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…

3. And your Resolution must be Absolute and peremptory, not only without any secret Reserves, but Positively against any such Reserves. Here it is that Hypocrites commonly fall short: They see they must mend, and they are convinced that a holy life is necessary, and they Resolve hereupon to change their course, and turn religious: but either it is with this secret Reserve, Provided always that I look to my credit, or estate, or life, what ever I do, and provided that I go no further in Religion then will stand with these; provided that godliness ⟨p. 457⟩be not my undoing in the world. Or else if he have not actually such thoughts, he hath them always virtually, and habitually: He is not Resolved against such Reserves: He hath not considered that Christ will have no Disciples that cannot and will not part with all; and that if he hope for Heaven, he must not look for a treasure on earth, but only pass through the world as a traveller, or labour in it as the harvest of the Lord, in expectation of a Reward and Rest hereafter; and so Resolved to take Christ on these self denying terms. But he that will be saved must be thus resolved: Even to sell all, to buy the unvaluable pearl, Matth. 13. 46, 47. To make sure of Heaven, though he lose all on Earth by it: to lay up his hopes in the life to come, and venture, and let go all rather then those hopes: to take Christ absolutely upon his own terms, for better and worse, as being certain that there is no other way to life, and that there is no danger of losing by him. The Hypocrite is like a man that when he delivereth up the possession of his house, will make his bargain, that he will keep this room, or that room to himself, for his ⟨p. 458⟩own use. Or like a servant that will not be hired but on Condition that his Master shall not set him to such or such work that he loves not: But Christ will have no such servants: You must deliver up all to him, or he will accept of none: You must give him leave to make his Conditions for you, and tell you on what terms you must serve him, and wholly refer the matter to him, even for life it self, and not offer to put Conditions upon him, and think to bring him to any terms of yours. It is not true Resolution unless it be Absolute, and unreserved, and against all reserves: Yea, and that also as to perseverance;