Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace…

A 2d. Objection, Is this, That some may think and say, that if they shall essay this exercise, they know not where to begin, their condition is so confused, that its like a revelled hesp, or parcel of yarn, they cannot find an end in it, partly through their long and great neglect of the Duty, partly through the confusion of their Spirits, and their Sins looking out on them with a very formidable aspect. To which we would Answer, 1. That though it be so, yet the Duty must not be delayed, nor neglected; The longer it be ere ye begin, it will be on these, and other accounts still the more difficult; Therefore ye would fall the sooner about it, and the more seriously about it, with the deeper humiliation for so much and so long neglecting of it, and the greater dependence on God for his assistance to win at it. 2ly. In your going about it, when ye discover much sin, and find your case to be very confused; if ye dare not hazard to wade (as it were) into the very midst of it at least at first, ye would endeavour to pi•ch on some particulars, wherein ye may be distinct; as Soldiers use to do with an Army that is too strong for them; they are busy in gathering up the Stragglers as they come at them; and fall on some smaller Parties: Therefore such of you as seriously, ⟨p. 211⟩and sincerely mind this great work of self examination, though ye may incline at first to fall in, on the very bulk and heap of your Sins; yet honestly minding to balk •one, but to go through all, before the give over the work; it will be better to betake your selves to the search, and examination of such or such a particular Duty, or of such or such a days work and duties; and thus ye will win the better in on it, and through it, and the heap will grow the less; But meddle not with another, till ye have, with some suitableness dispatched, and put by this. 3ly. If ye cannot win for the time so to fix on particulars, take your confused condition such as it is, to think on a while, and look not at this as nothing, that ye have found your condition to be confused; Davids condition was somewhat thus, when he says, Psal. 44. v. 15 My confusion is continually before me; The taking, and laying of your case confused, as it is, before God and your Conscience, may help to humble, and kindly to affect your heart. 4ly.