god_n to_o the_o power_n of_o his_o natural_a affection_n he_o necessary_o sink_v into_o the_o level_n of_o common_a impotence_n without_o any_o other_o influx_n this_o view_n of_o the_o state_n of_o lapse_v nature_n i_o have_v draw_v chief_o from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n not_o that_o i_o suppose_v the_o notice_n of_o it_o to_o be_v confine_v to_o that_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o as_o it_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o be_v always_o of_o importance_n to_o be_v know_v so_o we_o have_v little_a reason_n to_o believe_v but_o that_o it_o be_v know_v by_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o all_o age_n from_o the_o beginning_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n nature_n insufficiency_n of_o good_a etc._n isa_n 26.12_o isa_n 55.1_o etc._n etc._n as_o likewise_o the_o free_a overture_n of_o grace_n to_o help_v it_o out_o be_v plain_o testify_v and_o yet_o more_o plain_o in_o the_o psalmist_n where_o all_o the_o office_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n conduce_v to_o sanctification_n as_o cleanse_v guide_v help_v renew_v comfort_v strengthen_v establish_v be_v mention_v as_o express_o as_o in_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n the_o necessity_n of_o god_n assistance_n of_o sanctification_n be_v deliver_v with_o formal_a evidence_n for_o after_o that_o god_n have_v institude_v circumcision_n as_o a_o symbol_n of_o purity_n and_o have_v tell_v the_o israelite_n withal_o that_o the_o true_a discharge_n of_o their_o duty_n towards_o he_o consist_v in_o the_o moral_a circumcision_n of_o the_o heart_n i._n e._n in_o take_v off_o their_o love_n from_o the_o world_n and_o place_v it_o in_o the_o high_a measure_n upon_o god_n lest_o they_o shall_v fail_v of_o their_o end_n through_o ignorance_n of_o their_o mean_n and_o set_v about_o this_o great_a work_n in_o confidence_n of_o their_o own_o ability_n he_o thus_o instruct_v they_o deut._n 30.6_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n will_v circumcise_v thy_o heart_n and_o the_o heart_n of_o thy_o seed_n to_o love_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n with_o all_o thy_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o thy_o soul_n now_o what_o plain_a word_n can_v be_v use_v to_o express_v that_o although_o they_o stand_v oblige_v to_o love_n god_n with_o all_o their_o heart_n yet_o of_o themselves_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o work_v out_o this_o issue_n but_o that_o god_n be_v always_o ready_a to_o assist_v they_o to_o do_v it_o the_o strive_v of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n with_o man_n for_o their_o conversion_n 6.3_o gen._n 6.3_o be_v speak_v of_o a_o a_o know_v and_o receive_v truth_n before_o the_o flood_n and_o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v of_o several_a of_o the_o patriarch_n that_o they_o walk_v with_o god_n 6.9_o gen._n 5.22_o gen._n 6.9_o the_o expression_n with_o god_n must_v reasonable_o be_v interpret_v to_o signify_v with_o god_n assistance_n as_o well_o as_o according_a to_o his_o will._n far_o than_o this_o have_v i_o leisure_n to_o gratify_v the_o curious_a i_o have_v large_a room_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o very_a doctrine_n be_v familiar_o espouse_v by_o the_o wise_a man_n among_o the_o heathen_a who_o as_o they_o find_v by_o conscious_a experience_n that_o it_o be_v as_o little_a in_o a_o man_n power_n to_o make_v himself_o virtuous_a as_o it_o be_v to_o make_v himself_o fortunate_a and_o as_o they_o likewise_o think_v it_o suitable_a to_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o take_v care_n of_o man_n great_a good_n as_o well_o as_o of_o his_o lesser_a so_o they_o espouse_v this_o belief_n of_o god_n assist_a man_n to_o probity_n of_o manner_n as_o a_o truth_n deducible_a from_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o reason_n according_o plato_n deliver_v it_o as_o a_o rule_n receive_v from_o