1. That Preparatory Work is no part of Conversion. It is an Antecedent to Conversion, but no part of Conversion. Sometimes under the work of Preparation, persons are so exact in their Conversation, have such affections and Comforts that not only others, but themselves also think that they are converted; they have very great resemblances of Grace, they have many meltings of heart, delight in Sabbaths, zeal against Sin, as do carry a great appearance of a gracious Spirit; but all that they attain unto is no part of the work of Conversion, they remain still in a natural Condition, and their religious affections are but counterfeit Graces. Paul seemed to himself as if he was alive, but afterwards he found himself to be dead, Rom. 7.9. I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came, Sin revived and I died. Men under the work of Preparation are under the dominion and government of Sin, their corruptions are stunted but not mortified, they are restrained but not killed, they are like Vermin in the Winter, stupefied but not dead; and whatever show they make, they are destitute of Holiness, in all their affections there is no love to God, in all their lamentations for Sin there is no Godly Sorrow; their ⟨p. 4⟩religion proceeds only from Natural Conscience and Self-Love: The men are afraid of Hell, that makes them walk orderly, resist Temptations and be sorrowful for Sin; they hope that God is not so angry as he was, that makes them forward in duties of religion; they consider the moral evil of many sinful practices, and that begets some kind of loathing of them; they hope in such and such ways to win the favour of God, that makes them forward in duties of Religion and charity; they hope sometimes that God has pardoned them, that makes them have strong affections; but all these things are no part of Conversion: it may be said to them as Christ said to the Jews, Joh. 15.42. You have not the love of God in you. There is not one spark of Grace in them: Grace and Holiness is quite of another kind: When they have gone through' Preparation Work, Conversion remains wholly to be wrought.
1. That Preparatory Work is no part of Conversion. It is an Antecedent to Conversion, but no part of Conversion. Sometimes under the work of Preparation, persons are so exact in their Conversation, have such affections and Comforts that not only others, but themselves also think that they are converted; they have very great resemblances of Grace, they have many meltings of heart, delight in Sabbaths, zeal against Sin, as do carry a great appearance of a gracious Spirit; but all that they attain unto is no part of the work of Conversion, they remain still in a natural Condition, and their religious affections are but counterfeit Graces. Paul seemed to himself as if he was alive, but afterwards he found himself to be dead, Rom. 7.9. I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came, Sin revived and I died. Men under the work of Preparation are under the dominion and government of Sin, their corruptions are stunded but not mortifyed, they are restrained but not killed, they are like Vermin in the Winter, stupifyed but not dead; and whatever shew they make, they are destitute of Holiness, in all their affections there is no love to God, in all their lamentations for Sin there is no Godly Sorrow; their ⟨p. 4⟩religion proceeds only from Natural Conscience and Self-Love: The men are afraid of Hell, that makes them walk orderly, resist Temptations and be sorrowful for Sin; they hope that God is not so angry as he was, that makes them forward in duties of religion; they consider the moral evil of many sinful practices, and that begets some kind of loathing of them; they hope in such and such ways to win the favour of God, that makes them forward in duties of Religion and charity; they hope sometimes that God has pardoned them, that makes them have strong affections; but all these things are no part of Conversion: it may be said to them as Christ said to the Jews, Joh. 15.42. You have not the love of God in you. There is not one spark of Grace in them: Grace and Holiness is quite of another kind: When they have gone thro' Preparation Work, Conversion remains wholly to be wrought.
