The Sincere Convert

The child of God indeed is bold as a Lion; but he hath Gods Spirit and promise, assuring him of his eternal welfare. But I speak of divers that have no sound ground to prove this point, (which they pertinaciously defend) that they shall be saved. This confident humour rageth most of all in our old Professors at large, who think, that's a jest indeed, that having been of a good belief so long, that they now should be so far behind hand, as to begin the work, and lay the foundation a-new. And not only among these, but amongst divers sorts of people, ⟨p. 131⟩whom the Devil never troubles, because he is sure of them already, and therefore cries peace in their ears, whose consciences never trouble them, because that hath shut it's eyes; and hence they sleep, and sleeping dream that God is merciful unto them, and will be so; yet never see they are deceived, until they awake with the flames of hell about their ears; and the world troubles them not, they have their hearts desire here, because they are friends to it, and so enemies to God. And Ministers never trouble them, for they have none such as are fit for that work near them; or if they have, they can sit and sleep in the Church, or choose whether they will believe him. And their friends never trouble them, because they are afraid to displease them. And God himself never troubles them, because that time is to come hereafter. This one truth well pondered and thought on, may damp thine heart, and make thy conscience fly in thy face, and say, thou art the man; it may be there are better in hell than ⟨p. 132⟩thy self that art so confident; and therefore tell me what hast thou to say for thy self, that thou shalt be saved; in what thing hast thou gone beyond them that think they are rich, and want nothing, who yet are poor, blind, miserable, and naked?

The child of God indeed is bold as a Lion; but he hath Gods Spirit and promise, assuring him of his eternall welfare. But I speake of divers that have no sound ground to prove this point, (which they pertinaciously defend) that they shall be saved. This confident humour rageth most of all in our old Professors at large, who thinke, that's a jest indeed, that having beene of a good beliefe so long, that they now should be so farre behind hand, as to begin the worke, and lay the foundation a-new. And not onely among these, but amongst divers sorts of people,