70 The Neceffity of Converfion~ Gtion, yet they will go on in it: I warn them, yet cannot win them. Sometitnes I think, the mercies ofGod will melt them, and his winning invitations will overcome them .; but I find. them as they were: Sometimes, that the terrour of the Lord will per– fua~e them ; vet neither \vill this do it. They will approve the Word, like the Sermon, commend the Preacher ; but_they "vill yet live as they did. They will not deny me, ye~ they will not obeyme. They - will flock to the wordofGod, and fit before me as his people, and hc~F. my words ; but they will not do then1. Theyv~rue, and will plead for Miniffers; and I an1 tQ them as ·the lovely fong of one that hath a pleafant voice; yet I cannot get them to come underCbrijfs yoak~ They love me, and will b~ rea– dy to fay they will do any thing for me ; but for my life, I cannot 'perfuade them to leave their fins, toforego their evil company, their inten1perance, their unjuft gains, &c. I cannot prevail with them to fet up prayer in their families and clofets,~ yet they will promife me, like the forward Son, that faid, I go, Sir ; but went not, Matth. zr. 3o. I can:a not perfuade them to learn the principles of Reli– gion, though elfe they -,;iU die without knor~ledge, ]ob 36. r 1. I tell them their mifery, but they will not believe but 'tis well enough: If I tell them particu:. larlv, I fear for fuch reafons their ftate is bad, they wilf judge me cenforious ; or if they be at prefent a little awakened, are quickly lull'd alleep by Satan agc1in, and have loft the fenfe of all. · Alas for my poor hearers ! Muft they periih at ]aft by hundreds , when Minifiers 'vould fo fain fave ·them ? What courfe fhall I ufe \vith thetn, · that I have not,tried ? What fhall I do for the daughter o_f mypeople? Jer. 9· 7. 0 Lord God, help. Ala&.' foalll .ieave them tbv.&? If they w.il/. not rearme .yet do thou bear me. Oh, that the] might ye& li11e in thJ fight ! Lord [ave ~.?~m,
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