To hasten now to a conclusion, I have only these three requests to you, which I carnestly beseech you not to deny me; Yea, I charge you, as ever you hope to appear with comfort before the great Shepherd, do not dare to slight these requests. (1.) Above all other studies in the world, study your own hearts: waste not a minute more of your precious time about frivolous and sapless controversies: it is reported even of Bellarmine (how truly I examine not) quod à studiis scholasticae theologiae averteretur ferè nauseabundus, 1quoniam succo carebant liquidae pietatis, (i. e.) •e turned with loathing from the study of School Divinity, because it wanted the sweet juice of piety: I had rather it should be said of you as one said of 2Swinckfeedius (He wanted ⟨image 7⟩a regular head, but not an honest heart) then that you should have regular heads, and irregular hearts: My dear Flock, I have according to the grace given me, laboured in the course of my ministry among you, to feed you with the heart—strengthening bread of practical doctrine, and I do assure you, it is far better you should have the sweet and saving impressions of Gospel-Truths, feelingly, and powerfully conveyed to your hearts; then only to understand them by a bare ratiocination, or a dry syllogistical inference: Leave trifling studies to such as have time lying on their hands, and know not how to employ it: Remember you are at the door of Eternity, and have other work to do; those hours you spend upon heart-work in your closets, are the golden spots of all your time, and will have the sweetest influence into your last hour: Never forget those Sermons I preached to you upon that subject, from 2. Kings 20. 2. 3. Heart work is weighty and difficult work, an error there may cost you your souls: I may say of it, as Augustine speaks of the Doctrine of the Trinity, Nihilo facilius aut periculosius erratur; a man can err in nothing more easily, or more dangerously: O then, study your hearts. (2.) My next request is, that you will carefully look to your Conversations, and be accurate in all your ⟨image 8⟩ways, hold forth the Word of life: be sure by the strictness and holiness of your lives, to settle your selves in the very consciences of your enemies. Remember that your lives must be produced in the great day, to judge the world. 1 Cor. 6. 2. Oh then what manner of persons ought you to be!
To hasten now to a conclusion, I have only these three requests to you, which I carnestly beseech you not to deny me; Yea, I charge you, as ever you hope to appear with comfort before the great Shepherd, do not dare to slight these requests. (1.) Above all other studies in the world, study your own hearts: waste not a minute more of your precious time about frivolous and sapless controversies: it is repoted even of Bellarmine (how truely I examine not) quod à studiis scholasticae theologiae averteretur ferè nauseabundus, 1quoniam succo carebant liquidae pietatis, (i. e.) •e turned with loathing from the study of School Divinity, because it wanted the sweet juice of piety: I had rather it should be said of you as one said of 2Swinckfeedius (He wanted ⟨image 7⟩a regular head, but not an honest heart) then that you should have regular heads, and irregular hearts: My dear Flock, I have according to the grace given me, laboured in the course of my ministry among you, to feed you with the heart—strengthening bread of practical doctrine, and I do assure you, it is far better you should have the sweet and saving impressions of Gospel-Truths, feelingly, and powerfully conveighed to your hearts; then only to understand them by a bare ratiocination, or a dry syllogistical inference: Leavetrifling studies to such as have time lying on their hands, and know not how to imploy it: Remember you are at the door of Eternity, and have other work to do; those hours you spend upon heart-work in your closets, are the golden spots of all your time, and will have the sweetest influence into your last hour: Never forget those Sermons I preached to you upon that subject, from 2. Kings 20. 2. 3. Heart work is weighty and difficult work, an error there may cost you your souls: I may say of it, as Augustine speaks of the Doctrine of the Trinity, Nihilo facilius aut periculosius erratur; a man can erre in nothing more easily, or more dangerously: O then, study your hearts. (2.) My next request is, that you will carefully look to your Conversations, and be accurate in all your ⟨image 8⟩waies, hold forth the Word of life: be sure by the strictness and holiness of your lives, to settle your selves in the very consciences of your enemies. Remember that your lives must be produced in the great day, to judge the world.
- 1Fuligattus in vita Bellarm.
- 2Caput regulatum illi defuit, cor bonum non defuit.
