A39678:496
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.
This plainly appears by that convictive Expression of Christ to the Scribes and Pharisees, Mat. 21. 31. Verily I say unto you, That the Publicans and Harlots go into the Kingdom of Heaven before you. Publicans, the most infamous among men, and Harlots the worst of women; yet these are sooner wrought over to Christ by Faith and Repentance, than the more civil and self-righteous Scribes and Pharisees.
And indeed 'tis far easier to come at the Consciences of such sinners by Conviction, than at the others. They have nothing to ward off the stroke of conviction: It must fall directly and immediately upon their Consciences. The most smooth and civil part of the world trust to their own righteousness, and this self-confidence, like Armour of proof, resists all attempts to bring them to Christ for righteousness. Nothing •ixes men in a state of evil more, than a strong conceit that their Condition is good.
But such as you are, whose whole lives have been polluted with profaneness and all impiety, your Consciences will more easily receive convictions of your present danger, and of the necessity of a speedy and through change. You cannot think as others do, that you need no Repentance or Reformation. In this respect, therefore, you lie nearer the Door of Hope and Mercy, than other Sinners do.
But such as you are, whose whole lives have been polluted with prophaneness and all impiety, your Consciences will more easily receive convictions of your present danger, and of the necessity of a speedy and thorow change. You cannot think as others do, that you need no Repentance or Reformation. In this respect, therefore, you lie nearer the Door of Hope and Mercy, than other Sinners do.