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…

1. The first thing usually that befalleth such a Soul, is some further Light, which shows him that which before he understood not. 2. This Light causeth him to begin to Doubt, whether all be so well with him as he thought it had been; and whether he were so wise in his former Resolutions as he thought himself. 3. When Light hath bred these Doubtings in his mind, these Doubtings breed some Fears within him, and he begins to be a little awakened. Lest evil be nearer him then he was aware of, and lest the threatenings of God, and his Ministers should prove true. 4. These Fears do drive him to Consider of the matter, and to Deliberate what he is best to do: To consider whether these things be so or not, and what course he must take if they should prove true. 5. Though sometimes ⟨p. 444⟩God may bless the very first Considerations to be the present means of true conversion, yet that is no usual thing; but ordinarily the first Considerations do help the mind to some slight convictions, so that the man begins to see a great deal more then he did before; and so much as puts him now past doubt that he was before mistaken; and out of the way. 6. Finding himself, in this case, his fears increase, and his grief comes on for his former folly, and he finds himself in a miserable case, and at a loss for a Remedy. 7. By this much he is quickened to a purpose or resolution, to hearken to those that can instruct him, and enquire of them that he thinks are in the right, and to use such means as he is acquainted with, to find out what he must do to be saved. And accordingly he goes among good company, and begins to hear more diligently, and sensibly, and to mark, and regard what he hears, and reads; and also to cry to God in Prayer for mercy and relief. But all this is but from the Natural Fears of misery, awakened in him by Common preparing Grace. 8. In the use of these Means of Grace, he begins better to understand, ⟨p. 445⟩and relish the Doctrine of Redemption by Jesus Christ, and the nature and necessity of true Sanctification by the Holy Ghost. And though sometime these Evangelical Illuminations may be special saving works at the very first, yet it's more usual, especially with us that are bred up under the Gospel, to have a more superficial common Illumination, before the saving Light come in.

1. The first thing usually that befalleth such a Soul, is some further Light, which shews him that which before he understood not. 2. This Light causeth him to begin to Doubt, whether all be so well with him as he thought it had been; and whether he were so wise in his former Resolutions as he thought himself. 3. When Light hath bred these Doubtings in his mind, these Doubtings breed some Fears within him, and he begins to be a little awakened. Lest evil be neerer him then he was aware of, and lest the threatenings of God, and his Ministers should prove true. 4. These Fears do drive him to Consider of the matter, and to Deliberate what he is best to do: To consider whether these things be so or not, and what course he must take if they should prove true. 5. Though sometimes