A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

2. Complaint. I hope I am not wholly destitute of this excellent Grace, yet I am afraid to own that I have it. Is it impossible to get my Heart above this uncomfortable uncertainty? O that my heart were more raised and fixed above this anxious temper!

I'll close all with an Essay to answer this Complaint; only premise, Let not any thing that shall or can be spoken, be wrested to give the least encouragement imaginable to any thing of Sin; take heed you do not upon any account gratify your sloth, or indifferency of spirit, or any sins of Omission; keep off this Rock, and then thy solicitude about thy fickleness, gives thee grounds of hope to get above it. Take therefore these short Directions, how to get and keep the most certain, constant, comfortable, spiritual frame of Divine love that is to be had upon Earth.

I'le close all with an Essay to answer this Complaint; onely premise, Let not any thing that shall or can be spoken, be wrested to give the least encouragement imaginable to any thing of Sin; take heed you do not upon any account gratifie your sloth, or indifferency of spirit, or any sins of Omission; keep off this Rock, and then thy solicitude about thy fickleness, gives thee grounds of hope to get above it. Take therefore these short Directions, how to get and keep the most certain, constant, comfortable, spiritual frame of Divine love that is to be had upon Earth.

1. Keep a severe Watch against all sins: yet give not way to drooping Fears, because of unavoidable infirmities^(d). If thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared.