N01663:77
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.
II. But we may carry on the Answer, without being Reproved, for Adding any thing unto the Words ⟨p. 17⟩of God. A true Faith, will always have Repentance accompanying of it. Repentance unto Life; Tis a Dead Faith which cannot show it; A Dead Soul that has it not. A Genuine Faith is always a Repenting Faith. We see the Two Sisters hand in hand; Act. 20.21. Repentance toward God, and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. We constantly see it in the Experience of all the Faithful. Tis the Denomination of Repentance; 2 Cor. 7.10. Repentance to Salvation. It must be found in all the Candidates of Salvation. Well then;
First; This must be done; You must heartily and bitterly Bewail all your Sins. Your Original Sin, your Actual Sin, the monstrous Aggravation of your Sin; You must be Convinced of it. A Contrition must follow this Conviction; With a Broken Heart you must Cry out, Psal. 38.18. I will declare my Iniquity, I will be sorry for my Sin. You must Mourn for your Sin; and Mourn for the Offence given to God by your Sin as well as for the Mischief done to your selves: Mourn, Mourn, and never count that you have Mourned Enough.
First; This must be done; You must heartily and bitterly Bewayl all your Sins. Your Original Sin, your Actual Sin, the monstrous Aggravation of your Sin; You must be Convinced of it. A Contrition must follow this Conviction; With a Broken Heart you must Cry out, Psal. 38.18. I will declare my Iniquity, I will be sorry for my Sin. You must Mourn for your Sin; and Mourn for the Offence given to God by your Sin as well as for the Mischief done to your selves: Mourn, Mourn, and never count that you have Mourned Enough.