-strong against the Spirit : He likes the Commands as well as ●he Promises , and is perswaded 't is a priviledge to work for God as well as an encouragement that his labour shall not be 〈◊〉 vain , 1 Cor. 15. 58. He concludes whatever God has spoken , is spoken for his good , therefore dislikes nothing he has ●id . The Apostle consented to the goodness of the Law , and was troubled that so much evil was present with him , which ●indred that exact obedience he desired 〈◊〉 yield , Rom. 7. 16 , 21. And the Psamist ●eaks fully , Psal. 119. 128. I esteem all by Commandments concerning all things to be ●ght , and I hate every false way .

3. The Convert performs the word of God ●to the end , his Faith is not temporary , ●or his obedience forced by a present fear , ●nishing away as soon as ever the dan●r is apprehended to be over . The righ●ousness that is as the morning cloud , is hy●critical and unacceptable . The truly ●ghteous man holds on his way and waxes ●onger and stronger , Job 17. 9. The entrance of the word , gives that light and strength to the Convert as heartens him to go on ; the more he obeys , the greate● cause and reason he sees to be still more obedient ; the greater progress he makes i● his course , the nearer he comes to the prize ; the glory of that prize makes him press forward , and run the faster .

Thus have I opened the Nature o● Conversion . Much is included in it : Happy those that have felt what I have spoken . But what a Mul●itude of Professor● are excluded out of the number of sincer● Converts ! To how many a Man may Conscience say , Thou hast no part , n● experience in this matter , thy heart is not rig● with God. Thy beloved lusts , thy idoliz● gain and pleasures , thy unreasonable self-confidence , have hindred thy coming to Christ , t● turning to God , and obeying his Word to th● day .

In the third place I am to tell you , wha● are the Properties of Conversion . Here shall observe several things concerning i● which will help you the better to understand it , and may serve for a trial wheth● you are indeed converted .

1. Conversion is both a duty and a previledge . Conscience should take notice o● and with authority and vehemency urge ●he Sinner to the duty ; and the Heart ●hould be forward to Conversion ; since it 〈◊〉 such a Priviledge . The Gospel calls all that hear it , to turn to God , and layes them under an obligation to do it . And Conversion being a Submission to the whole Will of God ; it is the summ of all the duties which he requires . Turning to God is a consenting to do and suffer whatever he commands , and continuing a Convert is a standing perfect ( with ●n evangelical perfection , which is Sinceri● ) and compleat in all the Will of God , Col. 4. 12. And as the Convert does his duty ; so the doing of it is beneficial to himself . Is it not a priviledge , and every ●ay for his truest interest , to be near God ? ●o be received into his favour ? and to be under the blessed influence of his powerful and special Grace ? 'T was good counsel that ●liphaz gave , though he gave it to a better man than himself , Job 22. 21. Acquaint ●ow thy self with him ; ( and he explains that by returning to the Almighty ) and be 〈◊〉 peace , thereby good shall come to thee .

2. Conversion meets with great oppositi● . What in the whole World is oppo●d more ? The Children of men go by ●roves in the broad way that leads to Destruction , and they can't endure that any should part company ; if any begin to make a stand , and run not with them to the same excess of riot , they think it strange , and their tongues speak evil of them , 1 Pet. 4. 4. if they do not make them feel the violence of their hands also .

But if Earth is troubled when any are converted , Hell is much more moved ; when a Sinner turns , Satan loses an House where he dwelt , and an Heart which was a Throne where he reigned . And for that proud spirit , to lose a vassal , nay to be forced to flee from him , ( as the promise is he shall upon resistance ) Jam. 4. 7. whom before he led captive at his pleasure ; this must needs be a very great grief and vexation ; especially since his malice also is disappointed ; for so many Souls as are converted , so many Souls he is hindred from devouring and destroying . How many are the wiles and devices of Satan to hinder mans Conversion and Salvation ! Sin is the work of the Devil , 1 Joh. 3. 8. Conversion● from it , is his Envy and his Torments He can patiently enough behold his Subjects growing wealthy and great in the World ; let their Bags be never so ful● of Gold ; nay let there be Crowns upon their Heads , and Scepters in their Hands 〈◊〉 his envy is not stirr'd at such poor things as these ; as long as there is no true sa●ing Grace in their Hearts . But when any are about to be translated into the Kingdom of Christ and to turn to God ; Ah! now they become friends to themselves indeed , and therefore this Enemy is so much troubled .

Yet I must add ; that the greatest opposition is from the Convert himself , and from his own carnal Heart . How strongly does carnal reason argue against the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ ! Col. 2. 2. How does it plead for things that are seen ; because present , and in actual possession ! It saies , a World in hand is a great deal better than a World in hope , which no man alive ever saw . It thinks of what on Earth is most desirable , and layes it before the Sinners eyes , that still earthly things may take his Heart ; and represents Religion as a sad and sour thing ; whose strictness is a meer Purgatory , if not an Hell ; and the sufferings that attend it as intolerable . And if carnal reason disswade from Conversion , the stubborn will , the corrupt and inordinate affections , the violent and unruly passions , swell like the troubled Sea ; and who but He that made and rules the Ocean , can asswage them ? The Sinners brow is represented as brass , Isa. 48. 4. What can make him blush ? His Neck as an Iron sinew , what can make him yield ? his Heart as an Adamant stone , what can make him sensible ? O Convert , be confounded , because thou thy self didst most oppose thy own Conversion ; and admire victorious Grace , that both conquer'd and chang'd corrupted Nature .

3. Conversion is not to be wrought but by the mighty Power of God. Conversion implies a New Creation , and a Creating Power is no less than that of God. David cryes out , Create in me a clean Heart , Psal. 51. 10. q. d. O Lord ! thou who madest Heaven and Earth out of nothing , produce purity in my Heart , of which there is nothing by nature , and so little left since my fall , nay so much of sin which is quite contrary . Conversion implies a Resurrection , who can raise the dead at the last day but God only ? And who can quicken the dead in Trespasses and Sins , but himself alone ? Eph. 2. 1. and v. 4. 5 , 6. But God who is rich in mercy , for the great love wherewith he loved us ; even when we were dead in Sins , hath quickned us together with Christ ; by Grace ye are saved ; and hath raised us up together , and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus . The a●●●st Preacher must say , Power to convert is not in me ; Ordinances must say , This Power is not in us . The Word it self plainly signifies , that without Gods Co-operation , it works not to Conversion and Life , but to blinding , hardening and death . The Axe builds not the house , the Pencil makes not the Picture , nor the Preacher or Sermon the Convert ; but the Grace of God is and does all .

4. Conversion is by Grace that is irresistible . Not that there is Coaction or Compulsion in the ca●e ; you must not imagine that a man is converted by force ; his Will still remaining against it . But v●l●e resistere sublatum est . A Will to resist is taken away . A W●ll to resist there can be no longer , when God works the will to yield : Some do say , that God takes not away purum 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 posse nolle , absolutely a Power of being unwilling , but effectually cures actual unwillingness , healing the Sinners corrupt disposition to resistance . It may justly be question'd , whether ever any one that perisht , resisted so much Grace as was sufficient and effectual to the Conversion of any one that was saved ? Augustine uses three Adverbs to express the manner of Gods turning the Heart . Omnipotentèr , indecli●●bilitèr , insuperabilitèr , he does it Omnipotently , insuperably , so that when he purposes to work Conversion the Sinner shall not have an Heart to decline it . Heark what our Lord sayes , Joh. 6. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me , and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out . In the first Creation the mighty God was not withstood , but at his powerful Word of command , came all the Creatures out nothing , from the smallest Atome to the highest Angel. In the preserving and governing of his Church he works and none can hinder , and surely he works irresistibly in the gathering of his Church also . In the work of new Creation , there 〈◊〉 exceeding greatness of mighty Power shewn● forth , as the Apostle emphatically expresses it , Eph. 1. 19. and this Power changes and makes the Heart a new one , and a new Heart will certainly act like i● self ; turn to God , and incline to obey and follow him .

5. Conversion does not exclude the Converts agency , but causes him to act aright ▪ Man is passive before he is active in Conversion : God does work on him and i● him , and sets him a working . Facti su●● opus Dei , we are first the workmanship o● God , Eph. 2. 10. afterwards facimus oper● Dei , we do those works which are good ▪ and which God commands us . Conversion is a rectifying Man's activity , making him active in a good sense , who was before active in a bad one . The Understanding is active to apprehend , and to propound what is good , the Will is active to chuse and embrace it , the Affections move towards it ; but if you ask , from whence is this activity ? the true Answer is , all is from the powerfully quickening Grace of God , 1 Cor. 15. 10. By the Grace of God I am what I am , and I labour'd abundantly , yet not I , but the Grace of God that was with me . Repenting , Believing , Turning , are Mans acts , but they are done by a Power beyond his own : 'T is both absurd and dangerous to say , that Christ repented and turned for us ; but 't is a great truth , to affirm that he strengthens to Turn and to Repent , and 't is through him that repenting and returning Sinners are accepted .

6. Conversion that is true , is Present . Delaying to turn , is indeed a denying to turn , and that with this aggravation , that there is an endeavour deceitfully to hide a present unwillingness to turn , with a seeming willingness hereafter to do it . The Apostle tells us , Behold now is the accepted time , behold now is the day of Salvation , 2 Cor. 6. 2. The Note of attention , Behold , is used , and again repeated , and the instant of time , Now , is also ' twice mentioned : God is pleased Now to Call , it concerns Man , in point of Duty , Wisdom and Safety , Now to Turn . When the Holy Ghost sayes , To day if ye will hear his Voice , harden not your Hearts , Heb. 3. 7 , 8. He plainly signifies , that no Sinner in the World , when he hears the Gospel Call , should deferr his Conversion so much as one Day longer : When the Psalmist turned , He made haste and delayed not , Psal. 119. 60. which shewed that he turn'd indeed . To make haste in Conversion , is to resemble a Condemn'd Man , who hastes to take out a proffer'd Pardon , because every moment he is in danger of having the Sentence past upon him put in Execution ; 't is to resemble a Man that makes haste out of a City that is all in Flames .

7. Conversion that is true , is without any deceitful Reservations . The sincere Convert has not an Heart and an Heart , he does not divide it between God and Mammon , between Christ and Belial , between Grace and Sin ; but consents to be wholly the Lords , and at the Lords command and dispose . That Conversion which is not with the whole Heart , is but a feigned Conversion , Jer. 3. 10. He that turns in truth , does not thus capitulate with God.

Such and such sins I will cast away , but some I resolve to keep and live in still , because my Constitution strongly inclines me to them , because I have much Wealth by them , and take much Pleasure in them ; such and such Commands I will observe , but some Precepts are too strict for me , and these I will cast behind my back : I am willing to suffer a little for Christ , some reproach , some loss I am content to undergo , but I must be excused from Obedience , when I am called to lose all that I have in the World , and my Life too ; Commands thus to suffer are hard sayings , who can hear them ?

These reserves argue reigning and damnable Hypocrisie . The sound Convert is perswaded that God requires no more but what is just and equal , and really for the good of them that are to obey ; hereupon , without any limitation or exception , he sayes , Lord , Let thy Will be done , by me , in me , and upon me ; for thy Will is my Sanctification , and whatever thou command'st me to do or suffer , my Obeeience whether active or passive will turn to thy Glory , to my own Comfort and Salvation .

8. Conversion is an inward thing ; Rom. 2. 29. He is a Jew that is one inwardly , and Circumcision is that of the Heart , in the Spirit , and not in the Letter , whose Praise is not of Men but of God. There is that in Conversion which the eyes of those that are about us cannot see , but 't is apparent to Him that searches the heart , and tries the reins , and has pleasure in uprightness . Converting Grace reaches the inward parts , pierces into the very Soul , and there the greatest change is wrought ; there is a new light in the Mind and Conscience , there is a new bent and disposition in the Heart ; the Soul has Wisdom put into it that before was foolish , becomes true to God and to it self , that before was false and unfaithful unto both ; there is a spiritual mysterious Life in the Soul , which before was dead , and this Life is hid with Christ in God , Col. 3. 3. He whose religion lies all in the outside , he may look like a Convert , but never was Converted ; Colour and Form he may have , but he wants depth and substance . The Heathen World saw a necessity of inward Religion : One says , that God is

Purâ mente colendus .

To be Worshipped with a pure Mind . Another sayes ,

Compositum jus fasque animo sanctosque recessus ; Mentis , &c.

Honesty and uprightness of Heart , and a moral Life , is more pleasing to God than the costliest Sacrifices .

9. Conversion though an inward thing , yet shews it self visibly in an answerable Conversation : Grace is an active Principle , and where 't is wrought in the Heart , 't will have an apparent influence upon the outward man , 1 Joh. 3. 7. Little Children , let no man deceive you ; he that doth righteousness is righteous , even as he is righteous . As the Apostle sayes , Shew me thy Faith by thy Works , so may I say , Shew me thy Conversion to God by thy godly Conversation . If the Heart be turned , Grace will shew it self in the Eyes , by looks that are humble and modest , a Covenant being made with them , that they turn away from beholding Vanity . Grace will breath out at the lips in Prayer , Praises , holy and edifying Communications : And the Tongue will be laid under the law of Love and Kindness . Grace will tye up the Hands from being employed in the unfruitful works of darkness , but active they shall be in deeds of Righteousness , and open and liberal in acts of Charity and Mercy . Grace will hinder the Feet from running to evil ; the Path shall be ponder'd , and the Wayes st●all be established .

10. Conversion is gradual . We read in Scripture of different degrees of Grace : All Converts are not of the same Age , Strength and Stature . The Apostle speaks of little Children , of young Men , and of Fathers , 1 Joh. 2. 12 , 13. The little Child has as truly the Nature and all the Parts of a Man , as he that is grown up unto full maturity , but the grown Mans Parts and Members are much stronger than those of the other . The young Convert has all the Parts of the new Creature , he is renewed in the whole Man after the Image of God , though he be not wholly , but only in part renewed : And 't is the Work of God , who has begun this good Work of renovation , by degrees to perfect it .

The weakest Converts that are true , are not disregarded , Mat. 12. 20. A bruised reed shall he not break , and smoaking flax shall he not quench , 'till he send forth judgment unto Victory : The bruised reed signifies the Converts great Infirmity ; the smoaking flax , the noysom mixture of much Sin with that little Grace he has received ; yet that Grace is not , though small , despised , but cherished and increased , and hereby our Lord shews himself the true Messiah , a Saviour to the uttermost : Thus Judgment is brought forth to Victory and Truth .

The strongest Converts are still to grow stronger : There is some remaining Sin in the best of Saints , which they are still to be turning from and purging out ; neither are any of them come so near , or become so like to God , but they may be much nearer and liker to him . At first breaking of the Day there is much darkness with the light , but by degrees the light increases , prevails against and expels the darkness : An apt Similitude to Illustrate the matter in hand , and to shew how that Conversion is by degrees compleated , Prov. 4. 18. The path of the just is as the shining light , which shineth more and more unto the perfect day .

11. Conversion may be known to be sincere : 'T is possible for the Convert to be assured he is Converted ; and what Consolation is consequent upon such an Assurance ! For if a Man know that he is turned to God , he may warrantably conclude that God is turned unto him ; and he may as warrantably inferr , that being turned to him , He will never turn away from him to do him good , Jer. 32. 40. Wherefore are such Characters and Signs of Conversion and Grace laid down in the Scripture , if the thing were not capable of being made evident ? why are Prophets commanded to comfort the Converts , if none in this World could attain to a knowledge they are Converted ? What Strangers are they to the Spirit of Adoption , to the Spirits sealing of Believers to the day of Redemption , and his bearing witness with their spirits that they are the Children of God , Rom. 8. 16. who deny assurance of Conversion and Salvation ?

That Church which has been so severe against those that have come out of her , is also hard-hearted to them that remain in Communion with her , for she keeps Souls in torment , by encouraging Doubts and Fears ; and by calling a confidence of Salvation , though never so Scriptural , Fiduciam ab omni pietate alienam , an Impious Presumption . But we are not to mind the dictates of such a Step-mother , but hearken to a truer , a sweeter and safer Guide , Heb. 3. 6. But Christ as a Son over his own house , whose house are we , if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firm unto the end .

12. Conversion that is true is lasting : None ever totally and finally turn away from God , who are indeed turn'd to him . Christ the Mediator has made a firm Peace between God , and those that Believe and are Converted . The enmity between Jews and Gentiles , and between them both and God , is slain by the cross of Christ , Eph. 2. 16. Upon their turning and believing the Lord enters into a Covenant which he will never break . And as Christ by his Death has made an atonement , and appeased his Fathers displeasure ; so his Crucifixion is effectual to the killing the enmity , that was naturally in Converts against God ; their flesh and the lusts of it are crucified , Gal. 5. 24. They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts . And Rom. 6. 6. Knowing this , that our old man is crucified with Him , that the Body of Sin might be destroyed , that henceforth we should not serve Sin. True Converts shall persevere , for Christ has prayed that they may be establisht , kept from the evil of the World , and be with him where he is , and behold ( which does imply the enjoyment of ) his Glory , Joh. 17. 15 , 24. Persevering Grace is one thing Promised in the Covenant of Grace : God himself engages for those that turn to him in Truth , that He will not suffer them to apostatize and perish , Jer. 32. 40. I will put my fear into their Hearts that they shall not depart from me . I have done with the properties of Conversion .

In the fourth place I am to demonstrate the Necessity of Conversion : What tongue can name the thing that is of greater , or of so great necessity ? 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , this is indeed the one thing necessary . This has been necessary in all ages , ever since the fall of Man , and 't will be necessary to the Worlds end , this is necessary for all sorts of Persons , Jews , Gentiles , high , low ; rich , poor ; young , old ; male , female ; bond , and free ; all must of necessity perish and that for ever without it . None but Converts will live to God in this World ; shall live with Him in the World to come : We call Food to eat , and Raiment to put on , and Air to breath in , Necessaries ; and so in a sense they are , because frail Nature cannot subsist without them ; because we must quickly dye without them : But how much more necessary is Conversion , without which the precious Soul must needs be lost ; and there is no escaping eternal Death and Condemnation ! The Arguments to prove the necessity of Conversion are these following .

1. The first shall be drawn from Gods frequent earnest calls , and express command . What voice has sounded more frequently from Heaven , than that which requires Man to return to God ? Hos. 14. 1. O Israel , return to the Lord thy God , for thou hast fallen by thine iniquities . Jer. 3. 12. Go and proclaim these words towards the North , and say : Return thou backsliding Israel , saith the Lord , and I will not cause my anger to fall upon thee , for I am merciful , saith the Lord ; and I will not keep anger for ever . The Proclamation was made towards the North whither Israel were carried Captives , to intimate their departing from their own land , was the punishment of their departing from the Lord , and sincere returning unto God was the way to prevail with him to turn again their captivity . But now in Gospel daies , the Proclamation is to be made East , and West , and North , and South ; even to every Creature , for now God commands all men every where to repent and return to him , Act. 17. 30.

This command is not properly a Commandment of the Moral Law , which requires exact obedience , and without allowing of a transgressours Conversion ; Curses every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them , Gal. 3. 10. Yet it must be added , that Conversion includes a sincere Obedience to the Moral Law , as the rigour of it is abated under the Gospel . Conversion is a command of a remedying Law given unto Man after the fall . To refuse therefore to obey and to return , is not only an affront of Gods Authority and Sovereignty ; but a contempt of his gracious condescension towards man , and surely despising of his kindness and good will , must needs provoke the fiercer wrath . Conversion , or coming to God by Jesus Christ , is the great command of the Gospel ; know , that then when Conversion is press'd on Sinners , the Gospel is indeed preached to them .

2. Conversion is necessary , because Mans truest happiness lies in God ; whom he is called to turn unto . 'T is the Misery of Hell , that the wicked Spirits there , are separated for ever from that God who made them . And 't is the Worlds Misery , that most men in it are 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 without God in the World , Eph. 2. 12. If God be not a mans Happiness , what besides can make him truly happy ? Here all the Creatures manifest their utter insufficiency . Did the Rich mans purple cloathing , and fine tinnen , and delicious fare , make him an happy man ? No , no ; having this plenty and prosperity without God , it proved a means of loading him with the heavier guilt , and sinking the Wretch into an hotter and lower Hell. Mans happiness does certainly consist in his being favoured of God , in his being admitted unto fellowship with him , and transformed into his image and likeness .

Those that are far from him , are far from felicity ; and are near perishing , and though never so many , though whole Nations turn to Him , the Alsufficient God , has enough , is enough , for the happiness of them All , Psal. 33. 12. Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord , and the People whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance . God is able to cure the Soul of Man , and to content it . A sick man is uneasiy where-ever you lay him , 'till his disease be healed : God can heal the Souls distempers ; and satisfie its desires , and fill it to the uttermost of its capacity . Therefore the Apostle prayes for the Ephesians , Eph. 3. 19. That they migbt be filled with all the fulness of God. If our truest happiness be a necessary thing , then Conversion to God is necessary ; who himself really is that truest happiness .

3. Conversion is necessary , because of corrupted Nature , it 's aversion from the Lord . Man is truly called a Transgressour from the womb , for behold he is shapen in iniquity , and in sin he was conceived , Psal. 51. 5. Corrupted Nature is Abyssus mali , an evil not to be fathom'd ; they that are not sensible of it , plainly shew , that ignorance and stupidness is added to their wickedness . This corrupted Nature is called the Old Adam , which is full of deceitful lusts , a Body of sin , which has a great many members . The highest faculties of the Soul are depraved . The Will is unwilling to be be made clean . The Mind is carnal , and enmity against God , and is not subject to the Law of God , neither indeed can it be , Rom. 8. 7.

And as man is born with a strong Inclination to depart from God , so this inclination quickly shews it self , Psal. 58. 3. The wicked are estranged from the womb , they go astray as soon as they be born , speaking lies . And this estrangement from God is more and more increased by acts of Sin. And is not Conversion necessary , where there is such a deep corruption and revolt ? If the greater the Sickness , the greater be the need of the Physicians skill and care ; then Mans alienation from God , highly needs converting Grace , which may perswade and enable him to return , and this Grace is sufficient to do it , Eph. 2. 5. Col. 1. 21. And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your minds by reason of wicked , works , yet now hath he reconciled .

4. Conversion is necessary , because of Gods Holiness . His Eye is a most piercing eye , looks into all , even the darkest places , sees the wickedness that is conceal'd from men , and not in the least suspected by them . It looks into the very heart , and takes notice of all the imaginations , desires , affections , projects that are evil . And as the Eye of God is piercing , so 't is most pure . It sees all iniquity , but does not behold so as to approve of any , Psal. 5. 4 , 5. Thou art not a God that hast Pleasure in wickedness , neither shall evil dwell with thee ; the foolish shall not stand in thy sight , thou hatest all the workers of iniquity . Wicked men indeed are apt to think that God is altogether such an one as themselves ; and because they like their own evil wayes , they can't imagine that He does so much dislike them : But the wicked man , as he is called a fool , so he never shews himself more a fool , than when he concludes , that though he sins , God is not angry at his sin : this unbelief , this security , this most unworthy apprehension of God , stirs up the greater indignation against him , Psal. 50. 21 , 22. Thou thoughtest I was altogether such an one as thy self ; but I will reprove thee , and set thy Sins in order before thine eyes : Now consider this ye that forget God , least I tear you in pieces , and there be none to deliver . If God be glorious in Holiness , if his wrath be revealed against all unrighteousness of men ; if Sin be the abominable thing , which his Soul hates ; it undeniably follows , that Turning from wickedness is of absolute necessity .

5. Conversion is necessary , because of Gods immutability and unchangeableness . Can Gods pure and holy Nature ever alter ? Can Light it self become Darkness ? can Perfection become Imperfect ? Holy Angels indeed changed and became Devils ; many of them Apostatized , they kept not their first estate , but left their own habitation ; Man was made upright , but he changed , he sinn'd , and lost his Glory in which he was created . But the Apostle tells us , that with God there is no variableness , neither shadow of turning , Jam. 1. 17. If the Holy God cannot change , then sinful man must , else he cannot draw near to God , or be accepted of him ; Cleanse your hands ye sinners , purifie your hearts ye double minded ; and so draw nigh to God , and he will draw nigh to you , Jam. 4. 8.

6. Conversion is necessary , because it was one great end of Christs dying . Our Lord in his Crucifixion designed to save his Church from wrath , and this was a great benefit ; he designed also to save his Church from Sin , Tit. 2. 14. Who gave himself for us , that he might redeem us from all Iniquity , and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works : And if the Punishment of Sin be a less evil than Sin it self , Redemption and Conversion from Sin is a greater benefit than bare deliverance from the Punishment due to it . Our Lord suffer'd for sins , the just for the unjust , that he might make the unjust to become just , and might bring them unto God , 1 Pet. 3. 18. The Son of God was made Man , he was made Sin and a Sacrifice for it , that sinful Men might turn and become Saints ; he well knew how great an Evil , how dangerous an Enemy , how deadly a Disease Sin is , and consequently how needful it was his Church should be Converted and Delivered from it ; therefore his great Love , Compassion and Care , moved him to give himself for his Church ; that he might sanctifie and cleanse it , Eph. 5. 25 , 26.

7. Conversion is necessary , because it is one great reason of the Mission of the Spirit . The Father sends the Son to dye , that sin might dye , and Souls converting from it might live : The Son sends the Spirit , now one great work of the Spirit is to convince the World of sin , to shew the necessity of Conversion , and to work that which is so necessary . Conversion is a very great thing , and of the highest consequence , in which the concurrence of the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , is very much to be remarked : The Father allows of Conversion , gives the Sinner leave to turn , nay , requires him to do it , with an encouraging signification , that he will receive him in Christ : The Son by his Incarnation , and Sufferings , and Intercession , opens a way for the Sinner to come to the Father ; and by the Price he paid , has purchased both the Sinner that is Converted , and Converting Grace , whereby he comes to be Converted indeed : The Holy Ghost works the change and makes the Convert ; he enlightens the Eyes of the Vnderstanding , he sets the Will at liberty , 2 Cor. 3. 17. Where the Spirit of the Lord is , there is liberty : Liberty , not only to discern what is good , but Liberty to chuse and embrace it . Finally , He changes the Soul into the divine Image , and he abides for ever in the Church of Christ , that he may hinder this Image from ever being quite defaced , that he may perfect and compleat it .

8. Conversion is necessary to fit for present Service and Duty . An Unconverted Sinner is a bad Tree , and all the Fruit he bears must needs be evil . Is it reasonable to expect Figs from the Thistle , or Grapes from the Bramble or the Thorn ? how can he whose Person is hateful to God , whose Heart never was sanctified , do any action which may be truly pleasing in Gods sight ? Solomon tells us , that not only the Prayer of the wicked is an abomination to God , because he turns away his ear from hearing the Law , Prov. 28. 9. but also , that the Ploughing of the wicked is sin , Prov. 21. 4. If Ploughing be taken properly , it intimates , that the wicked mans ordinary Employments are not without Provocation , because he does nothing in a right manner , to a good end : If Ploughing be taken Metaphorically , for Contriving and Designing , it shews , that the Devices of the Heart of a wicked man are all vain and evil . Conversion therefore is very needful , that Man may become meet for the Service of God. The Converts Heart is right with God , desires God himself chiefly , and in what he does , designs his Glory , and being made a sanctified Vessel , he is made fit for his Lords use , and prepared unto every good work , 2 Tim. 2. 21.

9. Conversion is necessary to fit for future Reward . We read that the unrighteous shall not Inherit the Kingdom of God : Wicked ones are unfit to be among the Spirits of just Men who are made perfectly holy , to be among the Elect Angels who never sinn'd , but are ever crying out , Holy , Holy , Holy , Lord God of Sabaoth ! Though Heaven is not merited by our turning Holy , yet Holiness prepares and fits us for Heaven : The Apostle signifies , that Converts are deliver'd from the power of darkness , and translated into the Kingdom of the Son of God , and hereby they are made meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light , Col. 1. 12 , 13. The same Apostle having spoken of Life and Immortality , adds , Now he that hath wrought us for the self same thing is God , who hath also given unto us the earnest of the Spirit : By Converting Grace we are wrought upon for Glory ; and the Spirit who works in us a new Life which is Spiritual , is an earnest to assure us of Life Eternal : Oh Heavenly Jerusalem ! a City that has foundations , whose builder and maker is God! where Glory is everlasting , Blessedness perfect , and Joy is full , without possibility of abatement ! into thee none but Converts shall have , or are fit to have admission !

10. The Threatnings which the Word denounces against the Vnconverted , prove the Necessity of Conversion . The only Saviour asserts with vehemency , and that again and again , assuring all , that there is no Salvation for the Impenitent , Luk. 13. 3 , 5. Except ye repent , ye shall all likewise perish . If Souls are Unconverted , Sin is certainly Unpardon'd , and unpardon'd Sin binds over to eternal Death : We are commanded to Repent and be Converted , that our Sins may be blotted out , Act. 3. 19. Those who refuse to be Converted , all their Sins are written down in the book of Gods Remembrance , not one blotted out or forgotten , which book will be open'd at the last day , to their Confusion and Condemnation . What heavy loads are Guilt and Wrath ! both these abide upon the Unconverted .

How soon may the Wrath of God , which is both threatned and justly merited , seize upon the Unconverted ! how suddainly may it destroy them beyond all possibility of remedy ! Psal. 7. 11 , 12. God is angry with the wicked every day ; and as he grows more wicked , God becomes more angry : If he turn not , he hath whet his Sword , he hath bent his bow and made it ready : To signifie the Patience of God , and his unwillingness to destroy , the slaughtering Weapons are represented as lying by him unprepared , his Sword is not whetted , his Bow is unbent ; but if Sinners refuse to turn , the Sword , the Bow may quickly be made ready , and God may come to that peremptory resolution , Isa. 1. 24. Ah! I will ease me of mine adversaries , and avenge me of mine enemies .

Turning you see is in the highest degree necessary , for you must turn or dye : If a City were on fire , and there were but one Gate at which there might be an egress , to fly from the fury of the flames . Oh! what flocking would there be to that Gate ! If Sinners had but any sense and knowledge , they would turn to God by thousands and by millions , since Conversion is the only Door through which they may escape the Vengeance of eternal Fire : Those obstinate Wretches that will not turn in time , God will make them burn in Hell for evermore .

