A39678:487
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native country, and the souls of men.The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native countrey, and the souls of men.
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1691
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. Nor do thy sins exceed the ability and power of the Applying Cause of pardon, namely, the Spirit of God. For though I should suppose thy mind to be clouded and overshadowed with grossest ignorance, thy Heart to be as hard as an Adamant or Nether Mill-stone, thy Will stiff and obstinate, thy Affections enchanted and bewitched with the pleasures of Sin; yet this Spirit of God in a moment can make a convincing beam of light to dart into thy dark mind, make thy hard heart relent, thy stubborn will to bow, and all the affections of thy Soul to comply, and open obedientially to Christ, John 16. 9, 10. The Spirit, when he cometh, he shall convince the world of Sin, &c.
3. Nor do thy sins exceed the ability and power of the Applying Cause of pardon, namely, the Spirit of God. For though I should suppose thy mind to be clouded and overshadowed with grossest ignorance, thy Heart to be as hard as an Adamant or Nether Mill-stone, thy Will stiff and obstinate, thy Affections enchanted and bewitched with the pleasures of Sin; yet this Spirit of God in a moment can make a convincing beam of light to dart into thy dark mind, make thy hard heart relent, thy stubborn will to bow, and all the affecti•ns of thy Soul to comply, and open obedientially to Christ, John 16. 9, 10. The Spirit, when he cometh, he shall convince the world of Sin, &c.
Thus you see whatever your guilt be, it does not exceed the abilities of the Causes of Remission. On what an Encouragement is this!
II. And there is yet further Encouragement in this, that if you will open your Bibles, you may find your selves within th Calls and Invitations of the Gospel. And no man can say that man is without hope, that is within a Gospel-invitation.