298 DIRECTIONS FOR GETTING AND KEEPING made? 7. Add to all these, that, as these several distempers, were they but in the same measure in a weak Christian, as they are in the best, or in most, would yet make the smallest measure of grace undiscernible, (if we might suppose the smallest grace to be consistent with such a frame;) so it is certain, that whoever he be that hath the least measure of grace to discover in himself, he bath proportionably the least measure of abilities and helps to discover it, and the greatest measure of all the fore-mentioned hindrances. He that hath but a very little repentance, faith, love, and obedi- ence sincere, when he goeth to find it out, he bath, in the same measure, a darker understanding to discern it than others have ; and a greater strangeness and disacquaintance with himself; and more deceitfulness in his heart, and a greater confusion and hurly- burly in his thoughts and affections, and all more out of order and to seek. Also he hath a greater backwardness to the work of self -examination, and can hardly get his heart to it, and more hardly to do it thoroughly, and search to the quick, and most hardly to hold on against all withdrawing temptations, till he have made a clearer discovery. And .lastly, his soul is more mutable than stronger Christians are ; and therefore when cross actings are so frequent, he cannot discern the smallest prevailing habit. If (when you are weighing gold) the scales be turned with but one grain, every little jog, or wind, or unsteadfast holding, will actually lift up the heavier end; and its preponderation is with great waver- ing and mobility. 8. Yet further, consider, that those that have least grace, have most sin, habitual and actual; and they are so frequent in transgressing, that their failings are still in their eye, and thereby the prevalency of Christ's interest is made more doubt- ful and obscure: For when he asketh his own conscience,, `Do I will Or love most the world and my fleshly delights, or Christ and his ways?' - presently conscience remembereth him. At such a time, and sucha time, thou didst choose thy fleshly pleasures,profits, or credit, and refuse obedience; and it is so oft, and so foully, that the soul is utterly at a loss, and cáunot discern the habitu- al prevalent bent and resolution of the will. 9. Besides, con- science is a judge in man's soul, and will be accusing and condemning men so fax as they are guilty. Now,' they that make work for the most frequent and terrible accusations of con-' science that will stand with true grace, are unlikely to have assur- ance. For assurance quiets the soul, and easeth it; and a galled conscience works the contrary way. They that keep open the wound, and daily fret off the skin more, and are still grating on the galled part, are unlikely to have assurance. I O. Again, these weakest Christians being least in duty, and most in sinning, (of any in whom sin reigneth not,) they are consequently most in provok-
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