The Sincere Convert

3 Sin is continually in the heart. Actual sins of the life fly out like sparks and vanish, but this brand is always glowing within: the toad spits poison sometimes, but it retains and keeps a poysonfull nature always.¹ Hence the Apostle calls it, sin that dwells in me, that is, which always lies and remains in me. So that in regard of the sins of thy heart thou doest rend in pieces and break, 1 All the laws of God. 2 At one clap, 3. Every moment of thy life. Oh! me thinks the thought of this might rend an heart of Rock in pieces, to think I am always grieving God, at all times, whatsoever I do.

3 Sinne is continually in the heart. Actuall sinnes of the life flie out like sparkes and vanish, but this brand is alwaies glowing within: the toade spits poison sometimes, but it retaines and keepes a poysonfull nature alwayes.¹ Hence the Apostle calls it, sinne that dwells in mee, that is, which alwaies lies and remaines in mee. So that in regard of the sins of thy heart thou doest rend in peeces and breake, 1 All the lawes of God. 2 At one clap, 3. Every moment of thy life. Oh! mee thinkes the thought of this might rend an heart of Rocke in peeces, to thinke I am alwayes grieving God, at all times, whatsoever I do.

1. 1Rom. 7.

4. Actual sins are only in the life and outward porch; sins of the heart are within the inward house. One enemy within the City is worse ⟨p. 57⟩than many without; A traitor on the throne is worse than a traitor in the open field. The heart is Christs Throne. A swine in the best room is worse than in the outward house. More I might say, but thus you see, sins of the life are not so bad, nor provoke Gods wrath so fiercely against thee, as the sins of thine heart. Mourn therefore not so much, that thou hast not been so bad as others are, but look upon thy black feet, look within thine own heart, and lament that in regard of the sins there thou art as bad as any; mourn not so much merely that thou hast sinned, as that thou hast a nature so sinful, that it is thy nature to be proud, and thy nature to be vain and deceitful, and loath, not only thy sins but thy self for sin, being brimful of unrighteousness. But here is not all, consider fourthly.