socrates_n and_o lay_v down_o as_o a_o fundamental_a in_o his_o morality_n that_o virtue_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o divine_a distribution_n and_o that_o education_n precept_n example_n and_o practical_a diligence_n be_v only_o partial_a advances_n towards_o it_o but_o that_o the_o state_n be_v god_n and_o finish_v by_o the_o concurrence_n of_o god_n and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o express_a and_o withal_o more_o venerable_a than_o that_o of_o seneca_n when_o he_o say_v nulla_fw-la sine_fw-la deo_fw-la mens_fw-la bona_fw-la no_o soul_n can_v be_v good_a without_o the_o divine_a assistance_n but_o i_o have_v assert_v my_o point_n from_o a_o better_a authority_n and_o therefore_o think_v it_o fit_a to_o engage_v no_o far_o in_o this_o way_n of_o proof_n as_o be_v supperfluous_a in_o a_o christian_a auditory_a have_v then_o offer_v this_o as_o the_o true_a prospect_n of_o the_o state_n of_o lapse_v nature_n the_o next_o thing_n i_o purpose_n be_v a_o vindication_n of_o this_o state_n from_o such_o cavil_n as_o the_o rash_a and_o such_o complaint_n as_o the_o weak_a be_v apt_a to_o conceive_v against_o it_o and_o this_o i_o intend_v for_o the_o subject_a of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n sermon_n ii_o st._n matth_n xxvi_o 35._o peter_n say_v unto_o he_o though_o i_o shall_v die_v with_o thou_o yet_o will_v i_o not_o deny_v thou_o in_o a_o former_a discourse_n upon_o this_o text_n i_o offer_v the_o scriptural_a view_n and_o account_n of_o lapse_v nature_n from_o whence_o it_o full_o appear_v that_o no_o man_n be_v sufficient_a either_o to_o be_v or_o to_o continue_v good_a in_o his_o own_o strength_n which_o be_v a_o doctrine_n direct_o serve_v the_o two_o great_a end_n of_o religion_n viz._n to_o exalt_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o to_o beat_v down_o all_o pretence_n of_o humane_a pride_n but_o as_o all_o truth_n be_v abusable_a so_o we_o may_v be_v aware_a that_o many_o espouse_v this_o very_a truth_n the_o more_o free_o only_o that_o they_o may_v the_o more_o free_o form_v it_o into_o a_o apology_n for_o careless_a live_n for_o example_n thus_o they_o argue_v our_o nature_n be_v indispose_v perverse_a and_o insussicient_a to_o good_a therefore_o how_o miserable_a be_v our_o condition_n thus_o to_o be_v maim_v before_o we_o be_v bear_v and_o make_v guilty_a before_o we_o know_v how_o to_o act_v and_o obnoxious_a for_o do_v that_o which_o we_o can_v help_v how_o unaccountable_o fatal_a be_v the_o indiscretion_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o this_o disorder_n and_o how_o unfortunate_a their_o posterity_n to_o who_o it_o be_v derive_v why_o do_v not_o god_n with_o more_o appearance_n of_o compassion_n redintegrate_a our_o nature_n after_o the_o fall_n and_o restore_v it_o to_o its_o primitive_a uprightness_n how_o much_o better_o have_v his_o service_n be_v provide_v for_o by_o this_o method_n and_o man_n more_o happy_o prevent_v from_o his_o displeasure_n which_o displeasure_n of_o his_o we_o can_v now_o avoid_v unless_o it_o be_v by_o his_o own_o act_n who_o act_n be_v not_o supposable_a to_o be_v at_o our_o discretion_n now_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o all_o such_o kind_n of_o arguing_n be_v profane_a and_o tend_v to_o nothing_o but_o the_o dishonour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o support_n and_o countenance_n of_o vice_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o to_o obviate_v these_o mischief_n and_o to_o carry_v on_o my_o contemplation_n to_o its_o proper_a usefulness_n i_o be_o oblige_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n think_v fit_a to_o leave_v mankind_n under_o this_o present_a state_n of_o weakness_n and_o insufficiency_n from_o which_o enquiry_n i_o shall_v show_v 1._o that_o what_o god_n chief_o intend_v thereby_o be_v to_o oblige_v we_o more_o strict_o to_o live_v in_o a_o perpetual_a dependence_n upon_o himself_o and_o 2._o that_o such_o a_o dependence_n