A Choice Bed of Spices. covetoiefs. The heart of man is the fountain of life or death, and therefore fin in the heart, in fome refpe&s; is worfe and more dangerous than fin in the life ; and hence 'tis that the fincere Chriflian doubles his guard about his heart. Lgther hit it, when he faid, I more fear what is within me, than what comes from without ; the florins and winds with- Out (16 never move the earth, 'tis only vapours within that caufeth earth-quakes, as Philefophers obferve Hypocrites (as our Saviour teflifies) are all for the outfide, they wath the platters and the cups, and -beauti6e the tombs like an adul- terefs, whofe care is to paint and fet a fair face upon a foul matter ; but now a fincere Chriflian, though he has a fpecial refpea to the well-ordering of his life, yet his main bufi- nefs and work is about his heart ; 0, that this ignorant heart were but more enlightned ! 0, that this proud heart were but more humble! 0 that this prophane heart were but more. holy ! 0, that this earthly heart were but more heavenly ! 0, that this unbelieving heart were but more believing ! 0, that this pailionite heart were but more meek ! 0, that this carnal heart were but more fpiritual 0 that this hike- warm heart were but more zealous for God, and Chrift, and the Gofpel, and the great concernments of eternity ! 0, that this flight heart were but more ferious ! 0, that this dull heart were but more quicknedi 0, that this dead heart were but more enlivened ! &c. The higheil. and hardell work- of a Chriflian lieth with his heart. Mark, common light, C011111710P, conviaion, education, enforcement of con- fcience, principles of common honey and morality, the eye of man, the fear of man, the examp!es of man , the laws of man, and the rewards of man, with a hundred other things, may be very prevalent to reform the life, to regulate the outward converfation, and to keep that in fome due deco-' rum ; and yet all thefe things will be found too weak, too low to change the heart, to reform the heart, to mend the heart, to purifie the heart. To this great work there are principles of a higher nature required, Puribing. their 1 earts by faith. 'Tis not a guard pf moral vertues, but a guard.of caving. graces that can keep the heart in order ; to reform the 207 Rom, Ads11.9.'
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