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…

6. Understand and Note, that there are some of Christ's Ends, and Benefits, that the very Natural man desires, and some that Corrupted Nature is against. Now it is therefore the established way of Christ, to Promise us those which we can desire, on Condition that we will also accept of, and submit to those that we are against. Not but that his Grace doth dispose men to the performance of such Conditions: But his Grace worketh by means: and a Conditional Promise is his stablished means, to draw mans heart to the Performance of the Condition: (which ⟨p. 290⟩well considered, is a sufficient answer to the Arguments that are commonly urged against the Conditionality of the Promise.) As the Spirit doth Powerfully work within; so he useth that Word from without, as his Instrument, which worketh Sapientially, and Powerfully to the same work. If a Physician have two medicines to give his patient, as necessary for his cure, the one very sweet, and the other bitter; the one which he loves, and the other which he loathes, he will Promise him the Sweeter, if he will take the Bitter one; that by the love of one, he may prevail against the loathing of the other, and may •ice it down. He will not promise the bitter one which is loathed, and make the Taking of the sweet one the Condition: He will not say, I will give thee this Aloes, on Condition thou wilt take this Sugar: but contrary; I will give thee the sweeter, if thou wilt take the bitter.

6. Understand and Note, that there are some of Christ's Ends, and Benefits, that the very Natural man desires, and some that Corrupted Natu•e is against. Now it is therefore the established way of Christ, to Promise us those which we can desire, on Condition that we will also accept of, and submit to those that we are against. Not but that his Grace doth dispose men to the performance of such Conditions: But his Grace worketh by means: and a Conditionall Promise is his stablished means, to draw mans heart to the Performance of the Condition: (which ⟨p. 290⟩well considered, is a sufficient answer to the Arguments that are commonly urged against the Conditionality of the Promise.) As the Spirit doth Powerfully work within; so he useth that Word from without, as his Instrument, which worketh Sapientially, and Powerfully to the same work. If a Physician have two medicines to give his patient, as necessary for his cure, the one very sweet, and the other bitter; the one which he loves, and the other which he loaths, he will Promise him the Sweeter, if he will take the Bitter one; that by the love of one, he may prevail against the loathing of the other, and may ice it down. He will not promise the bitter one which is loathed, and make the Taking of the sweet one the Condition: He will not say, I will give thee this Aloes, on Condition thou wilt take this Sugar: but contrary; I will give thee the sweeter, if thou wilt take the bitter.