Thus have I at large demonstrated the Necessity of Conversion : But alas ! Who believes our report ! who credits that which is of all the greatest certainty ! Necessity in other matters has a mighty force , but the Necessity of Conversion prevails with very few . I make a needful Apostrophe from Man to God himself .

Lord ! Reveal and make bare thine own arm , and cause the most stubborn and stout-hearted to yield 〈◊〉 thee ; for Arguments alone will never prevail with the dead in Sin , to turn and live to God.

In the fifth place , I am to Answer the Arguments which the carnal Minds of men object against Conversion : These 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; these fleshly reasonings are strong holds which must be cast down , 2 Cor. 10. 4 , 5. And I would not leave one of them undemolished . Removere prohibens , to remove the hindrance of Conversion , is very much conducing to the thing it self ; therefore I shall ( which is but needful ) be the larger , in producing the strongest Reasons and most forcible Pleas that are brought and used against Sinners turning to God ; and give a full Answer , shewing the miserable invalidity and weakness of them all .

Obj. 1. The first Objection against Conversion is this ; We are Members of the Christian Church already . We have been Baptized in the Name of the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost : If indeed we were Heathens or Infidels , 't were proper to call us to turn to the true God , and to embrace the Faith of Christ ; but since we are already Baptized into the Church , which is his Body , the Call and Invitation to turn seems not to be made to us .

Answ. 1. It is one thing to be a Member of the visible Church , and another thing to be really a Member of Christ : The Apostle sayes , All are not Israel who are of Israel , Rom. 9. 6. Many have a Form of Godliness without the Power . In the same Vine there are many fruitless as well as fruitful Branches : In the same Church visible , many unsound Professors , if not more in number than sincere Believers : Now because these Saints in shew only , seem to be near to God , but their Hearts are really removed far from him , they have need to return to him as well as the openly Prophane .

2. Baptism and Conversion are separable . Simon Magus was under a Conviction by the Miracles which were wrought for the Confirmation of the Gospel , that it was from Heaven ; and he was Baptized by Philip , who did his Duty in administring that Ordinance to him ; yet afterwards Simon Peter tells him plainly , that his Heart was not right with God , but he was in the gall of bitterness , and in the bond of iniquity , Act. 8. 21 , 23.

3. The Jews of old were of the Church of God , and yet how often are they Called to turn ? Will Church-members , without Conversion be the better for their Church-membership ? Oh no. Sin in them is more inexcusable , they add treachery and perfidiousness to their iniquity ; and hereby their Provocation is , and their punishment will be the more increased , Amos 3. 2. You onely have I known of all the Families of the Earth , therefore will I punish you for all your iniquities . Your Sins by my Favour and your Priviledges are aggravated ; therefore your Condemnation without Conversion will be much the sorer .

4. Your Baptism is so far from proving Conversion needless , that it strengthens your obligation to turn to God : And indeed as Circumcision of old , which was a Seal of the same Covenant ; it may be improved this way . Under the Old Testament , every Israelite that in Infancy had been circumcised in the flesh , might go unto God for Converting Grace , for a circumcised Heart , and go to him as unto a God who had sealed a Covenant to him . Ephraim upon this score calls the Lord his God ; when he cries to him to be turned , Jer. 31. 18. Turn thou me and I shall be turned , for thou art the Lord my God ; as if he should say , Lord ! I have been circumcised , and dedicated unto Thee , and laid under an obligation to be Thine : Oh circumcise and turn my Heart , that I may be Thine indeed .

Do the Children of Believers under the Gospel , want such an help to Conversion , as the Jewish Children under the Law had ? Did Christ come to turn Infants out of Covenant who were once taken in , and to lessen the Saints Priviledgs instead of enlarging and augmenting them ? No , no. He that has been baptized , and received this Seal of the New Testament ; may with considence address unto God , and say , Lord ! I have been baptized with Water , Oh! sprinckle me with the Blood of Jesus , baptize me with his Spirit , wash me thorowly from my iniquity , cleanse and turn my Heart to Thee , and make me faithful and stedfast in thy Covenant .

Obj. 2. The second Objection against Conversion is this , We are not as other men are , and have no need to turn . Our lives have been unspotted , none can charge us with Extortion , with Injustice or Adultery ; who can accuse us of a fault that we should concern our selves to mend ? Had we indeed been gross offenders , Conversion and Reformation would have been our Duty : But the Letter of Gods commands we have observed , and refused to be vicious , like others , from our youth upwards .

Ans. 1. An unblameable Conversation I would not let pass without the Commendation that 's due to it . 'T is well that many who are Strangers to God , are under some restraint , by Education , Laws , Shame , natural Conscience , else the World might quickly be too hot for any that are born of God to live in it . The young Man in the Gospel , who was so exact in his Morals , 't is said our Lord loved him , Mar. 10. 21. though he himself loved his Possessions before a Saviour , and a Treasure in Heaven . a a Politicas virtutes Christus amare dicit●● ; quiailli grata est humani generis conservatio ; non quod salutis vel gratiae , meritoriae sint ▪ sed quia ad finem spectant illi probatum . Calvin . Christ did not love him as he loved his Church ; but had a respect to his external vertues , as those things which tend very much to the Conservation of Mankind ; and to the Benefit and better order of the Universe .

2. Admit you are free from grosser crimes , yet which way are your Hearts inclined ? What best suits them ? What do they love and prize most ? Though your Pleasures are in themselves lawful ; though your Estates are not gotten by deceit and unrighteousness ; yet if these are loved and valued more than God , and Christ , and Heaven ; you are guilty of Idolatry . 'T is reason you should repent and return , for your Hearts are departed from God , and are settled upon the Creatures : You are they who have committed the two great evils , at which the very Heavens may be astonished , and horribly afraid ; you have forsaken the Fountain of living Waters , and hewen out unto your selves , Cisterns , broken Cisterns , that can hold no Water , Jer. 2. 12 , 13.

3. You that are not of vicious Lives , Have you studied the Corruption of your Natures ? Christ tells you , that , that which is born of the Flesh is Flesh , Joh. 3. 6. And Flesh being here opposed unto Spirit , till you are converted and born again , your Natures are carnal and full of enmity against God. Oh see the sinfulness of humane Nature ! how backward are you to think , or speak , or hear of God! how void of Love to him , Fear of him , and Delight in him ! The Fountain of evil in the Nature of man , is so inexhaustible , that if man should live here for ever , this Fountain would cast forth wickedness for ever ; and thus 't will do in Hell , and therefore everlasting punishments there , are just and righteous .

4. You that have been just to men , giving them their due , how have you omitted your Duty towards God , and your duty towards the Souls of others , as well as your own ? And suppose , that you have prayed and heard ●he Word , and gone in a Road and Round of holy Duties ; yet your unbewailed , nay ●llowed deadness , distractions , and forma●ity in these duties , makes them very of●ensive to God , and the more offensive , because though such sorry duties , yet they ●re rested on as Saviours to keep you out of Hell , to bring you safe to Heaven .

5. This wholeness in your own conceit , ●eeps you off from Christ the Physician , Mat. 〈◊〉 . 12. While you think you need not Converting Grace , you remain unconvert●d ; and the Miseries and Curses of the Unconverted are upon you . Confidence ●n your selves makes your Case worse in ●ome respects than that of the Publicans ●nd Harlots , who entred into the Kingdom of Heaven before the self-justifying Scribes and Pharisees .

Obj. 3. In the third place , some do argue thus against Conversion . We are too ●oung , and 't is too soon to turn to God. Se●ious thoughts about our Souls , must not ●e expected in such Green heads as ours . Our Glass has but just begun to run , we have time enough before us ; therefore we hope we may be allowed to act as others of the same age with us , and enjoy our Sports and Pleasures , and fulfil our youthful Lusts and Desires ; when Age comes on , then 't will be time enough to turn to God , and make Provision for Eternity .

Ans. 1. Early Conversion is very acceptable . 'T is the Duty of them that are young to remember their Creatour in the dayes of their Youth , Eccles. 12. 1. And God is very much pleased when he is thus remembred . A mark of Honour is put upon them that have been Converted betimes ; Joseph , Josiah , Timothy , and others , are upon sacred Record ; because when very young and tender , they did fly from sin ; turn'd to God , and fear'd him ; and by his Word became wise unto Salvation .

2. Early Conversion is more easie . 〈◊〉 grant , Nature in the Young , as well as Old , is utterly averse from it ; but yet 't is certain that long continuance and custom in Sin does make it harder to be forsaken . Therefore sayes the Prophet , Jer. 13. 23. Can the Ethiopian change his Skin , or a Leopard his Spots ? then may ye do good , that are accustomed to do evil . Evil Custom is a second evil Nature , and doubles the Cords , which hold , and hinder the Sinner from Conversion . They that turn while young , have not such habits of s●● to grapple with , neither are evils so rooted in them , as in those that are Older .

3. Early Conversion prevents a great deal of Sin , which impetuous Youth is apt to be defiled with . When the Psalmist saies , Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way , Psal. 119. 9. he plainly intimates that the way of the young man , is naturally unclean , and Nature being vigorous in him , his Pollutions and Defilements exceedingly grow upon him . But if he turn to God , and take heed to himself according to the Words Direction and Command , his Heart shall be made and kept pure , his Vessel shall be possessed in Sanctification and Honour ; and though Youth be a dangerous Age , the Grace of God shall be sufficient for preservation .

4. You that are born of Christian Parents , God has challenged a special interest in you , from your very Infancy . a a The Scripture makes a difference between the Children of Christian Parents , and the Children of Infidels ; and therefore that opinion which makes no difference between them must needs be an errour , and contrary to the Scripture . The Children of them that are Infidels are expresly said to be unclean : but if the Parents , or , but one of them does believe ; the Children are affirmed to be holy , 1 Cor. 7. 14. You are Holy to the Lord , your faithful Parents as they gave themselves , so they gave you their Seed unto their Lord , to be peculiarly for his Use and Service . Circumcision of Infants under the Law , and baptizing them under the Gospel , shews that obligations to Conversion are early , and that the thing it self can never be too soon .

5. You that are young , and talk of having time enough ; remember , that young ones may dye , and often do ; and after death they are brought to judgment , Eccles. 11. 9. b b Since feats of Youth must be brought into judgement , what manner of persons ought young men to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness . And if you dye before Converted , you will dye in your Sins , and the first death and second death will come together . O young man , consider , that Childhood and youth are vanity ; the Thoughts and Counsels then , are usually foolish and unreasonable . Life is not to be reckoned upon ; for mans Life is but 〈◊〉 Vapour ; and Thine may be as a morning Cloud , and as the early dew , vanishing very quickly : Therefore hasten thy flight from youthful lusts , and turn to God without any further delay .

Obj. 4. Others do further Object , That if once they are Converted , they must bi● an eternal farewell to all Delight and Pleasure , and live a melancholick Life ; their eyes must alwaies be full of Tears , and thei● breathing must be a continual sighing ; they must ever be complaining of their Hearts , and lamenting the miscarriages of their Lives , and unto Joy they must become perfect Strangers : And by such sad apprehensions as these , Satan sills the Hearts of thousands with a mighty Prejudice against Conversion . But to this Objection I thus Answer .

Ans. 1. Conversion only banishes the Pleasures that are sinful ; and to take Pleasure in Sin , how unreasonable is it ? should it be counted a Pleasure to anger the Almighty ? to lay our selves under a Curse which none can bear , without being extreamly wretched ? should it be counted a Pleasure to expose our selves to all sorts of Judgments and Calamities in this life ? to wound the Conscience , to damn the Soul for ever ? Is there any ease in Hell ? are those Burnings become desirable ? and should Pleasure be taken in Sin , which if still delighted in , will certainly bring us to those Torments ? Lovers of sinful Pleasures understand not Pleasures : All these kind of Delights are to be shunn'd , for they have as it were an intoxicating and stupifying Poyson in the mouth , and a mortal Sting in the tail of them .

2. Conversion spiritualizes and hightens the Pleasures that are innocent and lawful : He that keeps within the bounds that God has set him , consults his own Peace . When God is eyed and served in the abundance of all things , there is the greater Joy in that abundance , as is intimated , Deut. 28. 47. When the Creatures are improved for God , this is one way towards the Cure of that Vanity and Vexation that Sinners find in them : To Eat , and Drink , and Recreate our selves to the Glory of God , designing by these actions to be fitter for our Lords work and use , this puts a very great sweetness into both our Food and Recreations ; and this sweetness the greatest Epicures and Sensualists taste not of .

3. That Godly Sorrow which is so much cryed out against , is not without a satisfaction : Did ever any one that truly repented , repent of his Repentance ? Impenitency will be found a most destructive Madness , and will be repented of in Hell at farthest ▪ but Repentance never , not in this World ▪ less at Death , and least of all in Heaven ▪ 2 Cor. 7. 10. Godly sorrow worketh 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Repentance unto Salvation not t● be repented of : As God is pleased with th● Sacrifice of a broken and contrite Spirit , s● the Heart that is broken may be glad o● this Contrition , which is the work of a Co●forter , and to find how God has chang● the heart of stone into an heart of flesh .

4. 'T is the greatest mistake in the World , to think that turning to God , is nothing else but turning sorrowful : Care is taken that the grossest Offenders if truly Penitent , should not be swallowed up of over much sorrow , 2 Cor. 2. 7. The Mourners are pronounced blessed , for they shall be Comforted : They that sow in Tears shall reap in Joy : The Kingdom of God is Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost , as well as Righteousness , Rom. 14. 17. and this Peace passes all understanding , this Joy is unspeakable and full of glory : How large and lasting is the Foundation that the Converts Joy is built upon ! he rejoyces in Christ Jesus as a Saviour to the uttermost ; he rejoyces in God as the best of Fathers , as a Portion for ever ; he rejoyces , because his Name is written in the Book of Life , and shall never be blotted out ; he rejoyces , because he shall want no good thing in this World , and the evils that are his exercise shall work together for his good ; he rejoyces finally , because in the next World his Joy will be full , and without any mixture of Grief , or any reason for Trouble , in Gods glorious Presence ; and his Pleasures will not be like those of sin , only for a season , but will last for evermore , Psal. 16. ult. Conversion then will not rob you of Delight , but make it truer , greater , and better grounded ; whereas the Pleasures of the Unconverted are but meer Delusions , Dreams , and are chased away like Night-visions .

Obj. 5. In the fifth place , there be that argue thus against Conversion : If we turn to God , we shall be exposed to Contempt and Reproach : How many Mouths will be open'd against us ? how many Tongues will speak evil of us ? we shall perfectly be made the meer foot-balls of disdain , if we become indeed religious .

Ans. 1. A wise Man should not be concern'd at the disesteem of Fools and Mad men ; so wicked men are called , and such and no better indeed they are . If all the poor Lunaticks in Bedlam should deride you because of your sober Carriage , you would not mind them , unless it were to pity them , because you would know your selves to be in your Wits , and them to be out of theirs . When wicked ones do make a mock of Sin , 't is a sign that they are in a spiritual sense delirious , and when they prate against Religion , this is really their frantick raving .

2. To be Reproached , is better than to be Commended of the World : You would be none of the best your selves , if you had the good word of all that are bad : Christ himself sayes , Woe unto you , when all men shall speak well of you , Luk. 6. 26. Reproach for Religion and Righteousness sake , is a far greater Honour than the esteem of all the Men of the World. The Apostle Paul was so far from being discouraged , that he took Pleasure in Reproaches , 2 Cor. 12. 10. And Moses before him , had esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt , Heb. 11. 26.

3. Better ▪ Men reproach thee for thy Conversion , than Conscience reproach thee for thy Obstinacy : The reproaches of an awakened , a wounded Conscience , will be very terrible , not to be denied , not to be answered , not to be endured : As long as Job's Heart did not reproach him , but witnessed his Integrity , Job 27. 5 , 6. he could bear his unfriendly Friends Censures and Reproaches the better .

4. Whatever the World judges , Conversion is exceedingly for the honour of all that are Converted . All Unconverted ones are really vile and abominable , slaves to their lusts , the unclean Spirits drudges ; they are most basely employed , because employed in works that are evil . But the Convert has a real excellency , he partakes of a new , of a divine Nature , 2 Pet. 1. 4. How highly is he advanced , who is promoted to be a Child , an Heir of God , a Joint-heir with Christ ! Priestly , nay , Kingly dignity is put upon him , Rev. 1. 6. Oh mind not the scoffs and scorn of the foolish . To have God to be your Father , Christ your Brother , the Holy Angels ministring Spirits to you , to be enriched with Grace , and at last Crown'd with Glory , cannot justly be look'd upon as a matter of disgrace to any .

Obj. 6. There be some that further Object against Conversion : This is a thing may cost us very dear , we may come hereby to suffer the loss of Liberty , Estate and Life ; how many Thousands of Martyrs have there been , since there was a Church gather'd out of the World , and Converted to God through Christ Jesus ? Death came to these before the time , and came with Violence , and the Torments they endured , made them suffer many Deaths in one : 'T is terrible to be stoned , sawn asunder , slain with the Sword , burnt to ashes at a stake ; or if it come not to this , 't is sad enough to wander about in sheep-skins and goat-skins , being destitute and afflicted , and forced to dwell in Dens and Caves of the earth : Flames , Swords , Racks , Gibbets , are none of the most taking things to perswade unto Conversion . Unto this affrighting Objection , I thus Answer .

Ans. 1. Though all should count the Cost of being Converts , and reckon upon the Cross , yet all are not put upon bearing the heaviest part of it ; though many have sail'd through a very tempestuous Ocean to Heaven , yet many have also through a calmer Sea arrived safe thither . The Church of Christ has its lucid Intervals , and for many years in some places there is not the fiery Tryal : The God whom they serve , takes away the righteous very frequently from the evil to come , Isa. 57. 1 , 2. and they are safe at rest above , before the storm here below rises .

2. There is a Promise made to Converts , of so much of this World as God sees to be good for them ; and he is best able to judge what is indeed convenient : So that Godliness is really a gainful thing , and has the Promise of the Life that now is , as well as of that which is to come , 1 Tim. 4. 8. While the Lord sees it expedient , his Saints should keep their temporal enjoyments , that fence his Providence has set about them , will secure them from the sons of violence , Heb. 13. 5 , 6. Let your Conversation be without Covetousness , and be content with such things as ye have ; for He hath said , I will never leave thee nor forsake thee : So that we may boldly say , the Lord is my helper , I will not fear what man can do to me .

3. All losses for Religion are sanctified , and the Soul gains so much Grace and Peace when temporal goods are taken away , that in point of value , the Sufferer receives in this life an hundred-fold , Mar. 10. 30. He that receives a Wedge of massy Gold from the hand that took away a few Farthings , has he reason to complain of being a looser ? less reason has he to cry out of loss , who has less of the World , but much more Grace and spiritual Joy than ever .

4. If Converts are called to Martyrdom and extraordinary Trials , extraordinary Strength shall be vouchsafed ; for God is faithful , who will not suffer any of his to be tempted above what they are able , 1 Cor. 10. 13. The greater the Saints sufferings are , the greater honour is put upon them , and the greater is their support and comfort : Abundant Sufferings , and abundant Consolation to sweeten them , go together , 2 Cor. 1. 5. For as the Sufferings of Christ abound in us , so our Consolation also aboundeth by Christ . 'T is ill indeed to suffer as an evil doer , or as a busie body in that which it does not concern us to be doing ; but to suffer as a Christian , as a Convert , is an happy thing , and should be rejoyced in ; because the Spirit of Glory and of God , does rest upon those that thus bear the Cross of Christ , 1 Pet. 4. 13 , 14. He gives them boldness in Confessing the Truth , a Mouth and Wisdom to silence those that gainsay it , and Faith , Fortitude and Patience , to bear the uttermost of their Force and Fury . A fiery Furnace , though seven times heated , is not to be dreaded , if the Son of God be there with us .

5. None that come to Heaven repent of having parted with any thing , that stood in competition with it . The Apostle while here called Afflictions light , but how did he look on them , when they were all past , and the weight of Glory was actually received ? All Heads are Crowned in Heaven , and all Crowns are bright ; all Vessels of glory are so full , that there is not room for the least envy , yet there seems to be a special note of Honour set upon Sufferers ; the Scripture represents them as pointed at , for their Faithfulness and for their Reward , Rev. 7. 14. These are they that came out of great tribulation , and have washed their robes , and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Obj. 7. A seventh Objection against Conversion runs thus , We see very few that are perswaded to turn to God ; the generality of those whom we live among remain Unconverted , and why should we be singular ?

Ans. 1. The general bad Example that is given , is a great mischief to the World , whereby wicked men do harden one another . A few indeed there be that are chosen out of the World , and who do seek and chuse a better World , but the generality are worldly minded ; the shrodest Heads , the greatest Wits , the deepest Polititians mind Earth and neglect Heaven , and refuse to be Converted that they may come thither ; and multitudes going in pernicious wayes , they are walked in with the greater security , yet they are not at all the less destructive .

2. Is it any harm to be singular in what is excellent ? To be singular in good Nature , to be singular in Parts , to be singular in Learning , is not matter of reflection , and why should it be accounted disgraceful to be singular in Grace and Holiness ? He that sayes , Mat. 7. 14. Strait is the gate , and narrow is the way that leads to Life , and few there be that find it ; intimates plainly , that his followers must not herd with the multitude , and that those must be singular , who will go in the safest and most excellent way .

3. Is it any harm in a time of Pestilence , to be of the Number of those few that escape the Contagion ? Sin is the worst sort of Plague , and most in the World dye of it , and dye the Death that is Eternal : Oh what madness is it to refuse to be Converted and healed , and to resolve to dye and to be damn'd for Company ?

4. Multitudes in Hell will be no ease or relief to one another . They that have been drawn to Sin , by others ; with what eyes will they behold them in torments , cursing the Counsel and Example they gave them ; and especially their own madness in imitating such pernicious Patterns ! And the perswaders to Sin , will have their misery increased , because they have occasioned others eternal misery . 'T is very probable that the Rich man , Luk. 16. was afraid of having his own torment increased by his Brethrens company , unto whom perhaps he had been exemplary in Profaneness and Sensuality ; therefore he wish'd them a Messenger from the Dead , to perswade them to Repentance .

Obj. 8. In the eighth place , another Objection is this . We have no strength , no ability to turn to God. If we were endued with a Power to Convert our selves , and to make our own Hearts new ; ' twe●● reasonable to perswade us to exert and put that Power forth . But man since the fall is without strength , and therefore in urging us to Conversion , you urge us to that which is impossible by us to be performed .

Ans. 1. I grant mans inability to make himself a sincere Convert ; to turn , is a Sinners Duty , but from hence it does not follow that he has ability of himself to do it . A man that owes ten thousand Talents , does not cease to be a Debtour , because he has never a Farthing to pay . To help to answer this Objection , we must not introduce , the Pelagian , or Semipelagian Errour .

2. Are you glad that you are unable to turn to God ? do you rejoice that you have such an excuse for your laziness and perversness ? If so , it shews the naughtiness of your Hearts . And your Conscience must needs yield , that your Plea of Impotence , is a very weak one . If a Servant that by a fall were made a Cr●●ple , were glad that hereby he is disabled from serving his Master , his Master would be just in punishing him , for not doing what he can't do , because he has such a naughty mind , that he is glad he can't do it .

3. If you are sensible of your inability to ●urn to God , and sorry because unable , and ●●sirous to have ability to turn indeed ; your Condition is really very hopeful . Obsti●ate Sinners had rather be without strength to turn to God , than have it ; in vain therefore do they plead want of Power , when Will is so much wanting . But if you are sensible you have no might , and desire Power from above , God is ready to strengthen you by his Spirit , to that , unto which Nature is unable . He is willing to give his Spirit unto any that seriously ask him , Luk. 11. 13. He gives Power to the faint , and to them that have no might , and are sensible they have none ; he increases strength , Isa. 40. 29. Make use of and attend upon the appointed means and ordinances of Grace , wherein this Strength is conveyed . Fury is not in God , when once Sinners begin to yield : Lay hold upon his Strength that you may turn in Truth , and make peace with him , and you shall make peace with him , Isa. 27. 5.

Obj. 9. A ninth Objection is this , Though we do not turn to God at present , yet we are not absolutely against the thing ; hereafter we intend to do it . This is both an excuse for not turning , and an argument against the present doing it ; because 't is time enough , as they say , hereafter .

Ans. 1. Delay to turn to God , is bottom'd upon very great mistakes , as if Sinners could turn when they would , or could command the Grace of God at Pleasure to assist them , or were sure of the continuance of Life , and the season of Salvation .

2. Delay provokes the Lord exceedingly , and very much grieves his Holy Spirit , if a Master commands a Servant to do his work ; and he replyes he will do it seven year hence , this is justly look't upon as disobedience and mockery joyn'd together . How would a Master on Earth take such an Answer ? Surely it must needs anger the God of Heaven , who bids you turn to day ; to say that seven , and seven , and seven years after that , will be time enough to do it . The Spirit urges to present Conversion ; delay vexes the Holy Ghost , and being vexed he may give over striving , Gen. 6. 3. My Spirit shall not alwaies strive with man . And if he be quite gone , Conversion becomes impossible , you never , never can , or will be turned .

3. Delay hardens the unconverted . Satans holds are stronger , Sin is rooted deeper ; Conscience is more stupified ; Custom in Sin , more fully takes away the Sense of it . And surely the more dead asleep the Conscience is , the more unlikely 't is to be awakened ; the more the Heart is like an Adamant stone , the more improbable 't is that ever it should be mollified .

4. Delayes are unconceivably dangerous ; 't is far greater folly to defer thy turning to God , than if thou shouldst defer the cutting off a Grangren'd member , or than if thy house were on fire , and thou shouldst say , A twelve month , or seven year hence were time enough to put out the flame . Martial has an excellent Epigram against delaying the amendment of the Life , lib. 5. Epig. 58.

Cras te victurum , cras dicis Posthume semper ; Dic mihi cras istud Posthume quando venit ? Quam longe est cras istud ? ubi est ? aut unde petendum ? Nunquid apud Parthos , Armeniosque latet ? Jam cras istud habet Priami vel Nestoris annos . Cras istud quanti , dic mihi possit emi ? Cras vives : hodie jam vivere Posthume serum est ? Ille sapit quisquis Posthume vixit heri .

The design of the Poet is to shew that purposes of future amendment are idle and vain , that to amend presently is late enough , and that it would have been true Wisdom to have done it long ago .

Obj. 10. The last Objection against Conversion , is that of Despairing Sinners . Oh! say they , we are afraid , 't is quite too late to turn to God. He has called long , but we have as long refused ; he has stretched forth his hand , but we have still been stiff-necked and gainsaying . If we had turned sooner we might have hoped , but now our Sins are so increased over our heads , and we have persisted so long in our rebellion , that we quite despair of Pardon and Reception .

Ans. 1. God calls those to turn , who sinn'd long , and with an high hand , nay with their whole might , Jer. 3. 5 , 7. Behold thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest : And I said after she had done all these things , Turn thou unto me . Those that have sliden back with a perpetual backsliding , are invited to return to God from whom they have deeply revolted ; such a call you have , Jer. 3. 22. and the call is hearkned to and obeyed , Return ye backsliding Children , and I will heal your backslidings ; behold , we come to thee , for thou art the Lord our God.

2. Some have been Converted very late . Grace has recover'd them that have been very far gone in Sin , and by Sin have been brought to the very brink of the bottomless pit . Some have been Converted , not only at the ninth hour , but at the eleventh hour , nay at the last moment of the twelfth hour of the day . To prevent despair , we have one instance of a Man , that began to live when he was just dying ; and that was the Penitent Thief upon the Cross , his Soul was joyn'd to Jesus by a true Faith , just before 't was separated from his Body ; his Heart was changed not many moments before his great change . But do we find any more such instances in Scripture ? No. One we find to prevent Despair , but one to check Presumption and foolish Procrastination .

That Thief upon the Cross seems , though just before so great a Sinner , of a sudden to be made the greatest Believer upon Earth . a a Hic Latro rarum & memorabil● fidei exemplum altius penetr●● quam Apostoli omnes ; Christum in patibulo Regem adorat , Regnum ejus celebrat in borrendâ , & plusquam deformi abjection● , moribundu● pronunciat vitae Authorem . Calvin . ad Luc. 23 43. As Calvin observes concerning him , he did altius pene●rare , pierce deeper into the mystery of Christ Crucified , than at that present all the Apostles did ; they were all offended , at the Cross ; but this poor Penitent places his Confidence in that , which was their scandal ; and he sees Life and Salvation in Christ , when Christ and himself were both dying .

3. Though you that have deferr'd Conversion long , ought bitterly to bewail your former obstinacy ; yet add not the Sin of despair to all the rest . A great many years spent in wickedness , should be reflected on with serious sorrow , and self-condemning : Yet say not , there is no hope ; for this will neither better your Estate , nor you . Despair is a greater sin than most are aware of , reflecting much dishonour upon the Grace and Mercy of God , which 't is his special design to glorifie in the Gospel , Eph. 1. 6. Despair is a disparaging of , and a Sinning against our Lord Jesus , who came into the World to save Sinners , and the very Chief of Sinners , 1 Tim. 1. 15. and how contrary is this despair unto the holy Spirit the Comforter !

And as despair is evil in its own Nature , and very unreasonable , so 't is evil in its tendency , it either tends to self-murther ; Hope was first kill'd in Judas , and then Judas kills himself ; Mat. 27. 4 , 5. or else it issues in profaneness : when Sinners conclude their Case is desperate , and that they shall certainly be damn'd at last , 't is not unusual for them to resolve , to enjoy all the Pleasures and gain ; of Sin while they may , and to endeavour to expell their fad and self-tormenting Thoughts , by sensuality and earthly-mindedness , Jer. 2. 25. Judah first sayes , There is no hope , and then resolves upon a continuance , and greater eagerness in an evil way : I have loved strangers and after them will I go . But pray mistake not the Nature of Despair : You must despair of Saving your selves by your own Worth and Power , you must despair of ever obtaining Mercy if resolved still to go on in your trespasses : But ,

4. If now at last you are but truly willing to turn , to turn to God ; to turn from all Sin , and to turn with all your Heart , God is much more willing to turn you , to turn to you , and to shew you Mercy . None ever turn'd and was rejected , none ever truly desired Grace to turn and went to Hell without it , and perisht unconverted . When Ephraim cryed , Turn thou me , and I shall be turned ; God surely heard him , Jer. 31. 18. and v. 20. he sayes , M● Bowels are troubled for him , and I will surely have mercy upon him .

