God's terrible voice in the city

Heart work, is secret work; many have employed themselves in the more open work of religion; few have taken pains with their hearts in secret; many take heed to their tongues, what they speak, and before whom; to their hands, what they do; to their feet, whither they go; but few take heed to their hearts▪ Murder, Adultery, Theft, and the like sins have been committed in the heart by many, who would have been afraid and ashamed of the outward acts.

O the unwatchfulness there hath been in London over the heart! Citizens have watched their gates, and watched their streets, and watched their houses; but how few have watched their hearts, what cometh in, and what goeth forth? how few have set a watch before the door of their lips, and ears, and other senses, which are the inlets of sin; and upon their hearts, from whence are the issues of sin? how few have kept their hearts with all diligence? how few have laboured to govern their thoughts, to rule their passions, to subjugate their wills to Christ, and to deliver up all their affections to his dispose and obedience? Heart reformation hath been much neglected.

2. Who in London have endeavoured Life-Reformation as they should? how few have there been effectually persuaded to put away the evil of their doings from before the eyes of the Lord, to cease from evil, and have learned to do well? How few have broken off their sins by Repentance, and throughly amended their ways, measuring out their actions, by the Rule of the word? how few have got the Law of God written in their hearts, and the transcript thereof in their lives, exemplifying the precepts thereof in their conversations? how few in London have been like so many Epistles of Christ, in whom the will and grace of their Master might be read? who have trodden in Christs steps, walking as he walked, and followed him in the way of obedience and self-denial? who have shined like so many lights in dark places and times, adorning their profession, and living as becometh the Gospel?