The Sincere Convert

To the Christian Reader.

IN these evil and perilous times God hath not left us without some choice mercies. Our sins abound, and his mercies superabound. The Lord might justly have spoken those words of death against us, which of old he did against the Jews; I have taken away my peace from this people, loving kindness, and mercies, which had he pulled from us, we had had cause enough to mourn with Rachel, and to refuse comfort, for all our happiness lies wrapped up in peace, loving kindness and mercy.¹ But God is yet good unto Israel, he commands deliverances for Jacob,² he over-rules all the powers of darkness,³ and tells the sons ⟨image 3⟩of Belial, (men of corrupt minds and cursed practises) that they shall proceed no further,⁴ but that their folly shall be manifest unto all. He makes all enemies, all devils, all creatures, to further his own glory, and the good of his peculiar people.⁵ When times are naught and dangerous, he saith, Come my people, enter into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee, hide thy self as it were for a little moment till the indignation be over past. If troubles threaten life, he saith, ⁶When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not over flow thee, when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flames kindle upon thee; for I am the Lord thy God, &c. When enemies are incensed, fear and sorrows multiplied, he saith,