A treatise of conversion Preached, and now published for the use of those that are strangers to a true conversion, especially the grosly ignorant and ungodly. By Richard Baxter, teacher of the Church of Christ at Kederminster.

SECT. X.

Quest. 9. MY next Question is this; if God should send an Angel from Heaven to you, to plead against your sinful course, and to perswade you to be converted, would you hearken to him and obey him; or would you not? If he should appear to you in your careless and worldly course of Life, or if he should come to you in the very Act of your sin, and tell you how the Lord abhorreth your iniquity; and how his Vengeance hangs over your head, and will fall upon you, if you speedily, Re∣pent not; and should perswade and entreat you to Lament your folly, and turn to God with all your heart, without Delay, What would you do? And what answer would you give? Would you tell him to his face, I will not be converted; I will take my plea∣sure, and follow the world, and venture my soul rather then live so strict a Life? Would you say thus to him? You would not, sure you durst not do it. Would you not tell him, I am sor∣ry for my sins, and resolve to turn without delay; But if you should so tell him, if you did not do it, your promise would but prove you hypocrites, and rise up against you to your condemna∣tion. Oh, you do not know how such a sight would amaze you, and awaken you from security. An hand that appeared writing upon a wall, did make the knees of a sensual King to tremble; it loosed his very loins, it changed his countenance, it troubled

his thoughts, Dan. 5. 6 The Appearance of an Angel▪ at the Re∣surrection of Christ did make the keepers of the grave to shakee, and become as dead men, Matth. 28. 4. How an Angels appearance aff••cted Cornelius; And an Earthquake with the effects did move the Jaylor, may be seen, Acts 10. & 16. and many the like Exampls we might give you. What if an Angel of God should but come and speak over this very Text to you, that I am preaching: Verily except you be converted, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven? Would you yield, or would you not? if you would not, you are hardened with a witness. If you would, let me fol∣low my question a little further with you. Should not the writ∣ten word of Christ himself, and the Voice of his Messengers that speak in his Name, and all the Judgements and Mercies that se∣cond these: I say, should not all these prevail with you as much, and more then an Angels voice? You hav here the Protestation, or vehement Asservation of the Lord himself, and should not that be of greatest Authority with us? Angels are but the servants of Christ, and Ministring Spirits for the good of his Elect: would you hear them, and will you not hear their Master? Would you hear an unusual Messenger, and will you not lern in Christs ap∣pointed way? If it be a Doctrine to be received from Angels, tell me if you can, why it should not be received now from the Word of God, and from his Ministers?