pp. 53–576 passages
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.
Before God converts men, it is his manner to prepare them for it by a common work of his Spirit, which is called Preparatory, which puts men upon it to be sensibly seeking after reconciliation. Men are called upon to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; to labour not for the meat that perishes, but for that meat that doth endure unto eternal life. And men are blamed for slighty seeking, Luk. 13.24. Many seek and are not able to enter. And that was the happiness of some, their hearts were mightily set in seeking the kingdom of God, Mat. 11.13. Men are labouring, some a long while for peace with God before they are converted: They are convinced of the vanity of the world, and of the necessity of the favour of God and eternal life: They are convinced ⟨p. 54⟩also of the insufficiency of their own righteousness, so as to relinquish hopes from that, but when God lets in spiritual light to convert men, that doth discover the same that they saw under the work of preparation; and that after a better manner than they saw them before.
BEfore God converts men, it is his manner to prepare them for it by a common work of his Spirit, which is called Preparatory, which puts men upon it to be sensibly seeking after reconciliation. Men are called upon to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; to labour not for the meat that perishes, but for that meat that doth endure unto eternal life. And men are blamed for slighty seeking, Luk. 13.24. Many seek and are not able to enter. And that was the happiness of some, their hearts were mightily set in seeking the kingdom of God, Mat. 11.13. Men are labouring, some a long while for peace with God before they are converted: They are convinced of the vanity of the world, and of the necessity of the favour of God and eternal life: They are convinced ⟨p. 54⟩also of the insufficiency of their own righteousness, so as to relinquish hopes from that, but when God lets in spiritual light to convert men, that doth discover the same that they saw under the work of preparation; and that after a better manner than they saw them before.
1. When God gives spiritual light and reveals his Grace and the Glory of Christ to the Soul, that discovers those things that they saw under the work of preparation.
1. That will discover the terribleness of Damnation. One thing that Sinners are sensible of under the work of preparation is, that the wrath of God is terrible: And they are wont to cry out as he, What must I do to be saved, Act. 16.30. And as David, There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger, nor any rest in my bones because of my sin, Psal. 48.3. They see they have exposed themselves to the heavy wrath of God, and are liable to damnation, which is intolerable. Isai. 33.14. Who can dwell with devouring fire who can dwell with everlasting burnings? And the sense of this is wont to fill them with Terror; they are afraid of dying quickly, and they are urged in spirit to cry to God, and beg the pardon of their Sins. This stirs them up carefully to reform their lives, and leave off all sinful practices, and to resist temptations. This makes them sensible of the vanity of the world. And ⟨p. 55⟩when gospel light is let into men, they will see the terribleness of the wrath of God for Sin. If they did not see that, they would not see the necessity of coming to Christ for Salvation; but when they see the truth of the Gospel, they will be convinced of that; for then they will see the faithfulness of God, and the truth of the threatenings of the law: Then they will believe the greatness of Christ's sufferings, and thereby see the terrible wrath of God for Sin. Luk. 23.31. If these things be done in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry? In the sorrows of Christ they will discern how intolerable the wrath of God is, and what need there is of deliverance from it.
1. That will discover the terribleness of Damnation. One thing that Sinners are sensible of under the work of preparation is, that the wrath of God is terrible: And they are wont to cry out as he, What must I do to be saved, Act. 16.30. And as David, There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger, nor any rest in my bones because of my sin,
2. That will discover the vanity and insufficiency of men's own righteousness. Under the work of preparation they are by degrees led into the understanding of their own unworthiness, that they can do nothing to pacify the wrath, or merit the favour of God. When sinners are in distress of conscience, they are wont to labour to lay some bonds on the justice, or faithfulness, or mercy of God; and in length of time God is wont to show them that their righteousness don't answer the law, satisfies for no Sin, can't draw the heart of God to them; that by their best works they are meriting condemnation; that their hearts are full of enmity to God; that they have no power to do any good; that ⟨p. 56⟩they have nothing of their own to depend upon, but stand in need of free grace and the righteousness of Christ: And when the gospel light is let into them, that teaches them the emptiness of their own works. When men see the excellency of Christ's righteousness, they see it is a vain thing for them to think to pacify God themselves; they shall never be able to get any thing of their own that is comparable to the righteousness of Christ: That alone will serve their turn, and they have no need of any other. Phil. 3.7. What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. When men see their own hearts under the work of Humiliation, they see the vanity of their own righteousness; but when they see the righteousness of Christ, they see further into the vanity of it, and prefer Christ's righteousness, and count their own as dung in comparison with Christ's. Phil. 3.8. And count them but dung that I may win Christ.
2. That will discover the vanity and insufficiency of men's own righteousness. Under the work of preparation they are by degrees led into the understanding of their own unworthiness, that they can do nothing to pacify the wrath, or merit the favour of God. When sinners are in distress of conscience, they are wont to labour to lay some bonds on the justice, or faithfulness, or mercy of God; and in length of time God is wont to shew them that their righteousness dont answer the law, satisfys for no Sin, can't draw the heart of God to them; that by their best works they are meriting condemnation; that their hearts are full of enmity to God; that they have no power to do any good; that ⟨p. 56⟩
3. They are convinced of these things after a better manner than they are under the work of preparation. Under the work of preparation, they are convinced of them by the illuminations of natural Conscience. They see there is great danger of damnation, and that damnation is intolerable, and that the world is vain; that their own righteousness cannot draw the heart of God; that it is just with God to destroy them. And some things ⟨p. 57⟩they are convinced of by Experience; as, that they are blind, and under the dominion of their sins, that they are dead in trespasses and sins. But when spiritual light is let into them, they know these things after a better manner; then they see these by faith; they believe the testimony of God in his word, and this has a better effect upon the heart. He sees so much of the world, that he hates a worldly spirit; he sees the vanity of a worldly spirit, so that it is mortified ever after; and the vanity of his own righteousness, and hates a self-righteous spirit.
3. They are convinced of these things after a better manner than they are under the work of preparation. Under the work of preparation, they are convinced of them by the illuminations of natural Conscience. They see there is great danger of damnation, and that damnation is intolerable, and that the world is vain; that their own righteousness cannot draw the heart of God; that it is just with God to destroy them. And some things ⟨p. 57⟩they are convinced of by Experience; as, that they are blind, and under the dominion of their sins, that they are dead in trespasses and sins. But when spiritual light is let into them, they know these things after a better manner; then they see these by faith; they believe the testimony of God in his word, and this has a better effect upon the heart. He sees so much of the world, that he hates a worldly spirit; he sees the vanity of a worldly spirit, so that it is mortifyed ever after; and the vanity of his own righteousness, and hates a self-righteous spirit.
