There is such a Demonstration of the Spirit in the Understanding as cannot be denied, and from thence such a Power upon the Will as cannot be frustrated, not notionally only but practically; it seriously presseth in upon the Will. Here, O rational Appetite! here is a God indeed; his Grace free, his Mercy Self-moving; take him and thou hast all, lose him and thou hast nothing: Now, Oh! now is the accepted time, the day of Salvation; in his Favour there is Life, in his Wrath nothing but Death: If he bless thee, none can curse, if he curse thee none can bless; now or never turn and live. After this manner doth it practically press in upon the Will. Now when ⟨p. 458⟩the Understanding holds forth such an excellent Object in such an excellent manner unto the Will, already principled with Grace, how can it choose but actually close in with it? Such a Knowledge being really actuated, can the Will turn aside to other Objects for its happiness? The simple one may turn away, Prov. 1. 32. but shall a man of understanding do so? A deceived heart may turn aside, Isai. 44. 20. but shall the wise in heart do so? A heart of unbelief may depart from the living God, Heb. 3. 12. but shall a man of precious faith do so? But whither can he turn? What, to the Riches of the World? 'Tis but dross to the unsearchable Riches of Christ, saith the Understanding: What, to Honours? 'Tis but a blast to the true Honour which cometh of God only, saith the Understanding: What, to Pleasures? These are muddy Puddles to the pure Rivers of Pleasure above, saith the Understanding. This Understanding doth as it were blast all the World, crucify the Universe, and by a prospect of Faith see the Heavens on fire, the Earth burnt up, and the Elements melting with fervent heat, and can the Will fall in love with the Dust and Cinders of it? Surely it will not. But if the Will cannot ⟨p. 459⟩turn aside to such false Beatitudes, yet may it not suspend its Act as to the true? Suspend! what from its own blessedness verily, thoroughly believed? What from God the all in all plainly, powerfully demonstrated to be such? And what for just nothing, for a sic volo? Can it be so brutishly free at so dear a rate as to be eternally miserable? Will it hang off from perfect Blessedness? or can it do so, and the summū malū not fall into its embraces?
There is such a Demonstration of the Spirit in the Understanding as cannot be denied, and from thence such a Power upon the Will as cannot be frustrated, not notionally only but practically; it seriously presseth in upon the Will. Here, O rational Appetite! here is a God indeed; his Grace free, his Mercy Self-moving; take him and thou hast all, lose him and thou hast nothing: Now, Oh! now is the accepted time, the day of Salvation; in his Favour there is Life, in his Wrath nothing but Death: If he bless thee, none can curse, if he curse thee none can bless; now or never turn and live. After this manner doth it practically press in upon the Will. Now when ⟨p. 458⟩the Understanding holds forth such an excellent Object in such an excellent manner unto the Will, already principled with Grace, how can it chuse but actually close in with it? Such a Knowledge being really actuated, can the Will turn aside to other Objects for its happiness? The simple one may turn away, Prov. 1. 32. but shall a man of understanding do so? A deceived heart may turn aside, Isai. 44. 20. but shall the wise in heart do so? A heart of unbelief may depart from the living God, Heb. 3. 12. but shall a man of precious faith do so? But whither can he turn? What, to the Riches of the World? 'Tis but dross to the unsearchable Riches of Christ, saith the Understanding: What, to Honours? 'Tis but a blast to the true Honour which cometh of God only, saith the Understanding: What, to Pleasures? These are muddy Puddles to the pure Rivers of Pleasure above, saith the Understanding. This Understanding doth as it were blast all the World, crucifie the Universe, and by a prospect of Faith see the Heavens on fire, the Earth burnt up, and the Elements melting with fervent heat, and can the Will fall in love with the Dust and Cinders of it? Surely it will not. But if the Will cannot ⟨p. 459⟩turn aside to such false Beatitudes, yet may it not suspend its Act as to the true? Suspend! what from its own blessedness verily, thoroughly believed? What from God the all in all plainly, powerfully demonstrated to be such? And what for just nothing, for a sic volo? Can it be so brutishly free at so dear a rate as to be eternally miserable? Will it hang off from perfect Blessedness? or can it do so, and the summū malū not fall into its embraces?
