every false way Psal. 119 127 128. Mark he did approve of all that God required and disallowed all that he forbad Righteous art thou O Lord and upright are thy judgments Thy testimonies that thou â—ast commanded are righteous and very faithful Thy word is true from the beginning and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever Psal. 119. 86 160 162 163. See how readily and fully he subscribes he declares his assent and consent to it and all and every thing therein contained 2. The desire of the heart is to know the whole mind of Christ. Psal. 119. 125 144 169. Psal. 25. 4 5. He would not have one sin undiscovered nor be ignorant of one duty required 'T is the natural and earnest breathing of a sanctified heart Lord if there be any way of wickedness in me do thou discover it What I know not teach thou me and if I have done iniquity I will do it no more The unsound is willingly ignorant 2 Pet. 3. 5. loves not to come to the light Iohn 3. 20. He is willing to keep such or such a sin and therefore is loth to know it to be a sin and will not let in the light at that window Now the gracious heart is willing to know the whole latitude and compass of his makers Low Psal. 119. 18 19 27 33 64 66 68 73 108 124. He receives with all acceptation the word that convinceth him of any duty that he knew not or minded not before or discovereth any sin that lay hid before Psal. 19. 11. 3. The free and resolved choice of the will is determined for the ways of Christ before all the pleasures of sin and prosperity of the world Psal. 119. 127 103 162. His consent is not extorted by some extremity of anguish nor is it only a sudden and hasty resolve but he is deliberately purposed and comes off freely in the choice Psal. 17. 3. Psal. 119. 30. True the flesh will rebel yet the prevailing past of his will is for Christs laws and government so that he takes them not up as his toil or burden but his bliss 1 Iohn 5. 3. Psal. 119 60 72. When the unsanctified goes in Christs ways as in Gives and fetters he doth them naturally Psal. 40. 8. Ier. 31. 33. and counts Christs law his liberty Psal. 119. 32 45. Iames 1. 25. He is willing in the beauties of holiness Psal. 110. 3. and hath this inseparable mark That he had rather if he might have his choice live a strict and holy life than the most prosperous and flourishing life in the world 1 Sam. 10. 26. There went with Saul a band of men whose hearts God had touched When God touches the hearts of his chosen they presently follow Christ Mat. 4. 22. and though drawn do freely run after him Cant. 1. 4. and willingly offer themselves to the service of the Lord 2 Chron. 17. 16. seeking him with their whole desire 2 Chro. 15. 15. Fear hath its use but this is not the main spring of motion with a sanctified heart Christ keeps not his subjects in by force but is King of a willing people They are through his grace freely resolved for his service and do it out of choice not as slaves but as the son or spouse from a spring of love and a loyal mind In a word the laws of Christ are the Converts love Psal. 119. 159 163 167. desire v. 5 20 40. delight v. 77 92 103 111 143. and continual study v. 99 97. Psal. 1. 2. 4. The bent of his course is directed to keep Gods Statutes Psal. 119. 4 8 167 168. 'T is the daily care of his life to walk with God He seeks great things he hath noble designs though he fall too short He aims at nothing less than perfection he desires it he reaches after it he would not rest in any pitch of grace till he were quite rid of sin and had perfected holiness Phil. 3. 11 12 13 14. Here the hypocrites rottenness may be discovered He desires holiness as one well only as a bridge to Heaven and enquires earnestly what is the least that will serve his turn and if he can get but so much as may just bring him to Heaven this is all he cares for But the sound Convert desires holiness for holiness sake Psal. 119. 97. Mat. 5. 6. and not only for Heaven sake He would not be satisfied with so much as might save him from hell but desires the highest pitch Yet desires are not enough What is thy way and thy course Is the drift and scope of thy life altered Is holiness thy trade and religion thy business Rom. 8. 1. Mat. 25. 16. Phil. 3. 