but where the Gospel prevaileth to a sound Conversion of the Soul, it brings every thought into subjection to the will of God, 2 Cor. 10.5. The sincere Convert will not allow himself in so much as in vain and unprofitable thoughts, Psal. 119.113. vain thoughts do I hate; much less in proud thoughts, or unclean thoughts, or revengeful thoughts. 5. In Conversion, there is a great change wrought, in respect of Words: It is therefore sometimes expressed in the Scripture, by the Circumcision of the Lips. And by that phrase, of a pure Language. Zeph. 3.9. ⟨p. 27⟩The same man that before his Conversion, was it may be, a Reviler of good men, a Scoffer of Godliness, a profane Swearer, or a filthy speaker; after his Conversion, you shall hear no more such evil Communication from him: but instead thereof, he will be speaking about Christ, and Heaven, and the estate of his own immortal Soul, & be full of gracious, edifying discourse; such a mighty change doth Converting Grace work, when it cometh in power. And certain it is, that except a mans Lips and Language be sanctified, he is a stranger to Conversion, and to the power of Religion or Christianity; James 1.26. If any man seem to be Religious, and bridleth not his tongue, he deceiveth his own heart, his Religion is vain. Men may call themselves Christians, and yet have unbridled tongues: and they may think to be saved, because of their Profession of Christianity; but alas, they deceive themselves, and all their pretences to Religion will prove a vain thing, if they have not a pure Language. 6. Where there is Conversion, there is a new life and Conversation, Ephes 4.22. Rom 6.4. He that is Converted, doth, as it were, turn over a new leaf, and leads a new life, quite differing from what he formerly lived. And this is that which is especially signified by the word [Conversion:] The word is a Metaphor taken from a man, that is walking in a wrong way; but if ever he would ⟨p. 28⟩come to his journeys end, he must turn quite about, and go in a contrary way to that, which at present he walketh in. Men by Sin turn out of the right way; sinners are perverters of their way, but by Repentance and Conversion, they return, & are brought back into the right way again, Jer. 3.21, 22. The true Convert walketh in new ways, and taketh new courses: He did walk in the way of sin, he doth walk in the way which is called holy;
but where the Gospel prevaileth to a sound Conversion of the Soul, it brings every thought into subjection to the will of God, 2 Cor. 10.5. The sincere Convert will not allow himself in so much as in vain and unprofitable thoughts, Psal. 119.113. vain thoughs do I hate; much less in proud thoughts, or unclean thoughts, or revengeful thoughts. 5. In Conversion, there is a great change wrought, in respect of Words: It is therefore sometimes expressed in the Scripture, by the Circumcision of the Lips. And by that phrase, of a pure Language. Zeph. 3.9. ⟨p. 27⟩The same man that before his Conversion, was it may be, a Reviler of good men, a Scoffer of Godliness, a prophane Swearer, or a filthy speaker; after his Conversion, you shall hear no more such evil Communication from him: but instead thereof, he will be speaking about Christ, and Heaven, and the estate of his own immortal Soul, & be full of gracious, edifying discourse; such a mighty change doth Converting Grace work, when it cometh in power. And certain it is, that except a mans Lips and Language be sanctified, he is a stranger to Conversion, and to the power of Religion or Christianity; James 1.26. If any man seem to be Religious, and bridleth not his tongue, he deciveth his own heart, his Religion is vain. Men may call themselves Christians, and yet have unbridled tongues: and they may think to be saved, because of their Profession of Christianity; but alas, they deceive themselves, and all their pretences to Religion will prove a vain thing, if they have not a pure Language. 6. Where there is Conversion, there is a new life and Conversation, Ephes 4.22. Rom 6.4. He that is Converted, doth, as it were, turn over a new leaf, and leads a new life, quite differing from what he formerly lived. And this is that which is especially signified by the word [Conversion:] The word is a Metaphor taken from a man, that is walking in a wrong way; but if ever he would ⟨p. 28⟩come to his journeys end, he must turn quite about, and go in a contrary way to that, which at present he walketh in. Men by Sin turn out of the right way; sinners are perverters of their way, but by Repentance and Conversion, they return, & are bro't back into the right way again,
