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 greatest matters in the world will not work much upon him that will not think of them. Consideration opens the ear that was stopped, and the heart that was shut up: It sets the powers of the Soul awork, and wakeneth it from the sleep of incogitancy and security. The Thoughts are the first actings of the Soul, that set a work the rest. Thinking on the matters that must make us wise, & do the work of God on the heart, is that which lieth on us to do in order to our Conversion. By Consideration a sinner makes use of the Truth, which before lay by, and therefore could do nothing. By Consideration he taketh in the Medicine to his Soul; which before stood by, and could not work. By Consideration a man makes use of his Reason, which before was laid asleep, and therefore could not do it's work. When the Master's from home the Scholars will be at play. When the Coach-man is asleep, the Horses may miss the way, and possibly break his neck and their own. If the ploughman go his way, the Oxen will stand still, or make but bad unhandsome work. So when Reason is laid asleep, and out of the way, what ⟨p. 53⟩may not the Appetite do? and what may not the Passions do? and what may not Temptations do with the Soul? A wise man when he is asleep, hath as little use of his wisdom as a fool. A Learned man when he is asleep, can hardly dispute with an unlearned man that is awake. A strong man that's never so skilful at his weapons, is scarce able in his sleep to deal with the weakest child that is awake. Why all the powers of your Soul are, as it were asleep, till Consideration awake them, and set them on work. And what the better are you for being men and having Reason, if you have not the Use of your Reason, when you need it? As men are Inconsiderate because they are wicked, so they are the more wicked because they are inconsiderate. The keenest sword, the greatest Cannon will do no execution against an enemy, while they lie by and are not used. There is a mighty power in the Word of God, and the example of Christ, to pull down strong holds, and conquer the strongest lusts and corruptions. But they will not do this while they are forgotten and neglected. Will Heaven entice the man that thinks not of it? Will Hell debtor the man that thinks not of ⟨p. 54⟩it? Why is it that all the reasoning in the world, will do no more good on a man that is deaf, then if you said nothing?

The greatest matters in the world will not work much upon him that will not think of them. Consideration opens the eare that was stopt, and the heart that was shut up: It sets the powers of the Soul awork, and wakeneth it from the sleep of incogitancy and security. The Thoughts are the first actings of the Soul, that set a work the rest. Thinking on the matters that must make us wise, & do the work of God on the heart, is that which lieth on us to do in order to our Conversion. By Consideration a sinner makes use of the Truth, which before lay by, and therefore could do nothing. By Consideration he taketh in the Medicine to his Soul; which before stood by, and could not work. By Consideration a man makes use of his Reason, which before was laid asleep, and therefore could not do it's work. When the Master's from home the Schollars will be at play. When the Coach-man is asleep, the Horses may miss the way, and possibly break his neck and their owne. If the plowman go his way, the Oxen will stand still, or make but bad unhandsome work. So when Reason is laid asleep, and out of the way, what