put_v in_o practice_n will_v effectual_o cut_v off_o all_o possible_a pretence_n of_o humane_a complaint_n my_o first_o business_n be_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n think_v fit_a to_o leave_v mankind_n under_o this_o present_a state_n of_o weakness_n insufficiency_n and_o disorder_n we_o must_v allow_v that_o god_n can_v have_v immediate_o reform_v that_o disorder_n which_o be_v bring_v upon_o our_o nature_n by_o the_o first_o disobedience_n he_o can_v have_v check_v it_o in_o its_o first_o author_n and_o not_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v propagate_v to_o their_o posterity_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n it_o will_v be_v much_o too_o bold_a for_o any_o one_o to_o say_v that_o this_o will_v have_v be_v the_o better_a method_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o thing_n proceed_v from_o god_n that_o which_o be_v be_v always_o best_a though_o we_o sometime_o can_v penetrate_v into_o the_o reason_n that_o make_v it_o so_o but_o as_o to_o the_o present_a instance_n we_o may_v with_o reverence_n penetrate_v into_o its_o reason_n and_o such_o as_o must_v be_v allow_v of_o ex._n gr_n 1._o who_o can_v think_v but_o that_o when_o sin_n have_v get_v foot_v in_o despite_n of_o
influence_v altogether_o with_o the_o spirit_n of_o religion_n and_o yet_o no_o soon_o do_v our_o saviour_n give_v they_o one_o just_a and_o gentle_a rebuke_n reproach_v they_o for_o be_v more_o affect_v with_o his_o loaf_n than_o with_o his_o doctrine_n and_o instruct_v they_o that_o god_n truth_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v follow_v mercenary_o but_o he_o discover_v their_o feeble_a their_o cheat_n till_o then_o unknown_a even_o to_o themselves_o and_o make_v they_o discover_v it_o to_o all_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v say_v ver_fw-la 66._o they_o take_v offence_n at_o it_o and_o go_v back_o and_o walk_v no_o more_o with_o he_o and_o thus_o it_o always_o fall_v out_o when_o virtue_n happen_v to_o be_v attend_v with_o temporal_a advantage_n as_o reputation_n favour_n fortune_n and_o the_o like_a we_o can_v hardly_o tell_v without_o far_a experiment_n of_o ourselves_o whether_o we_o regard_v virtue_n for_o itself_o or_o only_o for_o its_o advantage_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v piety_n or_o simple_a appetite_n that_o set_v we_o a-work_o 2._o it_o be_v hard_o to_o discern_v between_o a_o religious_a state_n and_o a_o religious_a humour_n a_o religious_a state_n that_o be_v found_v steady_o upon_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o a_o religious_a humour_n of_o outward_a accident_n and_o be_v as_o desultory_n and_o mutable_a as_o the_o cause_n from_o which_o it_o spring_v how_o often_o do_v it_o happen_v that_o man_n upon_o the_o success_n of_o affair_n and_o ease_n of_o circumstance_n find_v their_o heart_n fill_v with_o expression_n of_o thankfulness_n to_o god_n and_o charity_n to_o all_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o upon_o the_o change_n of_o circumstance_n they_o immediate_o sour_a both_o towards_o god_n and_o man_n now_o if_o such_o man_n shall_v estimate_v themselves_o during_o the_o religious_a mood_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a but_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v deceive_v in_o the_o opinion_n of_o their_o own_o state_n there_o be_v but_o one_o way_n possile_a to_o prevent_v their_o be_v deceive_v and_o that_o be_v the_o bring_v themselves_o under_o the_o probation_n of_o the_o voluntary_a cross_n to_o the_o office_n of_o mortification_n and_o self-denial_n but_o then_o how_o hard_o be_v it_o moreover_o to_o persuade_v man_n that_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o this_o officious_a probation_n 3._o it_o be_v hard_o to_o free_v our_o judgement_n from_o those_o prejudices_fw-la and_o extreme_a mutation_n which_o it_o be_v subject_a to_o receive_v from_o the_o different_a crasis_n and_o state_n of_o our_o animal_n spirit_n