The world that now is; and the world that is to comeThe vvorld that now is; and the vvorld that is to come

Some poor Souls may haply object, or rather query, Is there not a sound work of Conversion, where there hath not been so great a work of Conviction and Humiliation, nor so great horrors, fears, terrors, and so clear and distinct a work of the Spirit's Reproof of Sin, Righteousness and Judgment, as God works upon some Sinners? I answer; Though this be God's workmanship upon some; yea many, if not upon most notorious sinful sinners, yet we may not limit the Holy One of Israel; God is a free Agent: And because I would not break the bruised Reed, nor quench the smoking Flax, I know and acknowledge, That some sinful sinners have lesser terrors, fewer temptations, fears and horrors than others have; and some are longer under the work of Conviction and Bondage than others are, though they have been as great and notorious sinners, as they that were more and longer exercised with fears and terrors. Yea and I know both by Experience and by Scripture, that some sinners, who have had Religious Education under godly Parents or Governors; ⟨p. 26⟩and have lived (from their youth up) under a godly Soul-saving Ministry, and have thereby been restrained (by the Common Grace of God) from all gross sins, that have not experienced the said terrors and temptations; nor have they had such horrors of Conscience, and fears of Hell. Yet this I know, that they have been thoroughly convinced of their sinful natural state, and of their lost and undone condition, being (and seeing themselves to be) without Christ, and without Grace; and they have been thoroughly convinced that their own Righteousnesses are filthy Rags, and that they must have Christ's Righteousness to justify them, and his Holiness to sanctify them, and his precious Blood to redeem them from their iniquity: But as for Time, whether longer or shorter; and as for Measure, whether greater or lesser, whereby God did this work of Conviction upon them, who can limit God?

Some poor Souls may haply object, or rather query, Is there not a sound work of Conversion, where there hath not been so great a work of Conviction and Humiliation, nor so great horrours, fears, terrours, and so clear and distinct a work of the Spirit's Reproof of Sin, Righteousness and Judgment, as God works upon some Sinners? I answer; Though this be God's workmanship upon some; yea many, if not upon most notorious sinful sinners, yet we may not limit the Holy One of Israel; God is a free Agent: And because I would not break the bruised Reed, nor quench the smoaking Flax, I know and acknowledge, That some sinful sinners have lesser terrours, fewer temptations, fears and horrours than others have; and some are longer under the work of Conviction and Bondage than others are, though they have been as great and notorious sinners, as they that were more and longer exercised with fears and terrours. Yea and I know both by Experience and by Scripture, that some sinners, who have had Religious Education under godly Parents or Governours;