The first part may bring thee to a sight, and sense, and sorrow for sin; the second to a sight of Christ, and a comfort in Christ: and these are the principal means of conversion. Nor is the work unprofitable, if thou beest converted; use them as daily Meditations, and they will keep thee from sin, and help thee towards heaven. One of our Worthies can tell thee, that Nothing more strongly bends men to sin then security, or incogitancy of these things. If thou ask what things? he answers, The end of our creation and redemption, the certainty of death, the uncertainty of life, the severe account we must give, the just retribution we shall have, the misery of the damned in hell, the blessedness of the Saints in heaven, these things being sadly and frequently thought upon, would quench our burnings and lustings after sin. And true thou mayest find it, that such good thoughts, and ⟨image 3⟩an inordinate life, are scarce consistible: Will you hear another? A serious and fruitful meditation on these things (so blessed M. Bolton) hath ever been holden very material, and of special moment to make us (by Gods blessing) more humble, unworldly, provident and prepared for the evil day. And I take it, every one of these following subjects would be an excellent theme, or matter for our deliberate meditation. See the Middle things, Chap. 7. Sect. 4. Read then and practise these Meditations, and I trust by these means, thy end will be Heavens happiness. So ends this work, and to that end solely, next to Gods glory, I built it for thee. Farewell.
The first part may bring thee to a sight, and sense, and sorrow for sin; the second to a sight of Christ, and a comfort in Christ: and these are the principall means of conversion. Nor is the work unprofitable, if thou beest converted; use them as daily Meditations, and they will keep thee from sin, and help thee towards heaven. One of our Worthies can tell thee, that Nothing more strongly bends men to sin then securitie, or incogitancie of these things. If thou ask what things? he answers, The end of our creation and redemption, the certaintie of death, the uncertaintie of life, the severe account we must give, the just retribution we shall have, the miserie of the damned in hell, the blessedness of the Saints in heaven, these things being sadly and frequently thought upon, would quench our burnings and lustings after sinne. And true thou mayest find it, that such good thoughts, and ⟨image 3⟩an inordinate life, are scarce consistible: Will you hear another? A serious and fruitfull meditation on these things (so blessed M. Bolton) hath ever been holden very materiall, and of speciall moment to make us (by Gods blessing) more humble, unworldly, provident and prepared for the evil day. And I take it, every one of these following subjects would be an excellent theam, or matter for our deliberate meditation. See the Middle things, Chap. 7. Sect. 4. Read then and practise these Meditations, and I trust by these means, thy end will be Heavens happiness. So ends this work, and to that end solely, next to Gods glory, I built it for thee. Farewell.
