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…

III. In the next place, let me entreat you, in the fear of God, to look after this great and Necessary part of your Conversion. There are many degrees of good motions in the mind; but all that falls short of Resolution is un•ound. ⟨p. 452⟩Many are brought to Doubt whether all be well with them, and to have some fears thereupon▪ that yet will not be brought so far as to consider soberly of the matter, and deliberate what is best to be done, and to advise with their Ministers for the furthering of their Salvation. Many that are persuaded so far as to consider, and deliberate, and take advice, yet go no further then some cold wishes, or purposes, which are all overcome by the love of the world, and the power of their sins Many that do proceed to some kind of Practice, do only take a taste, or an essay of Religion, to try how they can like it; and begin some kind of outward Reformation, without any firm Resolution to go through with it: Or if their purposes seem strong, it is but occasioned by something without, and not from a settled habit within. All these are short of a state of special Saving Grace, and must be numbered with the unconverted.

III. In the next place, let me intreat you, in the feare of God, to look after this great and Necessary part of your Conversion. There are many degrees of good motions in the mind; but all that falls short of Resolution is un•ound. ⟨p. 452⟩Many are brought to Doubt whether all be well with them, and to have some fears thereupon▪ that yet will not be brought so far as to consider soberly of the matter, and deliberate what is best to be done, and to advise with their Ministers for the furthering of their Salvation. Many that are perswaded so far as to consider, and deliberate, and take advice, yet go no further then some cold wishes, or purposes, which are all overcome by the love of the world, and the power of their sinnes Many that do proceed to some kind of Practice, do only take a tast, or an essay of Religion, to try how they can like it; and begin some kind of outward Reformation, without any firm Resolution to go through with it: Or if their purposes seem strong, it is but occasioned by something without, and not from a setled habit within. All these are short of a state of special Saving Grace, and must be numbred with the unconverted.