Whatsoever the Soul of man doth entertain, must make its first entrance at the understanding; which must be satisfied, first, of its Truth, secondly, and of its goodness, before it find any further admittance: If this porter be negligent, it will admit of any thing •hat bears but the face or name of Truth and Goodness: But if it be faithful, able and diligent in its office, it will examine strictly, and search to the ⟨image 159⟩[…] ⟨p. 263⟩[…] ⟨p. 264⟩[…] what is found deceitful, it casteth out, that it go no furth•• […] what is found to be sincere and currant, it letteth in to the very heart, where the Will and Affections do with welcome entertain it, and by concoction (as it were) incorporate it into their own substance. Accordingly I have been hitherto presenting to your understandings. First, the excellency of the Rest of the Saints, in the first part of this book; and then the verity in the second part. I hope your understandings have now tasted this food, and tried what hath been expressed. Truth fears not the light, This perfect beauty abhorreth darkness; Nothing but Ignorance of its worth can disparage it. Therefore search, and spare not; Read, and read again, and then Judge. What think you? Is it good? Or is it not? Nay is it not the chiefest good? And is there any thing in goodness to be compared with it? And is it true, or is it not? Nay is there any thing in the world more certain, then that there remaineth a Rest to the people of God? Why if your understandings are convinced of both these, I do here in the behalf of God and his Truth, and in the behalf of your own souls and their Life, require the further entertainment hereof; and that you take this blessed subject of Rest, and commend it as you have found it to your wills and affections; Let your hearts now cheerfully embrace it, and improve it, as I shall present it to you, in its respective Uses.
WHatsoever the Soul of man doth entertain, must make its first entrance at the understanding; which must be satisfied, first, of its Truth, secondly, and of its goodness, before it finde any further admittance: If this porter be negligent, it will admit of any thing •hat bears but the face or name of Truth and Goodness: But if it be faithfull, able and diligent in its office, it will examine strictly, and search to the ⟨image 159⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 263⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 264⟩〈…〉 what is found deceitfull, it casteth out, that it go no furth•• 〈…〉 what is found to be sincere and currant, it letteth in to the very heart, where the Will and Affections do with wellcome entertain it, and by concoction (as it were) incorporate it into their own substance. Accordingly I have been hitherto presenting to your understandings. First, the excellency of the Rest of the Saints, in the first part of this book; and then the verity in the second part. I hope your understandings have now tasted this food, and tryed what hath been expressed. Truth fears not the light, This perfect beauty abhorreth darkness; Nothing but Ignorance of its worth can disparage it. Therefore search, and spare not; Read, and read again, and then Judge. What think you? Is it good? Or is it not? Nay is it not the chiefest good? And is there any thing in goodness to be compared with it? And is it true, or is it not? Nay is there any thing in the world more certain, then that there remaineth a Rest to the people of God? Why if your understandings are convinced of both these, I do here in the behalf of God and his Truth, and in the behalf of your own souls and their Life, require the further entertainment hereof; and that you take this blessed subject of Rest, and commend it as you have found it to your wills and affections; Let your hearts now cheerfully embrace it, and improve it, as I shall present it to you, in its respective Uses.
