If thy preciseness be not general (in all matters as well as one) and regular (more in the more weighty),1 thou mayest be a strait laced hypocrite, as well as a tender-conscienced Christian. O brethren, that you would often, very often commune thus with your selves: gauge your own souls, and by much questioning with your selves, make your selves known unto your selves, and not continue always strangers to your own bosoms. Without searching,2 the true-hearted shall want the comfort of truth; and the hypocrite be out of all possibility, to come out of his hypocrisy: but this examination will be exceeding beneficial for the increase of sincerity, or reformation of guile. See therefore that you redeem time, and bestow pains to practise it. I know the flesh will be backward to this work, mans heart loves not to be rifled up. A sore leg or hand shrinks back,3 when it should be searched. The devil also will find twenty devices to interrupt you, in keeping this assize over your own hearts: he loveth not to have men understand their own estate; he would fain have them go blundering through the world, and let things happen as they may for their souls. But let your natural backwardness to this in quiry, and Satan's sensible opposing it, be sufficient proofs unto you, of its needfulness and profit both. Were it not a great help to the subduing of the flesh, the flesh would not be repugnant unto it: were it not a ⟨p. 85⟩means of chasing out Satan, Satan would never withdraw you from it. But be jealous over your selves, fear much, suspect much, enquire much, and prevent the evil of security, and the growth of hypocrisy.4 I do not wish you always to stand in suspense of your selves, and still to be doubtful, whether you be true Christians or dissemblers: it is no part of my meaning, to drive you unto this uncomfortable uncertainty. But I wish you not to make too much haste, to think your selves certain, for fear your certainty should prove but a certain delusion. When thou hast again, and again, and again tried thy self by the things formerly delivered (or any other that thy self canst conceive of, or others of better understanding in these matters can help thee unto), then thou mayest boldly hold fast (if thou findest cause to hold) this conclusion; I am sure I am not a withering branch.
If thy precisenesse be not generall (in all matters as well as one) and regular (more in the more weightie),1 thou mayest be a strait laced hypocrite, as well as a tender-conscienced Christian. O brethren, that you would often, very often commune thus with your selues: gage your owne soules, and by much questioning with your selues, make your selues knowne vnto your selues, and not continue alwayes strangers to your owne bosomes. Without searching,2 the true-hearted shal want the comfort of truth; and the hypocrite be out of all possibilitie, to come out of his hypocrisie: but this examination will be exceeding beneficiall for the increase of sincerity, or reformation of guile. See therefore that you redeeme time, and bestow pains to practise it. I know the flesh will be backward to this worke, mans heart loues not to be rifled vp. A sore legge or hand shrinkes backe,3 when it should be searched. The diuel also will find twenty deuices to interrupt you, in keeping this assise ouer your owne hearts: hee loueth not to haue men vnderstand their owne estate; he would faine haue them goe blundring through the world, and let things happen as they may for their soules. But let your naturall backwardnesse to this in quiry, and Satans sensible opposing it, be sufficient proofes vnto you, of its needfulnesse and profit both. Were it not a great helpe to the subduing of the flesh, the flesh would not be repugnant vnto it: were it not a ⟨p. 85⟩meanes of chasing out Satan, Satan would neuer withdraw you from it. But be iealous ouer your selues, feare much, suspect much, enquire much, and preuent the euill of securitie, and the growth of hypocrisie.4 I doe not wish you alwayes to stand in suspence of your selues, and still to bee doubtfull, whether you bee true Christians or dissemblers: it is no part of my meaning, to driue you vnto this vncomfortable vncertainty. But I wish you not to make too much haste, to thinke your selues certaine, for feare your certainety should proue but a certaine delusion. When thou hast againe, and againe, and againe tryed thy selfe by the things formerly deliuered (or any other that thy selfe canst conceiue of, or others of better vnderstanding in these matters can helpe thee vnto), then thou mayest boldly hold fast (if thou findest cause to hold) this conclusion; I am sure I am not a withering branch.
- 1Art thou most strict in matters of most moment?
- 2Ask and answer these questions, that thou mayest know thy self.Aske and answere these questions, that thou mayest know thy selfe.
- 3The flesh and the devil will hinder this examination, because it is profitable.The flesh and the diuell will hinder this examination, because it is profitable.
- 4We must not always be in suspense of our selves, but beware of too much haste in determining.We must not alwayes be in suspence of our selues, but beware of too much haste in determining.
