Heavenly merchandiseHeavenly merchandize

3. That we are naturally built upon contrary Principles, and hereupon are averse and opposite to the Truth, We have sucked in lies from the Cradle, and are greatly in love with them; it is one of the hardest things in the World, to get false Opinions, that have been suited to mens Fancies, and drunk down with abundance of delight, rooted out again, and rejected by the man; and yet this must needs be done in order to the bringing of them to, and building of them upon the Truth. If mans heart were no more but Rasa Tabula, a fair and clean piece of Parchment, that had nothing at all inscribed upon it; if it stood in an equipoise to entertain any thing that might be first offered to it, it were then no great or difficult matter to fill ⟨p. 128⟩it with the curious engravings of the Truth: but whereas it is a book blotted and blurred and all over deeply graven with Fleshly Sentiments, which must all be erased and taken away before any thing can be done to purpose of this nature, it speaks it a very great work, the very clearing and smoothing of the Table, by which it may be fitted and prepared to take the Impression of the Truth, requires abundance of pains, and yet this must of necessity be done in this work; 2 Cor. 10. 5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Hence therefore if you will purchase the Truth, it is requisite:

3. That we are naturally built upon contrary Principles, and hereupon are averse and opposite to the Truth, We have suckt in lies from the Cradle, and are greatly in love with them; it is one of the hardest things in the World, to get false Opinions, that have been suited to mens Fansies, and drunk down with abundance of delight, rooted out again, and rejected by the man; and yet this must needs be done in order to the bringing of them to, and building of them upon the Truth. If mans heart were no more but Rasa Tabula, a fair and clean piece of Parchment, that had nothing at all inscribed upon it; if it stood in an equipoise to entertain any thing that might be first offered to it, it were then no great or difficult matter to fill ⟨p. 128⟩it with the curious ingravings of the Truth: but whereas it is a book blotted and blurred and all over deeply graven with Fleshly Sentiments, which must all be erased and taken away before any thing can be done to purpose of this nature, it speaks it a very great work, the very clearing and smoothing of the Table, by which it may be fitted and prepared to take the Impression of the Truth, requires abundance of pains, and yet this must of necessity be done in this work;