246 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
things to keep our hearts. And we are not only laid under this
command, but a cogent reason is added to enforce our obedience: “ For out of it are the issues of life.” Hereon do all events depend. The heart being kept, the whole course of our life here will be ac-
cording unto the mind of God, and the end of it will be the enjoy-
ment of him hereafter. This being neglected, life will be lost, both here as unto obedience, and hereafter as unto glory. This, therefore, is that which in the first place is to be applied unto the present
case. Would any not be overtaken with the power and prevalency
of any of the causes of apostasy mentioned before, let them look well unto their own hearts, seeing that from thence are the issues of life.
By the “heart” the Scnpture understandeth all the faculties of our souls, as they are an entire rational principle of all moral and spiritual operations; and so do we also. The preservation of them in their due order, acting in all things according unto their distinct powers, and the duty of the whole soul with respect unto God, is that which is intended by this keeping of the heart. And hereunto, with reference unto the present duty, sundry things do belong in an especial manner; as,—
1. That the heart be kept awake and attentive unto its own de- ceitfulness. ‘The wise man tells us that “he that trusteth in his own heart is a fool,” Prov. xxviii. 26. The beginning of all security,— which is an assured entrance into all evil,—lies in men’s leaving their hearts unto themselves and trusting in them. He is no wise man (the Holy Ghost being judge) who, after so many instructions and warnings given us in the Scripture of the deceitfulness of our hearts, or the deceitfulness of that sin which is bound up in them (which is all one), will carelessly trust it with his eternal concernments. The apostle Peter did so once, upon a strong confidence that his heart
would not fail him; but we know what was the issue of it. Itisapt
_ to be so with most men in this matter. They think, and do really judge, that if all men should fall off and forsake the gospel, either wholly or as unto the degrees in obedience which they have attained, yet they would not so do; but all things are filled with visible ex- amples of their disappointment. There are no apostates but once thought they would not be so; for we speak only of them who had light into and conviction of their duty, and who had therefore neces- sarily resolutions to continue therein. Wherefore, a constant, watch- ful jealousy over our own hearts, as to their deceitfulness, their readi- ness to be imposed on, and secret pretences to countenance them- selves in compliance with temptations, is the foundation of all other duties necessary unto our preservation.
Even this also is by some despised. They know of no deceitful- ness in their own hearts, nor think there is any such thing in the
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DIRECTIONS TO AVOID APOSTASY, ~ 247
hearts of others. They cannot but acknowledge that there is mutual - deceit enough amongst mankind in the world; but that there should
be deceit and treachery in men’s hearts with respect unto themselves, their own actions, duties, and ways, with respect unto God and
their own eternal condition, that they cannot apprehend: for what
or whom should a man trust unto, if he may not safely repose his confidence in his own heart that it will be always true unto its spiri-
tual and eternal interest? Happy men, were such apprehensions as
these to be the rule of their present duty or future judgment! But is it not possible there may be in the hearts of men a blind self-love, so far predominant as practically to impose false apprehensions and
notions of things upon the mind and affections with respect unto
sin and duty? Is there no disorder in the faculties of our souls, nor confusion in their operations thereon? Are there no remainders of sin inseparable from them in this life, accompanied with all manner of spiritual deceitfulness? no corrupt reasonings for the procrastina- tion of the most important duties? no inclinations unto undue pre- cedences and presumptions? no vanity or uncertainty in the mind? Or can these things, with the like innumerable, be supposed without any deceit in them or accompanying of them? What one said of
old to the Druids,—
‘‘ Solis nosse Deos et coeli Numina vobis Aut solis nescire datum,’?——
~ may be applied unto the men of this persuasion: either they alone
know the state of the heart of man with respect unto God, evange- lical obedience, and their own eternal interest, or they alone are ignorant thereof. Until, therefore, we have more satisfaction in this novel pretended discovery, we dare not cease the pressing of men to be diligently attentive unto the deceits of their own hearts. If this be neglected, we shall labour in vain, whatever else we do. Blessed is he who thus feareth always! This will make men carefully and conscientiously avoid all occasions of all things, whether in their in- ward frames or outward practice, that may on any account have a tendency unto a declension from the gospel. A bold, hazardous, careless frame of spirit, venturing on all companies and temptations, complying with vanities and profane communications, offering itself with a fearless confidence unto ways of seduction, through “the cunning sleights of men that lie in wait to deceive,” is that which hath ruined innumerable professors. Self-distrust, humility, fear of offending, with the like soul-preserving graces, will be kept up unto exercise only where men are awake unto the consideration of the deceitfulness of their own hearts.