Burgess - Houston-Packer Collection BT715 .B85 1652

410 of Cotiver f ion , or Tt t i ni ng atntoGod. S a c T. IX 44444444t**44:1W41444:4444 SBRMO N. LXIX. The é`otives and grounds, of our turning unto god. Eru IC. 33.zl. Turn ye, turnye, Why willyedye; ó hotsfeofIfrael ? T He fubjeti ofthe Text , viz. Converf:on, is va(i and large , like a livinfountain that alwaies fends forth frith 4reams : We have fpoken of the particular difficulties in fome mens convections rather then others: not that they were tobe without hope, but to awaken them out of their fecurity. Now . motives and grounds for our turninguntoGod,are in the next place tobe confide red. For in our Exhortations to beconverted , we do not fpeakas men delikate of reafon,and forfakenof truth: But it is even a wonder when all the Arguments out ofGods word that be propounded,ifeveryone do norfay,Arife,let usgo hence Motives tó fromour fins. Convertion. And firl , Thepofbility of thy converfion may make thee fee about it. It is not '1 withthee as with the damned , and divels in hell. Being thouarc not yet in the Grave and Hell,there may be hopes for thee. Although the fall day "chewed how difficult and unlikely foire men were co turn to God, yet that was only in relpat of viable fecond caufes; otherwife as when our Savioutlaid, It ma: as impofblefar, arich min tobefaved,aa a Camel togo through the eyeofaneedle;the Difciples then cryed out , Who then canBe famed? But our Saviour laid , with man indeed it is imp¡plc , but With godall thing: are poffible; So (inners, and wickedmenunder thole Chara lers thus defcribed, areno more likely to turn to God , then a Camel with its bunch-back togo through.the eye of a needle : but with Godall things are potíible. Anabfolute impoffibility ofturning to God is onely in chofe that have finnedagain( the HolyGhotl, or are forever delivered up by God to an impeni- tent and a hard heart. But who they are, israther a feeret in Gods counsel, then a myltery difcovered to us : fo that no wickedmen under any Charalters whstfoe- ver(unlefethofeexcepced )may conclude indefpair,That it is not poffible they (hould everbe converted. Goddoe+ here invite the innersof Ifrael in what (ph- 'ty foever , to turn toGod ; now this is a great encouragement, the very poffbi- lity of turning toGod. Ah , How ;allymight God fteike thee dead is thy fumes, fend theewith thy goerblood to hell , and leavethee hopelefs and helplefe? But be bath not Phut thedoreagainl thee : He bath noeyet bid thee depart into ever- Idling fire, He knoweth thee not. It fhouldbe likeoyl in thy bones to think filch a thingmay be. .0Lord , Is not my condition defperate? Is there any hope left forme ? Am I not pal all favour ? Isnot my time fpent ? Oh , What a mercy is this ? But feting thepoffibility is uncertain, thy life is fo(lime , time is fo quickly runout, that it may be thy converfotr is not pofìble for any longer then a day more, ora night more ; then what inexcufable folly and madnefe will it be code: fer It? It is many timesSatans temptation tohold men a long while in fin and . then to perfwade them it is too late to torn CO God. At tìri any time is'foci e- noughy

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