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

March 15. The Lord let in much Light. Many sweet Truths I wrote down. He made me also cast the Church on Christ's Care and Love, as being his Charge. I resolved to hang fast about Christ, and to love him dearly, because of his Goodness, as knowing none like him.

March 17. I began to question, whether Christians generally were so good as they seemed to be? I thought, [1] They were not so good as the Lord would have them to be, from two Arguments. (1) From the Want of Assurance generally among Men. Which argues God is angry, when he doth not appear according as he doth use to do to them who love his Name. (2) Because Men are better generally under the Rod, than under Mercy. We see what an admirable Spirit there is under sore Afflictions, which Men cannot attain to, or keep, but then. Now [2dly] I thought that Men were not so good as they appeared to be, (1) Because very few are recovered to that Frame before Death, which God will bring them to, that get Assurance. Few recover Holiness by Mercy, or feel the eternal Good of sore Afflictions. (2) Because many eminent Professors fall off and fall away. If they continue long, by some Trial or other they are made transparent. (3) Because, though others of less Holiness may be upright; yet for us that have more Means, not to be more holy and humble, nay not so humble and holy as those that want Means, cannot stand with Uprightness, generally. My Counsel therefore is, Let all take Heed of being led by Example of Men, and thinking, We are good because we are like them that be so.

March 17. I began to question, whether Christians generally were so good as they seem'd to be? I thought, [1] They were not so good as the Lord would have them to be, from two Arguments. (1) From the Want of Assurance generally among Men. Which argues God is angry, when he doth not appear according as he doth use to do to them who love his Name. (2) Because Men are better generally under the Rod, than under Mercy. We see what an admirable Spirit there is under sore Afflictions, which Men cannot attain to, or keep, but then. Now [2dly] I thought that Men were not so good as they appeared to be, (1) Because very few are recovered to that Frame before Death, which God will bring them to, that get Assurance. Few recover Holiness by Mercy, or feel the eternal Good of sore Afflictions. (2) Because many eminent Professors fall off and fall away. If they continue long, by some Trial or other they are made transparent. (3) Because, though others of less Holiness may be upright; yet for us that have more Means, not to be more holy and humble, nay not so humble and holy as those that want Means, cannot stand with Uprightness, generally. My Counsel therefore is, Let all take Heed of being led by Example of Men, and thinking, We are good because we are like them that be so.