An Alarm to Unconverted Sinners

5. It lies not in the chaining up of corruption, by education, humane laws, or the force of incumbent affliction. 'Tis too common and easy, to mistake education for grace: but if this were enough, who a better man than Jehoash? while Jehoiada his uncle lived, he was very forward in Gods service, and calls upon him to repair the house of the Lord, 2 Kings 12. 2, 7. But here was nothing more than good education all this while: for when his good Tutor was taken out of the way, he appears to have been but a wolf chained up, and falls off to Idolatry.

5. It lies not in the chaining up of corruption, by education, humane laws, or the force of incumbent affliction. 'Tis too common and easie, to mistake education for grace: but if this were enough, who a better man than Iehoash? while Iehoiada his uncle lived, he was very forward in Gods service, and calls upon him to repair the house of the Lord, 2 Kings 12. 2, 7. But here was nothing more than good education all this while: for when his good Tutour was taken out of the way, he appears to have been but a wolf chained up, and falls off to Idolatry.

6. In short, it consists not in illumination, or convictions, in a superficial change, or partial reformation. An Apostate may be a man enlightened, Heb. 6. 4. and a Felix tremble under convictions, Act. 24. 25. and a Herod amend many things, Mark 6. 20. 'Tis one thing to have fin alarmed only by convictions, and another to have it captivated and crucified by converting grace. Many, because they have been troubled in conscience for their sins, think well of their case; miserably mistaking conviction for conversion. With these Cain might have passed for a Convert, who run up and down the