TO A SOUND COAVEISIOÑ. 857 sees that all things else are vanity ; and nothing but .God can fill the soul: and therefore let the world go which way it will, he lays up his treasures and hopes in heaven ; and for that he is resolved to let go all. As the fire mounts upwards, and the needle that is touched with the loadstone turns to the north; so the converted soul is inclined to God. Nothing else can satisfy him ; nor can he find any content and rest but in his love. In a word, all that are converted, esteem and love God better than all the world ; and the heavenly felicity is dearer to them than their fleshly prosperity. Secondly, A wicked man is one that makes it the principal business of his life, to prosper in the world, and attain his fleshly ends. And though he may read, and hear, and do much in the outward duties of reli- gion, and forbear disgraceful sins ; vet this is but by the by, and he never makes it the business of his life to please God, and attain everlasting glory. He puts off God with the leavings of the world, and gives him no more service than the flesh can spare. On the contrary, a converted man is one that makes the principal business of his life to please God, and to be saved and takes all the blessings of this life, but as ac- commodations in his journey towards another life, and uses the creature in subordination to God ; he loves a holy life, and longs to be more holy ; he has no sin but what he hates, and longs, and prays, and strives to be rid of. The bent of his life is for God ; and if he sin, it is contrary to the bent of his heart and life, and therefore he rises again, and laments it, and dares not wilfully live in any known sin. There is nothing in this world so dear to him, but he can give it up to God, and forsake it for the hopes of glory. Thirdly, The soul of a wicked man did' never truly discern and relish the mystery of redemption, nor thank- fully entertain an offered Saviour, nor is he taken up with the love of the Redeemer, nor willing to be ruled by him, that he may be saved from the guilt and power of his sins, and recovered unto God : but his heart is in- sensible of this unspeakable benefit, and is quite against 11 U u
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