I. Ignorance of the nature of regenerating grace, taking that for regeneration, which is none of it; thus did the Jews, John viii. 25. confidently affirm God to be their God, and yet they did not know him. How many poor ignorant creatures think there is no need of any other work of regeneration, but what pas- sed upon them in baptism ? They were born and baptized Chris- tians, and that is enough, they think, to save them : Mat. iii. 9. ^* We have Abraham to our father." They thought it sufficient that Abraham's blood ran in their veins, though there were not a spark of Abraham's faith kindled in their souls. The Lord for- give the sin of those men that lead poor souls into such fatal mis- takes. O if men were but aware of the necessity of a greater and farther work to pass upon their souls than their baptism, common powerless profession, or the similar works which appear upon for- mal hypocrites, heaven and earth would ring with their cries. But ignorance of the nature and necessity of special regenerating grace, like a dose of opium^ casts the consciences of many into this deep sleep.
% Freedom from grosser sins and poUuions of the world, stills and quiets the consciences of thousands ; they have had a civil, sober, and fair education ; and though there be no grace and re-
r.y gland's duty. 105
generation, yet what saints do they seem to themsehes, ]>ein^' adorned with sobriety and civihty ! This stilled the conscience of the Pharisee, Luke xviii. 11. " God, I thank thee, tliat I am not " as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as " this publican."" Thus, like delicate Agag, they spruce up them- selves with moral homolitical virtues, wherein many tliousand Hea- thens were more gay than themselves; but justice will hew them to pieces as Agag was, for all their moral ornaments and endow- ments.
3. The strict performance of the external duties of religion quiets the consciences of many ; they question not but those that do so well shall fai'e well, and that God will never damn men and women that keep their church and say their prayers as they do. Thus the carnal Jews deluded themselves, crying, " The temple " of the Lord, the temple of the Lord i"" As malefactors, in some of our neighbouring kingdoms, fly to the church from the hand of justice, so do these ; but God will pluck them from the horns of the altar, and convince them that the empty name of re- ligion is no security from damnation.
4. Many consciences are still and quieted in a natural, sinful state, by misinterpreting the voices of providence ; it may be God prospers your earthly affairs, succeeds and smiles upon your under- takings ; and this you conclude must be a token of his love and favour : But alas ! this is a great mistake, the Lord give you bet- ter evidences of his love than these ; for who prosper more in the wprld than wicked men.? And who are more crossed than the people of God ? Read Job xxi. and Psal. Ixxiii. and compare both with Eccl. ix. 1. and you will quickly find the vanity of all hopes built upon such a foundation.
However, by such things as these ave, the god of this world blinds the eyes of multitudes.
Infer. 2. If every conviction be a Jcnoclc of Christ, how deeply are all souls concerned in the success and issue of them f
Conviction is an embryo of the new creature ; if it go out its full time, and come to a perfect new birth, it brings forth salvation to your souls ; if it miscarry finally, you are finally lost. It is of in- finite concernment therefore to every man and woman to be ten- der over these convictions of their consciences. It is true, coi>- viction and conversion are two things : there may be conviction without conversion, though there can be no conversion without conviction. The blossoms upon the trees in the spring of the year cannot properly be called fruit, they are rather the rudiments of fruit, or something in order to fruit. If they open kindly, and knit or set firmly, perfect fruit follows them ; but if a blast or frosty mornings kill them, no fruit is to be expected. Thus it is
here, great care therefore ought to be taken about the prserva- tion and success of convictions, both by
1. The soul itself that is under them.
2. And by all others that are concerned about them.
1. What care should the soul itself have, upon whom convic- tions are wrought ; have a care, friends, how you quench them, divert or hinder the operations of them, lest you hinder as much as in you lies, the very conception of Christ in your souls by them. I remember it is said, Exod. xxi. 22. " If men strive and "hurt a woman with child, and mischief follow, life shall be " given for life."' The life of your souls is bound up in the hfe of your convictions. I know it is hard for men and women to dwell with their own convictions ; guilt and wrath are sad subjects for men's thoughts to dwell upon ; but yet it is far better to dwell with the thoughts of sin and wrath here, than to lie sweltering under them in hell for ever. You may be rid of your convictions and your salvation together ; be not too eager after peace, a good trouble is better than a false peace. And on the other side, beware that your convictions and troubles turn not into discouragements to faith ; this will cross the proper intention of them : they are Christ's knocks for entrance, and were never intended to be bars or stum- bling-blocks in your way to him ; not stops, but steps in your way to Christ.
2. Let all others that are concerned about convinced souls, be- ware what counsels they give, and what rules they prescribe, lest they render them abortive, and destroy all in the bud. There are two errors too commonly committed, one in excess, persuading souls under trouble of conscience that there is no coming for them to Christ, unless they be so and so prepared, humbled just to such a degree ; this is dangerous counsel, it overheats the troubles of conscience, and keeps the soul from its proper, present duty and remedy. I am sure Paul and Silas took no such course with the convinced Jailor, nor Peter with the three thousand wounded con- sciences. Acts ii. Nor do I find where God hath stated the time and degree of spiritual troubles, so that there must be no addresses to Christ in the way of faith, until they have suffered them so long and to such an height : if they have imbittered sin to the soul, and made it see the necessity of a Saviour, I think they cannot move too soon after Christ in the way of faith. Let no man set bounds where God sets none.
There is anotlier error committed in defect, when promises and comforts are presently applied, before the nature of faith is known, or one act of recumbency put forth towards Christ: these hasty comforts come to nothing ; they will not, they cannot stand. It is a dangerous thing to apply gospel-cordials, and pour out the pre-