thus_o sometime_o when_o the_o body_n be_v vigorous_a and_o gay_a it_o shut_v out_o that_o measure_n of_o fear_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v we_o wise_a and_o it_o suffer_v we_o not_o to_o see_v that_o sin_n we_o be_v guilty_a of_o and_o that_o lie_v at_o our_o door_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n when_o the_o spirit_n be_v deject_v and_o low_a they_o often_o let_v in_o such_o a_o excess_n of_o fear_n as_o betray_v the_o succour_n of_o reason_n and_o make_v man_n cruciate_v themselves_o with_o the_o apprehension_n of_o sin_n even_o where_o there_o be_v real_o none_o and_o hence_o we_o have_v sometime_o see_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o a_o cordial_a medicine_n have_v quiet_v a_o mind_n and_o set_v a_o grieve_a conscience_n at_o right_n which_o effect_n can_v not_o possible_o proceed_v from_o that_o cause_n but_o upon_o the_o present_a supposition_n viz._n that_o our_o judgement_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v impose_v upon_o and_o mislead_v by_o the_o various_a influence_n of_o our_o body_n 4._o to_o judge_v of_o ourselves_o without_o proof_n and_o trial_n be_v the_o sure_a way_n to_o be_v deceive_v and_o yet_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o discern_v what_o be_v the_o right_a method_n of_o prove_v ourselves_o and_o what_o be_v our_o proper_a trial_n what_o a_o fair_a progress_n have_v that_o man_n in_o the_o gospel_n make_v towards_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n who_o tell_v our_o saviour_n that_o he_o have_v keep_v all_o the_o commandment_n from_o his_o youth_n nor_o do_v he_o tell_v it_o in_o hypocrisy_n for_o it_o be_v say_v that_o our_o saviour_n love_v he_o which_o can_v not_o have_v be_v but_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o tell_v and_o yet_o this_o man_n can_v not_o bring_v himself_o over_o the_o difficulty_n of_o part_v with_o his_o estate_n and_o become_v a_o disciple_n though_o he_o be_v promise_v the_o recompense_n of_o treasure_n in_o heaven_n how_o many_o have_v bear_v up_o commendable_o under_o all_o the_o pressure_n of_o affliction_n and_o at_o last_o sink_v in_o a_o calm_a and_o give_v themselves_o up_o vanquish_v to_o the_o enticement_n of_o prosperity_n man_n of_o courage_n but_o not_o of_o caution_n and_o how_o many_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n have_v live_v commendable_o in_o good_a fortune_n and_o at_o last_o quit_v their_o virtue_n lest_o their_o fortune_n shall_v be_v worsted_n man_n of_o caution_n but_o not_o of_o courage_n thus_o i_o say_v no_o man_n can_v make_v a_o hasty_a conjecture_n at_o what_o be_v his_o proper_a trial_n but_o 5._o when_o we_o have_v prove_v ourselves_o and_o so_o may_v know_v ourselves_o yet_o still_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o own_v ourselves_o for_o such_o as_o we_o have_v prove_v ourselves_o to_o be_v for_o when_o we_o have_v prove_v ourselves_o to_o the_o bottom_n as_o we_o may_v do_v by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o our_o own_o experience_n we_o shall_v find_v ourselves_o to_o be_v mere_a weakness_n and_o emptiness_n and_o without_o power_n in_o our_o self_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n well_o now_o though_o this_o be_v a_o truth_n than_o which_o the_o word_n of_o god_n deliver_v none_o more_o plain_o nor_o can_v our_o own_o experience_n attest_v any_o one_o more_o convince_o yet_o there_o lurk_v in_o we_o a_o natural_a pride_n which_o make_v we_o perfect_o averse_a from_o believe_v it_o we_o love_v to_o imagine_v ourselves_o great_a insomuch_o that_o we_o hate_v to_o know_v ourselves_o otherwise_o and_o have_v rather_o suspect_v and_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o glass_n that_o represent_v we_o under_o a_o diminish_n form_n and_o this_o be_v proper_o peter_n case_n he_o have_v be_v tell_v with_o the_o rest_n by_o his_o master_n that_o without_o he_o he_o can_v do_v nothing_o but_o this_o be_v a_o lesson_n he_o have_v no_o