I t8 Generali direaronsfor 4 light for the difcoverie ofother mens finnes, and not as a fa- cred fire, toburne up the noyfome lulls which boyle in his owne brett. Thus,andupon fuchgrounds as thefe,it is thehateful! pro- pertieof Hypocrites and felfe-guilty ones ; and acommon marke of their cruel! feveritie, to wade deepely into the fearch and c nfure of other mens wayes , and togore very bloudily intc5 theconfciences ofothers, whereas they never purged their owne. But truc zeale ever calls the firtt lionat a mans felfe, and pluckes the bearne out ofhisowneeye, that he maybetter difcerne and drawe themateout of anothers eye: Imeane, a fincere heart is ever molt cenforious and fevere against it felfe;moft fearching into, and fenfioleof its owne finnes ; prying with fpeciall curioftieand inquifitive- neffe, into the endlefl'e mazeof its owne wicked windings anddepths ofguile. Though it heartily and unfainedly deceit all franc in whomfoever; yet its owne iniquities and pollu- tions flicke clofeft,and go neereft, and beget in it a morepar- ticular and extraordinary impreffionofremorfeand loathing. The. reafon is, it bath truely tatted the terroursofawounded confcience,beene fcorched with the ferret fenfe ofGods an- gry face, and formerly full forely crufht under the molt grie- vous burthenof innumerable fumes. It knowes right well, by wofull experience, what bitterneffe of fpirit, and anguilh offoule fpringsnaturally from the retyred furveyof fcanda- lous traufgreffions in cold bloud. It feeles from time to time., deadnefle ofheart, leflening ofgraces, lofle ofcomfort to en- fue upon every groffe reiapfe, or willing fall. It rinds too often, to its muchgriefe, that if it folien and nuzzle in it (elfe any fenfuall corruption or ferret lull, the Lord will not heave it prayers. It is full well acquainted with the unvaluable precioufneflte ofa peaceful! confcience and Gods favourablecountenance, which it cannot poffibly enjoy, if it lie delightfully inany one finneagainst its knowledge, &c This being the experience, exercife, and conftitution ofan upright heart; it is molt angry and difpleafed with, molt Eagle-ey'd andwatchful! over, molt firiát and fevere against its
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=