S s ti r. IX. Of Converfton, or ï uruingantoGod. 41> one fin ; and thus it is herd: To bow to Altars, to goOn pilgrimage, to keep a fir:aLent, thefe are far more Bane to flesh and blood, then tomortifiefin, Haberquad in to wilts, Paid Anilin. Though we have not Ramsor Sheep to kill for Sacrifice, yet we have several tuftstomortifie, and this is a greater pain ; So then, beware of this delufion of Satan ; for if hecannot keep men in pro- phane fecurity about their fins, but their confciences will tremble and cry out; thenhe leads them into dark fuper(litious ways, and fo they damn themfelves in a narrowway, that leads to.hell ; for there is a broad way tohell, and there isalfo anarrow ftraight way, which the troubled confcience of a man findes out; wanting the guide of theScripture s And the Devil makes fuck take up their . crofs and followhim. Thirdly, Then We turn not to God fromfin, When We earlychange thepraîlice of fin, grofs foul bodily fins, to more fpiritualfoul-filthinefs: As when we with indignation call away ourptophanenefs and scandalous ways, but this fiheth`us withpride and fell-confidence, anda carnal trust in our Righteoufnefs: Oh this is not turning to God, but further from him then ever; 'come not to call the Righteous, but the limners to repentance , faith Chrift, Mat.,ç. t 3. fuch as are al-, ready conceited with a self-righteoufnefs, becaufe with the Pharifee; they can fay, They are noThrives, no Adulterers, nor like other men, thefe are in a di- tea oppofition to conversion. This was the great fin of theJews, theywent . about to eftablifh their own Righteoufnefs, Rom. to. 1,2. to set up their own Dagon; but alas, thatcould notftand beforeGod. Take heed then, that when thou haft can out fome black Devils, therecome rim whiteones in the room ; the Devil transforming himfelfinto an Angel of light : Oh its a great matter, when these unclean fpirits are call out of the foul, what comes in the room thereof. Alas ! the Parabletells us, that a mans heart may be garnishedand fur Milled toprepare for chofe Devils thatare leven times vi(orfe, Luke 11.25. and as thisholds for felf-righteoufnefsand pride, fofor vain difputations, and affeét ing new opinions in Religion; for if thou haft givenover all thy prophanenefs; and on a sudden all thy ftrength runsout in difputations about Religion : Thou dolt not minds mortification of fin, and closecommunion with God; butthou art of this opinion, and that, and runnel roving up anddown in Religion , this isan argument thou art, it may be, unfettled from fin, but yet not fettled upon God ; Thou art too much a feeker, for itmay be thou haft not yet found God. Do.not thouthinkconverson is anexchange of one fin fromanother; no, its a well advifed renouncingof all, and takingGod in the roomof them. Fourthly, Though We leave fin, yet We do not turn to God, WhenaffliGions and calamities are the oseiymotive to Make tie keep off: So that we are beaten from, out fins, as thedog from sheep, our hearts are not turned to hate thofelulls' we once loved : Thiswas that which made the Prophetfay, They returned not ro the mofthigh ; becaufe though theywere confIant in prayer;andhumiliation; and failing; yet it was meetly to divert judgement, and out of love to tempo- ral mercies: And thus altoZachary the Prophet expollulareth with theIsraelites; In thole monethe, didye fait tome, even to me? Was it notfor your [elves ? Zach. 7.5. If thereforethere temporal calamitiesbe the greatwheel to fee all agoing, you return not yertoGod. Laftly, Let- a man turn neverfo farfrom the committing f any grofrfn; yet if fkállhe do not turnfromhimfelf,his[elf aims, [elfends, jelfprinciples, felfintereJs; he it notyet turned to God; Forconverfion is theunhinging of the foul, hanging it upon another hinge, or letting it upon another bottom then it had before: Therefore the wholerequifite to a Difciple of Chrilt, is comprifed in this, To Deny bimfelf: If a man deny his lulls, hisfins, all his outward wickedness ; yet if still he bath not denied himfelf, he bath not killed the Serpent in,his head; and therefore he will revive again; for therefore were fins committed, becaufe they were felf-pkafure, felf eafe, or self-profit; This wasthe blood that rari PPp 3 ìt
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=