An Alarm to Unconverted Sinners

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 ⟨p. 16⟩world, like a man distracted under the rage of a guilty conscience, till with building and business he had worn it away. Gen. 4. 13, 14. Others think, that because they have given off their riotous courses, and are broken off from evil company, or some particular lust, and reduced to sobriety and civility, they are now no other than real Converts; forgetting that there is a vast difference between being sanctified, and civilized; and that many seek to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Luke 13. 24. and are not far from it, Mark 12. 34. and arrive to the almost of Christianity, Act. 26. 28. and yet fall short at last. While conscience holds the whip over them, many will pray, hear, read and forbear their delightful sins: but no sooner is this Lyon asleep, but they are at their vomit again. Who more religious than the Jews, when Gods hand was upon them? Psal. 78. 34, 35. but no sooner was the affliction over, but they forgot God, and showed their religion to be but a fit, v. 36, 37. Thou mayest have disgorged a troublesome sin, that will not sit in thy stomach, and have escaped the gross pollutions of the world, and yet not have changed thy swinish nature, all the while.