ry good way of Gods commandements. And as he stands resolved against all sinne in generall, both simply considered, and in respect of all occurrences, whereby he might be allured or compelled thereunto: so in speciall against the sinne to which he finds himselfe most inclined, or where-with he hath at any time been overtaken. Incline not my heart to any evill thing,Psal. 141.4. to practise wicked workes with men that worke iniquity: and let me not eate of their dainties.
Fourthly, It is joyned with a readinesse of mind to acknowledge and lay open every sinne as soone as it is knowne to be sinne; and a gladnesse to have the conscience ransacked and ripped up, that whatsoever is sinfull may be found out. David spake it out of experience, when he pronounced the man blessed,Psal. 32.2. in whose spirit there is no guile: Now this was a branch of that spirituall guile, that he once thought to helpe himselfe in evill doing, by holding his tongue; as who would say he would forget it, and passe it over: but he was never well, till he was delivered of that false trick, and fell to the down-right acknowledgement of his sinne; he never had comfort till he had confessed against himselfe his wickednesse. This he writes for a patterne, and gives his Psalme a title accordingly; To give instruction: and this experience taught him to intreat the Lord to pry into him, as fearing himselfe that he should deale somewhat over-favourably with himselfe. Try me,Psal. 139.23,24. O Lord, and know mine heart: prove me, and know my thoughts, and consider if there be any way of wickednesse in me: and to professe himselfe not only willing to beare, but desirous to be reprehended, if he should step awry. Let the righteous smite me,Psal. 141.5. it shall be a kindnesse: and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oyle, which shall not breake my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities, or, by how much he shall doe that the more, by how much they shall reprove me the more diligently, by so much I shall pray the more fervently for them. When a man loves not those meanes which tend to the discovery of his heart and life, and to the finding out of his secret sinnes, or reprehensions whether publike or private, or serious and earnest confession of sin before God, there is great cause to suspect that all is not sound within.
Fifthly, Truth dealeth not only against this or that branch of corruption, which shooteth out to our disgrace or trouble, but against the root it selfe. As in Paul we see, the Law ofevill
