The wells of salvation opened, or, Words whereby we may be saved

Means 1. Self-examination. You must examine your selves, if you would see your selves lost; you may read the mistake of the Laodiceans, Rev. 3.17. Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. You must examine and prove your spiritual state, that you may have a right judgement thereof, that you may perceive how poor, and wretched, and miserable you are whilst you are in a state of Nature. You must examine your selves, that you may get a sight and sense of sin: Jer. 8.6. I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright, no man repented ⟨p. 154⟩him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the Horse rusheth into the battle. You must examine what you have done, if you would repent of your sins; you must search and try your ways, if you would turn from your evil ways; you must commune with your hearts, and come to your selves, with the Prodigal, if you would return unto God, and turn your feet unto his Testimonies. Be serious then in this great duty of Self-examination; and that you may be so, I would advise that you would set apart time for it, when your thoughts are most free, and affections most sedate and quiet; get out of the hurry of the world, and lay aside other business for a while; and withal separate your selves from company, and retire into secret, where you may be free from external disturbances and interruptions; whatever indispositions and withdrawments of heart you find, force your selves to the work; resist Satan, who will endeavour to divert and discourage you: Set your selves in the presence of God; desire him to search you; beg his help in the duty; labour to keep your mind close to it; if vain thoughts arise, and would hurry you away, look up to Christ to rebuke them, and to bring them into captivity and obedience unto himself. And then sit down, and seriously consider what you have done ever since you came into the World, and withal think with your selves what you will do when your life and this world shall come to an end. Take a review of your sins; they are noted down upon the book of your Consciences, peruse this book; and if you extracted a Catalogue of your sins, it might be a help to you. Note down your original sin; your actual ⟨p. 155⟩