A breviate of the life of Margaret, the daughter of Francis Charlton ... and…

For the sake of your own soul, and life, and friends, and for the honour of that tender mercy and free grace which you are bound to magnify, Let not Satan get advantage against your peace and thankfulness to God, and the acknowledgement of his obliging love. Let him not on pretence of humiliation, turn your eyes on a weak distempered heart, from the unspeakable mercy which should sill your heart with love and joy, notwithstanding all your lamented infirmities. You perceive not that it is Satan that would keep you still under mournful sadness, under the pretence of repentance and godly sorrow. You are not acquainted with his wiles. You have cause of sorrow, but much more of joy. And your rejoicing in Gods love would please him better than all your sad complaints and troubles, though he despise not a contrite spirit. I charge it on your conscience, that when you are in prayer, you confess and lament your distrustful, suspicious, unthankful, uncomfortable ⟨p. 38⟩thoughts of God and Jesus Christ, more than all your want of sorrow for him. And you trouble your self for such kind of sins, the honesty of whose occasion may give you more comfort than the fault doth sorrow. I know we have not our comfort at command. But see that your endeavour and striving be more for a comfortable than for a sorrowful frame of spirit. Two things I must blame you for, 1. That you take the imperfections of your duties and obedience, to be greater reasons for discomfort, than the performance and sincerity are reasons for comfort: as if you thought any thing were perfect here, or that it were better do nothing than do it imperfectly: or as if you would have no comfort till you can perform such duty and obedience as hath no need of pardon and a Saviour; and so no man living might have any comfort in any thing that he doth. 2. That when unreasonable fears and troubles are upon you, and troubling thoughts are still upon your mind, you say that you cannot help it, nor turn your thoughts away to any thing else. I know you have not an absolute power over your thoughts, but some you have: why else hath God made a Law for our thoughts, and laid so much duty on them, and forbidden their sin so much? Much may be done, if you will be resolute. Think whether Christ came from the Father to bring tidings of sadness and despair, or of great joy: and whether Angels preached not Glory to God in the highest;

For the sake of your own soul, and life, and friends, and for the honour of that tender mercy and free grace which you are bound to magnifie, Let not Satan get advantage against your peace and thankfulness to God, and the acknowledgment of his obliging love. Let him not on pretence of humiliation, turn your eyes on a weak distempered heart, from the unspeakable mercy which should sill yonr heart with love and joy, notwithstanding all your lamented infirmities. You perceive not that it is Satan that would keep you still under mournful sadness, under the pretence of repentance and godly sorrow. You are not acquainted with his wiles. You have cause of sorrow, but much more of joy. And your rejoycing in Gods love would please him better than all your sad complaints and troubles, though he despise not a contrite spirit. I charge it on your conscience, that when you are in prayer, you confess and lament your distrustfnl, suspicious, unthankful, uncomfortable