The Sincere Convert

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.

4. Actuall sinnes are onely in the life and outward porch; sinnes of the heart are within the inward house. One enemy within the City is worse ⟨p. 57⟩than many without; A traytor on the throne is worse than a traitor in the open field. The heart is Christs Throne. A swine in the best roome is worse than in the outward house. More I might say, but thus you see, sinnes of the life are not so bad, nor provoke Gods wrath so siercely against thee, as the sinnes of thine heart. Mourne therefore not so much, that thou hast not beene so bad as others are, but look upon thy blacke feete, looke within thine owne heart, and lament that in regard of the sins there thou art as bad as any; mourn not so much meerly that thou hast sinned, as that thou hast a nature so sinfull, that it is thy nature to be proud, and thy nature to be vain and deceitfull, and loath, not only thy sins but thy selfe for sin, being brimfull of unrighteousnesse. But here is not all, consider fourthly.