Some select cases resolved. Specially, tending to the right ordering of the heart, that…

Now as all proper Means are to be used to cure the Errors of Men's Minds, especially in Things of Religion, and as something of this Nature may therefore seem peculiarly needful especially in some Places; so 'tis hopeful that the Publication of the following small Piece of the Rev. Mr. Shepard's will be made in some Measure serviceable in that Respect. For as it is a Journal of the private Experiences of that excellent and holy Man, designed for his own Use; so it contains as it were this true Religion for a Course of Time delineated to us in a very exact Manner: whence we have Opportunity to see with utmost Plainness, what passed with him for Religion, what he laboured after under that Notion, and what were the Exercises and Difficulties he met with in pursuance of a religious Life. And those who have any Savour for the Name and Piety of that venerable Man, 'tis hoped will read his Experiences with Care and Attention; and as they read consider whether there be any Manner of Agreement between his, and theirs. And whoever reads attentively, I'm persuaded must own that he finds a greater Appearance of true Humility, Self-Emptiness, Self-Loathing; Sense of great Unfruitfulness, Selfishness, exceeding Vileness of Heart, Smallness of Attainments in Grace: I say he must needs own that he finds more Expressions of deep unfeigned Self-Abasement in these Experiences of Mr. Shepard's than some are willing to admit of. And 'tis hopeful the Reader will further observe that when Mr. Shepard speaks of his Comforts ⟨p. vi⟩in Religion as he frequently does of his Satisfaction and Sweetness and Desires to die and to be with Christ; he always gives a solid Account of the Foundation of these Comforts, and mentions some Exercises of Grace from which they proceeded So that they are wholly different from those groundless Joys that arise in the Minds of poor deluded Souls from a sudden Suggestion made to them, that Christ is theirs, that God loves them, and the like.—The Reader will further observe that he valued nothing in Religion that was not done with a View to the Glory of God; as appears by many of his Expressions, especially that under April 15. where he says, When I looked over the Day, I saw how I fell short of God and Christ, and how I had Spent one Hour unprofitably: And why?

Now as all proper Means are to be used to cure the Errors of Men's Minds, especially in Things of Religion, and as something of this Nature may therefore seem peculiarly needful especially in some Places; so 'tis hopeful that the Publication of the following small Piece of the Rev. Mr. Shepard's will be made in some Measure serviceable in that Respect. For as it is a Journal of the private Experiences of that excellent and holy Man, design'd for his own Use; so it contains as it were this true Religion for a Course of Time delineated to us in a very exact Manner: whence we have Opportunity to see with utmost Plainness, what pass'd with him for Religion, what he laboured after under that Notion, and what were the Exercises and Difficulties he met with in pursuance of a religious Life. And those who have any Savour for the Name and Piety of that venerable Man, 'tis hop'd will read his Experiences with Care and Attention; and as they read consider whether there be any Manner of Agreement between his, and theirs. And whoever reads attentively, I'm perswaded must own that he finds a greater Appearance of true Humility, Self-Emptiness, Self-Loathing; Sense of great Unfruitfulness, Selfishness, exceeding Vileness of Heart, Smallness of Attainments in Grace: I say he must needs own that he finds more Expressions of deep unfeigned Self-Abasement in these Experiences of Mr. Shepard's than some are willing to admit of. And 'tis hopeful the Reader will further observe that when Mr. Shepard speaks of his Comforts