Thus I have answered the Objections against Conversion . I have endeavour'd to level the Mountains and Hills , to fill the Valleys , to make the Crooked straight , and the Rough wayes smooth and plain ; that all Flesh may see the Salvation of God , Luk. 3. 5 , 6. And that , Conversion to him , is required of all that will partake of his Salvation .

In the last place , I come to the Application .

VSE I. If Conversion be thus necessary , and the great thing which God requires ; learn from hence the great danger , that there is , in being mistaken about Conversion . To mistake counterfeit Coyn for good and lawful Money , to purchase an Estate upon a false Title instead of a sound , and true one ; to place Confidence in one that seems a Friend , but is really faithless , and an Enemy ; all such mistakes are accounted dangerous and hurtful . But no mistakes in Point of Prejudice and Mischievousness , are comparable to this ; when that which is not Grace is taken to be the Grace of God in Truth . It is an Observation , that Fraus oritur ex similitudine . Deceit arises from likeness : There are many things that have some kind of likeness to Conversion , that indeed are not Conversion ; these I am with all faithfulness to discover to you , and you with all care are to heed the discovery ; for if you should deceive your own selves , and mistake about Converting Grace , you would be for ever frustrated in your hopes of Glory : And can there be a greater disappointment , than confidently to expect Heaven , and find your selves not only excluded , but Sentenc'd and sent to that place of Woe , where there is the greatest loss , and that loss irreparable ; where there is the greatest Pain and Torment , without any hope of ease or end : The things that are mistaken for Conversion are these .

1. The turning to a Party and Opinion , there may be this , where there is no turning unto God. An Orthodox Judgment there may be where there is an unrenewed Heart , and Truth may have many to side with it upon the account of secular Interest : What Multitudes followed Christ for the Loaves , whose Hearts relished not his Doctrine nor himself ; though he is the Bread of God that came down from Heaven to give Life unto the World , Joh. 6. 26 , 27 , 33. 'T is good indeed to profess what is indeed the Truth , and to be of that party which is most sober and Godly . But the Girdle of Truth , will signifie little without the Breast-plate of Righteousness ; the form of Godliness will not avail , if the Heart be a stranger to , and inwardly dislike the Power of Godliness .

Judas was turned to the Doctrine of Christ as to an Opinion , and he associated himself with the most eminent of the Disciples , being one of the twelve Apostles , but he valued the Bagg more than the Faith ; he talkt like a Follower of Christ ; but his Heart went after his Covetousness , and at last for thirty pieces of Silver he sold his Lord , and lost himself .

Oh! Take heed of such an imagination , that if you are of such a way , or party , or Congregation , you are certainly Converts . In the Church at Jerusalem there was a false and dissembling Ananias and Sapphira , Act. 5. 1 , -4. In the Church of Corinth there were some that had not the Knowledge of God , who were asleep in Sin , and whom the Apostle endeavours to awake to Righteousness , 1 Cor. 15. 34. There may be turning to a party without inward Purity , and this is but turning the Church into a Stage , and acting a part there . And as turning to a party is not Conversion , so ceasing to be fierce for a party , is not Apostacy , but 't is a Moderate healing temper , which would do a mighty kindness at this day ; and have a great tendency to the Churches Peace and Edification .

2. Zeal about Circumstantials in Religion is mistaken for Conversion . This sort of Zeal is sometimes joyn'd with gross ignorance , and then 't is Ignis fatuus , a foolish fire ; and sometimes 't is joyn'd with great impatience and fury against every thing that stands in it's way , and then 't is perfect Wild-fire . In the Apostles dayes , some were exceeding hot for Circumcision : Others did as loudly cry up Vncircumcision . But the Apostle decryes the Ardour and heat both of the one and the other party , and plainly tells them , that Neither Circumcision availeth any thing , nor Vncircumcision ; neither of these things by themselves , can prove a man a Convert , and in a State of Salvation ; but a new Creature , but Faith which worketh by Love , Gal. 5. 6. Chap. 6. 15.

Those that place all Religion in bare Conformity , and are eager for Ceremonies , but neglect the substance of Christianity , and remain without Faith , Truth , Love , Humility and serious Holiness ; they will find these Ceremonies insignificant to secure them at Death and Judgment . And on the other side , they who place all their Religion in Non-conformity , but yet are greatly consormed to a vain and sinful World , are as proud , envious and revengeful , as sensual and covetous , as intemperate , unjust and unclean as others in the World are ; though these seem to go in a different path , yet 't is a path in the same broad way that leads to Destruction .

3. Turning to Errour , and forwardness to promote errours that are very dangerous , is also mistaken for Conversion . Many that are unlearned and unstable , do wrest the Scriptures to their own Destruction , 2 Pet. 3. 16. and yet vainly suppose they are contending for the Faith , and are in the right way to Salvation , this is not Conversion but Delusion ; and the greater the Confidence is , the Delusion is the stronger . When Satan transforms himself into an Angel of Light , and his Ministers appear as the Ministers of Righteousness ; and Errour is dress't up , as if it were most certain and Sacred Truth ; how many are led away , and believe lies ; and are industrious to perswade others also to believe them ! And so much is placed in the embracing of these falshoods , as if it were damnable to reject them .

But I Counsel you to remember that of the Apostle , Jam. 5. 20. that turning from an Errour and not to it , is the way to save a Soul from Death . Observe concerning these deluded ones , whether some spiritual Pride , or carnal Affection , or notorious Omissions , were not the fore-runners of their being perverted ; whether they don't allow themselves in the neglect of plainly commanded Duties , bearing some fruits or other which discover them : And whatever Joyes and Comforts they bragg of , they had better be without them , since they serve only as confirming Seals of their Delusions .

4. Another thing mistaken for Conversion , is forsaking of One sin , though there be a running into the contrary , at least an allowance of some Iniquity or other still : He that has been exceedingly addicted to Prodigality , ceases perhaps his Profuseness and Luxury , but runs into the other Extream , and becomes excessively greedy after gain ; this Man has not turned from sin to God , but from one sin to another . To reform in one thing , nay , in many things , is insufficient , if the Reformation be not universal ; one sin loved and liv'd in , is enough to prove one Unconverted , and will be sufficient to destroy : A Man that has one Dagger thrust into his Heart , dyes as certainly as Julius Caesar did , of all the Wounds which were given him in the Senate ; or as Attilius Regulus did , who was pierced from Head to Foot in the nayled Barrel .

5. A blameless Conversation is also mistaken for Conversion , though there be no Care or Observation , no Renovation of the Heart and Nature : The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees was short , because only external ; if they imbrued not their hands in blood , they were unconcern'd , though their Hearts were full of Wrath and Hatred ; if free from actual Adultery , inward Concupiscence was nothing with them : But our Lord rightly expounds the Law , shews how being spiritual , it reaches the Soul , and obliges unto internal Purity and Righteousness ; and he expressly affirms , Mat. 5. 20. Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees , ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven . The Apostle Paul tells us , before his Conversion he was , touching the righteousness of the Law blameless , Phil. 3. 6. Yet though his Life were free from blame , and ordered according to a more than ordinary Pharisaical strictness and severity , yet his Heart was void of saving Grace , 'till he was beaten off from Confidence in himself , and he was turned to the Faith of Christ .

6. Bodily Temper and good Nature is mistaken for Conversion : Some by reason of their Constitutions are naturally Mild , they take this for the Grace of Patience , and for the meekness and gentleness of Christ ; 't is the temper of some to be Liberal and Free-hearted , they take this for the Grace of Christian Charity : When they behold others of crooked and crabbed Dispositions , and perceive themselves of a more even and loving temper ; they are very apt to be deceived , in judging what is the effect of their natural temperament , to be the sanctifying work of the Spi●it : But Oh , how much does Converting Grace differ from meer Nature , when most resined ! He that is naturally Patient , is not so in Obedience to God , but because Nature inclines him not to be otherwise . Nature has no regard to the pleasing of God , nor to the enjoying of him ; neither does it desire help from him , but is centred in it self , and well enough contented without him .

7. Another thing mistaken for Conversion , is Education , and restraining Grace : Some that have been brought up under Religious Parents , and have lived in places free from Temptation , and by this means have been preserved from the Worlds Pollutions , they are very apt to call that Renewing Grace , which is no more than Grace restraining : But when these do change their Place , and change their Company , how does Corruption discover it self ? Experience very sad has shewn , that they who under their Parents eyes and care have seemed very serious and well inclined , when their Parents have been removed by Death , all the good Inclinations of the Children , have been as it were buried in their Parents graves ; and with a strange kind of eagerness have they run out to great excess of riot .

Joash , during the Life of Jehoiada the Priest , who had saved him from being Murther'd , and brought him to the Throne , seemed a Prince very well Inclined , but after Jehoiada his Death , all his Goodness vanished , he left the Lord Jehovah , and shamefully Apostatized into Idolatry ; and when he was faithfully reproved by Zachariah , the Son of Jehoiada , he Commanded him to be Stoned : Wicked and Ungrateful Man ! thus to take away the Life of the Son , who was himself preserved by the Father , 2 Chron. 24. 17 , — 23. And truly , if you observe Education and restraining Grace at the very best , when it has most kept Persons within compass , yet even then there is a levity of spirit in them that are thus restrained ; serious Discourses are not so savoury to them , as those that are more frothy and vain ; and upon Self-reflection they may observe in themselves a secret dislike of Religion and strictness , which they dare not openly shew .

8. Conviction in the Conscience is also mistaken for Conversion : When Conscience is thoroughly awakened , and the spirit of bondage causes great fear of Wrath ; when Mercy is implored , and Pardon of Sin is begg'd with great earnestness , and the force of Conscience produces a reformation of several Miscarriages ; this may seem Conversion , and sometimes ends in it , and it often issues otherwise . Pharaoh under Conviction , cryes out , I have sinned , resolves to let Israel go , desires Moses his Prayers for him , yet after this hardens his Heart , and that Obduration ended in his Destruction . The Children of Israel , under Affliction and Conviction together , when God slew them , then they sought him , they returned and enquired early after God ; they remembred God was their rock , and the high God their Redeemer : And yet though Conscience compell'd them thus far , their Heart remained Unconverted , was not right with God , neither were they stedfast in his Covenant , Psal. 78. 34 , — 37. There may be amazing terrour in the Conscience , and yet the Heart remain carnal and ill inclined , endeavouring to cast the awakened Conscience into a dead slaep again , that without any check or trouble it may return to its former perverse and evil way .

9. Temporary Faith and forwardness in Profession is likewise mistaken for Conversion : Those Hearers of the Gospel whom our Lord compares to the stony ground , were forward to hear , and received the Word with joy , and for a while believed ; they assented to the Truth of the Word , and look'd upon it as worthy of acceptation ; but it was not so acceptable in their account , as to make them willing to lose all for the sake of it ; thus far , thus deeply it had not taken root in them ; therefore when Persecution arose because of the Word , they were offended , and in time of Temptation they fell away , Luk. 8. 13. These joyful forward Professors seemed Converts , but really were not Converted : Neither were those that went a degree further , who brought forth , not only the blade of an external Profession , but also some fruit ; but being choaked with cares and riches , and the pleasures of this life , did not 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , bring forth any fruit unto perfection , v. 14.

10. Spiritual Gifts , especially if in some Excellency , are mistaken for Conversion : When there is a great measure of Notional knowledge , and ability to Discourse well of the things of God , variety and fluency of Utterance in Prayer ; these things take with others , and are apt to a a Est enim superbia , non Magnitudo sed tumor ; quod autem tum●t , videtur magnum , sed non est sanum , Augustin . Serm. 27. de Tempore . puff up those themselves that have them , with a great conceit of their great Attainments , as if they were spiritually alive , and spiritual Worshippers of God , who will be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth : And yet these Gifts may be , and often are without any true Humility , and in them that know not the more excellent way of Love.

Gifts are to be earnestly Coveted , 1 Cor. 12. ult. yet they are not too much to be magnified : A man may have the Gift of Prophecy , who is not a Saint , but a worker of Iniquity , Mat. 7. 22 , 23. A man may have the Gift of Prayer , that has not the Spirit of Grace and Supplication ; and then , though he Prayes never so well as to outward Expression , yet his Heart being carnal , proud , self-conceited , self-designing in his Duties , he is really to be rank'd among the carnal and the formal Worshippers : Under how many Praying lips are there covetous , wrathful , lustful and haughty Hearts ? and these Hearts are far from God , whatever good words are given to him : And if the Heart is absent from a Duty , God is also absent ; and that Duty , as splendid as it seems , is really Hypocrisie and Provocation .

Judas had Gifts , and so had Demas , but had they saving Grace ? this World had the highest room in the Heart of the one and of the other . I read in Scripture that an evil Spirit came upon Saul , and he fell a Prophesying in the house , 1 Sam. 18. 10. I have read of a Scottish Major who excelled in the Gift of Prayer , but had made a compact with the Devil . O Professor ! do not rest and glory in thy Gifts , but humbly use them , and be sure let it be within the sphere of thy Calling . Labour to excell in Love and lowliness of Mind , that 's the way to have the more comfortable evidence of Conversion in thy own spirit , and to be the more truly serviceable to the Church of Christ .

Thus have I discover'd many mistakes about Conversion , that your danger might be apprehended and avoided : And pray remember that groundless Confidence you are Converted , is one of the strongest barrs against the Grace of God , one of the mightiest hindrances of Conversion . And , Oh! how unconceivably woful and dreadful will it be , still to continue confident , till Hell it self for ever , but too late convince you , that your Confidence is utterly unreasonable .

VSE II. If Conversion be thus necessary , Behold the madness of refusing to be Converted : There is an hereditary Phrenzy that is derived from the old fallen Adam unto all his Posterity , not one of his Children is born in his right Wits ; the Understanding of none return until they are born again . Physicians tell us , that the signs of Madness are furor & audacia , fury and boldness ; and alas , how bold are men in Sin ! They rush into it as an Horse into the battel , Jer. 8. 6. They are so daring as to fight against the Almighty , though none ever hardned himself against him and prosper'd : And these audacious Sinners when reproved , and urged to returning and submission , they are full of fury and rage , and are ready to rend the Reprover . The Madness of every one that will not be Converted , I shall demonstrate in several particulars ; and Oh , that the Discovery may tend to the Cure of it !

1. He that will not be Converted , he will not be pardon'd , though he is Condemn'd to dye eternally , and a Pardon is offer'd him , he hears the Gospel , which is the Word of Reconciliation ; he is told that God is ready to forgive , forward to be at Peace , nay , beseeche● him to be reconciled , 2 Cor. 5. 20. but he will not be intreated , he will continue an Enemy ; he chuses to lye under . Guilt and Wrath still , and acts so senslesly , as if everlasting Burnings were not to be dreaded , but to be desired .

2. He that will not be Converted , he will not be healed of a most deadly Plague , though the Physician do offer freely and throughly to Cure him . Sin is certainly the sorest Distemper , because 't is the Souls Disease : No Souls dye but of this Plague , and all Souls must perish and be lost that refuse to be healed . Christ came on purpose to heal , but frantick Sinners are more afraid of their Physician than of their Sickness , though never so dangerous and mortal : The unjust Man sayes , let me alone to be unjust still , though my Vnrighteousness hinder my entrance into the Heavenly Kingdom ; the proud Man sayes , let me be proud still , whatever the Scripture speaks of Gods resisting the Proud ; the unclean Sinner sayes , let me be filthy still , if I can't go to Heaven without being Holy , I care not to come thither . Thus Jerasalem of old would not be cleansed , the Lord offer'd to sanctifie and heal her , but she would by no means consent to it , Jer. 13. 27. Woe unto thee , O Jerusalem , wilt thou not be made clean ? when shall it once be !

3. He that will not be Converted is certainly frantick , for he will not be eased of a load that he can't bear : Can he stand under the weight of thousands and millions of Iniquities ? No , no ; the least of all is heavy enough to sink him into Hell ; Oh how exceeding low will he be depressed under the whole number ! Can he bear up under the Almighty's Indignation ? that Wrath has such righteousness and strength with it , that none can stand before it . Now if the Sinner would become a Convert , Iniquity should be removed , divine Anger appeased through a Mediatour , but he utterly rejects the motion .

4. He that will not be Converted , is resolved to remain poor , though the greatest Treasure , the Pearl of price be proffer'd him ; and may be had for prizing and acceptance : The second Adam tells us , how we are beggar'd in the first ; those words may truly be applyed to every natural Man , Thou art wretched , and miserable , and poor , and blind , and naked , Rev. 3. 17. Now our Lord adds , v. 18. I counsel thee to buy of me Gold tryed in the fire , that thou mayest be rich : This Gold can't be bought too dear ; nay , 't is bought without money , and without price : Parting with our Sins and Idols , which we preferr'd before this tried Gold , and willingness to have it , is in a Gospel sense buying of it . But Unconverted Sinners are so poor in understanding , that they preferr their beggery and lusts , before all the Vnsearchable Riches of Christ .

5. He that will not be Converted , is resolved to be a Slave , though he is called unto Liberty : In the Gospel , Liberty is proclaimed to the Captives , and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound , Isa. 61. 1. The Son of God did , and suffer'd much to procure this Liberty ; he paid a vast Price , when he gave himself a ransom : But frantick Sinners are fond of their Fetters , they chuse to be drudges in the basest work , which is the working of Iniquity ; they fancy ( such is the distemper and vanity of their Imagination ) the bondage of Corruption ( though the worst of bondage , and the forerunner of being for ever in Chains of Darkness ) to be easie and pleasant , and they will not come to the Son to make them free indeed .

6. He that will not be Converted , the Hopes that he entertains are most unreasonable : He Promises to himself safety , though in the greatest danger ; he sayes he shall have Peace , though the way of Peace he knows not , but goes in wicked wayes , that are full of trouble at present , and end in trouble that is endless . How unreasonable is it to entertain a Hope that will be cut off , a Trust that will prove like a spiders webb ? Job 8. 14. Thou that art resolved not to turn from sin , and yet hopest all will be well with thee , thou mayest as well quaff off a draught of the deadliest Poyson , and refusing an Antidote , hope 't will not hurt thee ; thou may'st as well throw thy self into the fiercest Flame , and hope 't will not burn thee . Poor , distracted , self-deceiving Soul ! as certainly as God and his Word are true , so certainly thy Hopes are vain , and thy self miserable .

7. He that will not be Converted , he hearkens to a Destroyer that hates him , designs to deceive him with dying and lying Vanities ; he believes him that is most false , and trusts himself under the Power of a Murtherer ; but he is deaf to a Redeemer , he slights the offer both of Grace and Glory , and will not come to him , though for his coming he may have Life , and that eternal .

8. He that will not be Converted , he dares the Power and Justice of God to do their worst against him . The Potsherd is fearless of the Iron rod , that can so easily dash it all to pieces , the dried Stubble is fearless of the devouring Flame . When a Sinner is deaf and obstinate against Gods Call to turn , the Language of that stubbornness is plainly this , That he despises the riches of his Goodness , that he fears not his sorest and eternal Vengeance .

Alas , alas ! how has Sin turn'd this World into a meer Bedlam ! the Words , the Actions of most , declare they are beside themselves ; but nothing more argues the prevalency and mischievousness of the Madness , than refusing to be turned : Thou that thus refusest , it had been good for thee thou hadst never been Called . Capernaum's hearing of Christ and Heaven , and contemning both , made her Case worse than that of Sodom , Mat. 11. 23 , 24. What our Lord said to him that betray'd him , that may I say to every one that is resolved still to reject Him and Converting Grace , It were good for thee that thou hadst never been born , and better to have been born in the darkest place of the whole Earth , than in this place where the joyful sound is heard , and the light of the Gospel shines .

VSE III. If Conversion be of such absolute Necessity , Learn the Inexcusableness of them who have been almost perswaded to be Converts to God , and yet afterward return again to Wickedness and Folly. Great Pains have been taken with many that perish , to have prevented their ruine ; Messengers have been sent both to warn and wooe them , that Wrath might be escaped , and a Saviour accepted : Christ himself has come , has stood and knock'd at the door , and his Spirit has striven , that he might prevail to have it opened ; and sometimes the Convictions have been so strong , the evil of Sin so apparent , the necessity of Christ so evident , and the reasonableness of Conversion so undenyable , that Sinners have been even almost upon the Point of turning : But alas ! some beloved Lust , some Idol , some sinful Gain or Pleasure , some selfish respect and Interest , has been the Impediment unto a thorough Conversion ; and with the neglect of Christ , grieving of his Spirit , Conscience has dropt asleep again , the Judgment has been clouded , and the Will has been fixt and settled in its evil purpose . Now the Inexcusableness of the Sin and Folly of such as have been near Conversion , but never are indeed Converted , I shall thus manifest .

1. They offer great Violence to Conscience , for Conscience in them has been awakened , and told them roundly of their evil wayes and doings , that have not been good ; it has often press'd them to turn to God , and reproached them because of their backwardness to do it : Conscience has upbraided them with the unfruitfulness of the works of darkness , Rom. 6. 21. and has told them , that sin has nothing but deceived them all along , and will certainly damn them in the conclusion , if they go on still in their Trespasses . What Apology can be made for that Sinner that is resolved to persist in his pernicious way , notwithstanding so clear a light that shines , and shews the destruction at the end of it ? notwithstanding such admonitions from Conscience , a Monitor within his own breast ?

2. They that are only almost Converted , in a special manner resist and vex the Spirit of God. Conviction is the Spirits work ; and when a Sinner , though Convinced how ill 't is to l●●●o , is resolved at last to remain a Sinner still , this is a Grief and Vexation to the Holy Ghost . Does that Spirit follow after the workers of Iniquity , in the broad way , and tell them how much it does concern them to turn out of it , before their steps do quite take hold of Hell ? Does he come and visit them in the far Countrey , and tell them , they must needs perish , if they abide there , but they may have a sure and joyful Welcome , and be satisfied with Bread , if they come home to their Fathers house ? Luk. 15. Do they begin to yield , and go some steps towards Home , but then become deaf to the Spirits Motions , and run back again , and that into the farthest part of the far Countrey ? Do they upon the whole matter , preferr the Husks before Bread , and chuse to starve for Hunger ? What Excuse can be brought for such Obstinacy ? But here by the way it may be demanded , Can any resist the Spirit of the Almighty ? Is not his Operation too strong for Creatures to withstand ? I Answer , If God should put forth his Power , no Creature indeed could resist him ; but he is a free Agent , his Will tempers his Works , and gives Gage to his Power , putting forth so much as he pleases and no more : And thus Sinners may and do resist him and his Spirit , and hereby exceedingly heighten their Provocations , Act. 7. 51.

3. They that are only almost Converted , do Sin against their own experience , they have known and seen that Sin is an evil and a bitter thing ; they have tasted the Wormwood and the Gall ; and perceived how deceitful its pretences unto Pleasure , are , they have felt the intolerable smart of those wounds which Sin has made in their Consciences . Oh what an heavy burthen has Sin been found ! Now after all this , to become stupid again ; and to make a mock of Sin , and to return with the Dog to the Vomit , and with the Swine that was washed unto her wallowing in the mire , 2 Pet. 2 : ult. justly is the last state of such worse than the beginning .

4. They that are only almost Converted , bring great reproach upon Religion , they really undermine Religion by seeming to espouse the interest of it ; and afterwards apostatizing and deserting it . Those that are almost Converts , are judged to be Converts altogether ; and look like the Followers of Christ . When therefore they are either allured or affrighted away from him , 't is not without a very great affront offered to Him ; for 't is in effect to say that they have tried both Christ and Sin , and upon trial , they judge Sin to be the best Master of the two . Thus in a sense they crucifie the Son of God afresh , and put him to an open shame , Heb. 6. 6. They value Him no more than if he had been a Deceiver , and justly put to a Death that was so Ignominious ; and while they say , Not Christ but our Pride , not Christ but the World , not Christ but our Lusts shall rule us , and have our Hearts ; they but too much resemble the Jews , crying out , Not this Man but Barabbas , though that Man was Jesus , and Barabbas was a Robber .

5. They that are only almost Converts , harden the Hearts , and strengthen the hands of the profane in their wickedness . When such perceive these who they thought were turned Saints , returning again to their old sins , this makes them more resolute in Sins service , and more unalterably fixt in their evil way . These half Converts , when they totally fall away from all Profession of Religion● ; how do they advance Satans Kingdom , and establish the Throne of the Prince of Darkness !

6. What poor things are those that hi●der the almost Converted from becoming Converts altogether ! Relapsing is styled folly , Psal. 85. 8. What Wisdom can there be in departing from God ? Is the Ease , the Honour , the Pleasure , the Wealth , which Sin and Mammon bragg of , comparable to the Grace of God , or the Glory that will follow ? Death will certainly prove the World a Trifle , the Worldling a Beggar , and he that has forsaken God for the Worlds sake , to be altogether void of understanding . Suppose a Convert stript naked of all , as Job was upon the Dunghil , he is as having nothing , but yet he does possess all things , 2 Cor. 6. 10. Suppose the almost Convert is never so great a gainer by his backsliding , he is as having much but he does possess nothing .

7. They that are only almost Converted , come very near Heaven and yet miss of it ; they come near the Port , and yet are Shipwrack't . It was a torment to the Rich man in Hell , to see Heaven afar off , though he had liv'd a sensual Life , and never minded Heaven : But how sad will it be to the almost Converts , to remember , that once they were in a fair way to Heaven , and not far off from that Kingdom ; and if they had but parted with one or two more Sins , if they had but taken a little more pains , and had been constant in their diligence , if they had but consented to some few more Conditions which were but very reasonable ; God would have been theirs , Christ theirs , and Heaven theirs for over . But their Lusts befool'd them , the old Serpent beguiled them , and they themselves held fast deceit , and refused to return in Truth , Jer. 8. 5.

VSE IV. Of Exhortation , unto all Vnconverted Sinners , to hearken , consider , and turn to God. You that have been long deaf ; at last hear the call from Heaven , you that have been long in darkness , at last admit and comprehena the Light , which ●hines about you : You that have hitherto ●een dead in Sin , be attentive and obedient to the Voice of the Son of God , and live . O ye Atheists , that profess to know God but in works deny him ! O ye Covetous and Unrighteous , that will be rich if you can , though it be by unjust waies , and will venture the losing of your precious Souls , for the sake of a little perishing Treasure ! O ye intemperate and unclean , that are bewitched with present Delights , and fear not eternal Torments ! O all ye workers of iniquity of what sorts , of what sizes soever ! Turn ye , turn ye from your evil waies unto the true and living God , who is the God of Mercy , Peace , and Grace , and Love. He himself does really and seriously , and earnestly call you , as well as Man who is his Messenger . Arguments are not wanting in themselves really of great strength , to perswade : Oh that the Spirit of God , would set an Edge upon them , and make them strong to you , that your Consciences may yield to the force of them ; and your Hearts may be willingly captivated into a sincere and saving compliance with them .

1. 'T is wonderful Grace that you have leave to turn , Do we read that this was ever allowed to the Apostate Angels ? was there a door of hope ever open'd to them ? after they had departed from God , was there any space or place for Repentance granted them , or Liberty to return with intimation of a readiness to receive them ? The Scripture sayes , that God spared not the Angels that sinn'd , but cast them down to Hell , and deliver'd them into Chains of Darkness , to be reserved unto Judgment , 2 Pet. 2. 4. Oh 't was a dreadful fall , from the highest Heaven to the lowest Hell , eternal Punishment followed Sin at the heels , and not the least mention of any season of Grace afforded them : Nothing done , nothing spoken in order to their return and recovery . Admirable 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 kindness of God , and good will towards Man ! that when the fallen Angels were suffered to lye where they fell , He should be permitted , nay so earnestly solicited , to return , though fallen also by his iniquity .

2. 'T is wonderful Patience , that after the refusing so many calls , you should be called to turn , still . God shews himself rich in goodness , and forbearance , and long-suffering , Rom. 2. 4. else he had ceased Calling long ago , and come to a resolution , that the unjust should be unjust still ; and that those who would not be purged , should never be purged , till his fury took hold on them , Ezek. 24. 13. If a merciful Prince offer Pardon to a condemn'd Malefactor once , if a ransom be tender'd once for the Redemption of a Captive , the Malefactor , the Captive ought to acknowledge it an Act of much Grace . And if the first offer were not accepted , every one would be ready to say , t were just the Malefactor should dye ; and the Captive remain under bondage ever after . Astonishing Patience ! that God should call not once or twice only , but thousands of times ; and yet to this day continue Calling , that Christ should stand many years knocking at the door , and though the door be kept fast shut against him , yet he is not gone away , but while I am speaking may be knocking again at this very instant . Foolish Heart , at last be so wise , as to open ; and bewail thy folly in being so averse to give admission to the Lord of Life and Author of Salvation .

3. Consider who 't is that calls you to turn . Oh refuse not , rebell not , for 't is the Glorious and blessed God , who calls you to yielding and submission . None so great , none so good as he : He protests by his Life , he has no Pleasure in your Death ; therefore He himself bids you turn , and cast away every Transgression ; and assures you , iniquity shall not be your ruine , Ezek. 18. 30 , 31. For man to refuse to hearken unto God , is meer madness ; 't is disobedience to the highest Soveraign , 't is base ingratitude against the highest Kindness , 't is in effect the charging the God of Grace and Truth with falshood and ill-will ; 't is a rejecting the best and safest Counsel , and 't is the way to engage the great Jehovah , to be much more an enemy , by refusing to turn and be reconciled to Him.

4. Consider what the Lords design is in requiring you to become Converts . He could glorifie his Truth and Righteousness , and make his Power known in executing vengeance , and in punishing you with everlasting Destruction , but he chuses rather to magnifie his Mercy and Grace , therefore he waits to be Gracious , Isa. 30. 18. and if he be exalted that he may shew Mercy , his Mercy will be exceeding plenteous and glorious in the blessed Effects of it ; if you forsake your evil wayes and thoughts , and turn to him . In turning you to himself , the Lord designs to demonstrate , that his Grace can superabound , where Sin never so much abounds : he designs to shew forth the merit of his Sons blood , and the Power of his Spirit ; he designs to new make what sin had marr'd , and to produce Vessels of honour out of the corrupt masse of defiled Clay : In short , he does design to form you for himself , that you may be most blessed for ever in himself , and both here and eternally shew forth his Praises . And what colour or shadow of Reason is there , that you should walk contrary to such a God ? that you should thwart and oppose such gracious Designs , by refusing to return ?

