Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

2. But the weak Christian is very hard put to it, when he meeteth with difficult passages of Scripture, and when he seeth it go with the righteous according to the work of the wicked, and with the wicked according to the work of the righteous, Eccl. 8.14. Though he is not over-turned by such difficulties, yet his foot is ready to slip, and he digesteth them with much perplexity and trouble.

3. But the seeming unsettled Christian is often overcome by them, and turneth away from Christ, and saith, These are hard sayings, or hard Providences, who can bear them, Joh. 6.60.66. And thus unbelief thence gathereth matter for its increase.

XXXI. 1. A Christian indeed is one that can exercise all Gods graces in conjunction, and in their proper places and proportion, without setting one against another, or neglecting one while he is exercising another. He can be humbled without hindering his thankfulness and joy; and he can be thankful and joyful without hindering his due humility. His knowledge doth not destroy but quicken his zeal: His wisdom hindereth not, but furthereth his innocency. His faith is a help to his repentance, and his repentance to his faith. His love to himself doth not hinder but help his love to others: and his Love to God is the end of both. He can mourn for the sins of the times, and the calamities of the Church, yea for his own sins and imperfections, and yet rejoice for the mercies which he hath in possession or in hope. He findeth that piety and charity are ⟨p. 82⟩