This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. OF THE NECESSITY OF CONVERSION. It may be you are ready to say, What meaneth this stir? and are apt to wonder why I follow you with such earnestness, still ringing one lesson in your ears, that "you should repent, and be converted."1 But I must say unto you, as Ruth to Naomi, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee."2 Were it a matter of indifference, I would never keep so much ado: might you be saved as you are, I would gladly let you alone: but would you not have me solicitous for you, when I see you ready to perish? As the Lord liveth, before whom I am, I have not the least hopes to see one of your faces in heaven, except you be converted. I utterly despair of your salvation, except you will be prevailed with to turn thoroughly, and give up yourselves to God in holiness and newness of life. Hath God said, " Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," 3 and yet do you wonder why your ministers do so earnestly labour for you? Think it not strange that I am earnest with you to follow after holiness, and long to see the image of God upon you. Never did any, nor shall any, enter into heaven by any other way but this. The conversion described is not a high attainment of some eminent christians, but every soul that is saved passeth this universal change. It was a saying of the noble Roman, when he was hasting with corn to the city in the famine, and the mariners were loth to set sail in foul weather, It is necessary for us to sail--it is not necessary for us to live.--What is it that thou dost count necessary? Is 1 Acts iii. 19. Buth i. 16. 'John Hi 3. thy bread necessary? Is thy breath necessary? Then thy conversion is much more necessary. Indeed, this is the one thing...