The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /

Therefore having thus far reasoned with thee about thy considering power. Let me demand of thee, if thou canst not yet go somewhat further then considering? that is, in short,

Is it impossible to thee to obey this dictate of ⟨p. 277⟩nature? I mean, represent the deplorable case of thy soul before him that made it? and crave his merciful relief? Do not dispute the matter, thou canst not but see this is a possible, and a rational course as thy case is. Should not a people seek unto their God? Fall down therefore low before him, prostrate thy self at the footstool of his mercy-seat. Tell him thou understandest him to be the Father of Spirits, and the Father of Mercies, that thou hast heard of his great mercy, and pity towards the spirits of men, in their forlorn lapsed state. What a blessedness he hath designed for them, what means he hath designed to bring them to it. Tell him thou only needest a temper of Spirit, suitable to this blessedness he invites thee to. That thou canst not master, and change thy sensual, earthly heart, thou knowest he easily can; thou art come to implore his help, that his blessed, and holy Spirit may descend, and breath upon thy stupid, dead Soul; and may sweetly incline, and move it towards him, that it may eternally rest in him; and that thou mayest not perish, after so much done, in order to thy blessedness; only for want of a heart to entertain it. Tell him thou comest upon his gracious encouragement, having heard he is as ready to give his Spirit, to them that ask him, as Parents bread to their craving Children, rather then a stone. That 'tis for life thou beggest. That 'tis not so easy to thee to think of perishing for ever, that thou canst not desist, and give up all thy hopes; that thou shalt be in Hell shortly, if he hear and help thee not.

Is it impossible to thee to obey this dictate of ⟨p. 277⟩nature? I mean, represent the deplorable case of thy soul before him that made it? and crave his merciful relief? Do not dispute the matter, thou canst not but see this is a possible, and a rational course as thy case is. Should not a people seek unto their God? Fall down therefore low before him, prostrate thy self at the footstool of his mercy-seat. Tell him thou understandest him to be the Father of Spirits, and the Father of Mercis, that thou hast heard of his great mercy, and pitty towards the spirits of men, in their forlorn lapsed state. What a blessedness he hath designed for them, what means he hath designed to bring them to it. Tell him thou only needest a temper of Spirit, suitable to this blessedness he invites thee to. That thou can'st not master, and change thy sensual, earthly heart, thou know'st he easily can; thou art come to implore his help, that his blessed, and holy Spirit may descend, and breath upon thy stupid, dead Soul; and may sweetly encline, and move it towards him, that it may eternally rest in him; and that thou may'st not perish, after so much done, in order to thy blessedness; onely for want of a heart to entertain it. Tell him thou com'st upon his gracious encouragement, having heard he is as ready to give his Spirit, to them that ask him, as Parents bread to their craving Children, rather then a stone. That 'tis for life thou beggest. That 'tis not so easie to thee to think of perishing for ever, that thou canst not desist, and give up all thy hopes; that thou shalt be in Hell shortly, if he hear and help thee not.