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…

Such as a mans principal End is, such is the man, and such is the course of his life. He that takes this world for his Portion, and makes the felicity of it his end, is a carnal, worldly, unsanctified man, whatever good and godly actions may come in upon the by. It is he, and only he, that is a sanctified Believer, who looks on Heaven as his only Portion, and is sailing through the troublesome Seas of this world, of purpose to come to that desired harbour; not loving these seas better then the Land of Rest, which he is sailing to; but patiently and painfully passing through ⟨p. 357⟩them, because there is no other way to Glory. As it is the desire of the Land to which he is sailing, that moveth the Mariner or Passenger to do all that he doth in his Voyage; and the desire of his home or journeys End, that moveth the traveller all the way; and the desire of seeing a perfect Building, that moveth the Builder in every stroke of his Work; so it must be the love of God, and the desire after Everlasting blessedness, that must be the very Engine to move the rest of the affections and endeavours of the Saints, and must make men resolve on the necessary labour and patience of Believers. Take off this weight, and all the motions of Christianity will cease. No man will be at labour and sufferings for nothing, if he can avoid them. It is a life of Labour, though sweet to the Spirit, yet tedious to the flesh, which Christianity doth engage us in; and there is much suffering to be undergone; and this to the very last, and to the denial of our selves; and, if God require it, to the loss of all the comforts of the world: For no less then forsaking all that we have, will serve to ⟨p. 358⟩make us Christs Disciples. And will any man do this for he knows not what? Will any man forsake all that he hath, unless it be for something better, which may be as sure to him as that he had, and may make him more happy? Look to it therefore that you have right and believing thoughts of Heaven, and that unfeignedly you take it for your Home and Happiness, and look not for any other Portion. Till you see so much of the certainty and excellency of Everlasting Glory, as shall prevail with you to lay out your faithful labour for it, and to be at a point with all this world, as having laid up your Treasure and Hopes in the world to come, you have no ground to conclude that you are true Christian Converts.