Innocency Though Under a Cloud Cleared, Part 5
Now there be ſome general Deceits, relating to Converſion, and the very body of Religion, that I deſire to leave to my Children and Friends; and thoſe Deceits are as follow.
1. Deceit is, When ſouls reſt ſatisfied with ſomething that's like it, and yet at that time, and alſo before, never paſſed under, or know what it is to be inriched with the nature of the thing: as thus; Becauſe Converſion is a change, therefore any change; becauſe it's a turning, therefore any turning; becauſe it's light, therefore any light; and becauſe there is life and joy, therefore if any, it muſt be that. Here was the young man in the Goſpel deceived, Mat. 19, 20. And ſo the Phariſes, Luke 18.11, 12. And ſo at the laſt day, Mat. 7.22.
2. Deceit is, the reſting ſatisfied with ſome thing that doth, and muſt of neceſſity accompany the truth of the thing, and at that time not ſee nor know; it doth truly ariſe from the truth in them, as the only cauſe; as whether that love, that comfort, that zeal, that ſorrow, that joy, doth ariſe from the truth in them, ſuitable to John 4.14. Rom. 5.4. 2 Cor. 3.18. 2 Pet. 1.5, 6.
3. Deceit is, When the ſoul doth reſt ſatisfied, in a bare ſaying or ſight of the Truth, both in nature, cauſes and effects, and yet then cannot witneſs either of them truly in themſelves, only things to be, but not in himſelf in being: like them in Jer. 8. apply 5, 7, 8, verſes, and Jer. 23.25, 26, 27. Rom. 2.
4. Deceit is, When ſouls reſt ſatisfied with their ſtate, though without witneſſing the Truth truly within, yet comparing them with themſelves, or ſome others that do more differ from the truth than they; ſuitable to Jehu, 2 Kings 10.15. and Luke 18.11, 12. 2 Cor. 12. to the 17.
5. Deceit is, When ſouls confidently affirm, and are perſwaded, that they are truly inriched with the Truth, and yet at that time they cannot witneſs thoſe things that are unſeparable concomitants of truth; As Firſt, An univerſal conformity to Truth; as David, Pſal. 119.6. Luke 1.6. Secondly, An univerſal Antipathy to all things contrary to it; as in Pſal. 97.16. Pſal. 119.104, 128.113. Thirdly, A living growth in, or growing up in the Truth, Pſal. 92.12. Epheſ. 4.15. 1 Pet. 1.22. 2 Pet. 3.8. Fourthly, A feeding upon it; not that there is or will be a perfection in action, or elſe no truth; but where Life is in the principle, there muſt be a growth in it, and feeding on it; theſe concomitants are, or elſe, that ſoul that lives in ſence, as it judges of having truth in it, is deceived.
6. When ſouls reſt ſatisfied in the increaſe of ſome thing that doth accompany the Truth of Grace, but ſee not, nor have not an increaſe in the Power or Principle of Truth, only in gifts or profeſſion, or outward conformity in their lives without, or in language, and reſt there as if all were right.
7. When a ſoul is brought to a ſight of the want of Truth, and a ſight of the worth of Truth, and ſo cries down the living without it, and cries up the riches and glory of it, and ſo reſts ſatisfied in a bare ſeeing the want and crying up the worth, and ſo contents its ſelf in a bare ſight and ſaying, without witneſſing that Power, Riches and Glory in its own ſoul.
Theſe Deceits are ſome of them that attend ſouls in relation to Converſion, and the work of Grace within. But there be ſome Deceits that attend Men & Women in their external Walkings or Worſhippings. I will only hint a few: As,
1. When things, though falſe, yet in their outward appearance are named, as God names ſuch things in Scripture that are his true Appointments, and ſo reſt ſatisfied with the cuſtomary titles given to it, and never ſearch into the nature or truth of it; as Preaching, Praying, Singing, Baptiſm, and breaking Bread, &c. becauſe it is called ſo, therefore it is ſo.
2. Deceit is, When the ſoul doth enjoy a true appearance or appointment, and is taken up there in the bare appearance or appointment, yet doth not know the true nature of it, in its Life and Power.
3. Deceit is, When the ſatisfaction of, and love to, or delight in the nature of truth, is only produced by, and meaſured ſuitable to the meaſure of their performance, or eloquence in it, or the warmth and heat they draw from it, and not from the light, ſence, and true enjoyment of Preſence. But no more at this time.