5. Turn ye ; Why wo'nt you Live ? Is Alsufficiency to be lookt upon as empty , the chiefest good become evil in your Eyes ? Are you fallen out with the truest felicity , as if it were not at all desirable ? Is the perfection of Happiness fear'd , as if 't were Misery ? Is Heaven shunn'd , as if 't were Hell ? and do you avoid the Path that leads to it , that you may be sure never to come thither ? These are strange Interrogatories , but they serve for Conviction ; that those who will not turn , may be sensible they wrong their own Souls , Prov. 8. 36. in contemning the tender of Eternal Life and Salvation .

6. Turn ye , Why will ye Dye ? Is the Guilt of Sin become a light matter ? the Wrath of the Almighty easie to be born ? do you make a mock of that which makes the whole Creation groan and travel in pain together ? Rom. 8. 22. Is it no longer fearful to fall into the hands of the Living God ? and has the second Death ceased to be terrible ? Are the Tears of the Damned dryed up ? Is their Sorrow turned into Joy ? Is the never-dying Worm to be hugg'd in your bosoms ? and everlasting Fire a thing to be play'd with ? Oh! What do you mean who will not turn ? Why do ye love Death ? Prov. 8. ult. Why have ye the greatest hand in your own ruine ? Why are ye Devils to your selves ? Why do ye desperately rush on in Sin , and in the end throw your selves down into everlasting Burnings ?

7. To perswade you to turn , Consider , Conversion is a thing that never was , that never will be Repented of : The Prophane , in the other World at farthest , repent they did not turn at all ; the Hypocrites repent they did not turn in truth ; but sincere Converts are glad they are so , and see good reason still to continue so . The Apostle tells us , that the Gifts and Calling of God are without Repentance , Rom. 11. 29. when he effectually Calls any , and gives Converting Grace to them , it is such a Gift that God never repents of bestowing , neither ever does he take it quite away again : It is such a Gift as Man never repents he has received , but has good cause to desire that God would perfect what concerns him , and not forsake the work of his own hand , Psal. 138. ult.

8. Conversion will make you great Blessings in the places where you live : Converts are the Horse-men and Chariots of Israel , because as so many Princes they have power with the God of Israel . Solomon tells us , that Righteousness exalts a Nation , Prov. 14. 34. The more Converts to Righteousness there are , the more the Nation is beholding to them ; but Obstinate Sinners are not only their own , but the Nations greatest Enemies . When Gods Anger has been exceedingly provoked , so that he has doom'd a Nation to Destruction , Conversion even in this Case will do a kindness , Jer. 18. 7 , 8. At what instant I speak concerning a Nation , and concerning a Kingdom , to pluck up , and to pull down , and to destroy it : If that Nation against whom I have pronounced , turn from their evil way , I will repent of the evil that I thought to do to them : Though England at this day , has many Enemies whose Power and Policy is engaged against it ; yet it is chiefly endanger'd by its sins and wickedness : A speedy and general Conversion to God , would certainly be Englands security and establishment .

9. If you are Converts in truth , the News of it will be heard and known in Heaven , and occasion Joy there ; Luk. 15. 10. I say unto you , there is Joy in the presence of the Angels of God , over one Sinner that repenteth . The Angels did Sing at the Birth of a Saviour , Glory be to God in the highest , on Earth peace , good Will towards Men ; and they rejoyce at the New-birth of all that are saved .

10. Consider the vast difference that is between the End of Converts , and those that dye Vnconverted . They that are wise , look not only at the begininng , but to the end of things , and they cannot think well of that which must needs end ill . And Vnconverted Sinner dying , is one of the saddest spectacles in the World ; he is leaving all his good things , all his Consolation behind him ; he and his hopes dye together , and whither does Death send him ? to the Bar of an Holy and Righteous God. 'T is a terrible Clause in the Statute of Dying , After this the Judgment , Heb. 9. 27. And how can the wicked Man , who would live , and did dye in his Sins , be able to stand in Judgment ? Death comes to the Unconverted armed with a Sting ; with a Sting did I say ? nay , the Stings are thousands and millions , for every one of his Sins is a Sting in his Death , and his Sins being more in number than the Stars of Heaven , when Death seizes him , how many Stings will pierce him , and put him to Pain which will be Eternal ? If he dyes stupid , 't is so much the worse ; for Hell being not fear'd or thought of , when felt will be the more woful : If he dyes in horrour , alas , the greatest Despair and Anguish on a Death-bed , is no more to be compared with the Agonies of the Damned Spirits , than a Whisper is to be compared with Thunder , or the smallest Spark of fire is to be compared with those devouring Flames that in -66 did burn down London .

But on the other side , how ends the Convert ? Death is a fall from every thing but Grace , and Grace then is perfected in Glory : The end of the upright and sincere Convert is Peace , Psal. 37. 37. and a peaceful Death is the forerunner of an everlasting Rest : If he should dye in a Cloud , he would shine not at all the less brightly in another World ; all sin , and fears , and tears will be gone , as soon as he enters into Heavens door , and sees his Lord there : If he sets , as the Sun in the clearest Summers evening , his Death is encouraging to others , comfortable to himself , but ten thousand thousand times more Comfort will he presently have , as soon as ever he is got out of , and is absent from the body , and is present with the Lord , 2 Cor. 5. 8.

I have done with the Motives to Conversion ; And now for shame be silent , all tongues that talk against turning to God! Apostate Angels , be for ever mute ! what Adversaries and lying Spirits are ye , in disswading Man from Conversion , and in asserting , that though he turn not , he shall not surely dye ? And Carnal Reason , confess thy self quite baffled with strength of Argument , and that not one word more of good sense can be spoken against the Sinners Conversion , which is so much for his Interest both in time and to eternity .

VSE V. Of Direction , how Sinners may become true and thorough Converts : It greatly concerns you to be sincere in turning , for in this matter you have chiefly to do with God himself , who can't be deceived with the fairest shews , but understands perfectly the most secret thoughts , inclinations and purposes of the Hearts of Men ; every upright Heart is open to him , and he takes Pleasure in the uprightness which himself has wrought . And if there be nothing but Hypocrisie under the greatest Profession , that Hypocrisie is both observed and abhorred : Any thing short of true and thorough Conversion , will be a dangerous Cheating of your selves ; therefore , that you may be Converts indeed , I shall give you these Directions .

1. Let spiritual Wisdom and Knowledge be valued , as that which is of great price and usefulness : He that is indeed a Convert , is called out of darkness into marvellous light , 1 Pet. 2. 9. In this Verse where my Text lies , Converting the Soul and making Wise the Simple are joyn'd together , the one is necessary and subservient to the other . That Devotion of which Ignorance is the Mother , is indeed a following of blind and deluded , or crafty and deluding Guides ; but a turning to , and a following of God , it is not .

Be well Catechized and Instructed in the Principles of the Scripture-doctrine ; let a true Light be set up in your Understandings . The Mind is the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the leading Faculty , 't is needful it be well Informed . In the first Creation , when Darkness covered the face of the deep , God said , let there be Light , and there was Light , Gen. 1. 2 , 3. and thus it is in the new Creation and Conversion , 2 Cor. 4. 6. God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness , hath shined into our Hearts , to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ . Search for Knowledge in the Scripture , as you would search for Silver or hid Treasure , and look up to Heaven for light and ability to understand it , that you may know Christ , and God in him ; and what you are to believe , desire and do in order to your Happiness . You can't be made wise to Salvation , unless you are first made wise to Conversion .

And as you are to acquaint your selves with , so you are firmly to assent to the Doctrine revealed in the Word of God ; and the more strongly you credit whatever the Word sayes , the more powerful influence will this Faith have upon your Conscience , Will and Life . Vnbelief is the root of defection and departing from the living God , Heb. 3. 12. If the arm of the Lord be revealed , his Power shewn forth , and cause the report of the Word , all the Promises and Threatnings of it , to be indeed believed , this will have a mighty efficacy towards the Souls return to God again .

2. That you may become true Converts , be sensible that all Mankind are fallen by Iniquity , and are estranged from God , and you in particular are by Nature far off from Him. The Lord indeed made Man upright , but he has sought out many Inventions , Eccles. 7. ult. New wayes he thought to have found of being higher and happier , but while through the subtilty of the old Serpent , he catcht at a shadow , he lost the substance , and became both foolish and miserable . Adam the first Man , corrupted the humane Nature , and as thus corrupted you partake of it , so that you are by Nature Children of Wrath ; your Hearts are desperately wicked , dangerously deceitful , and returning to God is that which they have a strange and strong antipathy against : The more you are sensible that your Hearts are thus depraved and alienated from G●● the more jealous you will be of them ; and the more earnest for that new Heart and new Spirit , which the Lord has Promised in his new Covenant , Ezek. 36. 26. Perceiving and being burthen'd with a Distemper , is a good step towards a Cure , especially if an able Physician is ready to heal any that will but make use of him . A right sense that Sin has set you at a distance from God , and that those who are far from him shall perish , Psal. 37. 27. will have a mighty tendency to your being brought nigh to him , by the Blood and Spirit of the Lord Jesus : And truly He that in the daies of his Flesh was so ready to heal corporal Maladies , is much more willing to heal the corrupted Nature , and to change and turn the Heart of every one that seriously cries , Turn me and I shall be turned , heal me and I shall be healed , save me and I shall be saved , for thou art my Praise !

3. Let Humiliation for Sin be very hearty and very deep . A Soul that never was truly humbled for its iniquities , still retains a liking of them , and is more easily tempted to return to them : Humiliation serves very much to break the league with Sin , the Covenant with Death and Hell. The Apostle Paul , who at his Conversion was deeply abased ▪ was made to tremble and to be astonished , Act. 9. 6. seeing his Sin , the insufficiency of his Pharisaical Righteousness , and that he was so far from Salvation , that he persecuted the onely Saviour ; after this low Humiliation , how thorowly was his Heart turned to God! how precious was Jesus to his Soul ! how circumspectly did he walk ! how abundantly did he labour ! how patiently and joyfully did he suffer for Righteousness sake ! how constantly did he keep the Faith , and finish his course , till he got the Crown !

In true Humiliation there is a mixture of fear , and sorrow , and shame , and upon these does follow holy anger and indignation : Look up to Heaven , behold the great and glorious God against whom every one of your Sins have been committed . Sin is Rebellion and Treason against the King of Glory , 't is a Transgression of a Law given from Heaven ; the breach of which is threatned with not only a temporal Curse , but an eternal Penalty : Well may sin fill you with fear .

Let your Sorrow express it self freely and abundantly in remembrance of your evil wayes . Sin is the only evil in Gods eyes , and the ●reatest evil unto you ; hateful to God , hurtful to the Sinner . Every Sin has given you a Wound , and as Sins Wounds are the worst , so they should be most grievous : Lament when you see in what a woful plight you are . The sad effects of Sin the whole man over , the Prophet emphatically sets forth , Isa. 1. 5 , 6. The whole Head is sick , the whole Heart is faint ; from the sole of the foot even to the head , there is no soundness in it , but wounds , bruises and putrifying sores ; they have not been closed , nor bound up , nor mollified with oyntment .

And should you not be ashamed of your own folly in being such enemies to your selves ? your Pollutions , your Perdition is really of your selves ; Guilt should make you blush , and because Sin has stript you naked and bare of every thing that 's good and beautiful : Oh what a loathsome Leprosie is apparent in all your Parts and Powers ! your foulest spots are open to Gods eye , well therefore you may be cover'd with Confusion ; and that which still should make you more confounded , is your base ingratitude ; you have despised riches of goodness , you have abused Mercy and Grace , and when a Cure has been offered in the Gospel you would not be healed .

Be therefore truly angry at your selves . Let your Indignation and hatred spend it self on your iniquities , be revenged upon them , that they being mortified and dying , you may not dye in them and for them : Humiliation is indeed grievous to Nature , but friendly to Grace . The more Humiliation Ploughs up the Fallow ground , the fruits of Righteousness commonly are brought forth in greater Plenty .

4. Study the mischief which the beloved Sin or Sins have done you . The Master Sin is Gods Capital Enemy , and the chief obstacle of Conversion ; this has the greatest Interest in the Heart , to forsake this is indeed most difficult , but withall most necessary . That great Commander Hannibal , had more of Enmity against the Romane State , than a thousand ordinary Carthaginians . He still to his utmost endeavour'd to hinder peace with Rome , and to bring Rome to ruine . The commanding Sin which by reason of the Sinners complexion or calling , or other circumstances , has most strength and bears the greatest sway ; does most oppose the turning unto God , therefore this must in a special manner be resisted , hated ; for the Life and Strength of it lies in the love of it . Thy Master Sin is thy greatest transgression , Psal. 19. 13. and has rendred thee obnoxious to the greatest Wrath , this especially provokes divine jealousie ; this has made thee most a slave , and most abominably defiled thee , this is thy strongest fetter , and thy most deadly plague , thy love to it is altogether against ; thy hatred of it will be with the greatest reason .

The young man in the Gospel , might have been a Convert , but Love to his great Possessions was the sin that hindred , Mat. 19. 22. He went away from Christ , he was too much taken with worldly Wealth , therefore not at all taken with a Treasure in Heaven . Herod that did many things , might have done more ; but love to his Herodias was his darling Lust , this made him instead of hearkning to John the Baptist , put him in Prison , though John designed Herods spiritual Liberty and eternal Salvation . Let the proud man hate his Pride , the Covetous man contemn the World which he has made an Idol of , the filthy wretch abhor Fornication and all Uncleanness , the unrighteous become just , and make Restitution of what he has unjustly gained . Mortifie all the members of the Body of Sin , but especially consent , the right eye should be pluckt out , the right hand cut off , and the very Heart torn out of that Body .

5. Would you become Converts in Truth , save your selves from the Society of evil doers : The Prophet who tells us , he turned his Feet unto the Testimonies of God ; quickly after adds , I am become a Companion of them that fear thee , and of them that keep thy Precepts , Psal. 119. 63. He that will be a true Convert , and indeed a blessed Man , he must not walk in the Counsel of the Vngodly , nor stand in the way of Sinners , nor sit in the Seat of the Scornful , Psal. 1. 1. David resolving to keep the commands of God , abandons that company that were breakers of those commands , and were likely to be continually perswading him to transgress them , Psal. 119. 115. Depart from me ye evil doers , for I will keep the Commandments of my God ; he is so far from approbation , from imitation of them , that he beheld them with grief and with horrour . It was Counsel given to those that had been prickt at the Heart , and began to turn ; Save your selves from this untoward Generation , Act. 2. 40.

There is a great Contagion in Sin , 't is likened to the Plague , to the Leprosie , because 't is such a deadly , because 't is such a catching disease . When we are needlesly Conversant with them that are dead in Sin , what deadness do we find seizing upon our own Hearts ! When we are too intimate with vain Persons , how does vanity insinuate it self into our minds , too much estranging them from God , and putting them out of a serious frame ! Carnal Company are a sort of Devils in humane shape , that are bound for Hell themselves , and are drawing as many others as they can thither ; they can't be contented to Sin and be damn'd alone : Have therefore no fellowship with the unfruitful Works of darkness , but rather reprove them , Eph. 5. 11. Reprove them , because Destruction and Misery is in their wayes , but let not them ever perswade you out of the way of Peace .

And as you are to shun the Profa●● , so you must take heed of being deaded , and diverted by the Erroneous . If Satan cannot draw you back to your form● ungodliness and unrighteousness , he will endeavour to turn you aside to some false and strange Doctrine , that this may take up your time , your thoughts , your zeal ; the Power of Godliness , and Practical Religion , being in the mean while neglected . When Errour has been embraced , and has corrupted the Mind , and made the Head giddy ; 't is usual for it , to bring a false Peace into the Conscience , and by diverting the Heart to hinder it's Converting unto God. Beware , beware of that vain Religion , which is nothing but a kind of Philosophy of Opinions ; which is a thing for a wanton fancy to play with , a smooth Tongue to talk of : that is made up of Brain and Mouth , without Heart to love , and Hands to work for God.

6. If you would be Converts in Truth , let your Hearts be fill'd with awful apprehensions of the Majesty and Holiness of God , especially considering he is alwaies by you , and tryes your very Hearts and Reins . The greatness of that God with whom you have to do , should make you afriad to dally and trifle with him . If you think he will be mock't , you will find to your cost that you deceive your selves : Oh stoop with the most profound Submission to this glorious Sovereign of Heaven and Earth . 'T is the heighth of Madness for you that are so infinitely below Him , and so wholly under his Power , to refuse subjection to Him.

He is Glorious in Holiness , Exod. 15. 11. He can as soon cease to be himself , as cease to be an Hater of the workers of Iniquity . A fuller Perswasion of Gods Holiness , and that his Holiness is his Glory , will make you more sensible of the Necessity of turning from Sin , and that Holiness will be your Glory and Perfection : He that is changed and made a Convert , is made a Glorious Creature ; and as this change is carried on , there is still a Progression from Glory to Glory by the Spirit of the Lord , 2 Cor. 3. 18. Gods Nature is pure , every Word of God is pure : He is Righteous in all his wayes , and Holy in all his Works , Psal. 145. 17. Oh cry incessantly that you may partake of a nev , of the Divine Nature ; that a clean heart may be created in you , that your Lips may be Pure , your Words true and Gracious ; and that you may be Holy in all manner of Conversation .

Are not Gods eyes upon your wayes ? does not he hear all your words ? does not he weigh your very Spirits ? your whole man is under his Observation ; let there be a turning to God with your whole man . Sincerity in Conversion , and hypocrisie , are both known ; and only Sincerity has Gods love and liking .

7. When you turn to God behold him as he is in Christ , else there is no access to him , nor acceptance with him . After Adams fall the Mediator is presently revealed , the Seed of the Woman that was to break the Serpents head , Gen. 3. 15. The old Serpent , by Sin had made a Rupture and breach between God and Man : Now Christ the Mediatour is He that makes up the breach again , and so destroyes the work , and frustrates the design of Satan . If God be lookt upon in Christ , there is all manner of Encouragement to return to him : He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him , Heb. 11. 6. He is good and ready to forgive , and plenteous in Mercy to all that call upon him , Psal. 86. 5. The Prodigals Father was not more forward , who ran to embrace his returning Son , than God is to receive returning Sinners : If you would return to God indeed , you must take Calva●y in your way , you must know Jesus Christ and him Crucified , 1 Cor. 2. 2. The Saints of old that were in Heaven before the Son of God was manifested in the Flesh , as well as those that went thither afterward , were all brought nigh to God by the Blood of his Cross , Col. 1. 20.

You cannot know , and turn to the only true God , so as to be received by him , unless you know and receive Jesus Christ whom he has sent . But if you behold God in Christ , unbelief appears unreasonable , despair is a monstrous absurdity : You may perceive Love in the Lords looks , his Justice fully satisfied , his Anger all gone , his Repentings kindled , his Bowels yearning ; and you cannot so much desire Mercy , as He delights in shewing it . The true Convert to God must be a Believer in Jusus , who is the way to the Father : As God will not draw nigh to Man , so Man cannot draw nigh to God any other way .

8. With great earnestness implore the Spirits aid . Be sure to grieve that you have grieved Him , and acknowledge 't is just that for your grieving him , he should leave you to your selves ; but beg his presence and his assistance , that he would help you , and make you truly , constantly willing to be helped . Adams Body was formed of the Dust of the Ground , but was a lifeless Corps , till God breathed into it the Breath of Life . Till the Spirit of Life enters into you , you are without Life or Motion towards God , therefore with all seriousness ask the Spirit : You come to God through the Son , as the Mediator that procures access and opens the way , but 't is by the Spirit , as by Him who both inclines and strengthens you to come to Him , Eph. 2. 18.

The Promise of the Spirit is of ancient date , implied in the Promise of the Messiah , and very frequently expressed : Under the New Testament Dispensation , a more plentiful effusion of the Spirit is Promised . Parents that are evil , if their Children ask bread will not give them a stone to hurt them , nor instead of a Fish , a Serpent to sting them : And if they give good gifts to their Children , much more will the Father in Heaven give his Spirit to them that ask him . There is hardly a more encouraging Word to Sinners in the whole Bible , if they are inclined , or would be inclined to have the Spirit given them : And if the Holy Spirit be given you , you will have Light , and Life and Liberty . Conviction antecedent to Conversion , Conversion it self , and Consolation afterwards , are all of them , the Works of the Spirit .

And be sure to observe the Accesses of the Spirit . Sometimes the Wind blows fair and strong for Heaven , now hoise up thy Sail , that thou mayest receive the Gale ; sometimes by his Convictions , motions , strivings , you may perceive the Spirit is very near you ; by a clearer and more affecting Light he shews you , that turning to God is your Duty and Advantage , and he very much presses you to it .

Nunc sunt Mollissima fandi , Tempora . —

Now is the time to speak and speed in your Supplications for the Spirit , that he may thoroughly Convert you , and consecrate you to the Lord , and abide in you for ever .

9. Would you be Converts in Truth , give your whole Hearts to God , and never be satisfied till you feel you love him above all . Let the Lord have your Hearts to search them , that all , even the most secret evils there , may be detected ; and being detected , may be detested and abhorr'd . Sin sometimes may be restrained from breaking out in the Life , and yet then may be regarded and reign in the Heart : Be willing to know the most inward spiritual wickedness , that lies quite out of the sight of others , and being acquainted with it , consent to have it purged away . Give your Hearts to God , that he may possess , employ , and rule them at his Pleasure : Tell the Lord that the very Throne is for him , and that your Souls and all that is within you , are ready to be at his command ; and that you consent every Lust should be slain , because it would not that he He should reign over you .

In what a safe hand is the Heart , when 't is in Gods ? how pure and excellent is it made ? with what Beauty does it shine ? To turn with the whole Heart , is for the whole to turn excellent , for the whole to be secured .

Be never satisfied , till you perceive that God has your love , which is indeed the leading and commanding Affection . If Sin , if Mammons Pleasures and Wealth have still your love , your professing your selves Converts , is all but feigned kindness , and you provoke the Lord to jealousiè : Give unto God your Love which he calls for , in the first and great Commandment ; or else you give him nothing : if your love be given him , you will not deny him any thing . And if as yet you can't shew your love by delighting in God , because of your doubts , and the darkness of your state ; shew your love by desiring after God , whose loving kindness is better than Life ; whose Alsufficiency is enough and enough , and infinitely more than enough for you .

But here 's the difficulty . How shall the Heart of Man be brought unto the love of God ? The Stream of the affections runs naturally and violently downwards ; and how shall the tide be turned ? how shall the love be carried quite contrary to the bent of Nature ? Certainly this must be the doing of the God of all Grace . The Apostle prayes for the Thessalonians , that the Lord would direct their hearts into the love of God , 2 Thes. 3. 5. Put up this Petition for your selves . 'T is an encouraging Scripture , Deut. 30. 6. The Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart , and with all thy Soul , that thou mayest live ; apply it , improve it ; and if you grudge your love to every thing else , and are continually offering it to God ; and above all things in the World , desire to love him , and to be beloved of him ; Love is already wrought , the acts of it appear ; and you shall by degrees love more sensibly ; and the stronger the love , the more sound the Conversion .

10. Deceive not your selves with faint wishes , and half-willingness to be Converted . I grant that the desire of Grace , is Grace ; but if there be not Truth in the desire , the Truth of Grace can't be concluded from it : A lazy wish to be Converted , where there is a prevailing resolution to connive at and continue in Sin , what does it signifie but that the Heart is not right with God , notwithstanding some feeble good inclinations towards him ? Our Lord commands his Followers to strive to enter in at the strait gate , because many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able , Luk. 13. 24. Many hereafter shall seek and expect admission into Heaven , who shall be excluded because they would not strive , they would not use an holy violence to take that Kingdom .

Many over hastily conclude they are Converted , because there is some little inclination to what is good , though a stronger inclination to what is evil , without check does bear the sway in them . In spiritual , as well as natural lukewarmness , there is some mixture of heat , as well as a prevalency of cold : Can water be called hot , where heat is least , and cold is most ? Can the Heart be said to be turned to God , which is least inclined towards him , and most strongly and resolvedly bent towards Sin and Vanity ? Oh , take heed of Sloth and Idleness ! Sloth is that which has brought many a Conviction to nothing , you can hardly name a greater Impediment of Conversion : Upon thousands of Professors Tombs this may be written , Here lye those who have undone themselves by Slothfulness , and miss'd of Grace and Glory , because they would take Pains for neither .

If you would be Conve●●s indeed , abandon Idleness ; let your very Hearts be in every Duty , your Souls and the strength of them , the fervency of your Spirits in every Ordinance of God , Rom. 12. 11. Not slothful in business ; especially not in the main business , servent in Spirit , serving the Lord . Satisfie not your selves in a customary and formal using of the means of Grace , but look to this , that life , and warmth , and strength , and Grace be indeed conveyed to you in them .

11. Would you be Converts indeed , look much into another World ; confine not your sight and thoughts to the things of time and sense , but take the Perspective of the Word of God , that to the eye of your Faith , things unseen may become evident , Heb. 11. ● . Time is so short a thing , that you may easily and quickly see to the end of it ; and yet concerning this short Time , it may be said , that Now you must be turn'd or Never : At the end of Time Death stands , thousands feel his stroke every day , before your eyes , and how soon may you feel his deadly Dart , and return to the dust out of which we were all taken ! where 's the Man that upon good ground can say , He is sure to live a Year , a Month , a Week , a Day to an end ? Just behind Death is Judgment ; and at the Bar of God , who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness , and make manifest the Counsels of the Heart , what will a shew of Grace and of Conversion signifie ?

At that Bar all the Children of Men must receive their final and unalterable Doom : from that Tribunal there can be no Appeal to another ; there is no higher Judge than he who shall judge the quick and the dead , at his Appearing and his Kingdom , 2 Tim. 4. 1. The Sentence which he will Pronounce , will stand good and firm for ever ; and 't will be a Sentence either to eternal Glory or everlasting Flames : And know , that Conversion now will make the Discrimination then ; only Converts will stand in Judgment , only those that sincerely ●urn'd to God in this World , will be received into his Joy and Kingdom in the other World. But as for the Unconverted who would not turn from Sin , they shall without any Pity , or hopes of any , according as they were threatned , and have justly deserved , be turned into Hell , and there will be no remedy .

You are all posting away from hence , and shall shortly hear the Word , and be seen your selves no more . A serious belief and consideration of the eternal Joyes and eternal Woes of another World , would have a mighty Influence upon the very worst of you , to make you of another , of a better Mind .

VSE VI. Of Consolation unto Converts . There is a Consolation that has a Woe joyn'd with it , Woe to you rich Men , for ye have received your Consolation . The Wicked and the Hypocrite have their Peace and Joy , but their Peace is false , and their Joy but for a moment ; but the Converts Comfort is styled both strong and everlasting Consolation .

Here I shall first give you the Converts Character , and then lay down the Grounds of his Comfort ; and indeed true Comfort belongs to none in the World but true Converts .

Though I have spoken a great deal already , to shew who are Converted , yet I shall add these Signs following .

1. Converts chuse God for their Portron ; rather than the World : Thou art my Portion , O Lord , I have said I will keep thy Word ; this was a Converts Language , Psal. 119. 57. So Lam. 3. 24. The Lord is my Portion , saith my Soul , therefore will I hope in him . A Converted Soul cannot be satiated with Vanity , no sufficiency is enough for it but Gods Alsufficiency .

2. Converts chuse Christ for their Ruler , rather than Sin ; they are weary of Sins Dominion , as well as afraid of its Damnation , and they consent that Sin should no longer reign in them ; but they are willing to be the Lords in the day of his Power , Psal. 110. 3. they yield hearty Obedience to his Commands , and are sorry they can't , and wish they could yield better . When God Commanded to have his Precepts kept diligently , 't was the Heart of a Convert that eccho'd to his Voice , Oh that my wayes were directed to keep thy Statutes ! Psal. 119. 4 , 5.

3. Converts chuse Saints for their Companions , rather than the Wicked : David though a King , counted the Saints the most excellent ones upon Earth , Psal. 16. 3. and his Delight being in them , it argued he himself was sanctified , and that he was good as well as great : But know , 't is one thing to love a Saint because good Natur'd , because Learned , because Prudent and Ingenious , because of our Perswasion , because serviceable to our Carnal Interest ; and another thing to love and like the Holiness and Image of God in him : If thus we do , we shall be glad of the Grace in him , though 't is more than in our selves ; and the more faithfully he reproves us for our Sin , and endeavours to promote Holiness ●n us , we shall still like him so much ●he better .

4. Converts chuse good Works and Duties ●or their employment , rather than the unfruit●ul Works of darkness ; and they had ra●her have a Treasure in Heaven , than the greatest riches of this World ; they pre●rr Heaven not only before Hell , but be●re Earth , and all the Wealth , Pleasure ●nd Glory of it ; and sowe not to the Flesh , ●ut to the Spirit , that of the Spirit they ●ay reap Life everlasting , Gal. 6. 8.

These in short are the Characters of Converts ; the Grounds of their Comfort ●re these .

1. When any are truly Converted , God eternal good will and purpose of Grace brea●● forth , and he is savingly wrought on , wh● was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the World , that he should be holy , Eph. 1. 4. The Apostle speaking of those that are effectually Called and Converted , he looks both into the Eternity before the World , and into the Eternity after it , and concludes that these Called ones , they were predestinated to Life and Salvation from everlasting , and to everlasting they will be glorified , Rom. 8. 30. Converts in time , have been in Gods thoughts from Eternity , and in Conversion his Electing Love breaks forth , which was in his Heart ever o● old , before the World began : And Converts may conclude , that a Love which from an whole Eternity was thus fixt and settled upon them , in time shall never change : Though the dispensations of his Providence may vary , some being more sweet , and some more smarting , like Checquer-work ▪ black and white in the same Table , yet God and his Love are still the same . Though there is a vicissitude between Day and Night , between Summer and Winter ▪ yet the God of Nature changes not , and the God of Grace is Immutable , and his Heart is still on Converts , though they sometimes walk in Darkness , and see not the Light of his blessed Countenance .

2. Converts are wise Builders , for they have a sure foundation , and shall never be confounded . The Blood of Jesus , which is the Blood of God , and the riches of the Grace of God in him , are the foundation of their Faith and Hope : Christ is the Rock upon which the Church , and every true Member of it , is built ; and those who while Militant , are thus fortified and secured , shall certainly at last triumph over the World and Sin , and the gates of Hell : The Convert has cast anchor within the Vail , Heb. 6. 19. Christ is his Hope , 1 Tim. 1. 1. His Hope of Pardon , and sufficient Grace , and future Glory . If Christ were not , or were not his , he would be all Despair ; but Christ having done and suffer'd , and Purchased both him and so much for him , he does abound in Hope , by the Power of the Holy Ghost .