20. If not thou art short of sound Conversion Application And is this that we have described the Conversion that is of absolute necessity of salvation then be informed 1. That strait is the gate and narrow the way that leadeth unto life 2. That there be but few that find it 3. That there is need of a Divine power savingly to convert a sinner to Jesus Christ. Again theâ— bâ—â—xhorted O man that readest to turn in upon thine own self What saith conscience Doth it not begin to bite Doth it not twitch thee as thou goest Is this thy judgment and this thy choice and this thy way that we have described If so then it 's well But doth not thy heart condemn thee and tell thee there is such a sin thou livest in against thy conscience Doth it not tell thee there is such and such a secret way of wickedness that thou makest no bones of Such or such a duty that thou makest no conscience of Doth not conscience carry thee to thy closet and tell thee how seldom prayer and reading is performed there Doth it not carry thee to thy family and shew thee the charge of God and the souls of thy children and servants that be neglected there Doth not conscience lead thee to thy shop thy trade and tell thee of some mystery of iniquity there Doth it not carry thee to the Ale-shop or to the Sack-shop and round thee in thine ear for the loose company thou keepest here the precious time thou mispendest here for the talents of God which thou throwest down this sink for thy gaming and thy swilling c. Doth it not carry thee into the secret chamber and read thee a curtain lecture O conscience do thy duty In the name of the living God I command thee discharge thine office Lay hold upon this sinner Fall upon him arrest him apprehend him undeceive him What wilt thou flatter and sooth him while he lives in his sins Awake O conscience What meanâ—st thou O sleeper What hast thou never a reproof in thy mouth What shall this soul die in his careless neglect of God and eternity and thou altogether hold thy peace What shall he go no still in his trespasses and yet have peace O rouze up thy self and do thy work Now let the
this he saith Return unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee Psal. 116. 7. and it is even ready to breath out Simeons song Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace Luke 2. 29. and saith with Iacob I when his old heart revived at the wellcome tydings It is enoughâ— Gen. 45. 28. When he sees he hath a God in Covenant to go to this is all his salvation and all his desire 2. Sam. 23. 5. Man is this thy case Hast thou experienced this Why then blessed art thou of the Lord. God hath been at work with thee he hath laid hold on thin heart by the power of converting grace or else thou couldst never have done this The Mediate term of Conversion is either Principal or less Principal The Principal is Christ the only mediatour between God and man 1 Tim. 2. 5. His work is to bring us to God 1 Pet. 3. 18. he is the way to the Father Iohn 14. 6. the only plank on which we may escape the only door by which we may enter Iohn 10. 9. Conversion brings over the soul to Christ to accept of him Col. 2. 6. as the only means of life as the only way the only name given under Heaven Act. 4. 12. He looks not for salvation in any other but him nor in any other with him but throws himself on Christ alone as one that should cast himself with spread arms upon the Sea Here saith the convinced sinner here I will venture and if I perish I perish if I die I will die here But Lord suffer me not to perish under the pitiful eyes of thy mercy Intreat me not to leave thee nor to turn away from following after thee Ruth 1. 16. Here I will throw my self If thou kick me if thou kill me Iob 13. 15. I will not go from thy door Thus the poor soul doth venture upon Christ and resolvedly adhere to him Before Conversion the man made light of Christ minded the â—arm friends merchandise more than Christ Matth. 22. 5. now Christ is to him as his necessary food his daily bread the life of his heart the staff of his life Phil. 3. 9. His great design is that Christ may be magnified in him Phil. 1. 20. His heart once said as they to the spouse What is thy beloved more than another Cant. 5. 9. He found more sweetness in his merry company wicked games earthly delights than in Christ. He took religion for a fancy and the talk of great enjoyments for an idle dream But now to him to live is Christ. He sets light by all that he accounted precious for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. Phil. 3. 8. All of Christ is accepted by the sincere Convert He loves not only the wages but work of Christ Rom. 7. 22. not only the benefits but the burden of Christ. He is willing not only to tread out the corn but to draw under the yoke he takes up the commands of Christ yea and the Cross of Christ. Mat. 11. Mat. 16. 24. The unsound closes by the halves with Christ he is all for the salvation of Christ but he is not for sanctification he is for the priviledges but appretiates not the person of Christ. He divides the offices and benefits of Christ. This is an error in the foundation Whoso loveth life let him beware here 'T is an undoing mistake of which you have been often warned and yet none more common Jesus is a sweet name but men love not the Lord Jesus in sincerity Eph. 6. 