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…

In unnecessary matters I had rather you were too backward to vow. Some ⟨p. 517⟩will vow poverty, and some a single life, and some will vow that they will never drink wine or strong drink more; such vows as these may be good for some, in cases of special necessity, as the last remedies of a dangerous disease; but they are not for all, nor rashly to be made. But the Resolution and vow of cleaving unto God in Faith and Holy Obedience, and of renouncing the flesh, the world, and the Devil; this is for all, and must be made and kept by all that will be saved.

2. Direct. And as I would have you second your Resolution by a Covenant with God, so would advise you (ordinarily) to go further and openly Profess the Resolution and Covenant that you have made. For as with the heart men believe unto Righteousness, so with the mouth Confession is made unto Salvation, Rom. 10. 10. Christ will confess those that confess him, and disown, and be ashamed of those that are ashamed of him. When you have escaped the greatest misery in the world, and obtained the greatest Mercy in the world, the greatness of it calleth you to acknowledge it, and give Glory to God. Go to your ⟨p. 518⟩old Companions in sin, and tell them what God hath revealed to you and done for you! Tell them, O Sirs, I see now that which I never saw before: I wonder how I could venture so madly upon sin! and how I could make light of God, of Christ, of death, of Judgment, and Everlasting life▪ I have been hitherto your Companion in sin, but I would not take the same course again for all the world: I see now there is a better portion hereafter to be obtained, which I was mindless of: I see now we were all this while making merry at the brink of Hell, and there was but a step between us and death: Now I see, that the course that we have taken is wicked and deceitful, and will not serve turn: If I serve the flesh, it will reward me but with rottenness: I will therefore hereafter serve that God, that will certainly reward me with Everlasting life. I beseech you Sirs, come away with me, and see and try what I have seen and tried: I have lived with you in sin, O now let us join together in Repentance, and a Holy life: I shall be glad of your company to Heaven: but if you will not do it, take your course: For my part I am Resolved; by the Grace of God I am fully Resolved to be from this day