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…

Somewhat I have spoke of this already, and therefore shall say the less. But yet I shall back this Direction with such Reasons as will certainly convince you, if you be not unreasonable, of the folly of Delay, and show you that it concerneth you presently to Return. And though my Reasons will be numerous, it is not the Number but the Strength of them that I shall urge you principally to Consider; and because of the Number, I will go over them with the greater brevity.

Somewhat I have spoke of this already, and therefore shall say the less. But yet I shall back this Direction with such Reasons as will certainly convince you, if you be not unreasonable, of the folly of Delay, and shew you that it concerneth you presently to Return. And though my Reasons will be numerous, it is not the Number but the Strength of them that I shall urge you principally to Consider; and because of the Number, I will go over them with the greater brevity.

1. Consider to whom it is that you are commanded to Turn: and then tell me whether there can be any Reason for delay. It is not to an empty deceitful creature, but to the faithful All-sufficient ⟨p. 382⟩God: To him that is the cause of all things; the Strength of the Creation; the Joy of Angels; the Felicity of the Saints; the Sun and Shield of all the Righteous; and Refuge of the Distressed; and the Glory of the whole World. Of such Power, that his Word can take down the Sun from the Firmament, and turn the Earth and all things into nothing; for he doth more in giving them their being and continuance. Of such Wisdom, that was never guilty of mistake, and therefore will not mislead you, nor draw you to any thing that is not for the best. Of such Goodness, as that evil cannot stand in his sight; and nothing but your evil could make him displeased with you; and it is from nothing but evil that he calleth you to Turn. It is not to a malicious Enemy, that would do you a mischief, but it is to a gracious God, that is Love it self: Not to an implacable Justice, but to a reconciled Father; not to revenging Indignation, but to the embracement of those Arms, and the Mercy of that compassionate Lord, that is enough to melt the hardest heart, when you find your self as the poor returning