The Grand Evil Discovered, Title page – To the reader
The grand Evil discovered: OR, The Deceitfull HEART TRYED and CAST:
Being the Substance of some SERMONS Preached from Jerem. XVII. 9.
For the Conviction of Formalists, and the Awakening of Believers to stand upon their Watch.
ALSO, The Way of the Hearts working, and Pretious Remedies against its Devices, are opened and applyed; with other things observed thereunto belonging.
By P. Flavell Minister of the Gospel.
LONDON, Printed for Samuel Crouch at the Corner-shop of Popes-head Alley, on the right-hand next Cornhill, 1676.
TO THE READER.
Reader,
IF thou art one who indeed livest in the study of thine own Heart, I am confident this short ensuing Discourse will be welcom to thee: I shall make no Plea for its Plainness; nor am at all filled with solicitous thoughts how to rescue my self from the Censures of a vain deceitful World. If thou wilt entertain and study it with an honest heart, I am confident through Divine goodness, it may help thee to a clearer and better settlement of thy Estate for Eternity, as to that which concerns thee in this present World; sure I am thou wilt find the Argument most weighty, and thy Concern therein most important, and woe be unto that Soul which misseth its design.
Now the design of these Papers is, as far as it can to make a true discovery of the Deceits of the Heart, and thereby lead us into a blessed Acquaintance with our selves; and who of us that observes it, and the workings thereof, doth not find it to be so at all times. Now it may be it openly opposeth you, and then it secretly insnares and seduceth you; now it carryes you off, drawes you back from God and Duty, Heb. 3.12. then it will turn you aside to Sin and Vanity, Isa. 44.20. Now it diverteth you from Duty, then it will make you dead and slothfull in Duty, 'Tis indeed wholly set against all that is good, and hath a thousand wayes to hinder us in our work, and we must expect it will do its utmost: 'Tis a close Enemy, alwayes at hand, and there is no end of its Opposition till Life it self ends; and must we not complain then with blessed Jeremiah, That the Heart is deceitfull above all things? When we most resolve and set our selves to follow God, and to pursue the work of our immortal Souls, then doth it set us most back. Now that those that read may understand and find these things in themselves, the Blessing of Heaven prosper it in order thereto: The time is coming, when thou that art sincere shalt bid farewell to Sin and sinning, for thy Heart shall then be as thou wouldest now have it, and thou shalt be like God; for thou shalt see him as he is, and God shall wipe away all tears from thine Eyes: And more particularly, thou wilt find how Deceit opposeth the first Motions of Grace towards Sinners, and the Law and Grace of God in Believers; which is no more than what the Scripture plainly teacheth concerning it, and Believers evidently find by Experience in themselves, and doe or may learn from the Examples and Acknowledgments of others: And this is represented in such a way as is suited unto the Capacity of the weakest who is concerned therein. Now if thou reap any Benefit by these things, bless God, and deny him not an Interest in thy Prayers, who (though in many Afflictions and Temptations) is willing to labour in the glorious Work to which he is called:
I am thine in the Lord, Phineas Flavell.