Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

You cannot say, that to the hearing of the Word as a means ⟨p. 133⟩of conversion, true faith and Repentance is so requisite. The text you mention 1 Pet. 2.1.2. I say again, speaks of the confirming and edifying use of the word, and not of the converting use. The converted must bring true saith to the Word if they will expect increase of it: but the unconverted must not needs bring true faith, if they will be brought to believe by it.

You cannot say, that to the hearing of the Word as a means ⟨p. 133⟩of conversion, true faith and Repentance is so requisite. The text you mention 1 Pet. 2.1.2. I say again, speaks of the confirming and edifying use of the word, and not of the converting use. The converted must bring true saith to the Word if they will expect encrease of it: but the unconverted must not needs bring true faith, if they will be brought to believe by it.

3. Yet remember that we say not that men ought to forbear coming that are unconverted; but that they ought to come; but how? To believe and repent, and so to come, and to do it in this order and no other, and they ever lye under all this Obligation.

You next instance in Prayer, and conclude that [As for Prayer there is no more ground or colour to make it a converting Ordinance than the Supper, &c.] Repl. 1. A man that hath but common desires may be persuaded to ask for what he so desires: Though he have no Promise of Acceptance, you do not find him threatened with judgement for such a Prayer (so it be not grossly hypocritical or wicked) as he is for unworthy receiving the Supper, without a discerning the Lords Body. 2. When we exhort any man to pray for Christs pardon, the Spirit, &c. we therein exhort him to desire them; for desire is the soul of Prayer, and the chief part of its essence: Now the first of these desires which we exhort them to, is conversion it self, even that they would turn to God by a change of their wills, and express them in Prayer. 3. I can show you where the wicked are commanded to seek the Lord, that is, by Prayer to express their returning hearts, which implieth their returning it self; but you cannot show where ever they are commanded to communicate with the Church in the Sacrament, but in this order, first to be converted and repent, and so baptized, and so communicate: or if Baptized already to be Penitents first, and Communicants next.