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…

5. The Sound Convert is so acquainted with the defects, and sins, and necessities of his own Soul, that he is much taken up at home, in his studies, and cares, and censures, and his daily work: The acting, and strengthening of Grace, the subduing of corruption, and his daily walk with God, are much of his employment: Above all keeping, he keeps his Heart, as knowing that thence are the issues of life. He cannot have while to spy out the faults of others, and meddle with their affairs, where duty binds him not, as others can do; because he hath so much to do at home, Gal. 6. 3, 4. Prov 4. 23.

5. The Sound Convert is so acquainted with the defects, and sinnes, and necessities of his own Soul, that he is much taken up at home, in his studies, and cares, and censures, and his daily worke: The acting, and strengthening of Grace, the subduing of corruption, and his daily walk with God, are much of his employment: Above all keeping, he keeps his Heart, as knowing that thence are the issues of life. He cannot have while to spy out the faults of others, and meddle with their affaires, where duty binds him not, as others can do; because he hath so much to do at home, Gal. 6. 3, 4. Prov 4. 23.

But the Opinionist is most employed abroad, and about mere notions, and Opinions, but he is little employed in such heart-searching, or heart-observing work. His light doth not pierce so deep as to show him his heart, and the work that is there to be necessarily done. ⟨p. 335⟩As the change is little upon his Heart, so his employment is little there. He is little in bewailing his secret defects, and corruptions; and little in keeping his Souls accounts; and little in secret striving with his heart, to work it into communion with God, and into a Spiritual lively fruitful frame. He is forward to aggravate the sins of others, and oft-times severe enough in censuring them: But he is a very gentle censurer of himself, and a patient man with his own corruptions, and puts the best construction upon all that is his own. He hath much labour perhaps in shaping his Opinions; but little for the humbling, and Sanctifying his heart, by the power of the Truth.