The Soul's Preparation for Christ

All men grow upon the root of sin, which is Adams rebellion: some are young, and have not grown knotty in a rebellious course; every Sabbath day the Lord gives a cut at him by his counsels, and by his threatenings, and by his promises; at last it falls off kindly, and they are content to part with their sins, and to rest upon Christ for mercy. Another man is an old sturdy vile wretch an over-grown adulterer and drunkard, and his heart is blinded in sin: I tell you, if ever the Lord cut off this man from his base course, he must come with a mighty hand, and with his book of the Law: God is ever laying at his soul, blow after blow, and so at last he begins to forsake his wicked courses. What (saith one) is such a man turned? he was as heavy a persecutor as ever the Sun saw: his father was an enemy to all goodness, and he was as bad; Like father like son: Hath the Lord brought him home? Yes, now he sends to the faithful Ministers, and to Gods people for comfort and direction.

All men grow upon the root of sinne, which is Adams rebellion: some are young, and have not growne knotty in a rebellious course; every Sabbath day the Lord gives a cut at him by his counsels, and by his threatnings, and by his promises; at last it falls off kindly, and they are content to part with their sinnes, and to rest upon Christ for mercy. Another man is an old sturdy vile wretch an over-growne adulterer and drunkard, and his heart is blinded in sinne: I tell you, if ever the Lord cut off this man from his base course, hee must come with a mighty hand, and with his book of the Law: God is ever laying at his soule, blow after blow, and so at last hee begins to forsake his wicked courses. What (saith one) is such a man turned? hee was as heavy a persecutor as ever the Sunne saw: his father was an enemy to all goodnesse, and hee was as bad; Like father like sonne: Hath the Lord brought him home? Yes, now hee sends to the faithfull Ministers, and to Gods people for comfort and direction.

The third and last part of the answer is this, That when God works gently with Christians, they hardly perceive the work, though wise Christians may approve that which is done; for this is certain, wheresoever Christ is, there preparation was; if ever man be saved, Christ hath made him see his lost estate.