that some may be under and not
know it, as well as a gross hypocrisy and dissimulation, which may be
easily observed; "Will not many seek to enter in that shall not be
able?" Matth. vii. 13. Luke xiii. 24.

8. Many deceive themselves with this, that they are looked on by other
godly, discerning persons and ministers, as good serious Christians, and
that they carry so handsomely and so fair, that no man can judge
otherways of them, than that they are good serious seekers of God. But,
alas! the day is coming which will discover many things, and many one
will be deceived both of themselves and of others. "Not he who
commendeth himself is approved, but whom God approveth," 2 Cor. x. 18.
Therefore, Paul exhorts Timothy, "to study to show himself approved
unto God," 2 Tim. ii. 15. Men look only on the outside, and cannot see
into the heart; but God searcheth the heart; and it is an easy matter to
deceive men, but God will not be deceived.

9. Some may suppose themselves in a safe and sure way, if they outstrip
others in religious duties, and be much in extraordinary duties, when,
alas! for all that, the heart may be rotten. "The Pharisee fasted twice
a-week," Luke xviii. 12, and yet was but an enemy to Christ. O how
deceitful is the heart of man!

10. Inward peace and quietness of conscience may deceive some; and they
may suppose that all is right with them; because they do nothing over
the belly of their conscience. Their heart doth not accuse them of
falsehood and dissimulation in their way with God or man, but they do
all things according to their light. No doubt that young man (Luke
xviii. 21,) spoke according to his judgment and light, when he said,
"All these things have I kept from my youth." And Paul saith of himself
(Acts xxiii. 1,) "that he had lived in all good conscience before God
till that very day;" meaning, that even while he was a Pharisee
unconverted, he had not tortured his conscience, nor done anything
directly against it, but had always walked according to his light. See
Acts xxvi. 9.

11. A way of zeal may deceive many who may think their case
unquestionable, because they are zealous for their way, and, as they
think, their zeal is pure for God. Was not Paul, while a Pharisee, very
zealous, when, out of zeal to his way, he persecuted the church, Philip.
iii. 6. See my zeal for the Lord, could I thus say, 2 Kings x. 16; and
the Jews had a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge, Rom. x. 2;
and C