The Converts Hope distinguishes it self from the presumptuous Expectation of the Hypocrite ; for when he Hopes for Salvation , he keeps the Commands of God , Psal. 119. 166. In this sense he is a wise Builder , for his Faith is effectual to good Works , his Hope makes him patiently continue in well , doing : Those words are very encouraging to the obedient Convert , Mat. 7. 24 , 25. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine , and doth them , I will liken him to a wise man , who built his House upon a rock ; and the rain descended , and the floods came , and the winds blew , and beat upon that house ; and it self not , sor it was founded upon a rock . They build well and wisely indeed , who lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come , that they may lay hold on eternal Life , 1 Tim. 6. 19.

3. Converts are made better by the good things of this World , and the evils they meet with work together for their good , Rom. 8. 28. If they have the Creatures in some Plenty and abundance , they have God with them ; if they are deprived of them , they have God without them , and so are still well , and have enough in him . No dispensations fall wrong to the Convert , he can fly with any wings , he can fail with any wind ; nay , under water he can live , and dive , and swim towards Heaven , which is indeed 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Fair Haven : The more of this Worlds goods he has , the more good he is forward to do ; and if these are taken away , the more Grace and Peace from God he is desirous , and being desirous , he is sure to receive .

4. Converts have the Ordinances of God , and the means of Grace blessed to them . The Word is the savour of Life unto Life unto them , 2 Cor. 2. 16. The Prayers they send to Heaven , come back agian with rich returns of Mercy and Grace : Sacrament dayes are dayes of Strength , and oftentimes of Solace ; and not only Christ and his Present Benefits are exhibited to them , but an Eternal Inheritance is also made over , under the broad Seal of Heaven , and themselves are Sealed by the Spirit unto the day of Redemption , Eph. 5. 30. David that reaped Benefit by Ordinances , pronounces the Tabernacles of God amiable , Psal. 84. 1. A day in his Courts better than a thousand . It was the one thing he desired , that he might dwell in the House of the Lord all the dayes of his Life , that he might see his Beauty , Power and Glory , and taste his goodness there . That Noble Marquess , Galeaceus Caracciolus , need not have been present at a false worship ; he might have had the Liberty of Religion in his Closet , yet he left all , that he might enjoy pure publick Ordinances : Certainly he found that of Grace , that of Christ in them , as was much more valuable to him than all his Pleasant and Plentiful Estate , which is one of the chief Flowers in Italy , the Garden of the World.

5. God is turned unto these true Converts that are turned to him ; and will never turn away from them to do them good , and to keep them good , and upright before Him. Regeneration and Conversion is a great Fruit and effect of the Resurrection of Christ , 1 Pet. 1. 3. Believers are said to be begotten again to a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . And as Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more , Death hath no more Dominion over him , Rom. 6. 9. so they who by Converting Grace are made spiritually a live , shall never totally relapse under the Dominion of Sin , nor become again dead in Trespasses . That God who has called these Converts is faithful , and therefore , as the Apostle sayes , he will preserve their whole Spirits and Souls and Bodies blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ , 1 Thes. 5. 23 , 24. The Lord turns to them that are turned , Zech. 1. 3. Turn to me , saith the Lord of Hosts , and I will turn to you , saith the Lord of Hosts : he turns his Eye , his Face , his Ear , his Heart , his Hand towards them for good . And he has said he will never leave them nor forsake them , neither shall they leave nor forsake him ; for he will establish them with his Free Spirit , he will uphold them with the right hand of his Righteousness . Oh Happy Converts , who have Glory promised upon their Perseverance ! and have Strengthning Grace Promised to make them persevere unto the end !

6. Conversion will end in Coronation . All Converts are by Adoption the Children of God , heirs of his Kingdom , and shall for ever wear a Crown of Life . Though the Heathens knew something of future Rewards and Punishments , yet their Apprehensions of these were low and unsuitable .

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

Who knows , saies Euripides , whether to live be not to dye , and to dye be not to live ?

He seems to guess there was a better Life after this ; yet he is not certain of it : When Vlysses imagined Achilles the bravest among the Greeks , to have been most happy after Death . Homer Odyss. l. 11. brings in Achilles appearing to him , and saying ,

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

Which may be thus Englished ,

I 'd rather serve a Clown on Earth for bread , Than in those Regions of the Dead Command , and be of all the supream Head.

Heaven is here set forth as a poor and undesirable thing : But Life and Immortality is brought to light by the Gospel , 2 Tim. 1. 10. Here the Glory of the other World is displayed ; here is an excellent Map of the heavenly and everlasting Kingdom , where Knowledge and Light is compleat without Darkness , Holiness perfect without the least remainder of Defilement , Blessedness and Joy is full without any Grief , or Fear , or Possibility of Sorrow ; where there is no such thing as Sin , or Death , or Trouble , but God himself is All in All , 1 Cor. 15. 28.

All Converts , their Feet are turned into the way to Heaven , their Hearts are now set upon it , it won't be long e're they be there , and Crown'd there themselves . Conversion is called a Rising from the Dead , Eph. 5. 14. for it has some likeness to , and is an earnest of a future glorious Resurrection : What a glorious Creature will the Convert be , when Christ has done his whole Work upon him , and has put to him his last hand , in making his whole Man every way perfect ! Glorified Bodies will shine as the Sun , glorified Souls will be pure and spotless like the Seraphim , and Wonder , Love , Joy and Praise , will be in Heaven the everlasting business . I have spoken much to Comfort Converts , but no Tongue can tell the thousandth part of all their Happiness : The Heart of Man is too narrow at present , to comprehend what God has prepared for them that Love him , 1 Cor. 2. 9.

VSE VII . Of Counsel unto them that are Converted ; and my Advice shall be in these particulars .

1. Thankfully admire the Grace of God which has Converted you : The best thing in this World , which is Grace , and Glory in the World to come , certainly do well deserve your thanks . Sin has made you less than the least of Mercies , by Conversion you come to partake of the greatest : Christ is formed in you , and you are made New Creatures , that a New Song should be in your Mouths , and that you should shew forth the Praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light , 1 Pet. 2. 9. Let every Convert admire , and admiring , Praise , and say , How much has God done for me ! and how has he done that for me , which he has not done for thousands and millions in the World , in the very Church , who are let alone to live and dye in Sin , and to damn themselves for ever !

2. Labour to be more thoroughly Converted ; Pray for this , that God would still turn you more and more unto himself ; follow on to know him , follow harder after him , and strive still more to please him ; 1 Thes. 4. 1. Furthermore then we beseech you Brethren , and exhort you by our Lord Jesus , that as ye have received , how ye ought to walk and to please God , so ye would abound more and more : The more fully you turn , the more you please him , and to please him will be pleasant to you : The nearer you come to God , the safer you will be under his shadow , the more evidently will you see , and the more abundantly will you taste his goodness .

3. Do nothing unbecoming Converts : Think often with your selves whose you are , and what a Price was pay'd to redeem you from all Iniquity , and to make you Zealous of good works , Tit. 2. 14. Reckon it bruitish to be Intemperate and Unclean , base to be Covetous , and Earthly-minded , hellish to be Malicious , Envious and Proud. Be Patient under Gods Corrections , under Injuries from Man : Let your Tongues be true and kind , your Hands merciful and just , in your Morals be of great exactness : Divine Morality ! without thee Religion is a vain shew , holy Duties are but lost labour , and Confidence that all is well is but self-deceiving : What Brutus said of Vertue , may be used concerning Faith , O miserable Faith , without moral Honesty thou art nothing else but an empty Name ! Take heed of falls , especially great ones , after Conversion , least you wound both Conscience and Religion , and go smarting and groaning to your Graves .

4. Pity the Vnconverted about you : Misery moves Bowels , and stirs up Mercy ; who more miserable than Sinners , who are at a distance from God , and under his Wrath ; and who are so far from fearing and turning , that they are still running farther from him , and provoking him to fiercer indignation ? Compassionate these , Counsel these , Pray for these , and endeavour , though they are and will be without the Word , to win them by a wisely expressed Love , and by a well-ordered Conversation , 1 Pet. 3. 1. Let not your Bowels be straitned , but Pray for the Worlds Conversion to God , that he would return to this Earth , which for Sin he has so justly forsaken , and that he would turn the World into a New One , wherein may dwell Righteousness .

5. Be sure to Love all true Converts : Love them all , because God loves them , and love what you see of God in them : The Image of God is so excellent , that in whomsoever it shines , it ought with pure affection to be owned and respected . Converts I grant may differ in many things , but they agree in the main ; all of them believe in Jesus , all of them turn to God , all of them endeavour to Glorifie him here on Earth , and all of them are bound for Heaven : And Vniversal Agreement thus far ; is a strong reason for Catholick and Vniversal Charity . All Converts , of what Perswasion soever , of what Nation soever , of what Rank and Condition soever in this World ; they are all adopted by one Father , all redeemed by one Christ Jesus , all espoused to one Husband , all members of one Body , all enlivened by one Spirit , and shall all meet at last in one Heaven , where they shall perfectly be joyned together in Union and in Love ; and this should strongly move and perswade unto Unity and Love at present .

6. Lastly , ( and so I conclude this Doctrine , ) you that are Coverts , see that you abide with God , and be stedfast in his Covenant ; they that totally , and finally depart from God , never were totally and fully turned to him . Let your Perseverance be an evident Demonstration , to prove the truth of your Conversation ; let not the hardest labour , the hottest service , that you may be put upon , the greatest sufferings that you may be exposed to , in the least discourage you , for God doth not require that you should do , or that you should suffer any thing for him , but only by the strength that he himself hath promised , and doth intend to give . All you Converts have done well in turning to God , do better in following hard after him ; and best of all in finishing your course , that you may get the Crown of Righteousness .

To conclude , Let your Faith be firm , like to the Rock it is founded upon ; let your hope be stedfast . Be rooted , and grounded in your love ; and let your hearts be so united to fear the name of God , Psal. 86. 11. that it may be as possible to hinder the Sun from rising , as to hinder you from shining like lights in the World. That it may be as possible to cause the Moon and Stars to cease their wonted courses , as to turn you out of the way of Truth and Holiness . That it may be as possible to alter the Ordinances of Heaven , as to make you neglect Heaven , and become again earthly-minded .

Thus have I done with the first Doctrine , that I raised from the words , which I have been large upon : That Conversion , is of absolute necessity , and the great thing that God requires of Man .

Doct. 2. I proceed unto the second Doctrine , that I raised from the words , and that is this . Conversion is then sincere , when the soul is Converted .

The Soul of Man is the chief subject of Sin. It is the Soul that uses , or rather abuses the members of the Body , as Instruments of Unrighteousness . The Beasts that have no rational Soul , are not capable of committing Iniquity ; and as the Soul is the chief subject of Sin , so it is the chief subject of Converting Grace ; if this be not turned , really there is no true turning unto God. God is a Spirit , and he weighs the Spirits of Men ; and he doth chiefly require the Heart and Spirit , Prov. 23. 26. and accordingly the Convert with David sayes , Psal. 25. 1. Vnto thee ; O Lord , do I lift up my Soul. And Psal. 119. 129. Thy Testimonies are wonderful , therefore doth my Soul keep them .

In the handling this Doctrine ,

1. I am to shew you , when the Soul may be said to be Converted .

2. To prove , that till the Soul is Converted ; Conversion is not sincere .

3. To demonstrate the necessity of turning to God with the very Soul.

And then in the last place , to make application .

1. I am to tell you , when the Soul may be said truly to be Converted ; the opening of this , is the chief thing that I design in this Doctrine .

1. When the Soul is Converted , there is a marvellous Light that shines into the Mind . The Tree of Knowledge was so called , because it was a Tree of Tryal ; whether Man would persevere in goodness ; or whether he would be tempted , and drawn away to evil : but when this Tree was once tasted , Man presently fell under the power of darkness . The eyes of all understandings are blind , till enlightned by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation , Eph. 1. 17 , 18. All the Stars that are in the Firmament , cannot make day without the Sun ; and all the works that God hath wrought , all the words that he hath spoken , cannot of themselves enlighten the mind of Man without the Spirit of God. It is He that takes off the Vail , and causes the Light to shine upon , and into the very Soul.

This Light makes things manifest , Eph. 5. 13. For all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light , for whatsoever doth make manifest is light . This Light that shines into a Converted Soul , doth discover Sin ; it shews the filth , the spots , the sting , the poyson , the death , the wrath , the Hell , that is in Sin , or is annexed to it . It doth discover the deceitfulness of Sin , in hiding its own bad nature , and the dreadful consequences that follow upon it .

And as this Light doth make sin manifest , so it doth discover Christ too ; the sufficiency of his justifying Righteousness , the excellency of his sanctifying Grace : and how to turn to God , is , of miserable to become truly blessed .

This Light also is directing . It directs what Converts must do that they may be saved . It shews them the End , and the proper Means for the attaining of that End. It leads them out of the broad way , and from all the snares , and stumbling-blocks , and the precipices that are there and it leads them into the way that is everlasting , Psal. 139. ult.

Finally , This Light that shines into the Converted Soul , hath Heat and Influence ; like the Light of the Sun in the Spring-season , that causeth the Trees and Plants to be flourishing , and to be fruitful . The Light of the Converts , hath a mighty influence upon them . The things that are freely given of God , are so seen , as that the heart is taken with them , as the principal things of all ; and undervalues other things in comparison of those . Thus the wise Merchant that sought goodly Pearls , when he had found one Pearl of great price , he went and sold all that he had , and bought it , Matth. 13. 46.

2. When the Soul is Converted , the Judgment is rectified . The Judgment of the natural Man is wofully perverted . He judges aright of nothing , he judges amiss of every thing : Wo to him , he calls evil good , and good evil ; he puts darkness for Light , and Light for darkness ; bitter for sweet , and sweet for bitter ; as the Prophet speaks , Isa. 5. 20. The Wisdom of God he ealls by the Name of foolishness , and the folly of the World , he will needs have to be the shrewdest and best sort of wisdom . He errs on both hands , valuing what is vile , and sleighting what is excellent .

But the Apostle in 1 Cor. 2. 15. telleth us , That he that is spiritual judgeth all things , yet he himself is judged of no Man . The Convert hath a faculty of spiritual discerning , and can pass a right judgment upon things . One Angel can see another , though the bodily Eye can see neither . One that is a Convert , having a spiritual faculty of discerning , can see the excellency of spiritual things , which the natural Man cannot behold . And when it is said , that the Spiritual Man is judged of no Man , the meaning is this ; that no natural Man is a competent judge concerning him . Censure him , he may ; as if he were regardless of , and beside himself , but really this Censure is without reason . Not judging , but missjudging this is to be called .

The Converts judgment is very sound , he takes the right ballance , even those of the Sanctuary , to weigh all things in . He compares God and the Creature together , the righteousness and strength of Man , and the righteousness and strength of Christ together ; things temporal , and things eternal together ; and weighing these things together , the difference between them is apparent . He writes Takel upon what is Mammons , and upon what is Mans ; and the weightiest and most excellent things he doth approve as such ; especially a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory , 2 Cor. 4. 17.

And as the Converts Judgment is sound , so let me tell you , it is very grave and serious , in propounding what is good unto the Will . It is deliberate in its determination what is good ; and then with greatest evidence and strength of Reason , nay , with Demonstration of the Spirit , it urges the Soul , that this which is so good may be followed and embraced . My beloved , a Judgment thus rectified , and set right , it is one of the greatest Blessings from Heaven , and comes down from the Father of Lights , who manifests himself to be the Father of Mercies in bestowing such a Gift . Now the Soul is Light when the Judgment is rectified , and the whole Man is under better conduct ; and this Light proves Armour and Defence against the Works of Darkness : Rom. 13. 12 , 13 , 14. Let us cast off the works of darkness , and put on the armour of light : Let us walk honestly as in the day , not in rioting and drunkenness , not in chambering and wantonness , not in strife and envying , but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ , and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof .

3. When the Soul is converted , the Conscience is made very faithful , and very tender . The Soul of Man is endued with a Power of Self-reflection ; it can with a great deal of delight take notice of what of God , and what of good is in it self ; and it can terribly recoyl upon it self , and prove a selfpunisher , at the commission of what is evil . The Conscience of an unconverted Sinner , is usually in a dead sleep . How many sleepy Consciences are here , God awaken them to day : Usually the Conscience of an unconverted Sinner is in a dead sleep . He takes little or no notice at all of that God that is by him , of his Presence , of the Purity of his Law , and of the Sinners obligation to obey it . And Conscience being thus asleep , talks in its sleep ; and what doth it talk ? in its sleep it doth say , Peace , and it doth dream of Safety ; and thus it goes on crying Peace , and dreaming of Safety , untill suddain destruction doth prove that Peace and that Safety to be nothing else but a meer delusion . 1 Thess. 5. 3. When men shall say , Peace and Safety , then suddain destruction cometh upon them as travel upon a woman with Child , and they shall not escape .

But the Convert , his Conscience is awakened ; it is awakened so thoroughly , that it keeps more or less awake ever after .

The Conscience doth understand the Authority that it hath from God.

And it doth improve that Authority for God.

The Conscience of a Convert doth understand the Authority that it hath from God. The God of Heaven hath allowed the Conscience a Negative Voice . To sin contrary to the Light , and to the Dictates of Conscience , it is to sin with a great Aggravation , and it is to incurr great danger . 1 Joh. 3. 20. If our ▪ hearts condemn us , God is greater than our hearts , and knows all things . Nay , supposing that Conscience doth but doubt concerning an Action , that Action must not be ventured upon untill Conscience be fully satisfied about it , Rom. 14. ult. He that doubts of the lawfulness of a Meat , is damned if he eats , because he eateth not of Faith ; that is , being not fully perswaded of the lawfulness of what he eats ; he eats not of Faith , and that which is not of Faith , is sin .

And as Conscience knows the Authority it hath of God , so it doth improve and exercise this Authority that it hath from God , for Him. The Converts Conscience urges that the Will of God may be done still , tho' it never so much thwarts the inclination and grain of mans ; it urges that God may be alwayes pleased , whoever is offended , and herein it does consult the Converts truest Interest . The sharper the Sight , the clearer the Light , the greater the force of Conscience is , there will be a departing from evil with the greater fear , and care , and hatred , and there will be a doing of good with the greater diligence , exactness and perseverance ; and all this is for the good of Converts in more Worlds than one . Psal. 37. 27. Depart from evil , and do good , and dwell for evermore .

4. When the Soul is Converted , the Thoughts have not a lawless Liberty allowed them , but there is a Conflict with them , and great care to govern them well . The Mind of Man is a busie and an Active thing , thoughts are continually issuing from it , as Sparks from a Furnace , or Waters from a Fountain ; and naturally all these are evil , Gen. 6. 5. God saw that the wickedness of Man was great upon the Earth , and every Imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually . When the Soul is converted , the nature of the Thoughts is changed ; vain and sinful thoughts presently become burthensome . The Heart is made new , and a new heart will have new kind of thoughts . The thoughts will be pure and clean , if the Heart be sanctified and cleansed . Jerusalem did shew her self a Stranger to Conversion , that she was still indeed in her wickedness , as long as sinful and vain thoughts had entertainment given to them ; Jer. 4. 14. O Jerusalem , wash thine heart from wickedness , that thou mayest be saved , how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee ?

A converted Soul may be likened unto a House that formerly had very bad , but now hath other and better Inhabitants . The Hectors , the Ranters , the Swearers , the Whoremongers , the Drunkards ; they come and knock at the Door of this House , and say , that formerly none were more welcome there than themselves ; but the door is kept fast lockt , bolted , barr'd against them ; and the answer is , that there is no room for such as they . The House hath now another owner , that don't like such company , but another , a better sort of Society . Thus it is with the Heart of the Convert ; proud , lustfull , covetous , malicious , revengefull thoughts plead for admission ; and say we used to be very welcome , and formerly there was a great deal of pleasure , and delight taken in us , and must we now be turned out of doors ? The answer is , the Heart hath another Inhabitant : Sin dwelt there before , and then sinful thoughts were welcom thoughts ; Ay , but now Grace reigns there , therefore these sinful Thoughts as fast as they endeavour to Croud in , there are endeavours used to extrude them .

And as sinful thoughts are burthensome to a Converted Soul , so good thoughts are welcome guests .

Indulge Hospitio causasque innecte morandi .

A Converted Soul Indulges to such Thoughts , and earnestly desires their constant abode and stay . The Convert is truly troubled that he can hardly joyn three or four good thoughts together without some Interruption : The Convert wishes , that God were more , and with more delight his Meditation ; and that his Law were meditated on , and delighted in as well as himself . Saith David , Psal. 104. 34. My Meditation of him shall be sweet , I will be glad in the Lord . And in Psal. 1. 2. It is said of the blessed man , His delight is in the Law of the Lord , and in his Law doth he meditate day and Night . And the Convert whose Soul is indeed turned unto God , he speaks thus ; such and so delightful let my thoughts ever be .

5. When the Soul is Converted there is a Conformity of the Will of man , unto the Holy and blessed Will of God. This was the ground of the first controversie between the Lord and those Angels that revolted from him ; they would needs oppose their wills to his : God would have them to keep humble , their Wills were to become proud , and pride was both the fault and fall of the Devil and his Followers , 1 Tim. 3. 6. Not a Novice , lest being lifted up with Pride , he fall into the Condemnation of the Devil . God would have these Angels to abide in Truth , but their will was to let go their Primitive Integrity , and they turned false and rebellious Spirits : And the natural man is too much like these evil Angels . God calls , but man will not hear ; God commands , but man will not obey ; and in some sort evil men out-do the Apostate Angels ; because when God doth offer to sanctifie , and to cure , and to save the Children of men , they chuse death and damning , rather than they will consent to be healed . But when the Soul is Converted , the Will is changed ; and indeed the great turning change is here : In the Will of man there is the great turning change wrought ; as long as that remains perverse , and stubborn , and refractory , to be sure there is nothing of Converting Grace ; and when once the Will is changed , and set right , and inclined steddily towards God , all remaining infirmities and the Truth of Grace , may very well stand together .

There are these three things that the Will of the Convert doth .

1. It doth make choice of that which God propounds as most eligible .

2. It is Subject unto Gods Laws , and Commandments .

3. It submits to Correction and the Cross .

1. The Will of the Convert makes choice of that which God propounds as most eligible ; and above all it makes choice of God himself . It is taken with the exceeding Riches of his Grace : It is taken with his Wisdom , Truth , Faithfulness ; Alsufficiency , Vnchangeableness , and Eternity . To enjoy the highest and chiefest good , and to enjoy this good for ever , and for ever : What is more , what is so worthy to be chosen ? The bent of Davids Will was thus towards God when he said , Psal. 42. 2. My Soul thirsteth for God , for the living God , when shall I come and appear before God ? and though David was advanced to a Throne , yet that doth not divert him from seeking after God , and saying to him , O when wilt thou come to me ! Psal. 101. 2. I will behave my self wisely , in a perfect way , O when wilt thou come to me ! I will walk within my house with a perfect Heart . Though my House be a Palace , and though my Chair be a Throne ; I shall be uneasie in my Seat , I shall look upon my Crown as uncomfortable , unless I have thy Presence in this Palace of mine : and therefore , O when wilt thou come unto me !

The Converted Soul refuses , what God informs it is evil ; what God informs it is abominable ; and Sin doth very well deserve the Name of Abomination : The Converted Soul doth sleight that , which the Word of God tells him is but contemptible Vanity .

And as the Will of the Convert does chuse God above all , so it chuses other things with reference unto God : It chuses the Word , because it declares the Will of God , and what it is that will indeed please him . It chuses Christ , because he is the way to God as Mediator : It chuses - Prayer , because it is pouring out the Soul before God. Psal. 62. 18. It chuses the Ordinances of God , because God hath appointed them , and is to be found in them . The more Converts have of God in any thing , upon that thing is put the higher esteem .

2. The Will of the Converts is subject unto Gods Laws and Commandments . The Heart of Flesh , why do you think it is so called ? I will take away the Heart of Stone , out of their Flesh , and I will give them a Heart of Flesh . Why is it called a Heart of Flesh ? Partly , because it is sensible and troubled at Transgression ; and partly because it is soft , and doth receive the impression of the Word , and of the Law of God. It is indeed a fleshly Table on which the Law of God is written by the Finger of the Spirit , 2 Cor. 3. 3. God hath written according to his new Covenant Promise , his own Law in the Hearts of Converts , and there is a voluntary and delightful Obedience yielded , Psal. 40. 8. I delight to do thy Will , O my God , yea thy Law is within my Heart .

God saies , I Command : The Convert answers , I Consent ; and Lord ! help me to please thee still more and more ; for I am never better pleased my self , than when I best please thee ? Thus the Wills of Converts yield to the Will of God ; and in this harmony that is between the Humane and the Divine Will , there is a great deal of Sweetness : there is really that inward Peace , in comparison of which all the delights of Sence are but inconsiderable .

3. The Converts Will submits unto Correction and the Cross : Where is there a School without a Rod ? The Saints do stand in need of Discipline , and it is well they have it : Afflictions wean us from this World , they help forward the work of Mortification , they quicken us in our seeking after God , and the more we 〈…〉 the more we find . Luther said , Cr 〈…〉 est nostra Theologia : That the Cross alone is 〈◊〉 Divinity : To improve Christs Cross and our own , is the way to be truly wise . The Convert sees reason for submission , for Gods Corrections are all streams that issue from the Fountain of Love that is in him , and they do end in the Souls greater Holiness , which is its greatest Profit ; and they cause the peaceable fruits of Righteousness to be brought forth in greater plenty and abundance .

I grant indeed , That Converts may have Temptations to , and not only Temptations to , but also great fits of Impatience ; but they do strive , and they are helped in striving , to allay the Storm , and to be calmed into a submission to the will of God. The Converted Soul may sometimes be too much blinded by the prevalency of Passion , and forgetting it self , may complain after such a manner as this .

Though my daies are few on Earth , yet how are they filled with trouble and sorrow ! No sooner have I got my head from under one wave , but another Billow is just ready to overwhelm me . Affliction seems to be my Lot and Portion , and while the wicked of the World prosper and increase in Wealth , and have more than Heart can wish , all the day long have I been plagued , and chastened every Morning . If I set my heart upon any temporal injoyment , presently it is struck at , and like the Gourd of Jonah , withers away . And if I am full of Expectation from the Creature , my Expectation is ever frustrated , and that which I expected comfort from , proves Vanity and Vexation of Spirit . Which way soever I look , I see things visible enough to cast me down ; nothing visible to support me . O wretched Life ! to be always thus under the Cross ! to be troubled , and bowed down greatly , and to go mourning all the day .

Thus the Converted Soul , in its sits of impatience , is ready to complain : But unto these ravings , ( I call them no other ) the Lord is pleased in a still Voice thus to answer .

Vnreasonable and silly Soul ! dost thou well to be angry ? and by thy needless and excessive sorrow to help forward thine own Affliction ? hast thou been a Learner so long in my School , and dost thou not understand the Method that I use in training up my Children ? I give thee little in the World , but it is that thou mayest not dye of a surfeit , as thousands and millions do ; I cross thee in thy expectation from the Creatures , that from my self thou mayest expect and receive the more : Thou talkest of trouble , but am not I thy present help ? Thou art in the waves , but these waters shall not drown thee , they shall only wash and cleanse thee , and out of them thou shalt come forth much more purified . Soul , Cease thy discomposure , I command the Tempest to be still : Whatever my Wisdom , and my Love sees convenient for thee , thou shalt not want ; and to give thee more than is convenient , would be to injure thee . Thò all visible supports fail , I the invisible and eternal God am always by thee , and ready to shew my self strong on thy behalf : My Care shall protect thee and provide for thee , and this may be enough and enough to suffice .

Hereupon the Converted Soul is quieted , it is satisfied , and as to its Complaints silenced , and it replys in Job's language ,

Behold I am vile , what shall I answer thee ? I will lay my hand upon my mouth : Once have I spoken , but I won't answer ; yea twice , but I will proceed no further : Now I see more fully who and what thou art , and that my impatience and distrust in such a God , was only the effect of my ignorance , unbelief and ●olly ; from henceforth , Lord , I will see with 〈…〉 ●ther Eyes but thine ; and what thou seest to be best , as best shall always be acknowledged . My Will I renounce , and whatever thy Will is , I willingly assent unto : I am satisfied that thy Goodness and Wisdom will order all things for me the very best and wisest way .

Thus the Will of the Convert is brought to a submission to the Will of God ; and as the Convert does speak thus to God , so he speaks likewise unto his own Soul , Psal. 43. ult. Why art thou cast down , O my Soul ? and why art thou disquieted within me ? hope in God ; for I shall yet praise him , who is the health of my Countenance , and my God.

So much for the fifth particular : When the Soul is Converted , there is a conformity in the Will of Man unto the Will of God. The Will chuses what God propounds as most eligible , is subject unto Gods Commands , submits to Correction and the Cross .

6. When the Soul is Converted , those Affections that have evil for their object , do spend themselves on sin , which is of all the greatest evil : Here I shall instance in four Affections that have evil for their Object , and when the Soul is indeed turned , these Affections spend themselves on Sin.

1. Sin is the Converted Souls Sorrow ; Tears here are very well bestowed , God hath a bottle to put them in ; whereas Tears that flow from worldly sorrow , are but as common water . The Unconverted Sinner is never more merry than when doing evil ; When thou dost evil , then thou rejoycest : O how glad is he of an opportunity to commit a pleasing and gainful Transgression ? but the Convert hath been made so sensible of the evil that is in Sin , that he can never make light of it more ; he hath been made so sensible of the evil that is in Sin , that he is really inwardly afflicted , because so guilty and defiled .

Sin doth provoke divine Anger , and the Wrath of the Almighty is terrible : Sin breaks the Law of God , and the Curse hereby deserved is intolerable : Sin causes the only Saviour to be neglected , and the Spirit of God to be resisted , who strives to draw the Children of men to this Redeemer : Sin does weaken and wound the Soul , makes it exceeding vile , doth it an inexpressible mischief , and therefore well may Sin be sorrowed for : Take notice how David doth pour out his sorrow here , Psal. 38. 4 , 6. My Iniquities are gone over my head , as an heavy burthen they are too heavy for me ; I am troubled , I am bowed down greatly , I go mourning all the day long .

