An Alarm to Unconverted Sinners

Here the hypocrites rottenness may be discovered. He desires holiness (as one well) only as a bridge to Heaven, and enquires earnestly, what is the least that will serve his turn; and if he can get but so much as may just bring him to Heaven, this is all he cares for. But the sound Convert desires holiness for holiness sake, Psal. 119. 97. Mat. 5. 6. and not only for Heaven sake. He would not be satisfied with so much as might save him from hell; but desires the highest pitch. Yet desires are not enough. What is thy way and thy course? Is the drift and scope of thy life altered? Is holiness thy trade, and religion thy business? Rom. 8. 1. Mat. 25. 16. Phil. 3. 20. If not, thou art short of sound Conversion.

Application. And is this, that we have described, the Conversion that is of absolute necessity of salvation? then be informed, 1. That strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto life. 2. That there be but few that find it. 3. That there is need of a Divine power savingly to convert a sinner to Jesus Christ.

Again, the• b• exhorted, O man, that readest, ⟨p. 57⟩to turn in upon thine own self. What saith conscience? Doth it not begin to bite? Doth it not twitch thee, as thou goest? Is this thy judgment, and this thy choice, and this thy way, that we have described? If so, then it's well. But doth not thy heart condemn thee? and tell thee, there is such a sin thou livest in against thy conscience? Doth it not tell thee, there is such and such a secret way of wickedness, that thou makest no bones of? Such or such a duty, that thou makest no conscience of?