Conscience with the Power and Cases Thereof

5. Because repentance is the gift of God, which he bestows at his own appointed times, not at our pleasure, 1 Tim. 2. 25. 2 Cor. 6. 2. Luke 13. 9. We must therefore let slip no occasion, but convert to day; And it is just with God that (if we neglect our duty, in this point, and refuse to fall to it, while we may) through his judgement and leaving▪ and forsaking of us, we should not be able to do it, when we would.

5. Because repentance is the gift of God, which he bestowes at his owne appointed times, not at our pleasure, 1 Tim. 2. 25. 2 Cor. 6. 2. Luke 13. 9. We must therefore let slip no occasion, but convert to day; And it is just with God that (if we neglect our duty, in this point, and refuse to fall to it, while we may) through his judgement and leaving▪ and forsaking of us, we should not be able to do it, when wee would.

6. Because the purpose of deferring repentance cannot stand with a sincere purpose to repent, 1 Peter 4. 3. It is a point of dishonesty, and fraud, and a sign of a debtor that never means to pay what he owes, when a man because he is not minded to pay, defers, and puts it of, from one day unto another.

6. Because the purpose of deferring repentance cannot stand with a sincere purpose to repent, 1 Peter 4. 3. It is a point of dishonesty, and fraud, and a signe of a debtor that never meanes to pay what he owes, when a man because hee is not minded to pay, defers, and puts it of, from one day unto another.

7. Because late repentance is very seldom true, and almost always suspicions. The example of the thief which we read, of in the Scriptures is only one, neither yet do we read of him, or of any other that was afterward converted that did defer and put off his repentance. Yea the clean contrary is threatened to such a man, Mat. 24. 48.

7. Because late repentance is very seldome true, and almost alwayes suspitions. The example of the theife which we read, of in the Scriptures is onely one, neither yet do we reade of him, or of any other that was afterward converted that did defer and put off his repentance. Yea the cleane contrary is threatned to such a man, Mat. 24. 48.

9. Such kind of delays may be convinced of folly, and of madness, even by common sense, and experience, for all men would account him for a bedlam, that should when his house were on fire, defer the quenching of it, though but fo• ⟨p. 8⟩one hour. Or that having received some poison into his body, should not endeavour instantly to expel it; or the having received some grievous wound, should not with all possible speed seek for remedy. But in neglecting the burning, the poison, and death of sin, as there is more danger so the folly is much more pernicious.

9. Such kind of delayes may be convinced of folly, and of madnesse, even by common sense, and experience, for all men would account him for a bedlam, that should when his house were on fire, defer the quenching of it, though but fo• ⟨p. 8⟩one houre. Or that having received some poyson into his body, should not indeavour instantly to expell it; or the haveing received some greivous wound, should not with all possible speed seeke for remedy. But in neglecting the burning, the poyson, and death of sin, as there is more danger so the folly is much more pernicious.

CHAP. 4. How the sinner ought to prepare himself to conversion.

CHAP. 4. How the sinner ought to prepare himselfe to conversion.

Quest. 3. What ought a man to do, that he may be translated out of a state of sin, into the state of grace?

QUest. 3. What ought a man to do, that he may be translated out of a state of sin, into the state of grace?

Ans. Of those things which are necessarily required to this purpose, some pertain to the pulling a man out of the state of sin, and some to the setting him in the state of grace, Those things which pertain to the pulling a man out of the state of sin, are such as serve to shake a man out of that carnal security, in which he slept before, and to work in him a carefulness of his salvation above all things else Act. 2. 37. & 16. 33. That this may be done, many things are necessary.

Ans. Of those things which are necessarily required to this purpose, some pertaine to the pulling a man out of the state of sinne, and some to the setting him in the state of grace, Those things which pertaine to the pulling a man out of the state of sinne, are such as serue to shake a man out of that carnall security, in which he slept before, and to worke in him a carefulnesse of his salvation above all things else Act. 2. 37. & 16. 33. That this may be done, many things are necessa•y.

