The Soul's Preparation for Christ

Secondly, the work by this means will be much more easy then at another time.¹ If thou once get thy conscience convicted and thine eyes opened, the work will go on clearly and easily; Many of Gods people will strike in with you, and many good Christians will pity you, and pray for you, and you shall have many helps this way, and therefore is it not better now to have your conscience awakened when you may have help, then afterward when there is no remedy? When any of Gods people fast or pray, they will remember you; what saith one? Do you know such a man? yes very well: what is he? oh he was the most shameless drunkard that ever the sun did see, or the earth bear. Was he so? oh but now God hath opened his eyes, and awakened his conscience, he was never so frolic before, but now he is as much wounded, now his heart is broken, & his conscience flies in his face; It were good to remember him, though he hath been a wretch and a profest opposer of Gods people, yet let us remember him; Yes that I will, I know his burden is great, I have found it; and I hope so long as I have a knee to kneel and a tongue to speak I shall remember him. And then they pray ⟨p. 60⟩for him and say, Good Lord, who can bear a wounded soul? Good Lord thou hast humbled him and made him see himself vile and miserable, let him see thy mercy in Christ. What a comfort is this to have a whole country pray for him in this manner.

Secondly, the worke by this meanes will bee much more easie then at another time.¹ If thou once get thy conscience convicted and thine eyes opened, the worke will goe on clearely and easi•y; Many of Gods people will strike in with you, and many good Christians will pitty you, and pray for you, and you shall have many helps this way, and therefore is it not better now to have your conscience awakened when you may have helpe, then afterward when there is no remedy? When any of Gods people fast or pray, they will remember you; what saith one? Doe you know such a man? yes very well: what is he? oh he was the most shamelesse drunkard that ever the sun did see, or the earth beare. Was he so? oh but now God hath opened his eyes, and awakened his conscience, he was never so frolike before, but now he is as much wounded, now his heart is broken, & his conscience flies in his face; It were good to remember him, though he hath beene a wretch and a profest opposer of Gods people, yet let us remember him; Yes that I will, I know his burthen is great, I have found it; and I hope so long as I have a knee to kneele and a tongue to speake I shal remember him. And then they pray