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…

2. Consider also, as to Whom, so to what it is that thou must Turn. Not to uncleanness, but unto Holiness: not, to the sensual life of a Beast, but to the Noble rational life of a man, and the more Noble Heavenly life of a Believer: Not to an unprofitable worldly toil, but to the gainfullest Employment that ever the Sons of men were acquainted with: Not to the deceitful drudgery of sin, but to that Godliness which is profitable to all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4. 8. Sirs. Do you know what a life of Holiness is? You do not know it, if you turn away from it: I am sure if you knew it, you would never fly from it, no nor endure to live without it. Why, a life of Holiness, is nothing but a living unto God: to be conversant with him as the wicked are with the world; and to be devoted to his Service, as sensualists are to the flesh. It is to live in the Love of God and our Redeemer, and in the foretasts of his Everlasting Glory, and of his Love: and in the sweet fore-thoughts of that blessed life ⟨p. 385⟩that shall never end: and in the honest self-denying course that leadeth to that blessedness. A godly life, is nothing else but a sowing the Seed of Heaven on Earth; and a learning in the School of Christ, the Songs of praise which we must use before the Throne of God; and by suffering, a learning how to Triumph and reign with Christ. And is there any thing in this life which you have cause to be afraid of? The sins and weaknesses of the godly are contrary to Godliness; and therefore Godliness is no more dishonoured by them, then health and life is dishonoured by your sicknesses. As health is never the worse to be liked but the better, because of the painful grievousness of sickness; so Godliness is to be liked the better, because the very failings of the Saints are so grievous. If a true Believer do but step out of the way of God, he is wounded, he is out of •oynt, he is as undone till he come in again; though it was but in one particular. And can you endure to continue strangers to it altogether so long. I know you may find faults in the godly, till they are perfect: but let the most malicious Enemy of Christ on Earth find ⟨p. 386⟩any fault in Godliness if he can.