2. As Sin is the Converted Souls Sorrow , so it is his Fear too ; the Convert is afraid of contracting fresh Guilt , and being overcome by new Temptations . The Convert is afraid of the very first risings of Sin ; for Sin is an Enemy , and if once this Enemy be risen , really it may much disturb the Peace , and give many a painful blow before it is quell'd again : The Convert is afraid of Sins conceiving , least being conceived , it should be finished , and at last bring forth Death , Jam. 1. 15. The Convert flies from great Sins , and won't connive at small ones : The Converted Soul is afraid of known and presumptuous Transgressions , and it is jealous least any should pass unknown , and be harboured unsuspected , therefore the Convert Prayes with David , Psal. 19. 12. Who can understand his Errors ? Cleanse thou me from secret Sins .

The Convert is so afraid of Sin , that he will venture upon other evils rather than upon Sin ; he will venture upon Poverty , he will venture upon a Prison , he will venture upon Flames of Martyrdom , rather than venture upon Sin. Moses was so afraid of Sin , though it was attended with the Pleasures and Preferments of Egypt , that he did preferr the enduring of Afflictions with the People of God before it , Heb. 11. 25.

3. The Converted Soul hates and abhorrs Sin : I wish there was no other hatred in the World but the hatred of Sin ; here the most fixed and settled hatred would be very commendable . Hatred is an Affection that doth aim at the destruction of the thing hated ; he that hateth his Brother , in Scripture is said to be a Murderer ; and he that hateth Sin , nothing short of the death of Sin will satisfie him . It is the Converts business , from the day of his Conversion unto the hour of his Dissolution , still to be killing and mortifying of Sin , and he doth endeavour to advance in doing of this work daily ; he labours and strives to kill Pride , Covetousness , Concupisence and Sensuality more dead ; and being sensible that Sin is much above his Match to deal with , he calls in the help of the Spirit of God , that the more effectually he may mortifie the Works of the Flesh , Rom. 8. 13. For if ye live after the flesh , ye shall dye ; but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body , ye shall live .

4. Sin is the Converted Souls shame : Israel that refused to turn , they are charged with Impudence and hardness of Heart , Ezek. 3. 7. They will not hearken unto thee , O son of Man , ( saith God ) for they will not hearken unto me ; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted : So Jer. 8. 12. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination ? No ; they were not at all ashamed , neither could they blush : But now Converts are ashamed of Sin , they are confounded before God , because they have so much and so inexcusably offended : Heark to Ephraim , Converted Ephraim , Jer. 31. 19. Surely after I was turned I repented , after I was instructed I smote upon my thigh ; I was ashamed , yea , even confounded , because I did bear the reproach of my youth .

This Shame in those that are Converts is of great Vse , for it makes them to lye low before God ; it makes them in honour to prefer others before themselves : The chief of Sinners , saith the Apostle , being ashamed , because he Persecuted the Saints ; and less than the least of all Saints . And it makes Converts to admire the rich and the Free Grace of God , in advancing them to such a dignity , as to become the Children of God , who did so justly deserve everlasting Contempt and Ruine .

7. When the Soul is Converted , those Affections that have good for their Object , are placed upon God , who is the highest and chiefest good of all : Doers of evil have not seen God , 3 John 11. He that doth good is of God , he that doth evil hath not seen God. The Unconverted Sinner , either saith in his Heart there is no God , or if there be one , the Creatures are better and more desirable than he : This is the Language of every Unconverted Sinners Heart . But the Converted Soul hath seen God , and hath seen that in God that he loves God best , and still desires to love him better : How strong are his desires after God , and when he is pleased to manifest his Love , to communicate his Grace with a liberal hand , now the Soul hath the greatest Joy and Delight on Earth . The Converts Hope is in God , his expectation of help is from him , and his hope of Happiness is in him ; he is Zealous for the Glory of God , and he is Zealous of those Works that are good in his sight ; and whatever a Convert sees that hath the Image and Stamp of God upon it , that thing is loved for Gods sake .

8. When the Soul is Converted , the Memory is put to good and holy Vses ; before it was like a den of Thieves , like a Cage full of unclean and hateful Birds ; but now the Memory is a Treasury , where the best things are laid up safest . Here I shall tell you of four things that the Convert doth remember .

1. The Convert remembers his Creator , and indeed no New Creature doth forget him ; he remembers his Duty towards him , and the obligations and encouragements unto a faithful Performance of it . Wicked Men forget God ; trifles they can think of , but God is not in all their thoughts , Jer: 2. 32. Can a Maid forget her Ornaments , or a Bride her Attire ? yet ye have forgot me days without number : Those that by Profession are my People , and yet really are estranged from me , they have forgotten me days without number ; but the Convert remembers God , and desires to be in his Love and Fear all his days .

2. The Convert remembers the Redeemer , and his death . The benefits that were purchased by so great a price , and how the work of Redemption was compleat , when Christ rose from the dead . A special memento is put upon the Resurrection of Christ , 2 Tim. 2. 8. Remember that Jesus Christ , of the Seed of David , was raised from the dead , according to my Gospel .

3. The Convert remembers the Word , and that effectually and seasonably ; he remembers it , so as that he is cast into the mould of it . His heart doth stand in a we of the Oracles of God , and they are an excellent preservative against temptation , Psal. 119. 11. Thy Word have I hid in my heart , that I might not sin against thee . Joseph he did seasonably and effectually remember that command , Thou shalt not commit Adultery . When he had that impure and immodest motion made by a Creature that forgot the presence of God , and her own Duty ; and though he was a servant , and though he was a young Man , and an uamarried Man ; yet he was so far from complying with the temptation , that he reproves the concupisence and ventures upon the revenge of his impure Mistriss .

4. Lastly , The Convert remembers his latter end , and the judgment that will follow after . O Brethren , methinks I see my self and all you , holding up our hands at the Bar of God. As sure as you are here , so certainly you shall stand there . The Convert thinks of this at present , and he lives and acts as one that is under continual observation , Prov. 5. 21. The wayes of Man are before the eyes of the Lord , and he pondereth all his goings . He lives and acts as one that is perswaded he must give account of himself to God , and is exceeding diligent that he may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless . That 's the Eighth particular . When the Soul is Converted , the Memory is imployed to good and holy uses .

9. When the Soul is Converted , there is a desire to be turned to God , still more and more . That Conversion is not right where there is not a desire of progression . As there is an insatiableness in Sin , so there is an insatiableness in Grace too , until there is a compleat Sanctification and Satisfaction in Glory . The Convert in some respects may be compared unto the Horse-leeches daughter , still he is crying , Give , give ; Give more Wisdom : Give more Grace : Give more strength : Give more of those riches , and treasures that are durable . It was a saying , of one of the Ancient Fathers , who certainly had as great experience of his own Heart , as any of them all , and that was St. Austin , Si dixeris sufficit , periisti ; If thou sayest , I have Grace enough , thou hast none at all , and art an undone wretch . He that with Laodicea says , I am rich and increased with good things , and have need of nothing ; what a wretched case is that Man in ? He knows not that he is poor , and miserable , and blind , and naked .

True Converts are sensible of their defects , and have recourse for supplies unto the inexhaustible fulness that dwells in our Lord Jesus ; and it is their continual work to be cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit , and to perfect holiness in Gods fear . The true Convert he is not , and he is sensible that he ought not to be content with any measure of Grace that he hath already received , but he is still longing and crying for more . He wishes that the New Creature were better shaped in him , and that Christ were more perfectly formed in him ; and being in some measure emulous of Heaven , he doth endeavour to do something for God here , that may resemble that which is done for him above in Glory .

10. Lastly , When the Soul is Converted , it doth act the Body for God , and causeth the Members of it to be yielded as Instruments of Righteousness unto Holiness . The Convert takes care of his Senses , that at those Gates nothing may en●er that may betray and insnare his Soul ; and he sets a watch before the door of his Lips , that out of that door nothing may proceed which may be dishonouring ●o God , injurious to himself or unto any other . It is but reason that care should be taken of the body of a Man that is Converted ; And that none of the Members should be prophaned , since the Body is the member of Christ , since it is the Temple of the Spirit , since there is such a sure promise made of a Glorious and Happy Resurrection .

Thus have I done with the first particular propounded to be spoken to . I have told you when the Soul may be said to be truly Converted .

In the second place , I am to prove , that till the Soul be Converted , Conversion cannot be sincere . And there are these two or three Arguments that I shall produce to make this evident .

1. While the Soul is unconverted , Sin reigns . The Dominion of Sin lies in the affection that the Soul hath to it : If the Heart regard iniquity , iniquity is certainly in the Throne , and there must needs be an absence of true Grace . The Psalmist saies , Psal. 97. 10. Ye that love the Lord hate evil , and the Words may be inverted , Ye that love evil , certainly are haters of the Lord .

2. While the Soul is unconverted , Sathan still keeps Possession , for his strong holds are in the Soul. The unreasonable Prejudices , the bad Resolutions , the wicked Inclinations that are there , these , these are the strong holds of the strong man armed ; and therefore , if the Soul be not turned , Sathan hath his Forts standing undemolished ; and as Sathan hath Possession , so Mammon is chief , if the Soul be not turned ; and where Mammon is chief , Mammon is an Idol . And to be turned to God , and to have Mammon the great Idol ; these two things cannot stand together , Mat. 6. 24. No man can serve two Masters , for either he will hate the One and love the other , or else he will hold to the one and despise the other ; ye cannot serve God and Mammon .

3. While the Soul is unconverted , all external Righteousness is but a meer shew : If the Soul be not Religious , the Soul of Religion is wanting . All the works of the hands though never so specious , though never so good as to the matter of them , are but dead works , if the Heart and the Soul of the doer is not in them : Thus it is plain that Conversion cannot be sincere unless the Soul be Converted .

3. I am to demonstrate the Necessity of the Souls Conversion unto God. In the former Doctrine by many Arguments , I demonstrated the Necessity of Conversion ; now I am to demonstrate the necessity of turning to God with the very Soul , and there are these three or four things that I shall produce to make this evident .

1. The Soul must turn , because God is Allseeing . He doth not judge of things according to the outward appearance , but the inward man is open and naked to his view : The Heart may deceive the by-standers ; Ay , and it may deceive it self ; but all the secrets of the Heart are open unto that God whose Prerogative it is to search the Heart , and try the reins . Unless the Heart be right with God , all Religion , all seeking of him , is nothing else but lies and flatteries , Psal. 78. 36 , 37. Nevertheless , they did flatter him with their Mouth , and they lyed unto him with their Tongues . For their Heart was not right with him , neither were they stedfast in his Covenant .

2. The Soul must turn to God , because by the acts of the Soul God is Principally honoured . Observe it , how is God glorified ? when the Soul admires his greatness and his Majesty , and is in a manner overwhelmed with it , Psal. 104. 1. Bless the Lord , O my Soul , O Lord my God thou art very great , thou art clothed with Honour and with Majesty , who coverest thy self with light as with a Garment . How is God honoured ? When the Soul is sweetly astonished and ravished with his goodness , Psal. 31. 19. O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee , which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the Sons of Men. When the Soul sees that in God , that is to be found in none else ; when in its choice it doth preferr God before Pleasure , God before Wealth ; I had rather have God to be mine though alone , than to have all things in the World , and be without him . O now the Soul honours God above all . By these and such like acts of the Soul God is chiefly honoured , therefore turning must of necessity be with the Soul.

3. The Soul must turn , because it is the Soul that yields Obedience to the great commands both of the Law and Gospel . There is not so much as one Precept either in the Law or in the Gospel kept aright , unless the Soul keeps it : The summ of the Law is Love , but Love must be with the Heart and Soul ; nay it must be with all the Heart and with all the Soul ; or else it is but a meer shadow and appearance ; it is but like the Picture of Fire , that hath no more heat in it than the Picture of Snow . Heark what our Lord saies to him that asked Him : Which is the great Commandment in the Law ? Jesus answered , Mat. 22. 37 , 38. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart , and with all thy Soul , and with all thy Mind . And as the Law calls for Love , so it requires Spiritual Worship ; God is jealous of his Worship , and he will accept of none but that which is worship in Truth , John 4. 24. God is a Spirit , and he will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth . Now there cannot be worship in Truth unless it be worship in Spirit : All worship is but false , and if it be false it must needs be vain , that doth not proceed from the Spirit of the Worshipper . If you should imploy many hours in a day in pattering over a great many Words that either you don't understand , or if you do , you don't mind , all this would be unacceptable ; nay , it would be abominable . Then for the Gospel .

The two great commands of the Gospel are Faith and Repentance , neither of these can be obeyed without the Heart : It is the Soul and Heart that believes , Rom. 10. 10. With the Heart man believeth unto Righteousness , and with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation : And as for Repentance , it is impossible that should be true , unless the Spirit be contrite , unless the very Heart be broken : Tears , Complaints , walking softly , rending the Garments , wallowing in Ashes , this will not prove the truth of Repentance ; the Heart must be broken , or else you have not truly repented , Psal. 51. 17. The Sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit ; a broken and a contrite Heart , O God , thou wilt not despise : And so in Psal. 34. 18. The Lord is nigh to them that are of a broken Heart , and saveth such as be of a conitite Spirit .

4. Lastly , The Soul must turn to God , because Judgment at the great day will be according to Truth : Then the Secrets of all Men will be made manifest ; when the Lord appears , he will bring to light the hidden things of darkness , and will make manifest the Counsels of the Heart , and then shall every man have Praise of God , 1 Cor. 4. 5. At the great Day , all things , all Persons will be called by their proper Names ; Hypocrisie will be called Hypocrisie , and Saints will be called Saints : No Hypocrite will be owned for a Saint at that day , nothing that is counterfeit will pass for currant ; the Judgment of God will be according to Truth . In the day of Judgment , only Conversion with the Heart , Conversion with the Soul will pass for true Conversion : Sincerity will be owned , and it will be Crowned ; Hypocrisie will be unmasked ; and , which should exceedingly startle all unsound Professors of Religion , Hell is in a special manner called , The Portion of the Hypocrite , as it is said , to be prepared for the Devil and his Angels .

I have shewed you when the Soul may be said to be converted unto God : I have proved till then Conversion can never be sincere : I have demonstrated the Necessity of Conversion with the Soul.

The Application of this Doctrine remains , I shall be but brief upon it . There are two Uses that I shall make .

By way of Information in the first place .

And by way of Exhortation in the second place .

From this Doctrine we may be informed concerning several particulars .

1. If sincere Conversion be with the Soul , hence we may inferr the Souls Capacity . The Soul is chiefly receptive of the Grace of God. It is the Soul of Man that doth principally partake of the divine Nature . The Soul of Man hath a natural resemblance of God , because as God is a Spirit , so , the Soul of Man is a spiritual and an immortal Substance : And then the Soul doth spiritually resemble God , when it is renewed in the spirit of the Mind , and when true Holiness by the Spirit of the Lord is wrought in it . Eph. 4. 23 , 24.

2. Hence I inferr , the Souls great worth and value . Gods Eye is upon your Souls all the while you are in his presence , and though you do never so much , if you deny him your Hearts and Souls , you do nothing that he will accept at your hands . Thousands of Rams , ten thousand rivers of Oyl , the first-born for the transgression , the fruit of the body for the sin of the Soul , as the Prophet speaks , Micah 6. 7. What doth all this signifie ? All this is nothing ; nay , let me tell you , it is worse than nothing . Souls are of great account with the Father of Spirits . How much was done , how much was paid , that Souls might be redeemed ! And therefore in all your Services , your Souls must be ingaged , or else the ingaging is to no purpose . The Conversion of one single Soul to God , is more pleasing to him , than the most laborious and heartless services of all the Hypocrites from the beginning of the World to the very end of it ; these Services are so far from being pleasing , that they are expresly affirmed to be an abomination unto God.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doct. 3. Is this , That the Word of God is the great means of Conversion . And O that the Word that sounds in your ears to day , may be found an effectual Means of the Conversion of all the Uncoverted here before the Lord ! The Law of the Lord in the Text is said to Convert the Soul ; because 't is the Means which the Lord himself makes use of , and adds an efficacy to , that such an effect may be produced . The Word is styled the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believes , Rom. 1. 16. And by this Word Faith it self is wrought , whereby the Soul comes to Christ , and by him does Convert to God , Rom. 10. 17. So then Faith cometh by hearing , and hearing by the Word of God ; and whensoever the Word is effectual to change a Sinner , and turn him into a Believer , 't is made effectual by no less a Power than His who is Omnipotent . Who hath believed our report ? There 's preaching ? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed ? there 's the Power of God graciously and gloriously manifested ; that causes Preaching to be successful .

In the handling of this Doctrine , I shall ,

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

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

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

Fourthly , Whence this Means comes to be effectual .

Lastly , Apply .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. The Word is a Perspective glass , which brings things afar off near to the eye , that so the Heart may be the more affected . It shews that the whole of Time from the very first to the very last , is but short , if compared with Eternity ; and how the end of all things is at hand , 1 Pet. 4. 7. and the Oath will at length be sworn , That there shall be time no longer : Scoffers indeed , who walk after their own lusts , do say , Where is the Promise of our Lords coming ? They mock at that glorious Redemption which Believers at Christs second appearing do expect ; and they laugh at , till they feel the Flaming Vengeance that is to be executed upon themselves . But the Word shews the Worlds end , and how 't is reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment , and Perdition of ungodly men . 2 Pet. 3. 7. The day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the Night , sadly surprizing the most of men ; in which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise , the Elements shall melt with fervent heat ; the Earth also and the Works therein shall be burnt up . Oh dreadful spectacle , to behold the whole World in a Flame ! the serious and believing consideration of this , conduces very much to Repentance , Conversion , and amendment of our wayes . 'T is the Apostles own inference , Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved , what manner of Persons ought ye to be in all Holy Conversation and Godliness ! 2 Pet. 3. 10 , 11.

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

4. The Word is a Fire , to melt and purifie , and so a proper means of Conversion , which is indeed a turning from Sin to Holiness : 'T is the Nature of Fire to separate the Mettal ▪ and the Dross : Gold and Silver are refined by being put into the Furnace . Thus the Word also separates between the Heart and its vicious and evil Habits and Qualities ; it separates between the Soul and its fleshly and worldly Lusts : Now are ye clean , says Christ , through the Word which I have spoken unto you , Joh. 15. 3. This Word is very Pure in it self , and Pure in its Operation and Effects : It severely forbids all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit ; and in this Word we find as a Precept concerning Holiness , that 't is our Duty to perfect Holiness in the fear of God , so a Promise wherein God has said he will work this Holiness in them that seek unto him and desire it , Ezek. 36. 25. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you , and you shall be clean ; from all your filthiness , and from all your Idols will I cleanse you . The Word is a Fire to Melt and Purge the Soul , and then 't is a Mould also , into which the Soul is as it were cast ; so that it has another , an excellent form , being conformed to the holy Nature and Will of God himself .

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

6. The Word is a proper Means of Conversion , for 't is the unerring Rule , which shews both good and evil : Evil , that there may be an Aversion from it ; Good , that there may be a Conversion to it . The Scripture calls things by their deserved Names , what that pronounces bad , will be found by the most Unbelieving to be bad indeed ; and what that affirms to be good , is really good at present , and proves best at last : Here are the Commandments , in conformity to which true Goodness lies , and Sin is defined 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a transgression of them ; heark to the Prophet , Mic. 6. 8. He hath shewed thee , O Man , what is good ; and what does the Lord thy God require of thee , but to do j●stly , to love mercy , and to walk humbly with thy God ? All this is good in its own Nature , pleasing to God , profitable and pleasant unto Man : The better this is understood , the more likely 't is that evil and dangerous wayes should be forsaken , and those Paths chosen and turn'd into , that are safe and holy . The Word shews what God approves , and what he abhorrs : It shews Mans Duty , which is his Priviledge , and that Sin is Mans Prejudice and Plague : And he is a good Scholar indeed , who has learnt to do well , and ceased to do evil .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Signs and Wonders , wrought for its Confirmation , Heb. 2. 4. God also bearing them witness , both with signs and wonders , and divers miracles , and gifts of the holy Ghost , according to his own will . That these Miracles were done , 't is plain ; for the Word of God pretending to Miracles done so openly , so often , by and upon , so many persons , in the midst of cunning and malicious Adversaries , who were watchful enough to have espied the deceit , if there had been any : if such Miracles really had never been wrought , this Word , and the Religion it teaches would never have been received . Our Lord Jesus , though the Son of God , when upon Earth , was humbled in the form of a Servant ; yet affirms himself to be the Saviour of the World ; preaches a Doctrine contrary to Flesh and Blood ; tells all that will be his Disciples , they must deny themselves , and forsake all that is dear to them in this World , whenever they are called to it , for the sake of a Treasure and Kingdom in Heaven . And often he appeals to his working Miracles , as a Confirmation of his Doctrine that it was from Heaven . Now if such Miracles had never been wrought , the Imposture would have been so apparent , that the Christian Faith would never have been embraced by any of common sense and understanding .

And 't is evident also , that these Miracles were done by the power of God. Wonders indeed were wrought by the Egyptian Magicians , but outvied by greater Wonders , effected by Moses , Gods Servant . These Miracles were beyond the Power and Ability of second Causes : Who could make the blind to see , and the deaf to hear , and the lame to walk , but that God who formed the Eye , planted the Ear , and curiously fashioned the other Members ? Who would raise the Dead , but the Lord of of Life himself ?

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

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

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

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

'T is the work of the Spirit to discover what Sin is . He shews how contrary 't is to God , how evil and provoking in the eyes of his Holiness and his Glory ; how contrary 't is to the Law of God , which is most exexcellent , all whose Precepts are most profitable and pleasant to those that love and keep them . He shews likewise how contrary Sin is to Man himself . It loads him with Curses of various sorts ; it makes every thing he has to be cursed to him : It does defile , debase and wound him ; and unless he turn from it , it will for ever destroy and damn him . 'T is one thing to be told of all this by Man ; and another , to have a powerfull discovery and Conviction of all this by the Spirit . He shews the Vanity of all sins excuses , pretences and promises of Impunity , Peace and Safety .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Lastly , Would you have the Word effectual unto your Conversion ; Pray that God would open your Hearts to attend to what is spoken . We read of Lydia , that her Heart was opened : Naturally it was shut , and it would have remained shut still , notwithstanding all the skill and Endeavours of the Minister : The Text plainly tells us , that it was the Lord that did open the heart of Lydia , Acts 16. 14. And as the Lord did open hers , so it is the Lord alone that can open yours . Upon the hearing of this , one should sigh and say , Lord open mine ! Another should groan , and say , Lord , open mine ! And a third should burst out into tears , and say , Lord , open mine ! And this should be the general request of all , That God would immediately open the Hearts of all ; and if once your hearts are opened , then the Word of God will enter , and the Spirit of Grace will enter , and all will turn to ? God that are before him .

Thus have I finished the third Doctrine that I raised from the Text , That the Word of God is the great means of Conversion .

Doct. 4. I come to the fourth and last Doctrine , that I raised from the words , and that is this . That in the Word of God , which is the means of Conversion , there is a Perfection and Sufficiency .

The Law of the Lord is perfect , Converting the Soul : I wish that the Power of this Word upon your Hearts and Consciences this day , may be a sensible Demonstration of this Words perfection . There are several properties of this Word , that do commend it , and render it much more desirable than all the Worldly wealth and greatness that the Children of Men do so much admire . It is of Heavenly Original ; it is true , it is necessary , it is pure , it is powerful , it is perspicuous and plain ; and among other properties of the Word , this is one , it is perfect . The Law of the Lord is perfect , converting the Soul : The Hebrew word signifies pure , without mixture , whole and compleat , having nothing wanting . There is no defect in this Word of God of any thing that ought to be there , and it cannot be charged with any thing that ought not to be there ; or that doth unbecome that God , whose Word it is .

In the handling of this Doctrine , I shall proceed in this Method .

1. I shall shew you in what sence the Word of God is perfect : And ,

2. By Arguments I shall prove the Perfection and Sufficiency of the Word of God.

3. I shall give you the Reasons why the Perfection and Sufficiency of the Word of God is mentioned , when Conversion is spoken of .

And then in the last place , I shall conclude with the Application .

1. I am to state this Perfection of the Word of God , and to shew you in what sence the Word of God is perfect . By his Word you are to understand , that which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament ; the Penmen of these Scriptures , were the Amanuenses of the Spirit , and whatever they wrote , they wrote what was by him dictated . Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost , 2 Pet. 1. ult. And they have given us a Testimony of the Will of God upon record ; a full and compleat Declaration of his Mind .

Now concerning this Perfection of the Word of God , I shall speak ,

1. By way of Negation .

2. By way of Position .

1. I am to speak by way of Negation , and that in these following particulars .

1. You must not understand that the Word is so perfect , as that by it self without the concurrence of the Spirit it can give either Grace or Life to any . The most saithful and skilful Preachers of the Word as to success , have many times laboured in vain : That Evangelical Prophet Isaiah , who spake so much , and so plainly concerning Christ , you have him crying out , Lord , who hath believed our report ? Isa. 53. 1. Weeping Jeremiah , you may hear him complaining after this manner , Jer. 6. 10. To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear ? Behold , their ears are uncircumcised , and they can't hearken ; the Word of the Lord is a reproach to them , and they have no delight in it . The Word of God in the mouth of the Apostle Paul that great Preacher of the Gospel , it found , ay , and it left many a hearer in their Infidelity : The hearers of the Apostle Paul , it is said that divers of them believed not , Acts 28. 24. Nay our Lord Jesus Christ himself , the Prince of Preachers , the greatest that ever was , that ever will be , he thunders out a Wo against Corazin and Bethsaida , and Capernaum ; because the Word that sounded from his lips , did not perswade them unto Repentance : So that the Word alone is not so perfect , as to give Grace , as to give Life to any . There is need , that the Spirit of God should work along with it ; until He doth open the eyes of the understanding , the Soul still remains under darkness ; till he doth renew the Heart , the Will will never yield nor submit to God ; till he doth put the Laws of God in the mind , and write them in the Heart , they will never be believed , they will never be liked nor obeyed .

2. You must not think that the Word is so perfect , as to give a knowledge here on Earth as is equal to the knowledge that is in Heaven : The Apostle Paul himself professes , we know but in part , and we prophesie in part ; but when that which is perfect is come , then that which is in part shall be done away , 1 Cor. 13. 9. And in 12. ver. of the same Chapter he says , We see through a glass darkly . The Greek word it is remarkable , We see through a Glass in a Riddle ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Truly Heaven is but a Riddle at present unto the best of Saints here on Earth . They are no more able to comprehend the joys , the Glory that is there , they are no more able to comprehend what it is to see God face to face ; than an Infant in the womb can imagine what Light is , than an Infant in the womb can comprehend what Philosophy is , or the mysteries of State policy : here is no Theologia meridiana visionis , perfect day , here is no beatifical vision .

I grant indeed the Saints are sometimes brought into the Suburbs of Heaven , and when they are there , Oh! what do they see ! They see and tast that in God , that does make the greatest sweetness of earthly Enjoyments despicable ; and that doth obscure all Worldly Glory ; but yet the Suburbs are not the Heavenly City , but infinitely below it . Hark to the Apostle , 1 John 3. 2. Beloved , now are we the Sons of God , and it doth not yet appear what we shall be , but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him , for we shall see him as he is . Wicked Men think nothing of what the Saints shall be : and truly the Saints themselves , when their minds are most elevated , and raised , and enabled to to see most , they apprehend but little what themselves shall be hereafter . That Glory is too great a thing for such minds as ours at present to take in : It hath not entred into the Heart of Man , to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him , 1 Cor. 2. 9.

3. You must not think that the Word is so perfect as that the hearing of that is enough , and is to exclude all other Ordinances . Indeed those Ceremonial Ordinances that were imposed only for a time , that are called Carnal , and that were to last only till the evangelical Reformation , as the Apostle speaks , Heb. 9. 10. these Ceremonial Ordinances are abolished under the Gospel Administration , Col. 2. 20 , 21. If you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the World , why as though living in the World , are ye subject to Ordinances ? touch not , tast not , handle not , which all are to perish with the useing , after the Commandments and doctrines of Men. But though these Ceremonial Ordinances are abolished , there are other Ordinances that God hath Instituted , that are still standing , and will remain and be in force till our Lords second coming .

These Ordinances have a warrant from this perfect Word it self ; and there is a Promise made , of a divine , special , powerful , gracious presence with them .

As you are to have an Ear to hear the Word , so you are to have a Tongue to pray to God , and praise him ; and your Hearts and Tongues should joyn together in supplications and thanksgivings : Ay , and you are to have an Eye to behold the Seals of the Covenant , that so your Hearts may be more affected , and your Faith by things sensible may be strengthned in God , who hath made and confirmed this Covenant , and will keep it everlastingly . Zachary and Elizabeth were a noble Pair indeed ; excellent patterns of uprightness before God ; for they walked in all the Commands , and in all the Ordinances of the Lord blameless , Luke 1. 6. It is a great Affront unto the Authority of Christ the Law-giver , when we shall give our selves a Dispensation as to some Ordinances that he hath appointed . There is no Ordinance of God to be neglected ; and I am sure , if any of the Ordinances are neglected through the prevalency of Temptation , the inward Man by its weakness , and by its trouble , will quickly find the want of these Ordinances .

O! prize the Ordinances of God , that you may still enjoy them ; these are the vehicles of Grace : Spiritual strength , and spiritual comforts are conveyed in the use of them : And those that are the most experienced Saints , do perceive most reason to esteem them .

4. You must not think that the explaining of the Scripture by it self , is excluded by the perfection of it ; but rather included . Expounding of Scripture is not an Argument of Scriptures imperfection , for Scripture if rightly expounded , is expounded by it self . To impose that as Gods which is none of his ; to say this and that is the mind of God , which indeed is not ; this is a daring , this is a wicked addition unto the Word of God ; but to expound the Scripture by it self , to compare the Word of God with it self , that so we may attain to the better understanding of it ; this is very allowable , nay it is a very needful Duty .

The Apostle Paul doth deliver to us an excellent Rule of Prophesie , Rom. 12. 6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us , whether prophesie , let us prophesie according to the proportion of Faith , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . In our expounding of Scripture , this Analogy and proportion of Faith , is very much to be observed . Now this Analogy , or proportion of Faith , doth imply the constant mind of God in the more plain parts of the Scripture ; and therefore contrary unto this , a sence of the more obscure parts , is in no wise to be admitted . The Apostle Peter tells us , 2 Pet. 1. 20. That no prophesie of Scripture is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , of private interpretation , or of Mens own interpretation , which I think it had better have been translated .

