,Mifta~J about Converfion: I j ·6. In foort, it eonfifls not in iUumination, or convi- _ ffion ; in a [ttperficial cbange, or partial reformation. AnApoftate may be a man ~i~ghtned, Heb. 6. 4· and aFelix tremble under convtchons, AHs 24· 2). and a Herod amend many things> Mar. 6. 2o. 'Tis one thing to ha\"e fin ·alarm'd only by conviCtions, and another to have it captivated and crucified by con– verting grace. Many ,becaufe they have been troubled in confcience for their ·fins, think \~veil of their cafe ;. miferably miftaking convit.tion for converfion. With thefe Cain might have paffed for a Convert, who ran up and down the world, like a man diftra- · eted under the rage of a guiltyconfcience, till with building and bufinefs he had ·wore it away, Gen. 4· · l3, r4· · Othersthink, that becaufe they have given off their riotous courfes, and are brokeq off from· evil company, or iome parcicular luft, and reduced to fobriety and civility , they are now no other than real Converts; forgetting th~t there is a vaft: difference between beil)g fancrified, and civilized ; and that many feek to·enter int~ the Kingdom of Heaven, Lu~e 13. 24. and are not far from it, Mar~ I z.. 34· and arrive to thealmo.ff of Chriftianity, :A.Cfs·. 2.6. 28. and yet fall ibort at laft. While Confcience holds the whip over. them, many ·will pray, hear, read, and forbear their delightful fins; but no foon– er is this Lion afleep, bat they are at their vomit again. Who more religious than the Jews, when God's hand was upon them? Pfal. 78. 34, 3). But no fooner was the affiiction over, but they forgot God, and fhewed their Re1igion to be a fitt ITer~ j6, 37· T~ou may~ft have difgorged a troublefome 1-in, that wtll not fit 1nthy ftomach, and have efcaped thofe grofs pollutio~s. of the ~orl~, and yet .not · have changed thy fwtndhnature all the while, 2 Pet. · 2.• ~0,22. . X.~u,may ea~ ~h~ l~a~ ~~9f!~e rud~ ~ars, into.::· -.-,.. tr~·
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