24. They will not have him as God offers To be a Prince and a Saviour Act. 5. 31. They divide what God hath joined the King and the Priest Yea they will not accept the salvation of Christ as he intends it they divide here Every mans vote is for salvation from suffering but they desire not to be saved from sinning They would have their lives saved but withall they would have their lusts saved Yea many divide here again they would be content to have some of their sins destroyed but they cannot leave the lap of Dalilah or divorce the beloved Herodias They cannot be cruel to the right eye or right hand the Lord must pardon them in this thing 2 Kings 5. 18. Oh be infinitely tender here your souls lie upon it The sound Convert takes a whole Christ and takes him for all intents and purposes without exceptions without limitations without reserves He is willing to have Christ upon his terms upon any terms He is willing of the dominion of Christ as well as deliverance by Christ he saith with Paul Lord what wilt thou have me to do Act. 9. 6. Any thing Lord He sends the blank for Christ to set down his own conditions Act. 2. 37. Act. 16. 30. The less Principal is the Laws Ordinances and ways of Christ. The heart that was once set against these and could not endure the strictness of these bonds the severity of these wayes now falls in love with them and chooses them as its rule and guide for ever Psal. 119. 111 112. Four things I observe God doth work in every sound Convert with reference to the Laws and ways of Christ by which you may come to know your estates if you will be faithful to your own souls and therefore keep your eyes upon your hearts as you go along 1. The Iudgment is brought to approve of them and subscribe to them as most righteous and most reasâ—nable Psal. 119. 128 137 138. The mind is brought to like the ways of God and the corrupt prejudices that were once against them as unreasonable and intolerable are now removed The understanding assents to them all as holy just and good Rom. 7. 12. How is David taken up with the excellencies of Gods Laws How doth he expatiate in their praises both from their inherent qualities and admirable effects Psal 19. 8 9 10 c. There is a twofold judgment of the understanding Iudicium absolutum comparatum The absolute judgment is when a man thinks such a course best in the general but not for him or not under the present circumstances he is in pro hîc nune Now a godly mans judgment is for the waies of God and that not only the absolute but comparative judgement he thinks them not only best in general but best for him He looks upon the rules of religion not only as tolerable but desirable yea more desirable than gold fine gold yea much fine gold Psal 19. 10. His judgment is settledly determined that it is best to be holy that 't is best to be strict that it is in it self the most eligible course and that 't is for him the wisest and most rational and desirable choice Hear the godly mans Judgment I know O Lord that thy judgments are right I love thy Commandment above gold yea above fine gold I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right and I hate
and to follow thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life Who am I Lord that I should make any claim to thee or have any part or portion in thee who am not worthy to lick up the dust of thy feet Yet since thou holdest forth the golden Scepter I am bold to come and touch To despair would be to disparage thy mercy and to stand off when thou biddest me come would be at once to undo my self and rebel against thee under pretence of humility Therefore I bow my soul unto thee and with all possible thankfulness accept thee as mine and give up my self to thee as thine Thou shalt be Soveraign over me my King and my God Thou shalt be in the Throne and all my powers shall bow to thee they shall come and worship before thy feet Thou shalt be my portion O Lord and I will rest in thee Thou callest for my heart Oh that it were any way fit for thine acceptance I am unworthy O Lord everlastingly unworthy to be thine But since thou wilt have it so I freely give up my heart to thee Take it it is thine Oh that it were better But Lord I put it into thy hands who alone canst mend it Mould it after thine own heart make it as thou wouldst have it holy humble heavenly soft tender flexible and write thy law upon it Come Lord Jesus come quickly enter in triumphantly take me up for thy self for ever I give up to thee I come to thee as the only way to the Father as the only Mediator the means ordained to bring me to God I have destroyed my self but in thee is my help Save Lord or else I perish I come to thee with the rope about my neck I am worthy to dye and