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…

It is a common, and very dangerous mistake, that many are undone by, to think that every good Desire is a certain sign of Saving Grace: Whereas you may have more then bare Desires, even purposes, ⟨p. 453⟩and promises, and some performances, and yet perish for want of Resolution, and Regeneration. […] Do you think that Judas himself had not some good Desires, that followed Christ so long, and preached the Gospel? Do you think that Herod had not some good Desires, that heard John gladly, and did many things accordingly? Agrippa had some good Desires, when he was almost persuaded to be a Christian. They that for a time believe have sure some good Desires, and more, Matth. 13. 20. And so had the young man, that went away sorrowful from Christ, when he could not be his Disciple; unless he would part with all that he had, Luke 18. 23. Matth. 19. 22. And doubtless those had more then good Desires, that had known the way of Righteousness, and had escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. 2. 20, 21. And so had those, Heb. 10. 26, 29. That had received the knowledge of the Truth, and were Sanctified by the blood of the Covenant. And those Heb. 6. 4, 5, 6. That were once enlightened, and tasted of the Heavenly gift, and were made partakers ⟨p. 454⟩of the Holy Ghost, and tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come. And sure Ananias and Sapphira had more then some good Desires, when they sold all, and brought half the price to the Apostles.

It is a common, and very dangerous mistake, that many are undone by, to think that every good Desire is a certain sign of Saving Grace: Whereas you may have more then bare Desires, even purposes,