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

That men may do much towards their conversion, they may materially dispose themselves thereunto.

1. They may do as much as heathens have done, or would have done, had they lived under the same means, and had such motives, as they have. The Lord tells Ezek that if he had sent him to a people of a strange language; that was to the Gentiles, they would have hearkened unto him, Ezek. 3.6. they would have received him and obeyed his doctrine. It is certified from the mouth of Christ, That if the mighty works done in Chorazin and Bethsaida, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented, Matth. 11.21. And that the men of Nineveh should rise in judgement with the then present generation, and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold a greater than Jonah was there, Matth. 12.41. If one Sermon of Jonah who was one of the lesser Prophets prevailed so much with Heathens, why should not many Sermons of Christ, who is the chief of all the Prophets, prevail ⟨p. 32⟩as much, if not more with Christians? vae torpori nostro, what will become of us? Rahab showed kindness to the people of God, and that was antecedaneous to her conversion. Herod heard the Word gladly, Mar. 6.20. And Pharaoh desired the prayers of Moses and Aaron, Exod. 8.28.

1. They may do as much as heathens have done, or would have done, had they lived under the same means, and had such motives, as they have. The Lord tells Ezek that if he had sent him to a people of a strange language; that was to the Gentiles, they would have hearkned unto him,