336 DIRECTIONS AND PERSUASIONS the promise of grace : the Holy Ghost indites and seals this gospel : the apostles are the secretaries of the Spirit to write it: the preachers of the gospel proclaim it, and persuade men to obey it : and the Holy Ghost makes their preaching effectual, by opening the hearts of men to entertain it. And all this to repair the image of God upon the soul ; and to set the heart upon God again, and take it of the creature, to which it is revolt- ed: and so to turn the current of the life into a hea- venly course, which before was earthly; and all this by the entertainment of Christ by faith, who is the phy- sician of the soul. By this you may see what it is to be wicked, and what it is to be converted. Which I think will yet be plainer, if I describe them as consisting of their several parts ; and for the first, a wicked man may be known by these three things. First, He is one who places his chief content on earth, and loves the creature more than God, and his fleshly posterity above heavenly felicity ; he savours the things of the flesh, but neither discerns. nor savours the things of the Spirit: though he will say that heaven is better than earth, yet does he not really so esteem it. If he might be sure of earth, he would let go heaven ; and had rather stay here, than be removed thither. A life of perfect holiness in the sight of God, and in his love and praises for ever in heaven, do not find such liking with his heart, as a life of health, and wealth, and honour upon earth. And though he falsely pro- fess that he loves God above all, yet indeed he never felt the power of divine love, but his mind is more set on the world, or fleshly pleasures, than on God. In a word, whoever loves earth above heaven, and flesh- ly prosperity more than God, is a wicked unconvert- ed man. On the other side, a converted man is enlightened to discern the loveliness of God; and so believes the glory that is to be had with God, that his heart is set more upon it than on any thing in this world. He had ra- ther see the face of God, and live in his everlasting love than have all the wealth or pleasure of this world. He
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