Chap. ó.] THE SAINTS' REST. 117 Ahab would inquire among the multitude of flattering pro- phets, it was his death. Theycan flatter men into the snare, but they cannot tell how to bring them out. " Let no man deceive you with vain words; for, because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedi- ence : be not ye therefore partakers with them." But the greatest hinderances are in men's own hearts. Some are so ignorant, that they know not what self-exami- nation is, nor what a minister means when he persuades them to try themselves; or they know not that there is any necessity for it, but think every man is bound to believe that his sins are pardoned, whether it be true or false, and that it is a great fault to make any question of it; or they do not think that assurance can be attained; or that there is any great difference between one man and another, but that we are all Christians, and therefore need not trouble ourselves any further; or at least they know not wherein the difference lies. They have as gross an idea of regene- ration as Nicodemus had. Some will not believe that God will ever make such 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 heart, but give us the hear- ing, and there is the end. Some are so possessed with self- love and pride, that they will not so much as suspect they are in danger; like a proud tradesman, who scorns the pru- dent 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 theybe forced from the course they love to that which they loathe. Some are so resolved never to change their present state, that theyneglect examination as a use- less thing. Before theywill 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 them- selves to the trying of 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 impediment is that At
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