Remains of that excellent minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine being a collection…Remaines of that excellent minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine being a collection…

Fourthly, This is the cause of so much ignorance of our own estate; It is no wonder that so many Professors are at a loss about their condition; it is for want of looking into their Religion. They do not know whether they be sound or unsound, whether they be going forward, or going backward, all this is from want of care, to examine and enquire into their duties.

For want of this men do not know whether they be sound or unsound, for how doth a man know the tree but by the fruit? When all is done, 'tis mens actual obedience that is the great evidence, that their estates must be tried by. Whatsoever seeming principles of grace and life, and love, may seem to be within, and good resolutions, yet if all this, be not strong enough to bring forth the fruits of obedience, in a holy, self-denying, and flesh displeasing godliness, all is unsound. But then we m• not look only to the outside of our obedience, we must not take the Carcass without the soul. Now when persons do not look into their duties, but rest in the work done, how can they make any judgment into their estate by them.

For want of this men do not know whether they be sound or unsound, for how doth a man know the tree but by the fruit? When all is done, 'tis mens actual obedience that is the great evidence, that their estates must be tryed by. Whatsoever seeming principles of grace and life, and love, may seem to be within, and good resolutions, yet if all this, be not strong enough to bring forth the fruits of obedience, in a holy, self-denying, and flesh displeasing godliness, all is unsound. But then we m• not look onely to the outside of our obedience, we must not take the Carkass without the soul. Now when persons do not look into their duties, but rest in the work done, how can they make any judgment into their estate by them.