to be damned Never was the hire more due to the servantâ— never was penny more due to the labourer than death and Hell my just wages is due to me for my sins But I fly to thy merits I trust alone to the value and virtue of thy Sacrifice and prevalency of thine intercession I submit to thy teaching I make choice of thy Government Stand open ye everlasting doors that the King of Glory may enter in O thou spirit of the most high the comforter and sanctifier of thy chosen come in with all thy glorious train all thy Courtly attendants thy fruits and Graces Let me be thine habitation I can give thee but what is thine own already but here with the poor Widdow I cast my two mites my soul and my body into thy treasury fully resigning them up to thee to be sanctified by thee to be servants to thee They shall be thy patients cure thou their maladies they shall be thy agents govern thou their motions Too long have I served the world too long have I hearkened to Satan but now I renounce them all and will be ruled by thy dictates and directions and guided by thy counsel O blessed Trinity O glorious Unity I deliver up my self to thee receive me write thy name O Lord upon me and upon all that I have as thy proper goods Set thy mark upon me upon every member of my body and every faculty of my soul. I have chosen thy precepts Thy law will I lay before me this shall be the copy which I will keep in my eye and study to write after According to this rule do I resolve by thy Grace to walk after this law shall my whole man be governed And though I cannot perfectly keep one of thy Commandments yet I will allow my self in the breach of none I know my flesh will hang back but I resolve in the power of thy Grace to cleave to thee and thy holy ways whatever it cost me I am sure I cannot come off a loser by thee and therefore I will be content with reproach and difficulties and hardships here and will deny my self and take up my Cross and follow thee Lord Jesus thy Yoke is easie thy Cross is welcome as it is the way to thee I lay aside all hopes of a worldly happiness I will be content to tarry till I come to thee Let me be poor and low little and despised here so I may be but admitted to live and reign with thee hereafter Lord thou hast my heart and hand to this agreement Be it as the laws of the Medes and Persians never to be reversed To this I will stand in this resolution by Grace I will live and dye I have â—worn and will perform it that I will keep thy righteous judgments I have given my free consent I have made my everlasting choice Lord Jesus confirm the contract Amen CHAP. VII Containing the Motives to Conversion THough what is already said of the Necessity of Conversionâ— and of the Miseries of the Unconverted might be sufficient to induce any considering mind to resolve upon a present turning or Conversion unto God yet knowing what a piece of desperate obstinacy and untractableness the heart of man naturally is I have thought it necessary to add to the means of Conversion and Directions for a Covenant-closure with God in Christ some Motives to perswade you hereunto O Lord fail me not now at my last attempts If any soul hath read hitherto and be yet untouched now Lord fasten in him and do thy work Now take him by the heart overcome him perswade him till he say Thou hast prevailed for thou wast stronger than I. Lord didst not thou make me a fisher of men And have I toyled all this while and caught nothing Alas that I should have spent my strength for nought And now I am casting my last Lord Iesus stand thou upon the shore and direct how and where I shall spread my net and let me so enclose with arguments the souls I seek for that they may not be able to get out Now Lord for a multitude of souls now for a full draught O Lord God remember me I pray thee and strengthen me this once O God But I turn me unto you Men and Brethren Heaven and earth do call upon you yea hell it self doth preach the doctrine of repentance unto you The Angels of the Churches travel with you Gal. 4. 19. the Angels of Heaven wait for you for your repenting and turning unto God O sinner why should the devils make merry with thee Why shouldst thou be a morsel for that devouring Leviathan Why should harpies and hell-hounds tear thee and make a feast upon thee and when they have got thee into the snare and have fastened their talons in thee laugh at thy destruction and deride thy misery and sport themselves with thy damnable folly This must be thy case except thou turn And were it not better thou shouldst be a joy to Angels than a laughing-stock and sport for devils Verily if thou wouldst but come in the Heavenly Host would take up their anthems and sing Glory be to God in the highest the morning Stars would sing together