A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…

And how wicked is that Heart as well as Blind, that is so averse to God and Holiness? Doth not this show thee, 1. The absence of Gods holy image, 2. And the presence of Satan's image upon thy soul?

And how wicked is that Heart as well as Blind, that is so averse to God and Holiness? Doth not this shew thee, 1. The absence of Gods holy image, 2. And the presence of Satans image upon thy soul?

Nothing doth more certainly prove what a man is, then the complacency and displacency of his Heart. If you know what it is in your selves or others, that pleaseth and displeaseth most, you may certainly know whether you have the spirit and grace of Christ or not. This is the durable infallible Evidence, which Satan shall never be able to invalidate, and which the weakest Christians can scarce tell how to deny in themselves: Could they be more Holy, it would please them better then to be more rich: Could they believe more, and Love God more, and trust him more, and obey him better, it would please them more then if you gave them all the honours of the world: They are never so well pleased with their own hearts, as when they find them nearest Heaven, and have most of the Knowledge of God, and impress of his attributes, and sense of his presence. They are never so well pleased with their lives, as when they are most holy and fruitful, and may fullyest be called A walking with God. They are never so much displeased with themselves, as when they find least of God upon their hearts, and are most dark, and dull, and undisposed to holy Communion with him. They are never so much weary of themselves, as when their lives are least fruitful, holy and exact. And this is a certain Evidence of their sincerity: For it shows what they Love, and what it is that hath their Hearts or Wills. And it is the Heart or Will that is the man, in Gods account. God takes a man to be what he sincerely would be. As he is, so he Loveth and Willeth: and as he Loveth and Willeth, such he is. His complacency or displacency are the immediate sure discoveries of his bent or inclination: This certain Evidence poor doubting souls should have oft recourse to, and improve.

Nothing doth more certainly prove what a man is, then the complacency and displacency of his Heart. If you know what it is in your selves or others, that pleaseth and displeaseth most, you may certainly know whether you have the spirit and grace of Christ or not. This is the durable infallible Evidence, which Satan shall never be able to invalidate, and which the weakest Christians can scarce tell how to deny in themselves: Could they be more Holy, it would please them better then to be more rich: Could they believe more, and Love God more, and trust him more, and obey him better, it would please them more then if you gave them all the honours of the world: They are never so well pleased with their own hearts, as when they find them nearest Heaven, and have most of the Knowledge of God, and impress of his attributes, and sense of his presence. They are never so well pleased with their lives, as when they are most holy and fruitful, and may fullyest be called A walking with God. They are never so much displeased with themselves, as when they find least of God upon their hearts, and are most dark, and dull, and undisposed to holy Communion with him. They are never so much weary of themselves, as when their lives are least fruitful, holy and exact. And this is a certain Evidence of their sincerty: For it shews what they Love, and what it is that hath their Hearts or Wills. And it is the Heart or Will that is the man, in Gods account. God takes a man to be what he sincerely would be. As he is, so he Loveth and Willeth: and as he Loveth and Willeth, such he is. His complacency or displacency are the immediate sure discoveries of his bent or inclination: This certain Evidence poor doubting souls should have oft recourse to, and improve.