1 In regard of the search made for sin, an upright 1hearted man, if there be any ambiguous case, in his whole life, he is willing to be informed to the full, to refer himself to the word and good men, for the finding out what is right; when himself doubts, he would be glad to be resolved, and ⟨p. 207⟩would love him that would do it. Lord try me (saith David) if there be any way of wickedness in me, which was a sign of the uprightness of his heart. When the heart is not sound, then a man is not willing to come to try all, as John 3. 20. 21. whence this 2difference is taken, Every man that doth truth, that is, up•ight hearted, comes to the light; but he that doth evil, hates the light. The one desires his deeds might be brought to the light, but the other hates it, because he would not have his deeds known: It is spoken of the Pharisees, who took it in scorn to have their uprightness questioned by our Saviour. And this is sincerity [Greek or Hebrew], as the Apostle calls it, when a man is willing to have all his actions brought to the Sun-beams, as that word implies, that if there be any flaw in them, they may be discovered and amended; he desires not that they may be kept in dark shops like bad ware, but brought to his view and discovery: therefore the upright de lights most in the company of those that are freest from his sin, they appear most beautiful in his eyes, and he loves a ministry that speaks to that particular; every one is desirous to hear evil spoken of his enemy, that sin is his greatest enemy; therefore you could not have done David a better turn, than Abigail and Nathan did to tell him of his fault, or a worse to Amaziah and Jeroboam, then 3the Prophets did, when they reproved them; he that would have a building down, is glad of those that come with pickaxes, but if he would have it stand, he cannot endure any body that should offer to meddle with it; so the strong holds of sin being ⟨p. 208⟩to be pulled down, a godly man likes him that will help him against them, when conscience doubteth such a course is not good, which yet is ambiguous. If thou be loth to have it examined to the full, it is a sign thou hast a false heart, and art desirous to continue in it. It is a sweet morsel to thee, Jo• 20. 12.
1 In regard of the search made for sinne, an upright 1hearted man, if therebe any ambiguous case, in his whole life, he is willing to be informed to the full, to referre himselfe to the word and good men, for the finding out what is right; when himselfe doubts, hee would bee glad to bee resolved, and ⟨p. 207⟩would love him that would doe it. Lord try mee (saith David) if therebe any way of wickednesse in me, which was a signe of the uprightnesse of his heart. When the heart is not sound, then a man is not willing to come to try all, as Iohn 3. 20. 21. whence this 2difference is taken, Every man that doth truth, that is, up•ight hearted, comes to the light; but he that doth evill, hates the light. The one desires his deeds might bee brought to the light, but the other hates it, because hee would not have his deeds knowne: It is spoken of the Pharisees, who tooke it in scorne to have their uprightnesse questioned by our Saviour. And this is sincerity 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, as the Apostle cals it, when a man is willing to have al his actions brought to the Sunne-beames, as that word implyes, that if there bee any flaw in them, they may bee discovered and amended; he desires not that they may be kept in darke shops like bad ware, but brought to his view and discovery: therefore the upright de lights most in the company of those that are freest from his sinne, they appeare most beautifull in his eyes, and hee loves a ministery that speakes to that particular; every one is desirous to heare evill spoken of his enemy, that sinne is his greatest enemy; therefore you could not have done David a better turne, than Abigail and Nathan did to tell him of his fault, or a worse to Amaziah and Ieroboam, then 3the Prophets did, when they reproved them; hee that would have a building downe, is glad of those that come with pickaxes, but if hee would have it stand, hee cannot endure any body that should offer to meddle with it; so the strong holds of sinne being ⟨p. 208⟩to be puld down, a godly man likes him that will helpe him against them, when conscience doubteth such a course is not good, which yet is ambiguous. If thou be loth to have it examined to the full, it is a signe thou hast a false heart, and art desirous to continue in it. It is a sweet morsell to thee, Io 20. 12.
