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…

I tell you again, unconverted sinners, we are wearied with your delays: Many years we have been persuading you but to Turn and live, and yet you are unturned: You have been convinced long, and thinking on it, and wishing long, and talking of ⟨p. 428⟩it, and promising long, and yet it is undone, and here is nothing but delays. We see while you delay, death takes away one this week, and another the next week, and you are passing into another world apace; and yet those that are left behind will take no warning, but still delay: We see that Satan delays not while you delay: He is day and night at work against you: if he seem to make a truce with you, it is that he may be doing secretly while you suspect him not: We see that sin delayeth not while you delay: It is working like poison, or infection in your bodies, and seizing upon your vital powers; it's every day blinding you more and more; it's hardening your hearts more, and searing up your Consciences, to bring you past all feeling and hope: And must we stand by, and see this miserable work with our peoples Souls, and all be frustrate, and rejected by themselves, that we do for their deliverance? How long must we stand by with the light in our hands, while you are serving the flesh, and neglecting that which we are sent to call you to? It is not our business to hold you the candle to play by, or to sleep by, ⟨p. 429⟩or to sin by: these are works that better agree with the dark: But God sent us to you on another message; even to Light you out of your sins to him, that you might be saved. Truly beloved hearers, I must needs say, that the time seems long, and very long to me, that I have been preaching so many years to you for Conversion, and for an Holy, Heavenly life, even since I first knew you, and that yet so many of you are drowned in sin, and ignorance, and are unconverted; when I think your very Consciences tell you that it is a thing that must be done: I tell you all these years do seem to me a long time to wait on you in vain: Blessed be the Lord that it hath not been in vain with some; or else I would scarce preach any more then one other Sermon to you, even to bid you farewell. I pray you deal but fairly with us, and tell us whether ever you will turn or not: If you will not, but are resolved for sin and Hell, say so that we may know the worst; speak out your minds, that we may know what to trust to:

I tell you again, unconverted sinners, we are wearied with your delaies: Many years we have been perswading you but to Turn and live, and yet you are unturned: You have been convinced long, and thinking on it, and wishing long, and talking of