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…

The Conclusion, And now I have given you Directions in the most great and necessary business in this world; They are such as I received of God, and if Faithfully practised will put your Salvation past all hazard. But what they have ⟨p. 522⟩done, or what they will do, I cannot tell; but must leave the Issue to God and you. Its pity eternal Glory should be lost, for want of yielding to so holy, and sweet, and reasonable a course. It is lamentable to observe, what ignorant, base, unworthy thoughts the most have of the very Office of the holy Ghost, who is the sanctifier of all that God will save. The very name of Regeneration and Sanctification is not understood by some, and is but matter of derision to others; and the most think that it is another kind of matter then indeed it is. To be baptized, and come to Church, and to say some cold and heartless Prayers, and to forbear some gross disgraceful sins, is all the Sanctification that most are acquainted with: (and all have not this:) And thus they debase the work of the holy Ghost. If a Prince have built a sumptuous Palace, and you will show men a Swine-sty, and say, [This is the Palace that the Prince hath bin so long a building] were not this to abuse him by contempt? If he build a Navy, and you show a man two or three pig-troughs and say, [These are the Kings ships] would he not take it for a scorn? Take heed of such dealing ⟨p. 523⟩with the holy Ghost. Remember what it is to believe in the name of the Father, Son, and holy Ghost; and remember that you were Baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and holy Ghost? And do you not yet know why? nor know the meaning of your Baptismal Covenant? It is not only to believe that there are three Persons in the Trinity, but to consent to the Relations and duty to them, in respect to their several Relations and works▪ If the Father had not Created you, how could you have been men? The Lord of nature must be acknowledged as the End and the governor of nature, and accordingly obeyed. And this is to believe and be Baptized into the Name of God the Father. If the Son had not Redeemed you, you had bin as the Devils were, forsaken and given over to despair. The Purchaser, Procurer, and Author of Grace, of Pardon, and Salvation must be acknowledged to be such, and himself and his Salvation accordingly accepted, and his terms submitted to.