Instructions about Heartwork

First published in 1681, this little-known treatise by Puritan pastor Richard Alleine is an extensive exposition of Proverbs 4:23: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” The author instructs readers in the proper way to keep their hearts, stressing what is to be done on God’s part and on the believer’s part. In the processes, he details the well-kept heart as one that is mercifully recovered from its lost state, carefully governed in godliness, and eagerly guarded against the world, the flesh, and the devil. The goal throughout is that believers may grow in exercising grace and embracing full assurance of salvation.

Endorsement

“This was the last work of this blessed author, and I wish the improvement of the scope of it may be the first and last work of every reader. His works have done good to many, and very few men have so many heart epistles of commendation…. A clear and practical understanding of the way of grace, the way of temptation, and the way of duty regarding the heart will steer us right through all the difficulties and dangers we shall meet with on this side of glory. That this book may be blessed to this end is the hearty desire of a willing servant of Christ and Christians.” 
—Samuel Annesley (ca. 1620–1696), a prominent Puritan and nonconformist pastor 

Contents

To the Reader

Chapter 1: Every Man Is Appointed to Be His Own Keeper
Chapter 2: There Are Two Paths
Chapter 3: The Great Care of Every Man Is to Keep His Heart
Chapter 4: The Great Concern of Every Sinner Is to Be Recovered Out of His Lost Soul
Chapter 5: How We May Know If We Are Recovered or Not
Chapter 6: Why Should We Mourn over Lost Souls
Chapter 7: What Sinners Must Do for Their Own Recovery
Chapter 8: An Exhortation
Chapter 9: Some Questions Proposed
Chapter 10: Keeping a Good Conscience
Chapter 11: Keeping the Heart
Chapter 12: Self-Conceit, Self-Will, and Self-Love
Chapter 13: Sinful Self-Love
Chapter 14: Divine Love versus Sinful Self-Love
Chapter 15: The Government of the Heart Stands in Five Things
Chapter 16: Ordering Our Love
Chapter 17: Ordering Our Desires
Chapter 18: Ordering Our Joys
Chapter 19: Ordering Our Fear
Chapter 20: Ordering Our Grief
Chapter 21: Ordering Our Anger
Chapter 22: The Final Points in Governing Our Hearts
Chapter 23: Guarding the Heart
Chapter 24: How to Guard the Heart
Chapter 25: A Loose and Listless Heart
Chapter 26: How Must the Heart Be Guarded