TO A SOUND CONVERSION. 457 opinion and confession, that they should be temperate and meek, and self - denying, and should forbear others, and forgive them then (3 what abundance would be saved, that are now in little hope of salvation ! If instead of a diligent life of holiness, and good works, it would serve the turn to lie still, and be of a good opinion, that men should strive and labour for sal- vation, and lay out all they have for God; how happy then were our towns and countries, in comparison of what they are ! am afraid this deceit will be the undoing of many, that they take a change of their opinions for a true conversion. Have not some of you been formerly of the mind, that the best way is to eat and drink, and be merry, and venture your souls, and follow your worldly business, and never trouble yourselves with any deep and searching thoughts about your spiritual state, or your salvation ? Have you not thought that this diligent godliness is but a needless strict- ness and preciseness? And have you not since been convinced of your error, .ands perceived that this is the wisest course, which you before thought" to be needless, and thereupon have betaken You to the com- pany of the godly, and set upon a course of outward duties? And now you think that you are made new creatures, and that this is regeneration, and the work is done. I fear lest this be all the conversion that many forward professors are acquainted with : but woe to them that have no. more! And because the face of our present times doth plainly show the commonness and the prevalency of this disease, and because it is a matter of so great concernment -to you, I shall here give you (but as briefly as I well can) some signs by which a true con- version may be known, from this mere opinionate change. 1. The, true convert is brought to an unfeigned hatred of the whole body of sin : and especially of those, secret or beloved sins, that did' most powerfully captivate him before. But the . opinionative convert 15 3 M
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