This interpretation , it may have a double reference ; either to the inspired Pen-men of Scripture themselves , who were the Interpreters of the Mind of God unto the Church , and unto the World ; and they spake nothing that was private , they spake nothing that was their own , but all that Word delivered in inspired Scripture , it was from God.

Or Secondly , This Interpretation may have a reference unto the Expounders of Scripture : and whosoever they are at this day , that do expound the Scripture , that Exposition it must not be their own . Suppose there was never so great a Council assembled together ; suppose it was a General Council ; yet if they deliver any thing that is their own , it would be a private Interpretation , and it is in no wise to be admitted . The Word of God is a perfect Word , and by it self alone it is to be Interpreted .

Shall I give you three Rules ? I wish they were observed ! The Rules are these . In Mans corrupt and fallen state , Sin is all in all . In Mans renewed state , Christ with his Grace and Spirit is all in all . And hereafter in Glory , God will be all in all . If these three Rules were observed , it would help you the better to understand the whole Word of God. Thus much be spoken by way of Negation .

2. I am to speak by way of Position , and in several Propositions I shall tell you in what sence the Wotd of God is perfect .

1. The Word of God is perfect as a Moans , and therefore in the using of it , your Eye must be unto him who is the Fountain and principal ●●ficient of all that is truely good . Natural means , as Food to sustain Nature , Physick to recover it when it is decayed , have their Efficacy from God ; therefore you read , Mat. 4. 4. That man doth not live by Bread alone : But now the Word is a Moral means , and consequently the Efficacy of it is not so common and ordinary as the Efficacy of Natural means . Nature doth like that which is for its own Preservation , but the Souls of men are so corrupted and besotted by sin , that they utterly dislike what is for their own benefit . Therefore God is seriously to be sought unto , that he would bless this Means with success , that of his own will he would accompany his Word , and make it effectual to Regeneration . James 1. 18. Of his own will begat he us by the Word of Truth .

Brethren , the Means of Grace are to be used as Means , and in no wise are they to be advanced higher , as if their Efficacy was of themselves . Being satisfied in the work done , O how many thousands hath it hindered from working out their own Salvation ! and they have perished for ever , because they have thought that bare using of the Means of Grace was sufficient to save them . God is very much provoked to Jealousie , when we place confidence in our own Endeavours , or in the Means of Grace which he hath instituted . You are forward to hear the Word of God , but you must remember , that the Word of God will never be effectual unto your enlivening , unto your eternal Happiness , unless God work like himself , along with it . You must hear , but your Hope must not be in the Word it self , consider'd alone by it self ; but your Hope must be in God , whose Word it is : For he hath said , Look unto me and be saved , all ye ends of the Earth .

2. When the first Part of this Word of God was written , and given as a Rule of Faith , and Worship , and Life , it was perfect considering the Churches present State. When Israel had no more than Moses's writings , that Revelation was perfect and sufficient , concerning the will of the God of Israel , considering the present state of Israel ; therefore you read , Num. 10. 7. That Moses was faithful in all the House of God. God himself gives him this Testimony : He set before Israel , life and death ; and told them the way , how the one might be escaped , and how the other might be obtained , Deut. 30. 19. Moses did faithfully deliver the Moral Law , that was first spoken by Gods own Voice , and afterwards writ with his own Finger , and which is indeed of perpetual Obligation . He likewise did faithfully deliver the Ceremonial Law , and the Ordinances of it , which was a Pre-signification of Jesus Christ , what he was to doe , how he was to suffer and to dye , that he might make an Atonement for Sin , and that he might sanctifie and cleanse his Church and People . The Apostle , Gal. 3. 24. sayes , That the Law was our School-master , to bring us unto Christ . The Moral Law doth force sensible Sinners unto Christ ; because from the Curse of it they can be delivered no other way but by a Mediator : But the Ceremonial Law doth instruct concerning Christ , and doth notably display his Sufferings , his Satisfaction that he made to the Justice of God , and the Benefits of his Crucifixion ; and so it is our School-master to bring us unto Christ : And Moses added the Judicial Law , which concerned Israel as they were a Theocracy , as they were a Common-wealth of Gods own Ordination and contrivance . Thus the Word as a Rule of Faith and Life was perfect ; and by this Word of God the Elect were instructed to turn to God , and at last brought safe to Glory .

3. When the New Testament was added to the Old , then the Church had the most perfect , the most large and compleat Edition of the Word of God. And this was suited unto the Churches Age of greater maturity , Heb. 1. 1. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake aforetime unto our Fathers by the Prophets , hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. And truly the Son , who is in the bosom of the Father , hath made the fullest Declaration of the Father , and of his Will , unto the Children of men . Christ telleth his Disciples how they were Priviledged in seeing him the Messias , and in hearing the Gospel from his Mouth , Matth. 13. 17. Many Prophets and righteous men of old desired to see the things which ye see , and have not seen them ; and to hear the things which ye hear , and have not heard them . Indeed that Light that did shine in the days of Moses , was a perfect Light in a sence ; that is , it was a Light converting and saving those that did receive it , and that did walk according to it : but yet you must understand that since the Sun of righteousness is actually risen ; there is a greater light that shines now , than ever shined before since the Fall of Man . Those things that were hid from Ages and Generations , are revealed by the Gospel . That vail that was upon the face of Moses , signifying the obscurity of the Mosaick Dispensation , that vail is done away in Christ , 2 Cor. 3. 12 , 13. And in this Word , consisting of the Old and New Testament , the Lord Jesus Christ is set forth before you all , as full of Grace and Truth , and as the only Hope of Glory . Understand your Priviledge ; it is such a Priviledge that you enjoy this day , that was not afforded to the World till it was about four thousand years old .

4. The Word of God is so perfect , that a further Revelation is needless , and not to be expected : That Faith that was once delivered unto the Saints , it is to be held fast by Saints in all subsequent Ages . That you earnestly contend , saith the Apostle Jude , ver. 3. of his Epistle , for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints . This Doctrine of Faith ought to be held fast , and it is a compleat Doctrine . Let this go , and really you are without God , without Christ , without well grounded hopes of Heaven . Look into the Second Epistle of John , ver. 9. Whosoever transgresseth , and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ , hath not God ; he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ , he hath both the Father and the Son. This Word that you find in the Bible , containing the Old Testament and the New , doth deliver all to you that God requires you to believe in order to your Salvation ; and nothing is to be received as an Article of Faith , but what the written Word of God doth propound to you . And as it informs concerning mysteries of Faith , so concerning Duties that are to be practised ; and ●he Rule is so compleat , that whosoever walk according to it , Peace and Mercy shall ●e upon him , Gal. 6. 16. In the Word of God are the Credenda , Agenda , Petenda ; Truths to be Believed , Commands to be Obeyed , and Blessings to be Desired : Ni●il debet addi verbo quoad quantitatem , nihil ●eprehendi quoad qualitatem . Nothing is to ●e added , as to quantity ; nothing to be ●eprehended or found fault with , as to ●uality .

We are not to look for a further Re●elation from Heaven it self . If an Angel ●om Heaven should preach another Gospel , ●e were bound to conclude he were turned Apostate from the Truth , and were to call ●im accursed , Gal. 1. 8. To talk of Evan●elium Spiritus , the Gospel of the Spirit , which is to justle out the Gospel of Christ , and the Ordinances of it ; is to talk of a pernicious delusion : The true Spirit glorifies Christ , inspired the Apostles infallibly to deliver the Doctrine and Ordinances of the Gospel . Therefore says the Apostle John , 1 Joh. 4. 6. He that knoweth God heareth us , he that is not of God heareth not us ; hereby know we the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Errour . The Ceremonial Law was abrogated , the Jewish Church State was shaken and broken ; but the Gospel Church-state , is to remain unalterable unto the very end of the World , Heb. 12. 27. and shall continue in despight of all Enemies and Opposition .

5. The Word of God is so perfect , as t● bring Man home to God , though by Si● and Unbelief he is departed , and run fa● away from Him. God calls in his Word to this very end , that Man might hear an● turn to Him. And as to thousands an● millions of Souls , this Word has a prob●tum est : Testimony that it has been trie● and found an effectual means of Conversion . If we were caught up to the thir● Heaven , and could converse with the glorified Spirits of the Just ; they would as knowledge they were redeemed unto God 〈◊〉 the Blood of Christ , and that they we● drawn to Christ by the Word of the Gospel ; while they were hearing this , the Spirit entred into them , and made them true believing Converts . How many whose case seemed desperate , has this Word been a means to cure ! Although the Miracles in Nature are ceased , which were necessary at first , that the Gospel might take root in the World , yet Miracles of Grace are still produced . The Spiritually Blind are made to see the things that concern their Peace . The Spiritually Deaf are made to hear the Voice of the Lord Jesus . The Spiritually Lame are made to walk , nay to run the ways of Gods Commandments . Nay the Dead in Sin are made to rise with Christ , and to live to Righteousness . How perfect is the Word , which Works such notable effects as these !

Christ tells his Disciples , whom he had impower'd to work Miracles , that in time they should do greater works than those , Joh. 14. 12. By these greater Works , Origen , and the Fathers , understand the Conversion of Kingdoms and Nations to the Christian Faith , to the true and living God. To raise a World that had been so long dead in wickedness , to cast Sathan , in so many places , out of his Temples , and ●hrow down his Worship ; to bring those Souls to the Knowledge and Love of God. that were so grosly ignorant , and utterly estranged from him ; this was a wonderful work indeed . Those that are far from God shall perish , Psal. 73. 27. to be brought near to Him , is good ; for 't is to be secured from ruine , and to have the Lord to be our God and Blessedness ; that 's a perfect Word indeed , which brings us home to Him.

6. The Word is so perfect , that it directs us how to walk with God , and to keep our selves in his Love. To obtain the favour of God is much , to continue in his favour is more desirable . The Word both brings and keeps man near to God : This Word does very much press Perseverance , and shews the way how we may continue in well doing to the end . It requires us to be stedfast , unmoveable , and always to abound in the Work of the Lord , 1 Cor. 15. 58. It bids us to look to our selves , that we los● not the things we have wrought , that we may receive a full reward , 2 Joh. v. 8. It commands us to hold fast that which we have that no man take our Crown , Rev. 3. 11. The Apostle propounds himself as an example to be followed ; and tells us , Phil. 3. 13. 14. This one thing I do , forgetting the things that are behind , and reaching forth to those things that are before : I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God. Here is an allusion to them that run in a race , who do not look back to see how much they have already run , but still look and run forward , that they may not miss the prize : Things behind may take in earthly things ; which the Apostle had totally cast behind his back , so as never principally to regard them any more . Things behind may also take in his past obedience , which he does not consider and remember so as to rest in it , and leave off running and labouring .

And as the Word requires us to abide and walk with God , so it informs us how we may be sure to do it . It tells us of his own right hand which is ready to uphold us , that we may follow hard after God , Psal. 63. 8. It tells us , that the Lord is of Power to establish us , and to keep us from falling ; and that if He does hold us up , we shall be safe , and shall have respect unto his precepts continually , Psal. 119. 117. The Word directs us to be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus , 2 Tim. 2. 1. who is the Author and Finisher of our Faith , the same yesterday , and to day , and for ever . The Word of God shews a greater security than Adam found in Paradice , or many of the Angels found in Heaven it self . There is a New Covenant made , and is to be laid hold upon . This Covenant is everlasting , sure , and admirably well ordered ; 't is established by the Death and Blood of Christ the Mediator of it ; 't is confirmed by the Oath of God , and by the Sacraments , which are as it were two broad Seals of Heaven annexed to it . The faithful God will keep Covenant on his part , and he engages for his People that they on their part shall keep his Covenant and his Testimonies , Jer. 32. 40. I will not turn away from them to do them good , and I will put my fear in their Hearts , that they shall not depart from me .

7. The Word of God is so perfect , as to guide and bring us safe to Glory . Psal. 73. 23 , 24. Nevertheless I am continually with thee , thou hast holden me by my right hand ; thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel , and afterwards receive to Glory . This Word shews the path of Life , the way Everlasting , that leads unto the Lords glorious Presence , where there is fulness of Joy , and Pleasures for evermore . None ever miscarried , that follow'd this Words conduct . It came from Heaven , and it guides safely thither . All flesh is grass , and all the Glory of man as the flower of the Field ; but the Word of God is incorruptible , and abides for ever ; 't is by this that Believers are wrought upon and raised , and fitted for a blessed Immortality . Their Treasure , Hearts , and Conversations are in Heaven now , while themselves are here on Earth , and they are growing more meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light. Admirable is the Perfection of the Word , that will infallibly bring all that Believe , and Love , and walk according to it , unto that blessed place and State ; where there will be a Perfection of Light and of Delight , a perfection of Righteousness and Holiness , a perfection of Happiness and Joy ; and all this will last in the highest perfection to Eternity . The Apostle commends those of Ephesus , of whom he takes his last leave , unto the Grace and to the Word of God : he knew very well that this was the way to be built up to Glory . Act. 20. 32. And now Brethren , I commend you to God , and to the Word of his Grace , which is able to build you up , and to give you an Inheritance among all them that are sanctified . You see in what sense the Word of God is perfect .

In the second place , I am to prove by Arguments , the Perfection and Sufficiency of this Word of God.

1. The Perfection of the Word is very plainly asserted in Scripture : and if God himself affirms his Word to be perfect , that Man must needs be very bold and a great Lyar , who shall charge it with imperfection ; my Text is an evident Testimony : The Law of the Lord is perfect , it makes the simple wise ; and Converts sinful Souls to God. The Psalmist tells us , He had seen an end of all Perfection ; and then adds , but thy Commandment is exceeding broad , Psal. 119. 96. The greatness of the Greatest , the riches of the Richest , the wisdom of the Wisest , he had lookt through , and lookt beyond ; but the perfect Word of God was a Direction , a Support and a Satisfaction to Him , when every thing else failed . In this Word there is Wisdom , and Mercy , and Grace without bounds or limits . It cleanses the Hearts and Hands of Sinners ; and is useful to Saints to the very end of their days , and makes their end Peace . Nay 't is the Churches Heritage , which she lives Holily and well upon in all Generations .

The Apostle calls the Word of God , a perfect Law of Liberty , Jam. 1. 25. But whoso looketh into this perfect Law of Liberty ▪ and continueth therein , he being not a forgetful hearer , but a doer of the Work ; this man shall be blessed in his deed . 'T is called a Law of Liberty , because the commands of the Word , so far as they are obeyed , do make the Obedient free from sin ; whose service is indeed slavery , and being free from sins servitude , they are no longer under guilt , the curse , or wrath ; but they have the liberty , the Priviledges of the Children of God. 'T is called a perfect Law of Liberty , because the Doer of it , that perseveres in his Obedience , shall certainly be blessed in his deed . This Law does not only command , but Grace and Strength from the Spirit goes along with it , which causes it to be kept ; and the fruit being unto Holiness , the End will be Life eternal .

2. By the Perfection of the Word in the Scriptures , the end of committing it to writing is obtained . I grant there was a Church and the Word of God in it , before there was a Scripture ; and then the Lord conveyed his Mind from Father to Son by Tradition ; and this was more easie to be done when men were so very long lived , as to continue upon Earth very near a thousand years . Methuselah lived in the days of Adam , Shem in the days of Methuselah ; and Isaac is observed to have been born , and grown up to be a man , before Shem was taken out of the World. But afterwards it pleased the Lord that Tradition should be no longer trusted ; but to prevent Corruption in Religion , we have a written Word , which all are to give diligent heed to . The Word was written that God might not be forgotten ; the Scripture being consulted , is the means to keep up the remembrance of him in all ages . The Apostle Peter tells us , he therefore set Pen to Paper , that after his decease the things of God might be had always in remembrance , 2 Pet. 1. 15. The Word was written , that Men might not corrupt themselves . Moses knew how prone the Children of Israel were to do thus , therefore he wrote the Words of the Law in a Book , that they might be a witness against them ; and hinder their growing stiff-necked , and rebellious against the Lord , Deut. 31. 24 , 26 , 27.

Finally , the Word was written that Religion it self might not be corrupted , nor that go under Gods name which is none of his : Were it not for the Holy Scriptures , how easily might falshoods and fables and humane inventions be imposed upon us , and called the Mind of Christ by men of corrupt minds and dostitute of the Truth ! Now certainly , the Lord has caused so much to be written that may be sufficient to attain his end in writing ; and if so , then it follows , that all Doctrines of Faith , and Precepts both for the ordering of our Hearts and Lives , are sufficiently declared in the Scripture . If the Scripture is given to prevent Corruption in Religion , the Scripture is perfect ; that , that Corruption may be prevented . If we should suppose part of the Doctrines and Precepts of the Gospel never to have been written ; why was less care taken of these than of the other ? How easily would these be forgotten and corrupted ? and how could we be satisfied in their being truly and sincerely conveyed to us ?

3. Adding to the Word of God is most severeby forbidden ; therefore the Word is perfect , Prov. 30. 6. Add thou not unto his Word , least he reprove thee and thou be found a liar . Those that are thus presumptuous to add , are liars , and therefore not to be believed by others ; and they have reason to be afraid themselves ; for the Reproof and Rebukes of the Almighty are terrible . To instamp the Kings Head upon counterfeit Coyn , is no less than Treason . When Doctrines and Ceremonies , which make gain to be godliness , and are inventions of Men , shall have Divinity stampt upon them , and pretend to be from Heaven ; this is a daring Treason against the highest Potentate , the great Lawgiver , who has Power to save and to destroy . In the last book of Canonical Scripture , just at the close , plagues are threatned to be added to any man who shall add thereto : and he that shall take away from it , God says he will take away his part out of the Book of Life , Rev. 22. 18 , 19.

4. It is another proof of the Words perfection , that all Spirits are to be tried by it . Satan himself can transform himself into ●● Angel of light , and his Ministers can look like the Ministers of Righteousness : There is great need then of Caution , 1 Joh. 4. 1. Beloved , believe not every Spirit , but try the Spirits whether they are of God. Now 't is the Word they are to be tried by . The Spirit of Truth and this Word always agree ; 't is not a subjecting the Holy Ghost to the Scripture , when we observe the agreement between his Instructions , his Motions , and the Scripture , but we follow his own Direction in the case . It would not be a subjecting a Prince unto those general Instructions which he himself has given , whereby his mind might be known : but to examine messages even from the Prince , by those Instructions , would be Wisdom and Obedience in the Subject : The Spirit of errour and falshood may seem to agree with the Word , but if the Word be diligently heeded , the difference will be apparent . If the Word were not perfect , but much of the Mind of God were really unwritten , the written Word would be insufficient to be a trial and standard of right Doctrine ; and it would not have been said , To the Law and to the Testimony , if they spe●● not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them , Isa. 8. 20.

5. The Word of God is perfect , for wisdom to eternal Salvation is derived from it . Indeed the Wisdom is from the Father of Lights , but the written Word is the Means of conveying it , 2 Tim. 3. 14 , 15. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned , and hast been assured of , knowing of whom thou hast learned them ; And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures , which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation , through faith which is in Christ Jesus . What the Apostles taught , was committed to writing ; the great Doctrine of Faith in Christ Jesus , is here mention'd : and this written Word must needs be perfect , which was able to make those that received it , wise unto Salvation . The Wisdom in the Gospel , is so accounted by them that are perfect ; for this Wisdom excells the policy of Princes , that come to nought ; and is ordained unto the Glory of Believers , 1 Cor. 2. 6 , 7. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect ; yet not the wisdom of this World , nor of the princes of this World , which come to nought ; but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery ; even the hidden wisdom , which God ordained before the World to our Glory .

6. The Effect of the Word of God proves its perfection , for it makes us perfect , throughly furnished unto all good works ; here is right Doctrine , to inform the Judgment of what is true ; here is reproof and conviction of what is errour and falshood : Here is correction for miscarriages in practice ; and instruction in the way of righteousness , 2 Tim. 3. 16 , 17. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God , and is profitable for doctrine , for reproof , for correction , for instruction in righteousness : That the Man of God may be perfect , throughly furnished unto all good works . If by the Man of God , you mean the godly Man , the Scriptures Perfection is evident , in being a Means so throughly to furnish him with Light and Grace , to do all the good works his Lord requires . If by the Man of God , you understand the Minister of Christ ; the Perfection of the Scripture is the more evident . For those that are called Stars in Christs hand , Angels of the Churches , Labourers in the Lords Vineyard , may from the written word be throughly furnished , both to teach and to do what is required to save themselves and those that hear them .

In the third place , I am to give you the Reasons why the Perfection of the Word is mentioned , when Conversion is spoken of .

1. To intimate the Imperfection of the Light of Nature . This Light discovers many things ; and to do those things which are contrary to the Light of Nature , is to do very wickedly : but can it be said , that this Light of Nature is perfect , working Grace , and converting the Soul ? The Heathens that had onely this Light , and were without Supernatural Revelation ; did speak several things excellently concerning God ; they had a Notion of another World , of the Souls Immortality , and of Rewards and Punishments hereafter ; and they give remarkable Counsels as to Wisdom and Folly , Vice and Vertue . But those of them that had the greatest Parts and Learning , the sharpest and most piercing eyes to see most , they saw nothing of God manifested in the Flesh ; they understood nothing of Redemption by Price ; of Gods purchasing his Church with his own Blood , Act. 20. 28.

The Light of Nature is insufficient to shew the way to Heaven . How God will deal with these Heathens , 't is hard to determine . Zuinglius indeed asserts , That when we come to Heaven , we shall see utrumque Adamum , Redemptum & Redemptorem ; both the Adams , the Redeemer , and him that was redeemed ; the Prophets , the Apostles : And then he adds , That Aristides , the Cato's , and the Scipio's , and such vertuous Men among the Heathen , will be found in Heaven also . Calvin calls this pr●●posterum misericordiam , a preposterous Mercy : because the Apostle tells us , those who have sinn'd without Law , shall also perish without Law , Rom. 2. 12. What is to be said in this case ? To affirm , that any of them are saved , who never heard of a Saviour ; is to affirm what is hard to prove : to say that they are all damned , will be a bold Sentence : The Apostle tells us , that those who are without , God judges , 1 Cor. 5. 13. and to Gods Judgment we must leave them .

2. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the work of Conversion , to shew that the Works of God do need his Words exposition upon them . 'T is the Word which rightly discovers God in the Works of Creation , Heb. 11. 3. Through Faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God ; so that things which are seen , were not made of things which do appear . The Scripture shews how the Lord is the Alpha and the Omega , The whole Volume of Nature , would signifie little to Man ; were it not for the Scriptures commentary upon it . the Beginning and the End of all things ; that per scala●● creaturarum , by the Ladder of the Creatures we may ascend unto the Gracions and Alsufficient Creator . The Word expound● the Works of Providence ; it puts such a Language into Mercies , that these Demonstrations of divine goodness lead unto Repentance . And the Word makes the Rod to utter such a voice , that the Vncircumcised heart is humbled , the Sinner accepts of the punishment of his Iniquity , Lev. 26. 41. and turns unto that God that smites him .

3. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the Work of Conversion , that Sinners may use and value the Word as a Means sufficient . He that is sick of the Plague , how willingly does he use a Remedy that is sufficient for the cure of the Pestilence ; and which has cured thousands , and that never failed to heal any that would but take it . Never was there a Plague in the World , so universal , so contagious , so deadly as Sin is : O all ye sinful , diseased and lost Souls ! hear , and with all seriousness apply the Word of God , that ye may be healed , and that being healed ye may live and not dye for ever ! The remedy is perfect , it certainly , works for life , if it be but received ; he that believes , and yields subjection to the Gospel , shall be saved , Mar. 16. 16. I confess , the refusing of the remedy , will highten the disease , and make the death more dreadful : He that believes not , shall receive the greater damnation .

4. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the work of Conversion , that the Preachers of the Word may be encouraged . Were this Word a weak imperfect thing , the Dispencers of it would have the less heart to labour ; but they have no reason to be ashamed or discouraged , but to glory in the Gospel of Christ , since 't is the Power of God to Salvation : And let him be Jew or Gentile , high or low , a less Sinner or the greatest ; if he receives the Word with Faith , the Preachers pains will be to good purpose . The Apostle insults over all the Wisdom of this World , as that which is poor , and foolish , and helpless as to a better World , 1 Cor. 1. 20. Where is the wise ? where is the Scribe ? where is the disputer of this world ? The Jewish Synagogue , where Moses was trusted in , and Christ rejected ; the Greek Academy ; could neither of them shew the way of Salvation : hath not God made foolish the Wisdom of this World ? But then he magnifies the Word of God , that reveals Christ Jesus ; because herein the Power and Wisdom of God were savingly made manifest , 1 Cor. 1. 23 , 24. We preach Christ crucified , to the Jews a stumbling-block , and unto the Greeks foolishness ; but unto them that are called , both Jews and Greeks , Christ the power of God , and the wisdom of God.

5. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the Work of Conversion , that Saints may still be improving it unto a further turning : Where 's the Convert , in whom , and for whom , the Word of God has wrought so much , that it can work no more ? You that have most experienced its power and goodness , may still feel a further efficacy . The Word is perfect , and you should be pressing forward to be perfected by it ; still your Light should grow clearer , your Faith stronger , your love more abundant , and patience should have a more perfect work in you , that you may be perfect and entire , wanting nothing , Jam. 1. 4. Still you should be more low in your own sight , the Grace of Christ more glorious in your eyes ; the World should be more under your feet , and Heaven be the matter of your thoughts , and hopes , and joy . You that are weak should resemble David , you that are strong as David , should be like the Angels of God , aspiring unto , not only Evangelical , but an Angelical and heavenly Perfection .

I come in the last place to the Application , The Uses are these following .

VSE . I. Of Caution . The Perfection of the Word of God , should make you ,

1. To take heed of that Enthusiastick Spirit , that pretends not to need this Word : That Light within which makes the Light of the Word to be contemned , is certainly Darkness ; and if the Light within you be darkness , how great is that darkness ! Mat. 6. 23. Solomon tells us plainly , that the Commandment is a Lamp , and the Law is Light , and the reproofs of instruction are the way of Life , Prov. 6. 23. You will miss the way of Life , unless this Light be followed . He is most unreasonably wise in his own eyes , who imagines he knows so much , that God himself by his Word can teach him no more : the truth is , he knows nothing as he ought to know , his Knowledg is but a delusive dream , his ignorance real and destructive .

Heed not , but resist the Spirit that injects undervaluing thoughts of the Word of God ; for that cannot be the true Spirit which did endite it . If once you reject the Word of the Lord , alas , what understanding is in you ? Jer. 1. 9. The grossest and most damnable errours will impose upon you as truths ; the most carnal licentiousness , which is the bondage of corruption , will call it self Christian liberty ; Sins will be made no Sins , and Duties no Duties ; you will allow your selves in the omission of Gods Ordinances , as things below Saints of so high a Stature as you will deem your selves ; you will be ●ost about with every wind of Doctrine ; your Heads and Hearts too will be strongly possest by the evil Spirit ; and having run through all Forms of Religion , you may at length cast off the very Profession and Form of Godliness , and degenerate even into the rankest Atheism , living ; and , oh dreadful , dying also without God!

2. Take heed of those who charge the written Word of God with Impersection : whatever pains such may take to make Proselytes of you , certainly they are not likely to turn you to God , who endeavour to instill a prejudice into you against his Word : They that disparage the Holy Scripture as unnecessary , as obscure , as onely occasionally written , and not fully declaring the Mind of God , whatever they pretend , really the Scripture is against them , and their false Opinions and carnal Interest ; and that 's the true ground of their quarrel with it . Open the door for unwritten Traditions , and at that Door the foulest Heresies will presently enter , and pretend to great Antiquity , nay to Divine Authority . St. Cyprian , Epist. 74. Vnde est ista Traditio ? utrum de dominica & evangelica auctoritate descendens , an de Apostolorum mandatis atque epistolia ●eniens ? E●●nim facienda quae scrip●●● 〈◊〉 , D●●● testatur . Si ergo in Evangelio praecipitur , aut in Apostolorum 〈…〉 Actibus conti●●tur , observetur hac divina 〈◊〉 sanctae traditio . Cyprian , Epist. 74. Pompeio fratri . tells us plainly , That that is to be allowed as an holy and divine tradition , that is commanded in the Gospel , or contained in the Epistles or Acts of the Apostles . This Man was a Father very Ancient , and a Martyr too for the Faith of Christ . Keep stedfast and attentive to the Word of God. They who would lead you into Paths no where in Scripture to be found , would mislead you . Christ is to be heard , and 't is in his Word that his voice sounds ; his own sheep know his voice , and follow him ; but a Stranger they will not follow , but will flee from him , for they know not the voice of Strangers , Joh. 10. 4 , 5. The Apostle signifies , that they who teach a voluntary humility , the worshipping of Angels , the neglect of the body ; or any other Will-worship , though there be never so great a shew of wisdom in it , they do but go about to beguile others , and are vainly puft up with a fleshly mind themselves , because these things have no warrant from the Word of God , Col. 2. 18. 23.

3. Take heed of of a profane contempt of this Word of God , which is such a perfect Remedy , and which you all do so much need . What are you more afraid of the Medicine than the Malady ? More afraid of that Word which is such a means to turn you , than of Sin which is ready to ruine you ? To throw your Silver and Gold about the Streets , to burn your Houses down to the ground , setting Fire to them with your own hands , to cast your Food which you should live upon , unto the Dogs , is nothing neer so pernicious a madness , as to contemn the Word of God , the great Means of Conversion and Salvation . Preferr not the Curse before the Blessing , when both are set before you : Chuse not death , when if you are but willing to live Holily and Happily , Eternal Life will be your own . Esau is branded as a profane and foolish Wretch ; who for one morfel of Meat , sold his Birth-right : Heb. 12. 16. And what folly and profaneness will you discover , if you mind only the vanities of this World , the fashion of which passes away ; and neglect all that Grace and Glory , whereof in the Word of God you have so full and compleat a discovery ? Where is the Faith , where is the Reason , where is the Self-love of that Man , who despiseth a perfect Word , which perfectly shewes the way to an everlasting Kingdom ? Consider this , and shew your selves Men , O ye Transgressors .

