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…

1. Do not stay till such thoughts will come of them selves into your minds, but set your selves purposely to Consider of these matters. Take some time to call your Souls to an account concerning their present state, and their preparations for Eternity. If a Heathen Seneca, could call himself every night to an account for ⟨p. 80⟩the evil committed, and the good omitted in the day past, as he professeth that he ordinarily did, why may not even an Unconverted man, that hath the helps which are now among us, bethink himself of the state of his Soul? But I know that a Carnal heart is exceeding backward to serious Consideration, and is loath to be troubled with such thoughts as these; and the Devil will do what he can to hinder it, by himself, and others: but yet if men would but do what they may do, it might be better with them then it is. Will you but now and then purposely withdraw you selves from company into some secret place, and there set the Lord before your eyes, and call your Souls to a strict account about the matters that I have mentioned even now, and make it your business to exercise your Reason upon them; and as you Purposely go to Church to hear, so Purposely set your selves to this duty of Consideration, as a necessary thing

1. Do not stay till such thoughts will come of them selvs into your minds, but set your selves purposely to Consider of these matters. Take some time to call your Souls to an account concerning their present state, and their preparations for Eternity. If a Heathen Seneca, could call himself every night to an account for ⟨p. 80⟩the evill committed, and the good omitted in the day past, as he professeth that he ordinarily did, why may not even an Unconverted man, that hath the helps which are now among us, bethink himself of the state of his Soul? But I know that a Carnal heart is exceeding backward to serious Consideration, and is loath to be troubled with such thoughts as these; and the Devil will do what he can to hinder it, by himself, and others: but yet if men would but do what they may do, it might be better with them then it is. Will you but now and then purposely withdraw you selvs from company into some secret place, and there set the Lord before your eyes, and call your Souls to a strict account about the matters that I have mentioned even now, and make it your business to exercise your Reason upon them; and as you Purposely go to Church to heare, so Purposely set your selvs to this duty of Consideration, as a necessary thing