Directions and persuasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…Directions and perswasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…

4. And yet if all this might be had with a wet finger, If Heaven were the portion of worldlings, and sluggards, that trouble not their Thoughts much about it, then you might have some excuse for your Inconsiderateness. But it is not so: there are difficulties, in your way; and they are many and great: what a dark understanding have you to inform, what a dull and backward nature to spur on? What an unreasonable appetite? What raging passions? What violent rebellious senses to contend with, to Master and to rule? Abundance of adversaries on every hand: A subtle Devil, and as malicious as subtle: and as furious and able to do you a mischief, if God restrain him not. A world of wicked men about you: each one more stiff in Error, ⟨p. 105⟩then you in the Truth; and more fast to the Devil then you are to God, (if his grace do not hold you faster, then you will hold your selves:) and therefore they are abler to deceive you, then you are to undeceive them: Many of them are crafty, and can puzzle such ignorant beginners as you; and can put a face of reverence and truth upon damnable Errors, and pernicious ways: And those that have not wit, have foolish violence, and scorn and passion; and can drive you towards Hell, if they cannot draw you. All these Enemies you must Conquer, or you are lost. And is it not time for a man in so much danger to Consider of them, that he may know how to escape? And for one that is compassed about with such difficulties, to Consider how he may well get through them. What abundance of things have you to Consider of? of all your life past; of the Relations you have born; and how you have performed the duties of those relations? Of the time you have had; and how you have spent it? Of the means you have had; and what you have received by them: Of the present state of your Souls, your sins, your miseries, your hopes, and ⟨p. 106⟩the duties that are incumbent on you, in order to your recovery. Of the temptations to be encountered with; and the graces that are daily to be exercised and confirmed: should not a man bethink himself with all possible care, and Consider, and an hundred times Consider, that hath all this to do, or be undone for ever? You have much to Know that will not easily be known, and yet must be known: and much to do, receive, and suffer, that hath difficulty joined with Necessity:

4. And yet if all this might be had with a wet finger, If Heaven were the portion of worldlings, and sluggards, that trouble not their Thoughts much about it, then you might have some excuse for your Inconsiderateness. But it is not so: there are difficulties, in your way; and they are many and great: what a dark understanding have you to informe, what a dull and backward nature to spurre on? What an unreasonable appetite? What rageing passions? What violent rebellious senses to contend with, to Master and to rule? Abundance of adversaries on every hand: A subtil Devil, and as malicious as subtil: and as furious and able to do you a mischief, if God restrain him not. A world of wicked men about you: each one more stiff in Errour,