A39678:497
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.
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.
If therefore it shall please the Lord (whose grace is rich and free to the vilest of sinners) to pluck out such as you, as brands out of the burning, by thorough conversion to Christ, you will ⟨p. 131⟩not only become real Christians (as all true Converts are) but the most excellent, useful and zealous amongst all Christians. As you will be most eminent Instances of his Grace, so will you be the most eminent Instruments for his Glory. As you have gone beyond other sinners in wickedness, so you will strive to exceed them all in your love to Christ,