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…

but God hath no need of you, nor of your service, and therefore think not that he will accept you on such terms. That people worshipeth God in vain, that draw near him with their mouth, and honour him with their lips, when their heart is far from him, Mat. 15. 8, 9. A mans heart is where his Love is, rather then where his Fear is. If you should lie still upon your knees, or in the holy Assembly; If you should be the strictest Observer of the Ordinances on the Lords days; and yet had such hearts in you, as had rather let all these alone, if it were not for fear of punishment; it will all be disregarded, and reckoned to you according to your wills, as if it had never been done by you at all. It's Love that must win Love, or make you fit for Love to entertain. If you give your goods to the poor, or your bodies to be burned in a cause that in it self is good, and yet have not Love, it availeth nothing, 1 Cor. 13. 1, 2, 3, 5. You will not think your Wife hath conjugal affections that loveth another man better then you, and had rather be gone from you, if she could live without you. It's an unnatural Son that loves not his ⟨p. 367⟩Father, but had rather be from him, then with him. If God called you to a bestial drudgery or slavery, he would then look but for your work, and not care much whether you be willing or unwilling. If your Ox draw your plough, and your Horse carry his burden, you care not much whether it be willingly or unwillingly. Or if it be an enemy that you have to deal with, you will look for no more then a forced submission, or that he be disabled from doing you hurt. But this is not your case: It is a state of friendship that the Gospel calls you to: you must be nigh to God; his Children; and the Members of his Son; espoused to him in the dearest strongest bonds: And do you think it is possible that this should be done without your wills and affections? If you can be content with the Portion of a slave and an enemy, then do your task, and deny God your affections: But if you look for the entertainment and Portion of a Friend, a Child, a Spouse; you must bring the heart of a Friend, and of a Child, and of a Spouse. Fear may do good by driving you to the use of means; and taking out of your hands the ⟨p. 368⟩