The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

7. Conclus. All the Actings and endeavours of men whatsoever they be, are not formaliter dispositions or preparations to conversion, so that conversion must necessarily follow upon them: For there is no necessary connection between the actings of Men, and divine Grace. The Lord hath no where said, if you act so far, or be so disposed, qualified, or prepared, I will convert you. If Gods grace did depend upon mens Actings, then those that are most Civil and Moral must be taken, and those who are profane and rebellious must be left; but Pharisees were excluded, when Publicans and Harlots were admitted. Great sinners sometimes are brought in, who did nothing towards their conversion, when those did much are shut out. Mary Magdalen a great and infamous sinner is taken, when the foolish Virgins were refused; they were Virgins free from the spots and pollutions of the world, they had lamps, professions, they did much, they went out to meet the Bride-groom, they gat oil into their lamps, they went to the door, and they cried Lord, Lord, open to us, ¹and there was no opening to them. What preparations had Paul to this work of conversion? he was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an injurious person, these were his dispositions and preparatory works he had towards his conversion, 1 Tim. 1.13.

7. Conclus. All the Actings and endeavours of men whatsoever they be, are not formaliter dispositions or preparations to conversion, so that conversion must necessarily follow upon them: For there is no necessary connexion between the actings of Men, and divine Grace. The Lord hath no where said, if you act so far, or be so disposed, qualified, or prepared, I will convert you. If Gods grace did depend upon mens Actings, then those that are most Civil and Moral must be taken, and those who are profane and rebellious must be left; but Pharisees were excluded, when Publicans and Harlots were admitted. Great sinners sometimes are brought in, who did nothing towards their conversion, when those did much are shut out. Mary Magdalen a great and infamous sinner is taken, when the foolish Virgins were refused; they were Virgins free from the spots and pollutions of the world, they had lamps, professions, they did much, they went out to meet the Bride-groom, they gat oyle into their lamps, they went to the door, and they cryed Lord, Lord, open to us, ¹