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…

19. To convince you more; consider I beseech you the exceeding greatness of the work you have to do; and tell me then whether it be time for you to delay. Especially you that are yet unconverted, and strangers to the heavenly nature of the Saints; you have far more to do then other men. You have a multitude of ⟨p. 400⟩head-strong passions to subdue, and abundance of deadly sins to kill; and rooted vices to root up•• You have many a false opinion of God, and his ways, to be plucked up; and the customs of many years standing to be broken: You have blind minds that must be enlightened with heavenly knowledge; and abundance of Spiritual Truths, that are above the reach of flesh and blood, that you must needs learn and understand: You have much to know, that is hard to be known, You have a dead Soul to be made alive, and a hard heart to be melted; and a scared Conscience to be softened, and made tender; and the guilt of many thousand sins to be pardoned: You have a new heart to get, and a new End to aim at, and seek after, and a new life to live: abundance of Enemies you have to sight with and overcome: abundance of temptations to resist and conquer. Many Graces to get, and preserve, and exercise, and increase: and abundance of holy works, to do for the Service of God, and the good of your selves, and others. O what a deal of work doth every one of these words contain! and yet what abundance more might I name! And have ⟨p. 401⟩you all this to do, and yet will you delay? And they are not indifferent matters that are before you: It is no less then the saving of your Souls; and the obtaining the blessed Glory of the Saints. Necessity is upon you: These are things that Must be done, or else woe to you that ever you were born: And yet have you another day to lose! Why Sirs, if you had a hundred mile to go, in a day or two, upon pain of death; would you delay? O think of the work that you have to do, and then judg whether it be not time to stir.

19. To convince you more; consider I beseech you the exceeding greatness of the work you have to do; and tell me then whether it be time for you to delay. Especially you that are yet unconverted, and strangers to the heavenly nature of the Saints; you have far more to do then other men. You have a multitude of ⟨p. 400⟩