Eighteen sermons preached in Oxford 1640 of conversion, unto God. Of redemption, & justification,…

Again, there is not only this desire in him who hath a temporary faith; but having understood the Word, he so desires it, that when he knows there is no having Christ, nor happiness or salvation by him, unless he deny himself, and part from his evil ways, being persuaded of this, out of self-love he would have Christ; and seeing these be the terms, that he must turn a new leaf, and lead a new life, or go to hell, therefore he will do this too; this is much▪ yet I say, he doth this too; but how shall this be proved? most evidently in 2 Pet. 2.20. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end with them is worse than the beginning. Here is that Apostasy, and here is the subject of the temporary faith. It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, then after they have known it, to turn from the holy Commandment delivered unto them; this was a temporary conversion, as Ephraim, like a broken bow, turned back again in the day of battle. Observe what they did, they were like the foolish Virgins, they kept their maiden-heads in respect of the pollutions of the world; they lived very civilly, they escaped the corruptions of the world, and no man could challenge them of any ⟨p. 391⟩filthy act; they knew that Christ was the King of Saints, and had the knowledge of him; they knew that it was not fit that the King of glory and holiness should be attended on by the black guard; that they must have sanctity that will follow him; and therefore they laboured to be fit to attend him: They escaped the pollutions of the world; but yet it continues not; why so? For it happened to them according to the true Proverb, the Dog is returned to his vomit, and the Sow that is washed, to her wallowing in the mire. Mark, the Dog turns again to his own vomit. This proceeds from some pang in his stomach, that enforceth that filthy beast to disgorge it self that it may have some ease; but he quickly gathers it up again as soon as the pang is over. Some there are that would be content to hide their iniquity under their tongues, as Job speaks; but there comes a pang sometimes, a pang in their consciences which forceth them to vomit up their sweet bits again;

Again, there is not only this desire in him who hath a temporary faith; but having understood the Word, he so desires it, that when he knows there is no having Christ, nor happinesse or salvation by him, unlesse he deny himself, and part from his evil wayes, being perswaded of this, out of self-love he would have Christ; and seeing these be the termes, that he must turn a new leaf, and lead a new life, or go to hell, therefore he will do this too; this is much yet I say, he doth this too; but how shall this be proved? most evidently in