stomach_n to_o retain_v he_o will_v not_o doubt_v but_o that_o his_o will_n be_v in_o his_o own_o power_n and_o that_o his_o execute_v faculty_n be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o his_o will_n so_o that_o what_o he_o have_v courage_n to_o resolve_v he_o have_v likewise_o ability_n to_o perform_v and_o this_o fond_a opinion_n expose_v he_o to_o that_o shameful_a denial_n which_o follow_v upon_o it_o after_o i_o have_v assert_v that_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o know_v ourselves_o i_o be_o far_o from_o countenance_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o belief_n that_o we_o can_v know_v ourselves_o this_o be_v a_o notion_n fruitful_a of_o mischief_n it_o be_v a_o notion_n that_o hinder_v both_o proficiency_n and_o amendment_n that_o be_v contrary_a both_o to_o faith_n and_o hope_v and_o consolation_n without_o which_o religion_n can_v have_v neither_o fruit_n nor_o root_n know_v ourselves_o we_o must_v god_n require_v it_o and_o therefore_o besure_n know_v ourselves_o we_o may_v nay_o the_o truth_n be_v we_o may_v easy_o know_v ourselves_o if_o we_o take_v the_o right_a method_n to_o do_v it_o for_o the_o common_a obstacle_n of_o self-knowledge_n be_v this_o that_o when_o we_o go_v to_o examine_v and_o look_v into_o ourselves_o we_o look_v through_o the_o wrong_a end_n of_o the_o glass_n we_o seek_v for_o greatness_n and_o excellency_n wherewithal_o to_o please_v ourselves_o and_o from_o this_o prospect_n we_o be_v sure_a to_o reap_v nothing_o but_o deceit_n but_o let_v we_o turn_v the_o glass_n and_o look_v patient_o upon_o our_o litteless_a and_o defect_n whereby_o to_o humble_v ourselves_o and_o this_o prospect_n will_v certain_o make_v we_o wise_a for_o humility_n be_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o and_o he_o that_o know_v himself_o to_o be_v nothing-worth_n know_v himself_o well_o which_o bring_v i_o upon_o my_o second_o proposition_n viz._n that_o to_o know_v ourselves_o true_o be_v to_o know_v that_o we_o be_v and_o that_o in_o our_o best_a estate_n absolute_o weak_a and_o insufficient_a towards_o good_n goodness_n be_v a_o lesson_n which_o simple_a nature_n give_v we_o not_o capacity_n to_o learn_v for_o since_o the_o stream_n of_o our_o affection_n natural_o run_v to_o ill_a say_v who_o it_o be_v that_o can_v turn_v that_o stream_n quis_fw-la potest_fw-la facere_fw-la mundum_fw-la de_fw-la immundo_fw-la say_v holy_a job_n who_o can_v make_v himself_o clean_a since_o he_o be_v bear_v unclean_a if_o our_o nature_n be_v sinful_a though_o it_o must_v be_v change_v yet_o we_o can_v change_v our_o nature_n he_o that_o
have_v implore_v ability_n from_o he_o whence_o all_o humane_a sufficiency_n be_v derive_v lord_n leave_v not_o i_o that_o i_o may_v not_o leave_v thou_o lord_n strengthen_v i_o by_o thy_o grace_n that_o i_o may_v not_o deny_v thou_o and_o then_o i_o shall_v not_o deny_v thou_o in_o this_o method_n he_o have_v be_v secure_a and_o prevent_v his_o shameful_a fall_n but_o instead_o of_o this_o he_o build_v a_o resolution_n upon_o his_o own_o strength_n and_o our_o lord_n to_o rebuke_v he_o do_v no_o other_o than_o leave_v he_o to_o his_o own_o strength_n to_o perform_v it_o and_o this_o be_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o as_o to_o leave_v he_o under_o the_o necessity_n of_o not_o perform_v it_o for_o this_o be_v the_o main_a lesson_n that_o this_o instance_n teach_v we_o viz._n that_o man_n when_o he_o be_v leave_v unto_o himself_o be_v pure_o weak_a and_o insufficient_a to_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a these_o two_o point_n be_v evident_a in_o peter_n case_n 1._o that_o he_o do_v not_o right_o know_v himself_o when_o he_o make_v his_o resolution_n and_o 2._o that_o the_o defeat_n of_o his_o resolution_n teach_v he_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o his_o particular_a grace_n and_o endowment_n he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n as_o he_o shall_v do_v without_o god_n actual_a