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* 1.1If such as these may eternally miscarry, Then let all look care∣fully to their foundation, and see that they do not bless themselves in a thing of nought.* 1.2 It's manifest from 1 Cor. 10.12. That many souls stand exceeding dangerously, who are yet strongly conceited of their own safety. And if you please to consult those Scriptures in the margent, you shall find vain confidence to be a ruling folly over the greatest part of men: and that which is the
utter overthrow, and undoing of multitudes of Professors.
Now, there is nothing more apt to beget and breed this vain soul undoing confidence, than the stirrings and meltings of our affections about spiritual things, whilst the heart remains unrenew∣ed all the while.* 1.3 For (as a grave Divine hath well observed) such a man seems to have all that is required of a Christian, and herein to have attained the very end of all knowledge; which is operation and influence upon the heart and affections.
Indeed (thinks such a poor deluded soul,) if I did hear, read, or pray without any inward affections, with a dead, cold, and unconcerned heart: or if I did make shew of Zeal, and affection in dutys, and had it not▪ well might I suspect my self to be a self-cozening Hypocrite: but its not so with me. I feel my heart really melted many times, when I read the sufferings of Christ. I feel my heart raised, and ravished with strange Joys and com∣forts, when I hear the glory of Heaven opened in the Gospel.
Indeed if it were not so with me, I might doubt the root of the matter is wanting. But if to my knowledge, affection be added. A melting heart, matched with a knowing head; now I may be confident all is well. I have often heard Ministers cautioning and warning their people, not to rest satisfied with idle and unpractical notions in their understandings; but to labour for impressions upon their hearts, this I have attained; and therefore what danger of me?
I have often heard it given as the mark of an Hypocrite, that he hath light in his head; but it sheds not down its influences upon the heart. Whereas in those that are sincere, it works on their hearts and affections. So I find it with me, therfore I am in a most safe estate.
O Soul, of all the false signs of grace, none more dangerous, than those that most resemble true ones. And never doth the De∣vil more surely and incurably destroy, than when transformed in∣to an Angel of light. What if these meltings of thy heart, be but a flower of nature? What if thou art more beholding to a good temper of body, than a gratious change of spirit for these things? Well, so it may be. Therefore be not secure, but fear and watch. Possibly if thou wouldst but search thine own heart in this matter, thou maist find, that any other pathetical moving story, will have the like effects upon thee. Possibly too, thou maist find that not∣withstanding all thy raptures and joys at the hearing of Heaven,
and its glory; yet after that pang is over, thy heart is habitually earthly, and thy conversation is not there.
For all thou canst mourn at the relations of Christs Sufferings, thou art not so affected with sin, that was the meritorious cause of the sufferings of Christ; as to crucifie one corruption, or deny the next temptation, or part with any way of sin that is gainful, or pleasurable to thee for his sake.
Why now, Reader, if it be so with thee, what art thou the bet∣ter f••r the fluency of thy affections? Dost think in earnest, that Christ hath the better thoughts of thee; because thou canst shed tears for him; when notwithstanding thou every day piercest and woundest him? O be not deceived. Nay for ought I know, thou maist find upon a narrow search; that thou puttest thy tears in the room of Christs blood, and givest the confidence, and dependance of thy soul to them; and if so, they shall never do thee any good.
Oh therefore search thy heart, Reader, be not too confident; take not up too easily, upon such poor weak grounds as these, a soul undoing confidence. Always remember, the Wheat and Tares r••semble each other in their first springing up. That an Egg is not liker to an Egg, than Hypocrisie, in some shapes and forms into which it can cast it self, is like a genuine work of grace. O re∣member that among the Ten Virgins, that is, the reformed pro∣fessors of Religion; that have cast off and separated themselves from the worship and defilements of Anti-christ: five of them were foolish.
There be first, that shall be last; and last, that shall be first, Matth. 19.30. Great is the deceitfulness of our hearts, Ier. 17.9. And many are the subtilties and devices of Satan, 2 Cor. 11.3. Many also are the astonishing examples of self deceiving souls, recorded in the Word.
Remember what you lately read of Iudas. Great also will be the exactness of the Last Judgement. And how confident soever you be, that you shall speed well in that day; yet still remember, that Trial is not yet past. Your final Sentence is not yet come from the mouth of your Judge. This I speak, not to affright and trouble, but to excite and warn you. The loss of a soul is no small loss, and upon such grounds as these, they are every day cast away.
This may suffice to be spoken to the first observation, built upon this supposition; that it was but a pang of meer natural affection in
them. But if it were the effect of a better principle, the fruit of their Faith, as some Judge; then I told you the observation from it would be this.
Infer. 2.
Gal. 6 3.4. John 8 54 Rom 2.18.19.21 Mat. 25.11.12 Mat. 7.22.
Mr. An. Burg.