Dyke, Daniel, -1614. The mystery of self-deceiving : being some extracts from a discourse on the deceitfulness of mans heart ... / written by the late faithful minister of Gods word, Rev. Daniel Dyke : manuscript, 1796. MS Am 923. Houghton Library,

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The nature of the hearts deceit - 1 tis deceitful to others (p.3.) - which sh'd learn us to be wary in giving entertainment to others - & to take notice of this deceit in ourselves. 4 Tis deceitful to ourselves - 7 self-deceit is two fold. either in the mind of affections jointly or in the affections separately. In the former view, it shews it:self in four things especially. in judging - perswading - promising -practicing.

1. In judging. either of our persons, or actions.

1. In judging of our persons. Here the first deceit is, when we think our bad state not so bad as really it is. - 7

Second is, in thinking our bad estate to be good. - 10

Here are four sorts of persons deceived. the rich worldling - civil justiciary - loose libertine

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temporary believer. discovered

1. by his faith - in its parts - know:ledge - & application & in its signs His knowlege is not feeting, experimental & practical in its nature. p.15. nor humbling & warming in its effects - 16 his application of Christ is un:sound, not mutual. he takes Christ to himself, but does not give him self to Christ: 16. How shall we know the difference betwixt the temporary's faith & true faith. tis known first by this, The true believer believes with great difficulty, the temporary finds it very easy to believe. - 18. The true believer gives himself to Christ the temporary only takes Christ to himself - the former believes & hopes in God when frowning as well as smiling the latter cannot. 18.

The temporary is deceived also in the signs of his faith as well as its parts. his feelings under the word - he believes & rejoices. but his (joy) is not sincere in the word for its own sake. 20. Tis a partial not a full joy. 21. nor strong, either as to

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passive or active obedience, but leaves him weak & without the fruit of a well-ordered heart & life. there :fore his comfort is no evidence that his faith is justifying. 22. 23. -

His joy is not refreshing to him un :der his falls in the remembrance of it, as true joy is. 24.

Tis not an orderly & leisurely joy as true joy is, which comes gradually but it comes suddenly & too soon. Soon ripe, soon rotten. 26.

2. By his repentance, the inward ex:ercises & outward expressions of it. His sorrow is not of a godly sort, more for the punishment than for sin. 27 not durable - does not drive to God but from him - not accompanyd with or does not flow from a change of heart does not hate sin & love holiness. 28. His desires are deceitful. faint, not strong - not laborious & dutiful. 29. There is deceit in the outward expressions of his repentance, in word & deed in word. in confession & prayer, not from an humble, believing & sincere heart- not persevering, fervent, & thankful. 30.

His outward Reformation is deceitful not proceeding from inward reforma :tion of heart. 32.

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3. By his obedience, this is deceitful both active, being not sincere, universal, nor constant & passive, being not for Gods glory, but his won fame or some self-end - does not indeed deny himself therein. 36.

The third deceit in judging of our per :sons is, when (we) judge ourselves to be better than we are, 38.

use of examination respecting this deceitfulness of the heart in judging of our persons. 40.

II. The deceit of the heart in judging of our actions. first in giving directions for them. 46. secondly in censuring them when done. 47. which respects both evil & good actions.

evil actions justifying them, if not in themselves, yet as done by us. Pleas & excuses. taken

1. from the corruption of nature. 50

2. examples of the faults of godly men 51

3. ignorance & want of learning. - 51

4. shifting off the blame on other causes.

1. on the flesh. 51

2. the times & places w.n we live. 57.

4. our callings & employments. 59.

5. Temptations from outward occa.s 6

6. The devil - even God himself - our brethren

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by their counsel & perswasion - command or example - injurious provo:cations. - Discouragements that - 64 - they give us in the way of godliness. Thus of the deceitful excuse of transla.n Another is, that of Custom. 67. also subtle distinctions & false ends. 68. Use. Let us not rest secure in the judgm.t of our own hearts, if so deceitful. 70

Chapter, 17. p. 72.

The deceit of the heart in perswading. either to the doing of evil, or omitting of good.

In the first kind 14 deceits. 1. To colour gross sins w.th mild terms. 72.

2. craving but a little & promising if we will grant this little to crave no more. 73.-79.

3. Shewing the pleasure of sin only, hid:ding the bitterness of it. 79.

4. hope of Gods mercey for pardon - 80.

5. plea of the necessity of livelihood. 80.

6. presuming that some good in us or done by us will more than ballance the evil - sometimes for trial sake. 81.

8. presuming to make amends for it by some good deeds, as prayer, alms &. 83.

9. pretence of good follow'g -

10. meaning to go on still in practice of godlinss

11. because of humane laws favoring - 84.