That man is kept indeed, whose will and affection is kept close to Christ: And that man is lost with a witness, whose will and affections are won from Christ. Weak Saints are more apt to observe their own actions, then their wills and affections, and this proves a snare unto them; therefore observe your affections, how they are kept, for if they are kept close to Christ, if they are kept faithful to Christ, (though thy foot may slide from Christ) all is well. The Apostle, Rom. 7. observed that his will and affections were kept close to Christ, even then when he was Tyrannically Captivated, and carried by the prevalency of sin, from Christ. With my mind I serve the Law of God (says he) and what I do I allow not, therefore it is no more I that doth it, but sin that dwelleth in me. My will stands close to Christ, and my affections ⟨p. 121⟩are faithful to Christ, though by the prevalency of corruption I am now and then carried Captive from Christ. 'Tis one thing to be taken up by an Enemy, and another thing for a man to lay down his Weapons at his Enemies feet. I am, saith the Apostle, a forced man, I do what I hate, I do what I never intended. The heart may be sound, when more external and inferior parts are not. The heart of a man may be sound God-ward, and Christ-ward, and holiness-ward, when yet there may be many defects, and weaknesses in his Conversation. Now a weak Christian should be very studious to observe how his heart stands God-wards; for the man is as his heart is, if that be right with Christ, then all is well; therefore says Solomon, Prov. 4. 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. The Hebrew runs more 1fully thus, Before all, or Above all keepings, keep thy heart; for out of it is the goings forth of lives. The heart is the Spring and Fountain of all natural and spiritual actions; 'tis the Primum mobile, the great wheel that sets all other wheels a going: 'Tis the great Monarch in the Isle of Man, therefore keep it with all custody and Caution, or else bid farewell to all true joy, peace, and comfort. When the heart stands right towards Christ, Christ will pardon much, and pass by much.
That man is kept indeed, whose will and affection is kept close to Christ: And that man is lost with a witnesse, whose will and affections are won from Christ. Weak Saints are more apt to observe their owne actions, then their wills and affections, and this proves a snare unto them; therefore observe your affections, how they are kept, for if they are kept close to Christ, if they are kept faithfull to Christ, (though thy foot may slide from Christ) all is well. The Apostle, Rom. 7. observ'd that his will and affections were kept close to Christ, even then when he was Tyrannically Captivated, and carried by the prevalency of sin, from Christ. With my mind I serve the Law of God (sayes he) and what I doe I allow not, therefore it is no more I that doth it, but sin that dwelleth in me. My will stands close to Christ, and my affections ⟨p. 121⟩are faithfull to Christ, though by the prevalency of corruption I am now and then carried Captive from Christ. 'Tis one thing to be taken up by an Enemy, and another thing for a man to lay downe his Weapons at his Enemies feet. I am, saith the Apostle, a forc't man, I doe what I hate, I doe what I never intended. The heart may be sound, when more externall and inferiour parts are not. The heart of a man may be sound God-ward, and Christ-ward, and holinesse-ward, when yet there may be many defects, and weaknesses in his Conversation. Now a weak Christian should be very studious to observe how his heart stands God-wards; for the man is as his heart is, if that be right with Christ, then all is well; therefore sayes Solomon, Prov. 4. 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. The Hebrew runs more 1fully thus, Before all, or Above all keepings, keepe thy heart; for out of it is the goings forth of lives. The heart is the Spring and Fountaine of all naturall and spirituall actions; 'tis the Primum mobile, the great wheele that sets all other wheeles a going: 'Tis the great Monarch in the Isle of Man, therefore keep it with all custody and Caution, or else bid farewell to all true joy, peace, and comfort. When the heart stands right towards Christ, Christ will pardon much, and passe by much.
- 1The heart is (Camera omnipotentis Regis) The presence-Chamber of the King of Heaven.
