Burgess - Houston-Packer Collection BT715 .B85 1652

Sac T. IX. OfConverfton, or Turning unto Ged. 4a t nough , and afterwards every day is too late; but never believe that fugg:ftion. Oh then , asthe Husbandman ploweth inhope , which naurifheth all 3é1ions; fo thou main hear in hope, pray inhope , fet onwork of reformation inhope ; for God never bid a people leek his Name invain. Secondly , Not onely thepofbility, battheprobability may much prevailwith thee. For on Gods part itfeemethmore probable thoumad be converted, then millions 2 in theworld. So that howfoever many men by abate of the means,may make their condition far worfe then that of Heathens and Pagans : yet ifwe fpeak aridly in refpedof the means themfelves , it is far more probable thou that halt the means of converion,thouldit beconverted, rather then thofe that enjoy them not. The greateh partof the world fits inhorrible darknelfe without any light : to them the word bathnot come, which yet is the ordinarymeansof converfion ; fo that on Gods parr,and the means,it is far more likely that Godwills thy converfion,rather thenthole to whom he fends no Prophets at all.It is true, the word is 'fometimes Pent to harden men, and it becomes the favour of death ; but this is after men have horribly abufed it : and it is not the proper and genuine effeft ofthe word, but accidental through the indifpofitionand obltinacyof the hearers. Well then, let thisencourage thee to turn to God , God hath not withdrawn . or denied the means to thee ; yet he fends his Prophets, and minders to call thee to him: Whydoth God vouchfafe all this to me ? who fhould turn if I do not? Oh it is intollerable fhame ifany in the world turn toGod, and thou doti not who arc fo often exhorted. Doe any in the world repent , grieve for, and for- fake their finites ? and doeft not thou who enjoye(t the powerful' weans cf Grace. Thirdly , It ie not onely probable, but thy turning to him >a very acceptable and Welcome. Thou art fire tohavethe dore opened to thee : Never any man turned to God thatwas put backagain Come unto me, ho, every one that thirlleth come comemidday Without money, Ifai. 5y. r. Noman that comethunto me, will I in any Waieacaft off, John 6.37, fo that this fhould be likefire in every (inners bowels, Oh Lord, when men havebeen offended , and grievoufly injured, they many times become fo implacable , that no fubmillion, no fatisfadion can content themi But God after all the defpite and difdain done untohim, is willing tobe reconci- led : this goodne'fe and mercy ofGod fhould abundantlychange thy heart. And certainly thoudolt not ferioufly and fullyponder theft things in thy heart, if thou didn't , thou wouldeft not a moment longer flay from running to hem : Thou wouldeft not onely turn, but in to him ; Draw no, and We Will run after thee, praieth the Church, Case. I.. God death not onely powerfully over-cafe the[mil, but fo fweetlyenctines it to delight ingood and holy objects, that when the heart hath once cartedof the goodneffeofGod,nothing can keep it from him: Seeing therefore thy turning untoGod is fo acceptable to him, is fo v; hetnently defrred by him,Why fhould it notmake thee (hake offall fothfalnefIe, andaddrefs thy felf to him? Fourthly , Therefore tern to God, becaufethis will prove thygood, and thy hap. pinej(e : It makes notat all to Godshappineffe : God is all-letficient ; the Sun, to which the Starres contribute no light : goodaefe doch not extend to thee , Pfalm 16. a. Ha man drinkofa fountain he bettereth himlelf, he doch not pro- fit the fountain: If a man feeany comfortable objet s by the Suns light, he re- fre(heth himfelf, hedoth not advantage the Sun : So it is here ; If thou turn to God , God is not made more happy by thee, he needethnot thy converfion , or thy Graces; but it is thy (elf onely thatwill reap the profit. Oh then let this move thee, What doth this at all avail God ? If I turn tohim,it is my good, not his that is interetted herein? One would think that felt-love would herein provoke thee;for will a man give all he bath for a Temporal life, and not much rather for Eternal? Hhh i?.fthly,

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