N01663:66
The greatest concern in the world. A short and plain essay, to answer that…
The greatest concern in the world. A short and plain essay, to answer that most concerning and all concerning enquiry, What must I do to be saved? : Published, with a design to assist the addresses of good men unto their neighbours, whom they press to mind, the one thing that is needful.
printed by T. Green, 1718
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Degree of this Distress, on the minds of them that shall be Saved is Various. There is a Variety in that Preparatory work, which does Distress the ⟨p. 14⟩Elect of God, in their coming to a Saviour. Converts do sometimes needlessly Distress themselves, and even Deceive themselves, by insisting too much on the Measure of this Preparation. But so much of this work, as will render us Restless without a CHRIST; so much of this work, as will render a whole CHRIST Precious to us; Be sure, there must be so much in our Experience, if we would be Saved.
The Degree of this Distress, on the minds of them that shall be Saved is Various. There is a Variety in that Preparatory work, which does Distress the ⟨p. 14⟩Elect of God, in their coming to a Saviour. Converts do sometimes needlesly Distress themselves, and even Deceive themselves, by insisting too much on the Measure of this Preparation. But so much of this work, as will render us Restless without a CHRIST; so much of this work, as will render a whole CHRIST Precious to us; Be sure, there must be so much in our Experience, if we would be Saved.
Secondly, This must be done, You must Confess your selves Unable to do any thing Effectually of your selves, in coming to a Glorious CHRIST, as your Saviour. With a Fearful Trembling of Soul, you must make this Profession; Lord, Thou workest in us to Will and to Do, of thy own Good Pleasure! Your Profession must be that; Eph. 2.8. By Grace are ye Saved, through' Faith, and that not of your selves: it is the Gift of God. Your Profession must be that; Joh. 6.65. No man can come, except it be given to him. Oh! Lie at the Foot of Sovereign Grace, Confessing and Imploring; Lord, I am justly Destroyed, if I do not sincerely Renounce my Sin, sincerely Embrace my Saviour. But I cannot, Oh! I cannot! I have Deadly Fetters upon my Soul. I shall never answer thy Gracious Calls, except thy Sovereign Grace Enable me. Oh! Quicken me: Oh! Strengthen me: Oh! Enable me; Turn thou me, & I shall be Turned.