The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being…

2. But we must not rest here. They that think all Religion consists in head knowledge, usually deceive themselves; we must be making Addition to this, 2 Pet. 1. 5. &c. we must endeavour to make particular application of these Doctrines to our selves personally; without which we shall lose the benefit of the other, and lay in a more fearful account; they that take up Religion only to talk, will find it a vain Religion, when their knowledge will be an Article against them, to aggravate the Guilt of their neglect. For Direction.

1. Let us be in love with practical preaching; and the more particular and pressing it is, let it please us the better. Many love to hear learned and accurate Discourses on principles of Religion; but when these Truths are brought home to mens Consciences, and they search and make discoveries of their lives and practices, now they care not for them: but we ought to account this the life of preaching, 2 Cor. 4. 2. 5. 11.

2. Let us our selves enquire what every truth saith to us. If we hear any Gospel Doctrine laid open, let us often be asking our hearts, what doth this ⟨p. 433⟩say to us? What would God have me to learn by this? Doth it lay open no Sin of mine? Is not this a Duty that I have too much neglected? &c. This is better than to apply it to others, and say there is a word for such an one.