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…

you may easily conjecture how tender Christ would be of his own members, how dearly he would love them, how constantly he would watch over them, how plentifully he would provide for them, and how safely he would preserve them. And if you should come into a rougher way, he would lead you out: Afflictions should never be laid on you but for your good; and continue no longer then your need continueth them; and be taken off at last to your satisfaction and contentment. Indeed your life would be a life of mercies: and that which is but a common Mercy to common men, would be a special Mercy to you, as coming from your Fathers love, and furthering you salvation, and hinting out to you, your everlasting Mercies. You could not open your eyes, but you would see that which may encourage and comfort you: all the works of God which ⟨p. 70⟩you behold, would show you his Majesty, his love and power, and lead you to himself. You could not open your Bible, but you would find in it the blessed lines of Love: O what good it would do you, to read there the blessed Attributes of your God! to look upon his Name; to peruse the description of his most perfect nature! what good would it do you to read of the nature, and incarnation, and life, and death, and resurrection, and ascension, and intercession, and return of your blessed Redeemer? what good would it do you to find those holy Rules which your new nature is agreeable to, and to read over the Law, that is written in your hearts, and read the curse from which you are delivered? what life and joy would your Souls receive from the many, and full, and free promises of grace! were you once but truly sanctified and made new, your condition would be often comfortable, but always safe: and when you were in the greatest fears and perplexities, you would still be fast in the arms of Christ: And what a life would that be, to have daily access to God in prayer: to have leave in all your wants and dangers, to ⟨p. 71⟩seek to him with a promise of hearing and success; that you may be sure of much more from him, then a child can from the tenderest father, or a wife from the most loving husband upon earth. What a life would it be, when you may always think on God as your felicity, and fetch your highest delights from him, from whom the ungodly have their greatest terrors?

you may easily conjecture how tender Christ would be of his own members, how dearly he would love them, how constantly he would watch over them, how plentifully he would provide for them, and how safely he would preserve them. And if you should come into a rougher way, he would lead you out: Afflictions should never be laid on you but for your good; and continue no longer then your need continueth them; and be taken off at last to your satisfaction and contentment. Indeed your life would be a life of mercies: and that which is but a common Mercy to common men, would be a speciall Mercy to you, as coming from your Fathers love, and furthering you salvation, and hinting out to you, your everlasting Mercies. You could not open your eyes, but you would see that which may encourage and comfort you: all the works of God which