3. Gods simplicity must draw the soul to a holy simplicity, that it may be like to God. We that se•ve a Pure simple God, must do •• with simple Pure affections, and not with hypocrisy, or a double heart. His interest in us should be maintained with a holy Jealousy, that no other Interest mix it self therewith. The soul should attain to a holy simplicity by closing with the simple infinite God, and suffering nothing to be a sh••er with him in our superlative affections. All Creatures must keep their places in our hearts, and that is only in a due subordination and subserviency to the Lord: But nothing should take up the least of that estimation, affections or endeavours that are his own peculiar. God will not accept of ha•• a heart: A double minded, double hearted, double faced, or double tongued person, is contrary to the holy simplicity of a Saint. As we would not bow the knee to any gods but one, so neither should we bow the heart or life to them. We should know what is Gods prerogative, and that we should keep entirely for him. A subordinate esteem, and love, and desire the Creature may have, as it revealeth God to us, or leadeth to him, or helpeth us in his work: But it should not have the least of his part in our esteem, or love, or desire. This is the Chastity, the Purity, the Integrity of the soul. It is the mixture, impurity, corruption and confusion of our souls, when any thing is taken in with God. See therefore Christian that in thy heart thou have no God but ONE, and that he have all thy heart, and soul, and strength as far as thou canst attain it. And because there will be still in imperfect souls, some sinful mixture of the Creatures interest with Gods, let it be the work of thy life to be watching against it, and casting it out, and cleansing thy heart of it, as thou wouldst do thy ⟨p. 47⟩food if it fall into the dirt. For whatever is added to God in thy Affections, doth make no better an increase there, then the adding of earth unto thy gold, or of dung unto thy meat, or of corrupted humours and sickness to thy body. Mixture will make no better work.
3. Gods simplicity must draw the soul to a holy simplicity, that it may be like to God. We that se•ve a Pure simple God, must do •• with simple Pure affections, and not with hypocrisie, or a double heart. His interest in us should be maintained with a holy Jealousie, that no other Interest mix it self therewith. The soul should attain to a holy simplicity by closing with the simple infinite God, and suffering nothing to be a sh••er with him in our superlative affections. All Creatures must keep their places in our hearts, and that is only in a due subordination and subserviency to the Lord: But nothing should take up the least of that estimation, affections or endeavours that are his own peculiar. God will not accept of ha•• a heart: A double minded, double hearted, double faced, or double tongued person, is co•trary to the holy simplicity of a Saint. As we would not bow the knee to any gods but one, so neither should we bow the heart or life to them. We should know what is Gods prerogative, and that we should keep entirely for him. A subordinate esteem, and love, and desire the Creature may have, as it revealeth God to us, or leadeth to him, or helpeth us in his work: But it should not have the least of his part in our esteem, or love, or desire. This is the Chastity, the Purity, the Integrity of the soul. It is the mixture, impurity, corruption and consusion of our souls, when any thing is taken in with God. See therefore Christian that in thy heart thou have no God but ONE, and that he have all thy heart, and soul, and strength as far as thou canst attain it. And because there will be still in imperfect souls, some sinful mixture of the Creatures interest with Gods, let it be the work of thy life to be watching against it, and casting it out, and cleansing thy heart of it, as thou wouldst do thy ⟨p. 47⟩food if it fall into the dirt. For whatever is added to God in thy Affections, doth make no better an increase there, then the adding of earth unto thy gold, or of dung unto thy meat, or of corrupted humours and sickness to thy body. Mixture will make no better work.