assistance_n and_o therefore_o for_o our_o present_a instruction_n i_o shall_v draw_v these_o two_o observation_n from_o the_o case_n 1._o that_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o know_v ourselves_o and_o 2._o that_o to_o know_v ourselves_o true_o be_v to_o know_v that_o we_o be_v and_o that_o in_o our_o best_a estate_n weak_a and_o insufficient_a of_o ourselves_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a 1._o it_o be_v hard_o to_o know_v ourselves_o by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o i_o intend_v not_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o mechanic_n frame_n to_o know_v by_o what_o ligament_n our_o soul_n be_v unite_v to_o our_o body_n or_o by_o what_o mediate_a correspondency_n they_o act_v mutual_o upon_o one_o another_o to_o know_v in_o what_o manner_n sensation_n or_o in_o what_o remembrance_n be_v perform_v what_o spring_v set_v our_o involuntary_a motion_n a-work_o or_o what_o influence_n our_o will_n communicate_v to_o those_o that_o be_v voluntary_a to_o know_v this_o be_v not_o simple_o hard_a but_o impossible_a and_o it_o ought_v to_o mortify_v the_o pride_n of_o any_o man_n understanding_n to_o consider_v that_o the_o small_a of_o the_o part_n we_o be_v compose_v of_o and_o the_o least_o of_o those_o act_n we_o be_v always_o conversant_a with_o which_o we_o see_v minutely_o and_o live_v by_o their_o be_v do_v do_v yet_o escape_v and_o surmount_v our_o comprehension_n but_o if_o the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o part_n of_o ourselves_o be_v impossible_a one_o thing_n we_o may_v infer_v from_o the_o benignity_n of_o providence_n that_o likewise_o wise_a it_o be_v not_o needful_a it_o will_v not_o conduce_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n to_o be_v better_o acquaint_v with_o the_o philosophy_n of_o our_o being_n nor_o do_v we_o suffer_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o ignorance_n of_o it_o the_o soul_n act_v as_o orderly_o in_o those_o that_o never_o inquire_v as_o in_o those_o that_o pretend_v to_o determine_v the_o chief_a place_n of_o its_o residence_n and_o our_o pulse_n beat_v as_o well_o when_o we_o think_v not_o of_o it_o at_o all_o as_o when_o we_o think_v of_o it_o never_o so_o wise_o but_o the_o knowledge_n here_o intend_v be_v the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o moral_a self_n of_o our_o state_n in_o respect_n of_o virtue_n whether_o we_o real_o choose_v to_o follow_v that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o what_o firmness_n there_o be_v in_o our_o choice_n whether_o we_o make_v proficiency_n in_o religion_n and_o whether_o there_o be_v sincerity_n in_o our_o pretence_n what_o be_v the_o state_n of_o our_o will_n inclination_n and_o desire_n all_o which_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n mean_v by_o the_o word_n heart_n when_o he_o thus_o pronounce_v concern_v it_o the_o heart_n be_v deceitful_a above_o all_o thing_n and_o desperate_o wicked_a who_o can_v know_v it_o who_o can_v know_v it_o not_o a_o second_o not_o any_o one_o without_o we_o this_o we_o be_v sure_a of_o but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o we_o ourselves_o can_v hardly_o know_v that_o heart_n which_o we_o carry_v in_o our_o own_o breast_n its_o propension_n be_v retire_v and_o dark_a and_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o guess_v whether_o the_o bent_n of_o our_o affection_n will_v carry_v we_o at_o any_o time_n when_o their_o respective_a occasion_n offer_v now_o to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o ourselves_o in_o this_o respect_n can_v never_o be_v of_o a_o indifferent_a importance_n if_o we_o know_v not_o ourselves_o be_v sure_a we_o shall_v neither_o disapprove_v ourselves_o nor_o mend_v ourselves_o nor_o will_v natural_a pride_n fail_v to_o take_v hold_n of_o the_o occasion_n that_o be_v to_o make_v the_o best_a interpretation_n of_o that_o which_o we_o least_o discern_v and_o so_o the_o more_o ignorant_a we_o be_v of_o