A Call to the Unconverted

O Sirs, Conversion is another kind of work then most are ware of: Its not a small matter to bring an Earthly mind to Heaven, and to show man the amiable excellencies of God, till he be taken up in such Love to him, that never can be quenched; to break the heart for sin, and make him fly for refuge unto Christ, and thankfully ⟨p. 47⟩embrace him as the l•fe of his soul, to have the very drift and bent of the heart and life to be changed, so that a man renounceth that which he took for his felicity, and placeth his felicity where he never did before, and liveth not to the same end, and driveth not on the same design in the world, as formerly he did: in a word, he that is in Christ, is a new creature; old things are past away, behold all things are become new, 2 Cor. 5.17. He hath a new understanding, a new will and resolution, new sorrows, and desires, and love, and delight, new thoughts, new speeches, new company (if possible) and a new conversation. Sin that before was a jesting matter with him, is now so odious and terrible to him, that he flies from it as from death. The world that was so lovely in his eyes, doth now appear but as vanity and vexation: God ⟨p. 48⟩that was before neglected, is now the only Happiness of his soul; before he was forgotten, and every lust preferred before him; but now he is set next the heart, and all things must give place to him: and the heart is taken up in the attendance and observance of him: and is grieved when he hides his face, and never thinks it self well without him. Christ himself that was wont to be slightly thought of, is now his only hope and refuge, and he liveth upon him as on his daily bread; he cannot pray without him, nor rejoice without him, nor think, nor speak, nor live without him. Heaven it self that before was looked upon but as a tolerable reserve, which he hoped might serve turn as better then hell, when he could not stay any longer in the world, is now taken for his home, the place of his only Hope and Rest, where he shall ⟨p. 49⟩See, and Love, and Praise that God that hath his heart already. Hell that before did seem but as a bugbear to frighten men from sin, doth now appear to be a real misery, that is not to be ventured on, nor jested with. The works of holiness which before he was weary of, and seemed to be more ado then needs, are now both his recreation and his business, and the trade that he lives upon.