Directions and persuasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…Directions and perswasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…

Answ. 1. You may partly discern your selves by what is said, whether you have need of more or less Humiliation, if you can but try your hearts by these signs. 2. But yet I would advise, and earnestly persuade you, in Cases of difficulty, to betake your selves to some able faithful Minister for resolution. If you feel sorrow seize so deep upon your spirits, that it distempereth you, or threateneth your understanding, or your health, especially if your are either passionate women, or Melancholy persons; stay not then any longer, left delay do that which cannot easily be undone, but go and open your case, and crave advice. This is a principal Use of Pastors, that you should have them at hand, to advise ⟨p. 178⟩with in the diseases and dangers of your Souls, as you do with Physicians, in the diseases and dangers of the body. Lay by all sinful bashfulness, and trust not your selves any longer with your own skill, but go to them that God hath set in Office over you for such uses as these, and tell them your Case: This is Gods way; and he will bless his own Ordinance: Melancholy, and Passionate distempered persons, are not fit judges of their own condition. In this Case you must distrust your own understanding, and be not self-conceited, and stick not obstinately to every fancy that comes into your heads, but in the sense of your weakness rely upon the guidance of your faithful Overseers; till your distempers are overcome, and you are made more capable of discerning for your selves.

Answ. 1. You may partly discern your selves by what is said, whether you have need of more or less Humiliation, if you can but try your hearts by these signes. 2. But yet I would advise, and earnestly perswade you, in Cases of difficulty, to betake your selves to some able faithfull Minister for resolution. If you feel sorrow seize so deep upon your spirits, that it distempereth you, or threatneth your understanding, or your health, especially if your are either passionate women, or Melancholly persons; stay not then any longer, left delay do that which cannot easily be undon, but go and open your case, and crave advice. This is a principal Use of Pastors, that you should have them at hand, to advise ⟨p. 178⟩with in the diseases and dangers of your Souls, as you do with Physicians, in the diseases and dangers of the body. Lay by all sinfull bashfullness, and trust not your selves any longer with your own skill, but go to them that God hath set in Office over you for such uses as these, and tell them your Case: This is Gods way; and he will bless his own Ordinance: Melancholly, and Passionate distempered persons, are not fit judges of their own condition. In this Case you must distrust your own understanding, and be not selfconceited, and stick not obstinately to every fancy that comes into your heads, but in the sense of your weakness rely upon the guidance of your faithfull Overseers; till your distempers are overcome, and you are made more capable of discerning for your selves.