ourselves_o the_o more_o we_o shall_v come_v to_o be_v opiniative_a and_o conceit_a what_o false_a measure_n man_n may_v take_v of_o themselves_o we_o be_v advertise_v in_o a_o remarkable_a instance_n rev._n 3_o where_o our_o lord_n speak_v of_o the_o laodicean_n in_o these_o word_n ver_fw-la 17._o thou_o say_v i_o be_o rich_a and_o increase_v with_o good_n and_o have_v need_n of_o nothing_o and_o know_v not_o that_o thou_o be_v wretched_a and_o miserable_a and_o poor_a and_o blind_a and_o naked_a now_o be_v not_o this_o a_o judgement_n of_o themselves_o wonderful_o erroneous_a will_v one_o think_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o man_n shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o discern_v between_o riches_n and_o poverty_n sight_n and_o blindness_n be_v clothe_v and_o be_v naked_a we_o may_v just_o think_v it_o impossible_a in_o the_o literal_a sense_n but_o how_o be_v it_o then_o in_o the_o moral_a be_v it_o possible_a for_o a_o vicious_a man_n to_o think_v himself_o godly_a be_v it_o possible_a for_o the_o churl_n to_o account_v himself_o liberal_a for_o the_o sensual_a to_o account_v himself_o heavenly-minded_n for_o the_o negligent_a to_o account_v himself_o devout_a be_v not_o this_o equal_o hard_a and_o yet_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n suggest_v chap._n 32.4_o that_o when_o the_o eye_n of_o they_o that_o see_v be_v dim_a the_o churl_n may_v account_v himself_o liberal_a and_o so_o in_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v when_o ounce_n indulge_v affection_n have_v impose_v upon_o the_o understanding_n and_o darken_v the_o soul_n and_o man_n be_v thereupon_o content_a to_o take_v up_o with_o false_a notion_n and_o to_o judge_v of_o themselves_o by_o false_a rule_n they_o may_v come_v to_o esteem_v themselves_o good_a though_o they_o be_v absolute_o evil_a they_o may_v think_v well_o of_o themselves_o for_o some_o casual_a act_n of_o virtue_n though_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o live_v under_o the_o habit_n of_o contrary_a vice_n they_o may_v account_v themselves_o religious_a even_o while_o they_o be_v carnal_a worldly_a and_o immoral_a and_o yet_o to_o be_v religious_a and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o be_v immoral_a imply_v as_o great_a a_o contradiction_n as_o be_v to_o be_v find_v between_o riches_n and_o poverty_n sight_n and_o blindness_n but_o this_o indeed_o be_v a_o deceit_n so_o gross_a that_o it_o can_v pass_v upon_o a_o honest_a and_o considerate_a mind_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v produce_v some_o other_o that_o be_v more_o refine_v and_o subtle_a and_o such_o as_o may_v escape_v the_o observation_n of_o a_o more_o scrupulous_a enquiry_n into_o ourselves_o for_o example_n 1._o even_o when_o we_o do_v well_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o discern_v from_o what_o principle_n we_o act_n whether_o from_o the_o fear_n and_o love_n of_o god_n wh_o i_o certain_o sanctify_v or_o from_o external_a consideration_n which_o sanctify_v not_o at_o all_o but_o yet_o may_v occasional_o produce_v action_n of_o the_o same_o appear_a goodness_n when_o our_o saviour_n entertain_v those_o that_o come_v to_o hear_v he_o with_o the_o multiply_v loaf_n and_o feed_v their_o body_n as_o well_o as_o their_o soul_n st._n john_n 6._o what_o a_o hearty_a confession_n do_v they_o break_v forth_o into_o ver_fw-la 14._o this_o be_v of_o a_o truth_n that_o prophet_n that_o shall_v come_v into_o the_o world_n how_o sedulous_o do_v they_o follow_v he_o what_o pain_n do_v they_o take_v to_o be_v with_o he_o how_o do_v they_o repine_v at_o the_o miss_v his_o conversation_n but_o a_o part_n of_o a_o day_n can_v any_o one_o believe_v but_o that_o these_o be_v disciple_n mature_a and_o steady_a and_o prepare_v to_o confess_v their_o master_n at_o the_o peril_n of_o their_o life_n i_o question_v not_o but_o they_o believe_v as_o much_o of_o themselves_o and_o look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o