CHAPTER II. SHEWING POSITIVELY WHAT CONVERSION IS. I MAY not leave you with your eyes half open, like him that saw 66 men as trees walking." The word is profitable for doctrine, as well as reproof. And therefore, having thus far conducted you by the shelves and rocks of so many dangerous mistakes, I will guide you at length into the harbour of truth. Conversion then, in short, lies in the thorough change both of the heart and life. I shall briefly describe it in its nature and causes. 995 1. The author is the Spirit of God, and therefore it is called "the sanctification of the Spirit,' " and "the renewing of the Holy Ghost," yet not excluding the other persons in the Trinity; for the apostle teacheth us to "bless the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for that he hath begotten us again.' And Christ is said to give repentance unto Israel," and is called the everlasting Father," and we his seed, and the children which God hath given him. Yet this work is principally ascribed to the Holy Ghost, and so we are said to be "born of the Spirit.' "We are 10 So then it is a work above man's power: born, not of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Never think thou canst convert thyself; if ever thou wouldst be savingly converted, thou must despair of doing it in thine own strength. It is a resurrection from the dead," a new creation," 1 Mark viii. 24. 6 Acts v. 31. 9 John iii. 8. 10 Ibid. i. 13. Eph. ii. 10. a work of absolute omnipotence.1 Are these out of the reach of human power? If thou hast no more than thou hadst by thy first birth, a good nature, a meek and chaste temper, &c., thou art a very stranger to true conversion: this is a supernatural work. 2. The causes are efficient and meritorious. The efficient cause is only free grace. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but of his own mercy he saved us, and “by the renewing of the Holy Ghost.' "Of his own will begat he us.' We are chosen and called unto sanctification, not for it.1 God finds nothing in a man to excite his love. Look back upon thyself, O christian! Do not thine own clothes abhor thee ? 5 How then should holiness and pureness love thee? Be astonished, O heavens, at this; be moved, O earth." Who but must needs cry, Grace! grace! Hear and blush, you children of the Most High; O you unthankful generation! that free grace is no more in your mouths, in your thoughts, no more adored, admired, and commended, by such as you! One would think you should be doing nothing_but praising and admiring God wherever you are. How can you forget such grace, or pass it over with a slight and formal mention ? What but free grace should move God to love you, unless enmity could do it, unless deformity could do it? How affectionately doth Peter lift up his hands! 66 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, who of his abundant mercy hath begotten us again." How feelingly doth Paul magnify the free mercy of God in it! God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, hath quickened us together with Christ. By grace ye are saved."9 The meritorious cause is the mediation and intercession of the blessed Jesus. He hath obtained gifts for the rebellious,1o and through him it is that God worketh in us what is well pleasing in his sight.1 Through him are all spiritual blessings bestowed upon us in heavenly things. Every convert is the fruit of his travail.❞ He is made sanctification to us. He sanctified himself, (that is, set apart himself as a sacrifice,) that we may be sanctified." We are sanctified through the offering of his body once for all." It is nothing then, beyond his own love, but the merit and intercession of Christ that prevails with God to bestow on us converting grace. If thou art a new creature, thou knowest to whom thou owest it; to Christ's agonies and prayers. Hence the natural affection of a believer to Christ. And whither else shouldst thou go? If any in the world can shew that for thy heart which Christ can, let them obtain it. Doth Satan claim thee? Doth the world court thee? Doth sin sue for thy heart? Why? were these crucified for thee? O christian, love and serve the Lord while thou hast a being. Do not even the publicans love those that love them, and shew kindness to them that are kind to them ?8 3. The instrument is either personal or real. The personal is the ministry. I have begotten you in Christ, through the gospel." Christ's ministers are they that are sent to open men's eyes, and to turn them to God.10 O unthankful world, little do you know what you are doing, while you are persecuting the messengers of the Lord! These are they whose business it is (under Christ) to save you. Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? Against whom have you exalted your voice, and lifted your eyes on high ? These are the servants of the most high God, that shew unto you the way of salvation,12 and do you thus requite them, O foolish and unwise !13 O sons of ingratitude, against 1 Heb. xiii. 21. 2 Eph. i. 3. 6 Heb. x. 10. 7 1 Cor. i. 13. 10 Acts xxvi. 18. whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue ? 1 These are the instruments that God uses to convert and save you; and do you revile your physicians, and throw your pilots overboard? "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." 3 The real instrument is the word. We are begotten by the word of truth. This it is that enlightens the eye, that converts the soul,2 that maketh wise to salvation. This is the incorruptible seed, by which we are born again.4 If we are washed, it is by the word." If we are sanctified, it is through the truth." This generates faith, and regenerates us." O ye saints, how should ye love the word! for by this you have been converted: O ye sinners, how should you ply the word! for by this you must be converted : no other ordinary means but this. You that have felt 999 its renewing power, make much of it while you live; be for ever thankful for it; tie it about your neck; write it upon your hand; lay it in your bosom.8 When you go, let it lead you; when you sleep, let it keep you ; when you wake, let it talk with you: say with holy David, “I will never forget thy precepts, for by them thou hast quickened me." You that are unconverted, read the word with diligence; flock to it where powerfully preached; fill the porches, as the multitude of the impotent, blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water,1o pray for the coming of the Spirit in the word; come off your knees to the sermon, and come to your knees from the sermon. The seed doth not prosper, because not watered by prayers and tears, nor covered by meditation. 4. The final cause is man's salvation, and God's glory. We are chosen through sanctification to salvation," called that we might be glorified,12 but especially 9 Psalm cxix. 93. 10 John v. 3. 12 Thess. ii. 13. 12 Rom. viii. 30. 66 that God might be glorified,' that we should "shew forth his praise, 112 and "be fruitful in good works." O christian! do not forget the end of thy calling; "let thy light shine," let thy lamp burn; let thy fruits be good, and many, and in season; let all thy designs fall in with God's, that he may be magnified in thee."" Why should God repent that he hath made thee a christian, as in the time of the old world that he made them men? Why shouldst thou be an eye-sore in his orchard, by thy unfruitfulness? or a son that causeth shame, as it were a grief to thy father, and a bitterness to her that bare thee? 9 O let the womb that bare thee bless thee. He that begets a fool doth it to his sorrow, and the father of a fool hath no joy.10 8 None are drawn to 5. The subject is the elect sinner, and that in all his parts and powers, members and mind. "Whom God predestinates, them he calls.” 11 Christ by their calling, nor come to him by believing, but his sheep, those whom the Father hath given him.12 Effectual calling runs equal with eternal election.1 13 Thou beginnest at the wrong end, if thou disputest first about thine election. Prove thy conversion, and then never doubt of thy election: or, canst thou not yet prove it? set upon a present and thorough turning. Whatever God's purposes be, (which are secret,) I am sure his precepts are plain. How desperately do rebels argue! if I am elected, I shall be saved, do what I will; if not, I shall be damned, do what I can. Perverse sinner! wilt thou begin where thou shouldst end? Is not the word before thee? What saith it? 66 Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." 14 body, you shall "If you mortify the deeds of the What can be plainer? 1 Isa. lx. 21. 5 Psalm i. 3. 7 Gen. vi. 6. 8 Luke xiii. 7. and x. 5. 12 John vi. 37, 44. 13 2 Pet. i. 10. |