TO THE SAINT'S REST. 139 a difference betwixt men in the life to come, and therefore will not search themselves whether they differ here. Some are so stupified, say what we can to them, that they lay it not to hearts but give us the hearing and there is the end. Some are so possessed with self -love and pride, that they will not so much as suspect that they are in any danger. Like a proud tradesman, who scorns the prudent advice of casting up his books; as fond parents will not believe or hear any evil of their children. Some are so guilty, that they dare not try ; and yet they dare venture on a more dreadful trial.- Some.are so in love with sin, and so dislike the way of God, that they dare not try their ways, lest they be forced from the course they love to that which they loathe. Some are so resolved never to change their present state, that they neglect examination as a useless thing. Before they will seek a new way when they have lived so long, and gone so far, they will put their eternal state to the venture, come of it what will. Many men are so busy in the world, that they cannot set themselves to the trying their title to heaven. Others are so clogged with slothfulness of spirit, that they will not be at the pains of an hour's examination of their own hearts. But the most common and dangerous im- pediment is that false faith and hope, commonly, called presumption, which bears up the hearts of the greatest part of the world, and so keeps them from suspecting their danger. l 8. And if a man should break through all these hinderances, and set upon the duty of self- examin- ation, yet assurance is not presently attained. Too many deceive themselves in their enquiries after it, through one or other of the following causes: There is such confusion and darkness in the soul of man, especially of an unregenerate man, that he can scarcely tell what he deed], or what is in him. As in a house, where nothing is in its proper place, it will be difficult to find what is wanted ; so it is in the heart, where all things are in disorder. Most men
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=