Some general directions for a comfortable walking with God delivered in the lecture at…Some generall directions for a comfortable walking with God deliuered in the lecture at…

Thus, and upon such grounds as these, it is the hateful property of Hypocrites and self-guilty ones; and a common mark of their cruel severity, to wade deeply into the search and censure of other mens ways, and to gore very bloodily into the consciences of others, whereas they never purged their own. But true zeal ever casts the first stone at a mans self, and plucks the beam out of his own eye, that he may better discern and draw the mote out of another's eye: I mean, a sincere heart is ever most censorious and severe against it self; most searching into, and sensible of its own sins; prying with special curiosity and inquisitiveness, into the endless maze of its own wicked windings and depths of guile. Though it heartily and unfeignedly detest all sin in whomsoever; yet its own iniquities and pollutions stick closest, and go nearest, and beget in it a more particular and extraordinary impression of remorse and loathing. The reason is, it hath truly tasted the terrors of a wounded conscience, been scorched with the secret sense of Gods angry face, and formerly full sorely crushed under the most grievous burden of innumerable sins. It knows right well, by woeful experience, what bitterness of spirit, and anguish of soul springs naturally from the retired survey of scandalous transgressions in cold blood. It feels from time to time, deadness of heart, lessening of graces, loss of comfort to ensue upon every gross relapse, or willing fall. It finds too often, to its much grief, that if it foster and nuzzle in it self any sensual corruption or secret lust, the Lord will not hear its prayers. It is full well acquainted with the unvaluable preciousness of a peaceful conscience and Gods favourable countenance, which it cannot possibly enjoy, if it lie delightfully in any one sin against its knowledge, &c. This being the experience, exercise, and constitution of an upright heart; it is most angry and displeased with, most Eagle-eyed and watchful over, most strict and ⟨p. 129⟩severe against its own sins. Which home-employment happily hinders and moderates a man from too much meddling abroad. This world of work within, about his own soul, in discovering, opposing, and mortifying his own unruly lusts and rebellions, ties his tongue from being so busy in censuring other mens faults.

Thus, and vpon such grounds as these, it is the hatefull propertie of Hypocrites and selfe-guiltie ones; and a common marke of their cruell seueritie, to wade deepely into the search and censure of other mens wayes, and to gore verie bloodily into the consciences of others, whereas they neuer purged their owne. But true zeale euer casts the first stone at a mans selfe, and plucks the beame out of his owne eye, that he may better discerne and draw the mote out of anothers eye: I meane, a sincere heart is euer most censorious and seuere against it selfe; most searching into, and sensible of its owne sinnes; prying with speciall curiositie and inquisitiuenesse, into the endlesse maze of its owne wicked windings and depths of guile. Though it heartily and vnfainedly detest all sinne in whomsoeuer; yet its owne iniquities and pollutions sticke closest, and goe neerest, and beget in it a more particular and extraordinary impression of remorse and loathing. The reason is, it hath truly tasted the terrors of a wounded conscience, been scorched with the secret sence of Gods angry face, and formerly full sorely crusht vnder the most grieuous burthen of innumerable sinnes. It knowes right well, by wofull experience, what bitternesse of spirit, and anguish of soule springs naturally from the retired suruey of scandalous transgressions in cold blood. It feeles from time to time, deadnesse of heart, lessening of graces, losse of comfort to ensue vpon euery grosse relapse, or willing fall. It findes too often, to its much griefe, that if it foster and nuzzle in it selfe any sensuall corruption or secret lust, the Lord will not heare its prayers. It is full well acquainted with the vnualuable preciousnesse of a peacefull conscience and Gods fauourable countenance, which it cannot possibly enioy, if it lie delightfully in any one sinne against its knowledge, &c. This being the experience, exercise, and constitution of an vpright heart; it is most angry and displeased with, most Eagle-eyde and watchfull ouer, most strict and