1. For it is first of all required, that a man seriously look into the Law of God, and make an examination of his life, and state according to 1. Jam. 1. 23. 24 25.

1. For it is first of all required, that a man seriously looke into the Law of God, and make an examination of his life, and state according to 1. Iam. 1. 23. 24 25.

2. It is required, secondly that upon that comparing of our state with Gods Law, there do follow a conviction of Conscience which in Scripture is called [Greek or Hebrew] a being without excuse, Rom. 1. 20. And a concluding one under sin, Rom. 11. 32. Rom. 2. 20 & 7. 7.

2. It is required, secondly that upon that comparing of our state with Gods Law, there do follow a conviction of Conscience which in Scripture is call'd 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 a being without excuse, Rom. 1. 20. And a concluding one under sin, Rom. 11. 32. Rom. 2. 20 & 7. 7.

3. Thirdly, after this conviction of Conscience, there must follow, a despair of salvation, both in respect, of all strength of our own, and of any help which is to be had from the Creatures, Rom. 7. 9. 11. 13.

3. Thirdly, after this conviction of Conscience, there must follow, a despare of salvation, both in respect, of all strength of our owne, and of any helpe which is to be had from the Creatures, Rom. 7. 9. 11. 13.

4. Fourthly, after all these; there must follow, a true humiliation of heart, which consists in grief and fear because of sin, and doth bring forth confession, Mat. 9▪ 12.

4. Fourthly, after all these; there must follow, a true humiliation of heart, which consists in griefe and feare because of sin, and doth bring forth confession, Mat. 9▪ 12.

5. For the procuring of this humiliation, it is always necessary that there be a distinct consideration of some particular fins: for a general apprehension of sin, causeth a confused astonishment, but no right and true humiliation, Rom. 7. 7.

5. For the procuting of this humiliation, it is alwayes necessary that there be a distinct consideration of some particular finnes: for a generall apprehension of sinne, causeth a confused astonishment, but no right and true humiliation, Rom. 7. 7.

6. This humiliation is oftentimes occasioned by the sight of some one sin, Act. 2. 23. 37.

7. It is helped forward oft times by some heavy affliction, as in Manasseh. 2 Chro. 33. 12. The degrees of this humiliation are not the same, in all that be converted: for some feel greater trouble, and some less. But all those that are truly converted are also truly humbled. So put a man in the state of grace, it is required, that there be 1. Such an apprehension, upon the Gospel, as whereby a man judgeth it possible that his sins should be forgiven, Rom. 12. 23. Psa. 130. 4. 2 An earnest desire to obtain that mercy, which in Scripture is called a spiritual hunger, or thirst, Esa. 55. 1. John. 7. 37. Luke 1. 53. 3 An actual union with Christ, which consists in Faith, that is wrought in us by effectual vocation, John 15. 1. 4. True repentance, whereby forsaking all sin, we give up and consecrate our selves wholly to God in Christ, Acts 2. 38. & 3. 19.

7. It is helped forward oft times by some heavy affliction, as in Manasses. 2 Chro. 33. 12. The degrees of this humiliation are not the same, in all that be converted: for some feele greater trouble, and some lesse. But all those that are truely converted are also truly humbled. So put a man in the state of grace, it is required, that there be 1. Such an apprehension, upon the Gospell, as whereby a man judgeth it possible that his sinnes should be forgiven, Rom. 12. 23. Psa. 130. 4. 2 An earnest desire to obtaine that mercy, which in Scripture is called a spirituall hunger, or thirst, Esa. 55. 1. Iohn. 7. 37. Luke 1. 53. 3 An actu•ll union with Christ, which consists in Faith, that is wrought in us by effectuall vocation, Iohn 15. 1. 4. True repentance, whereby forsaking all sin, we give up and consecrate our selves wholy to God in Christ, Acts 2. 38. & 3. 19.

CHAP. 5. Of the effectual Vocation.

CHAP. 5. Of the effectuall Vocation.