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…

6. Lastly, Your Resolution is not Savingly sincere, unless it be habitually. It ⟨p. 460⟩is a very hard question, how far some moving exhortation, or the approach of death in sickness, may prevail with the unsanctified for an Actual Resolution: Undoubtedly very far: But that's a mans mind and will which is Habitually his mind and will: When the very Inclination, and bent of your will is Right, then only is your heart right. A bowl may by a rub, or bank, be turned contrary to the bias: but when it is over the rub it will follow the bias again in its ordinary course. The flame may be hindered from ascending a little while, but when it is got over the stop, it will be mounting upward. A stone will move upwards against its Nature, while it is followed by the strength of the hand that cast it; but when the strength is spent, it will quickly fall again. It is not an extraordinary act, that you can try your selves by, but such a free course and tenor of your lives, as will prove that you have a new Nature, or a heart Inclined and Habituated to God. The main business therefore is to prove that you are Habitually Resolved. Set all these together now, and you may see what Resolution it is, that must prove you to be ⟨p. 461⟩Converted. 1. It must be a Resolution for all the Essence of Christianity, and not only some part. 2. It must be a Resolution for present Obedience, and not only for some distant time to come: 3. It must be an Absolute, peremptory Resolution, without and against Reserves for the flesh: both Total, and final; without and against any Revocation. 4. It must be soundly grounded; and moved by right Principles: 5. It must be joined with a humble sense of your insufficiency, and a dependence on Christ, for continuing, and performing it. And 6. It must be Habitual, and such as sets right the bent and drift of heart and life. All this is of Necessity.

6. Lastly, Your Resolution is not Savingly sincere, unless it be habitually. It ⟨p. 460⟩is a very hard question, how far some moving exhortation, or the approach of death in sicknes, may prevaile with the unsanctified for an Actual Resolution: Undoubtedly very farre: But that's a mans mind and will which is Habitually his mind and will: When the very Inclination, and bent of your will is Right, then only is your heart right. A bowle may by a rub, or banck, be turned contrary to the byas: but when it is over the rub it will follow the byas againe in its ordinary course. The flame may be hindred from assending a little while, but when it is got over the stop, it will be mounting upward. A stone will move upwards against its Nature, while it is followed by the strength of the hand that cast it; but when the strength is spent, it will quickly fall again. It is not an extraordinary act, that you can try your selves by, but such a free course and tenor of your lives, as will prove that you have a new Nature, or a heart Inclined and Habituated to God. The main business therefore is to prove that you are Habituallly Resolved. Set all these together now, and you may see what Resolution it is, that must prove you to be