§ 7. But the greatest hinderances are in men's own hearts. Some are so ignorant, that they know not what self-examination is, nor what a minister means when he persuadeth them to try themselves: Or they know not that there is any necessity for it; but think every man is bound to believe that his sins are pardoned, whether it be true or false, and that it is a great fault to make any question of it: Or they do not think that assurance can be attained: Or that there is any great difference between one man and another, but that we are all Christians, and therefore need not trouble ourselves any further: Or at least they know not wherein the difference lies. They have as gross an idea of regeneration, as Nicodemus had. Some will not believe, that God will ever make such a difference betwixt men in the life to come, and therefore will not search themselves whether they differ here. Some are so stupified, say what you can to them, that they lay it not to heart, but give us the hearing, and there's an end. Some are so possessed with self-love and pride, that they will not so much as suspect they are in any danger, like a proud tradesman, who scorns the prudent advice of casting up his books. As fond parents will not believe or hear any evil of their children. Some are so guilty, that they dare not try; and yet they dare venture on a more dreadful trial. Some are so in love with sin, and so dislike the ways of God, that they dare not try their ways, lest they be forced from the course they love, to that which they loathe. Some are so resolved never to change their present state, that they neglect examination as an useless thing. Before they will seek a new way when they have lived so long, and gone so far, they will put their eternal state to the venture, come of it what will. Many men are so busy in the world, that they cannot set themselves to the trying their title to heaven. Others are so clogged with slothfulness of spirit, that they will not be at the pains of an hour's examination of their own hearts. But the most common and dangerous impediment is that false faith and hope, commonly called presumption, which bears up the hearts of the greatest part of the world, and so keeps them from suspecting their danger.