VSE . II. Of Counsel , and that in several particulars .

1. Take notice of the Divinity of the Word in its Perfection . God himself is Perfect , his works are perfect , and so is his Word : The Words Perfection shews its Original : Divine Wisdom , Holiness , Grace , and Mercy , how illustrious are they in the Scripture ! The Laws from Mount Sinai are such , in both the Tables , as speak more than what is Humane , more than the disposition of Angels ; and evidently shew that the Wise , the Good , the Righteous Jehovah was the Legislator : The Mysteries of the Gospel are the deep things of God , 1 Cor. 10. 11. which could never have entred into Mans Heart and Understanding , if the Spirit of God had not revealed them . Here is a Depth of counsel and knowledg ; an highth of Love which was from Eternity , which shall never change in time , and which will continue unalterable to Eternity : Precepts are plain and full , Promises precious , threats though severe , yet needful . One God is made known , and one Mediator between God and Men , the Man Christ Jesus , 1 Tim. 2. 5. Distinctions , ubi lex non distinguit , where the Word distinguishes not , are in no wise to be admitted . It is through the Son , not by Angels and Saints in Heaven , that we have access , by one Spirit unto the Father , Eph. 2. 18. This is the true Worship , this is the right way , keep in it and be safe . There are several external motives of credibility , and there are intrinsick evidences in the word it self , that 't is of God , and among the rest , its Perfection is a great one . And 't is observable , that they who deny its Perfection , do make its Authority to be dependent and precarious .

2. Admire the Perfection and fulness of the written Word . It was a noble saying of * * Scriptu● esse doceat Hermogenis officina , si non est scriptum , timeat . Vae illud adjicientibus , aut detrahentibus destitiatum . Tertul. lib. adversus Hermog . cap. 22. Tertullian , Adoro Scripturae plenitudinem : I adore the fulness of the Scripture . We need no more than what is there upon record , to bring us to the true knowledg of God , and to make us increase in spiritual understanding ; and the more we look into the Scripture , we shall still see more and more in it , to raise our admiration , to take our Hearts and our Affections . The Scripture is a Mine , out of which comes nothing but what is Sound and Pure ; helps to understand it , are to be valued : But by these helps we must take heed of being drawn off from it self . This Mine is farther and farther to be searched into , for we are to be growing in Grace and Knowledge all our days , 2 Pet. 3. ult . And Solomon tells us , that this searching will not be lost labour , Prov. 2. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. If thou seekest her as Silver , and searchest for her as for hid treasure ; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord , and find the Knowledg of God ; for the Lord giveth wisdom , out of his Mouth cometh Knowledge and Vnderstanding ; he layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous , he is a Buckler to them that walk uprightly .

3. You that live under the New Testament Dispensation , be very thankful that the written Word is so very copious and so large . To have such a compleat Declaration of the Mind of God by his own Son , was a Priviledge which the Old Testament Believers wisht for , but did not enjoy . What Moles are they who are onely busie and working in the Earth , and for Earthly things , and regard not the clear shining of the Sun of Righteousness ! To be deaf and regardless when God speaks so much to us ; not to understand when he speaks so fully and so plainly , is inexcusable ; but to have Knowledg and to sin against it , and to detain the truth in unrighteousness , is inexcusable much more ; here is Ingratitude and Presumption together , and the more stripes are threatned and deserved , Luke 12. 47. And that Servant that kn●w his Lords will , and prepared not himself , neither did according to his will , shall be beat●● 〈◊〉 many stripes .

Search the Word of God , be much , that you may be mighty in the Scriptures . By this weapon you may defend your selves against the subtilest Enemies of the truth , nay against the old subtle Serpent himself . It was not an unwritten , but a written word that Christ produced , when he was assaulted by the Tempter , Mat. 4. 4 , 7 , 10. It was an Injunction of our Lord himself , Joh. 5. 39. Search the Scriptures , for in them ye think ye have eternal Life . It was a right thought that the Scriptures direct unto Life Eternal , but it was a presumptuous thought in the Pharisees , to imagine Eternal Life was theirs ; since instead of building upon the Foundation Stone in Sion , they stumbled at it . But the Injunction it self is of great Moment .

The Scriptures are Gods own Books , and the onely Books he has in the World. Longâ & assi●uâ meditatione Scripturaram , pr●tus suun fecerat Bibliothicam Chri●●● . Hyeronym . de Nepotiano . Every ones Breast should be like Nepotian's , Bibliotheca Christi , A Library in which these Books should be kept safely . To be acquainted more intimately with the Word , is the way to be better acquainted with God ; and the consequent of this acquaintance , is Peace . Job . 22. 21. Acquaint now thy self with him , and be at peace , thereby good shall come to thee . By Searching of the Scriptures , the Understanding is improved , the Heart is purified , the Life is regulated . This Book is indeed the thankful Glass , that mends the Eyes of all that rightly look into it . It was an honest Distich of one :

Ex aliis paleae viles , hinc grana leguntur Aurea , tu paleas linquito grana lege .

Which another thus Englishes .

Mens Books with worthless chaff are stor'd , Gods Scripture Golden grains afford : Reject the chaff , and spend thy pains In gleaning up these golden Grains .

5. Pray for the Spirit who endited the Word , that he may interpret it , and lead you into the understanding of it . He is called the Spirit of wisdom and Revelation , Eph. 1. 17. He reveals the Gospel , he enlightens the eyes of the Understanding . True Wisdom is the special Gift of the Holy Ghost . It is an encouragement in Prayer , that the best things may be asked with the greatest confidence . The Gift of the Spirit comprehends the best things of all ; doubt not of Gods willingness to bestow it , Luk. 11. 13. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts to your Children , how much more shall your heavenly Father gave the holy Spirit unto them that ask him ? It is not a notional Knowledge , which many Hypocrites excell in , that you should content your selves with . Such Knowledge being alone , puffs up him that has it , 1 Cor. 8. 1. and disturbing Strife and contention follows upon Pride and High-mindedness : such Knowledge aggravates Sin in the careless and carnal Professor , and will exceedingly inflame his Reckoning in the day he must give account of himself to God.

It is true wisdom , a Spiritual understanding of the Scriptures , that you should cry for . When the Spirit of God discovers a truth to you , with what Satisfaction will your Mind receive it ! When the Spirit shews you your Duty , how Righteous , how reasonable , and what a Priviledge does it appear ? The Spirits Light and Strength go together , so that the Will is inclined to a compliance , when the enlightned Soul does understand the Will of God. When the Spirit applies a Promise to you , how will your Faith be confirmed ! how will you abound in Hope ! and how full of sweetest peace will your hearts be , while you securely rest on the God of Truth , whose Word will endure when Heaven and Earth shall pass away , Isa. 26. 3 , 4. Thou wilt keep him in perfect Peace , whose mind is stayed on thee , because he trusteth in thee . Trust ye in the Lord for ever , for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting Strength .

6. Let your Knowledge of the Word of God be more perfect . Alas how little do we know , of what may be known ! and what we do know , how much better may we know it ! Though the Children of God , are Children of Light , and Children of the Day ; yet there are great remainders of darkness in some of them , and some remainders in all . This remaining Ignorance is both their Sin and Misery , by reason of which , Satan their subtle enemy has many times great advantage against them . Labour after a more perfect Knowledge of God , his Son , his Truth , his Will ; his Word informs you of all . If the Happiness of Heaven lies so much in a beatifical seeing , Oh use all possible intention of mind , that you may see more and more , even while you are here on Earth ! True Knowledge will debase the idolized World , and make it nothing in your eyes ; and it wil humble you , and make you perceive that really you are worse than nothing . How does a clearer Knowledge of God make holy Job , much more humble than ever , Job 42. 5 , 6. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ear , but now mine Eye seeth thee , wherefore I abhorr my self , and repent in Dust and Ashes .

The better you know the Lord , the more you will Love , and Fear , and Praise him . The better you know his Christ , you cannot chuse but still more highly prize him , and your Hearts will cleave to him with the fuller purpose . The 〈…〉 er you know his Commands , the more they 〈◊〉 be your Counsellours , your longing , your delight , and your Songs in the house of your Pilgrimage : The better you know the Cross of Christ , you will be the less offended 〈…〉 heaviest Afflictions will be made light of , 〈◊〉 compared with a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory , 2 Cor. 4. 17.

7. Let your Love be greater and more perfect , to this perfect Word of God. The World indeed hates this Word , because it testifies against them , that their works are evil , and will have an ill end . True love to it will argue spiritual Life by it , and that it has been effectual to turn and change our very Hearts . Love to the Word , distinguishes the true Church from the Antichristian Society . Of these 't is said , because they received not the love of the Truth , that they might be saved ; God shall send them strong delusion , that they should believe a lye , that they all might be damned , who believed not the Truth , but had Pleasure in Vnrighteousness , 2 Thes. 2. 10 , 11 , 12. All the excellent properties of the Word , and the wonderful effects of it should take your Hearts , and still be increasing your affection to it , and the stronger your love is , the greater will be your care to keep it , Psal. 119. 167. My Soul hath kept thy Testimonies , and I love them exceedingly . Love will make you labour hard in the work which the Word commands , and yet it will so overcome the difficulty , that hard labour shall become easie .

It was a saying of Bernard , Is rectè divinas Scripturas legit , qui verba v●rtit in opera . He rightly reads the Holy Scriptures , who turns Words into Works . Love will mightily constrain you to this , 't will make you doers and blessed in your deed : Love the Word of God , as a Malefactour would love to read his pardon , after the Sentence of Death has been past upon him . Love the Word , as a Debtour would love to read his general and full discharge , which delivers him out of Prison , and secures him from the danger of being arrested any more . Love the Word , as a Sick man would love to read a Receipt , prescribing a medicine that would certainly cure his distemper and save his Life . Finally , love the Word , as an Heir would love to read over a Testament in which is left him a rich Estate , a most plentiful Inheritance . In the Word of God , you find a pardon , a discharge from all debts , by your great , your sufficient Surety ; here is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Souls universal remedy . And the Psalmist says , Psal. 119. 111. Thy Testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever , for they are the rejoycing of my Heart .

8. Never be ashamed of this Word of God , which is so perfect , and worthy to be owned . With your Hearts believe it unto Righteousness , with your Mouths Confess it to Salvation . Be not concerned that the World accounts the Word foolishness , fear not either their reviling or their rage ; their hands are weak considering how strong your helper is , and their Judgments weaker . Stand fast in the Faith , and quit you like men , be strong , 1 Cor. 16. 13. Your Lord will be much pleased to see you valiant for the Truth , and no less than a Crown of Life shall be the reward of Faithfulness unto the Death . But if you are ashamed of Christ and of his word before Men ; he will be ashamed of you before his Father and all his Holy Angels , Mar. 8. 38. And how great and everlasting then will your shame and confusion be !

VSE III. Of Exhortation . Since the Word is perfect , let me exhort you all unto Perfection . The legal Perfection of Adam in Innocency , you cannot reach , since the fall keeps all his Posterity short of it : hear the Apostle confessing and bewailing ; Not as though I had already attained , either were already perfect , Phil. 3. 12. But evangelical Perfection is possible , 't is necessary , 't is actually found in all true Converts . In legal Perfection it may be said 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 there is no Sin. In evangelical Perfection it may be said 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , there is no predominant Hypocrisie . In the former there is no sin at all , in the latter there is no Sin loved and allowed . In the one every command is kept , in the other there is grief when any command is broke , and a true Desire after Grace to keep every Commandment better . When I exhort you to Perfection , I mean three things . That you would be of a perfect Heart . That you would walk in a perfect way . That you would stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God.

1. Let your Hearts be perfect . The Heart is the very Seat of Sincerity , if it be not here , 't is no where ; 't is not in the eye , or tongue , or hands , or feet ; if the Heart remain as it was by Nature without a change , and is still wicked , sensual and earthly ; the Words and actions though never so good , signifie and avail nothing ; nay the better the Words and Actions are , the greater is the Hypocrisie and Dissimulation . There are several excellent ingredients in this Perfection of Heart , which I would press upon the Hearts and Consciences of All.

1. Let your Hearts shew themselves perfect by setting God alwaies before them . Walk before me , says God to Abraham , and be perfect , Gen. 17. 1. The perfect Heart is sensible that Gods eye looks into it , and sees all that is in it ; therefore its eye is also upon God , and as there is an holy awe of God upon it , so 't is not satisfied without his approbation . Upright David cryes , out , O Lord ; thou hast searched me and known me , thou understandest my thoughts afar off , Psal. 139 : 1 , 2. Thoughts include all the affections , workings and inclinations of the Heart , all these were open and naked unto the Eye of Gad. And David looks to his Heart accordingly , and he begs that the evil of his Heart might be more plainly discover'd to him , that his Heart might be more throughly cleansed .

2. Let your Hearts be perfect , in being truely willing and very studious to please that God with whom you have to do . The perfect Heart sees 't is highly reasonable that Mans Will in all things should be obedient unto Gods , since the Will of God is so righteous , good and holy ; since He cannot be tempted with evil , neither tempteth h● any man , to any thing that is hurtful , Jam. 1. 13. to please the Lord should be the Pleasure of your very Souls . You should hate every abominable thing which he hates , and what he delights in should always be chosen .

3. Let your Hearts be perfect , in refusing to have a liking , respect and regard to any iniquity . David manifested his uprightness , and as a perfect man he was regarded , and his Prayer heard , because he did not regard iniquity in his Heart ; Psal. 66. 18 , 19. Iniquity in the Heart is to be regarded , so as to be humbled for it , weary of it , and bewail it , and to endeavour by all means to mortifie and purge it away ; 't is not to be regarded , so as to cover and excuse it , so as secretly to delight in it , and resolve to spare i● Especially let your Hearts set themselves with full bent against that which may be called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Sin that does most easily be set you , Heb. 12. 1. from hence is the greatest guilt , defilement , danger ; the Sin that by reason of your Constitutions , Callings , Age , and the bad Customs of the Places where you live , have been most insinuating into your Affection , and aptest to prevail ; should be abandon'd with a special and peculiar Detestation and abhorrency . I was upright before thee , says David , and I kept my self from mine iniquity , Psal. 18. 23. possibly he may mean revenge upon Saul , which he had again and again opportunity to take , which not only those that were with him , but Corruption of Nature might prompt him to ; but the true Grace which was in him , was peremptory against .

4. Let your Hearts be perfect , in being sound in Gods Statutes . Let them all be approved , for all are the Lords , and all are worthy . This argues a rectified Judgment indeed , when every Precept is lookt on as right , and that the keeping of it , is not only a Duty , but a kindness to him that keeps it . I esteem all thy Commandments , says the Psalmist , concerning all things to be right , and I hate every false way , Psal. 119. 128. Though there be an Election of some , yet if there be a Reprobation of other Commandments ; the Heart is not sound . It cannot have a right respect to any unless it have a general respect to all . The Apostle tells us , that par●i●● obedience will not pass , Jam. 2. 10. Whosoever shall keep the whole law , and yet offend in one point , he is guilty of all . An allowed neglect o● one command , argues that none are kept because they are Gods , and that he may be pleased , because he has been pleased to injoyn one as well as another .

5. Let your Hearts be perfect , in consenting to the Sanctification of all your Faculties and Powers : Desire that your whole Souls should be renewed by the Grace of God , and highly value every Grace of the Spirit . Every Power i● you needs Renovation , and every Grace of th● Holy Ghost excells in worth all things that ar● Temporal . Faith , Love , Fear , Hope , Meekness , Patience , Temperance , Humility and the rest ▪ how much better are they than the best thing● of this present evil World ! And when any new degrees are added to the Grace you have , conclude that you are very highly favoured .

6. Let your Hearts be perfect , in havin● right designs , and making God your end . He 〈◊〉 his own end , and with good reason , for the● is nothing so good , so high as He. Let hi● be your end in all you do . Still let your H●a● designing to extol him , by more high a● suitable apprehensions , by more enlarged 〈◊〉 raised affections ; by a more profound Submi●sion to him . Design that others may be broug● to Honour him , and desire his Name may be ●lowed all the Earth over , and that his Kingdom may be advanced above all other Monarchies whatsoever . Thus your hearts should be perfect .

2. I exhort you to walk in a perfect way . Walk not according to the course of this World , after the Prince of the Power of the Air , the Spirit that works in the Children of disobedience ; Eph. 2. 2. Walk not as those Professors did , of whom the Apostle speaks with Weeping , Phil. 3. 18 , 19. Many walk of whom I have told you often , and now tell you even Weeping , that they are the Enemies of the Cross of Christ ; whose end is destruction , whose God is their belly , whose glory is in their shame , and who mind earthly things . But do you take heed of imitating such patterns , be sure to shun their pernicious paths : Follow better examples , walk in a perfect way : Thus to walk implys three things .

1. Walk humbly with God ; break not the first Table of the Law ; let not onely the Lord himself , but his Worship , his Ordinances , his Name , his Sabbaths be dear unto you . Neglect not publick Ordinances in the Sanctuary , private in the Family , secret in the Closet : Perform every Duty as before God ; Perform every Duty as to Him.

2. Make great Conscience also of doing your Duty towards Men. Be perfectly true and just in all your dealings with all . To defraud , to deceive , to over-reach , any way to be unjust to your Neighbour , is to injure and engage the Justice of God against you . ●e very merciful to those that are in distress and ●isery ; and if your Souls are drawn out towards ●hem , indeed to compassionate their case , purses and ●ands will be open for their relief : Especially pr●y those that are in Sin as well as Misery ; and are ●n the worse condition , because neither Sin nor Mi●ery are perceived . I beseech you also be very exact in doing the Duties of your places and relations ; that you may glorifie the Perfect Word of God , the perfect rule you walk by ; in being Parents , Children , Subjects , Husbands , Wives , Masters , Servants , with a Non●-such ; none that are without the Word being in any of these relations comparable to you .

3. Do not injury , but your duty towards your selves . Employ not your Eyes , your Tongues , your Hands , or any of your Members , to your own hurt , and defiling . Do not by uncleanness , sin against your own bodies , 1 Cor. 6. 18. Do not by Surfeiting and Drunkenness , load them with diseases , and hasten them to the Grave . Let not Covetousness and carking care make you to ●ise up early and sit up late , and eat the Bread of sorrows ; nor cause you to be uncharitable to the needy , and to grudg what is convenient to your selves . Thus walk in a perfect way .

3. In the third and last place , I exhort you to stand perfect and compleat in all the Will of God , Col. 4. 12. His Perfect Word should alwaies be heeded ▪ The good and honest Heart , receives this Word , understands it , and how safe 't is to be guided by it eve● unto death ; and therefore brings forth fruit with patience ▪ Luke 8. 15. Why with patience ? Because patience is very requisite , to overcome both the difficulty of duty , and trouble , and Persecution upon the account of duty . Heb ▪ 10. 36. Ye have need of patience , that after ye have do● the Will of God ye might receive the Promise . Persever● in the Perfect Word , in the good , the acceptable the perfect Will and Work of God , unto th● end ; hereby manifest you are Disciples and Servants indeed . And an happy Eternity will satisfie you ; that your labour is not in vain in the Lord .

VSE . IV. Of Consolation . The Perfection of the Word of God , serves for much comfort to the Church of Christ , and all Converts the true Members of it . The Grounds of Consolation are these .

1. Wherever this Church is , this perfect Word of God shall certainly be . The Word may sometimes be Eclipsed in a Church , but never quite extinguished . Indeed when a Church is unchurched , the Word goes . When the Candlestick is removed , the light in that place is put out . But suppose a Church to remain , there will be the Word , by which 't was gather'd , and which is a means also to govern and preserve it , in spight of all opposite Policy and Power . Spiritual hunger is a blessed thing , it never ends in Starving , but in Satisfaction , Mat. 5. 6. The sincere Members of the true Church , have this hunger ; therefore they shall more or less have the food of the Word to sustain and strengthen them . The Great and Good Shepherd will some way or other provide for the Sheep of his Pasture .

2. This Church shall have the Spirit along with the Word . We may as well suppose a living Body without a Soul , as a true Church of Christ without his Spirit : The Spirit is promised and given to the Church to abide there for ever , Joh. 14. 16 , 17. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter , that he may abide with you for ever ; even the Spirit of truth , whom the World cannot receive , because it seeth him not , neither knoweth him ; but ye know him , for he dwelleth with you , and shall be in you . Now where the Spirit of the Lord is , how effectual is the Word ! what Light , what Liberty , what Power , what Peace is there ! The Spirit makes the Means of Grace to attain their end : He fills Ordinances with an Heavenly vertue ; he quickens the Dead , enlarges the straitned Heart , causes fruit to be brought forth plentifully ; he comforts the true Converts , and stablishes them in every good word and work .

3. It 's matter of Consolation , that in this perfect Word of God , there is wisest and safest counsel given , Prov. 6. 22. When thou goest it shall lead thee , when thou sleepest it shall keep thee , when thou awakest it shall talk with thee . So Prov. 3. 23. Thou shalt walk in thy way safely , and thy foot shall not stumble . This Word counsels Converts against evil Men , evil Women , evil Angels , an evil World , and against every evil work : It never gave bad counsel unto any . The Counsels of the Word are best with reference to Eternity ; and with reference to Time also : It bids us pass the time of our sojourning here in fear ; to live as Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth , that we may be less concerned and disturbed , and keep more unspotted from the World. It bids us to walk uprightly , that we may walk surely . It informs us that all carnal Policy which is joyned with a contempt of God and Religion , is onely a cunning contrivance to undo our selves ; but 't is the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of Wisdom , and the Knowledge of the Holy is understanding .

4. In this Perfect Word of God , a compleat Armour is found to secure Converts against the Enemies of their Salvation ; Eph. 6. 13. Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God , that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day , and having done all to stand . This Armour is to be valued indeed , which is Armour of proof , which secures us against the worst and most powerful Adversaries ; which certainly defends and makes us victorious , when sighting for Eternal life ; when those against whom these Enemies prevail , will surely dy the everlasting Death . The Apostle speaks at large of the pieces of this Armour : We are furnished with the Girdle of Truth ; sound Doctrine must be held fast , our Judgments well settled against errour . Here is the Breast-plate of Righteousness : Sincere Holiness must be in the Heart ; if the Spirit be not right , if the Heart be not clean , there can be no safety . Here the feet are shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace : The Gospel , that is the Word of Reconciliation with God , and that speaks Peace to the Conscience , does prepare and fit us to walk in the way of Holiness ; and the difficulties of that way are endured with patience . Here is the shield of Faith : Believing on Jesus , resting on the Promises , that in in Him are Yea and Amen ; quenches the Fiery Darts of Satan , so that true Converts are not sunk into an Hell of Despair by the remembrance of their past Sins , which the Blood of Jesus has made an atonement for ; neither are they discouraged by fiery Trials , by the siercest Persecutions . Here is the Helmet of Salvation ; that is , the Hope of Salvation . This Hope is lively , well grounded , will never make ashamed , and causes the Convert to lift up his head with courage , because Redemption and Glory are aproaching . Here is the Sword of the Spi●it , the Word of God rightly used and applyed . And unto these pieces of Armour , Preces & Lacrymae arma Ecclesiae , Prayers and Tears which are the Churches Weapons , must be added , because we need , not onely Armour but skill and strength to use it , from above ; then we shall prevail indeed , when we are strong in the Lord , and in the power of his might . How strong may be the Consolation , considering how compleat and strong the Armour is ; how strong the Helper of a Christian ! Eph. 6. 10 . -18 .

5. In this Perfect Word of God , the Convert finds Promises that may serve to support and encourage him in every condition . Is he afflicted ? 't is in faithfulness , and love ; not in wrath and hatred , Prov. 3. 12. Whom the Lord loveth he correcteth , even as a Father the Son in whom he delighteth . And affliction shall be profitable , because it shall be purifying , Heb. 12 : 10. He , that is the Father of Spirits , chastizeth for our profit , that we may be partakers of his Holiness . Is the Convert poor and destitute ? He may cast all his care on God , who cares for him , 1 Pet. 5. 7. The young Lions lack and suffer hunger ; but those that seek the Lord , have him to be their Shepheard , and shall not want any good thing , Psal. 34. 10. Is the Convert tempted ? His merciful and faithful High-Priest was tempted before him ; and knowes how to succour him , Heb. 2. ult. When the Apostle was sorely buffered by Satan , and cries for help ; what answer has he ? See , be encouraged when you see 2 Cor. 12. 9. And the Lord said unto me , My Grace is sufficient for thee , for my strength is made perfect in weakness . Is the Convert deserted , and troubled , because God hides his face ? He has the Name of God , and his everlasting Covenant to trust in ; and the Face that is now hidden , will be shewn again , and dry up the Tears of the deserted , Isa. 54. 7 , 8. For a small moment have I forsaken thee , but with great mercies will I gather thee : in a little wrath hid I my Face from thee for a Moment ; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee , saith the Lord thy Redeemer .

6. 'T is matter of Comfort unto Converts , that this Perfect word endures for ever , 1 Pet. 1. 24 , 25. All Flesh is grass , and all the glory of Man as the Flower of the field ; the Grass withereth , and the Flower thereof falleth away ; but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever , and this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you . The Word is an everlasting truth , never did any , never shall any find it false . 'T is a means to Convert the Soul , to make the Heart new , and 't is written in the new heart in Characters that are indelible , and abiding : 't is a Sustentation to the New Creature , and cherishes it unto that Life which is Eternal . The New nature is Immortal , true Grace never dies ; but at Death is perfected in Glory that fadeth not away .

The CONCLUSION .

THus have I done with all the Doctrines ; but yet I have not done with you . Words of instruction Solomon compares to Nayls , Eccles. 12. 11. I shall add a few strokes more to drive them home . How can I with patience see any of you secure in Sin still ! fast asleep ! Under Satans power , and upon the bottomless pits brink ! And every moment in danger of tumbling down into it ! Though some of you make light of Hell , and more light of Sin that does deserve it , yet I foresee how you will change your minds , when once you feel what 't is to be there ; and I would fain prevent your going thither . What shall I say ? how shall I do to prevail with you , to become willing to a sincere Conversion , and so escape eternal Misery and Confusion ? Once more , I cry as loud and earnestly as I am able , T●rn ye , Turn ye !

O ye youngest that are here , turn to God : Your whole time is short enough to provide for Eternity , begin early to redeem it . Can you be too soon safe and happy ? safe in being under the Wing of Christ ; happy in having the Lord to be your God and Father . Oh ye Children , become Converts ! Christ is ready to embrace you in his Arms , and bless you . I should not at all fear the Gospels going , if I could behold much of the Work of Regeneration among the young generation . O ye oldest Sin●rs ! Turn to God ; the door of Mercy is not quite shut , though you have lived so long in Sin , 'till you have one foot in the Grave . Admirable Mystery and Miracle of Grace ! when those are in a spiritual sense New Born , who were old both in Years and Wickedness ! Turn ye , O you that have most Righteousness of your own ! for your Righteousness is filthy raggs , and you have Sin enough to ruine you . Turn ye , O you that have been guilty of the greatest Transgressions ! for in the Lord is superab●ndant Grace enough and enough to save you .

If you will not Turn , you gratifie the evil One , the Enemy of your Salvation ; you Consent to be his Slavis and Prey ; and chuse rather to dwell with him in Torment , than with the Lord in Glory . If you will not turn , you are S●l●-haters ; not Accessari●s only , but Principals in the Murthering of your own Souls . It was a true saying of Salvian , Nemo nobis , Cr●●●●ior nobis ; none more Cruel , none so cruel to sinful Man , as he is to himself : The very Prince of the Devils has not so great an hand in his Destruction .

If you will not turn immediately , this very day , hour , moment , it may quickly be too late : Abused Mercy may go away for ever , and God may now at last foreit , who has long waited to be gracious . The Axe , before another Sabbath , may be laid to the root of the Tree which bears nothing but the Grapes of Sodom , and the Clust●s of Gomorrah : A Sentence may be pronounced from Heaven , H●w down such a strange and degenerate Plant , and cast it into fi●e unquenchable .

But if at last you see with with your Eyes , and hear with your ea●s , and understand with your hearts , and turn to the Lord ; the Father will receive you with open arms of love and kindness , his tenderest Bowels will be troubled for you , and sure Mercies shall be yours : T● Lord Jesus will see of the travel of his Soul , to his Satisfaction rejoycing that Children of Regeneration are born into his Church wh● shall be Heirs of Glory . The Comforter , who was grieved and vexed at your resistance , will be much pleased to see you yield , and will delight to dwell in you , and to fill you both with Grace and Peace .

Converting Grace whenever wrought on Earth , causes a Ne● Triumph above in Glory . The Thrones ; Dominions , the Cherubim , the Seraphim that are there , will sing a New Song of Prai● ; they will give glory to God in the Highest , when more Sinners are begotten again to a lively Hope ; they will ascribe Blessing and Honour to the Lamb , when more Souls are redeemed by his Blood.

Have I been speaking unto Stocks and Stones ; or unto those who have Senses , Souls , and Reason ? If you will not turn that you may be saved , I must confess 't were well if you had no Souls to lose for ever . It was a Custom among the Ancient Romans , to keep dead Bodies above ground several dayes , and often to cry in their ears with a loud Voice , to see if they were dead indeed . And these were called Corpora conclamata , Bodies that had been cryed unto in vain , and then they were carried to their Burial . May not your Souls , O unconverted Sinners , be called Animae conclamatae , Souls that have been often cryed unto , to turn and live ? But if you still refuse , 't is a sign you are very dead indeed , and you may quickly be buried in the fiery Tophet , out of which you shall never rise more .

But alas ! all Pleadings , Intreaties , Arguments , will be to little purpose , unless there come a convincing Light , a converting Power from above . Cachedram habet in coelo qui corda docet in terrâ : He has his Chair in Heaven who teaches hearts on Earth . Oh that the glorious Spirit would come and breath upon the dead dry bones , and inspire a Life that may never end ! That he would cause All , even the most hardned and dead in sin , to become Alive to God , and have their fruit unto holiness , that the end may be everlasting Life . Let God arise , and let his enemies be scatter'd ! Let Sin , Satan and Mammon be forced to flee before Him ! that all Hearts possest by them , may now submit to Him ! When the tongues of Men and Angels cannot prevail , one powerful word from God can convert a multitude of Souls , though they have been never so disobedient and gainsaying . If the Lord will fill his Sanctuary with his Glory , it will be to all unconverted Ones that are here , the place of their new Birth , and the very Gate of Heaven .

FINIS .