The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

If then the reason why you say, you cannot believe, be from any thing that is really in Christ (and not upon mistake,) then it must be either from some dislike of his saving work, by which he would pardon you, and save you from damnation (but that is ⟨p. 59⟩impossible; for you cannot be willing to be damned or unpardoned, till you lose your Reason:) Or else it is from a dislike of his work of sanctification, by which he would cleanse your heart and life, by saving you from your sinful nature and actions: some grudgings against Christs holy and undefiled Laws and ways will be in the best, while there is that flesh in them which lusteth against the Spirit, so that they cannot do the things they would: But if truly you have such a dislike of a sinless condition, through the love of any sin or creature, that you cannot be willing to have Christ to cure you and cleanse you from that sin, and make you holy, I say, if this be true, in a prevailing degree, so that if Christ and Holiness were offered you, you would not Accept them, then it is certain you have not true faith. And in this case it is easy to discern, that your first work lieth not in getting Comfort or ease to your troubled mind, but in getting better conceits of Christ and a holy state and life, that so you may be willing of Christ as Christ is of you, and so become a true believer. And here I would not leave you at that loss as some do, as if there were nothing for you th• do for the getting of faith: for certainly God hath prescribed you Means for that end. Faith cometh by hearing, ⟨p. 60⟩and hearing by the word of God preached, Rom. 10.17. 1. Therefore see that you wait diligently on this Ordinance of God. Read the Scriptures daily; and search them, to see whether you may not there find that Holiness is better then sin. 2. And (however some seducers may tell you, that wicked men ought not to pray, yet) be sure that you lye on your knees before God, and importunately beg that he would open your eyes and change your heart, and show you so far the evil of sin, and the want and worth of Christ and holiness, that you may be unfeignedly glad to Accept his offer.

If then the reason why you say, you cannot believe, be from any thing that is really in Christ (and not upon mistake,) then it must be either from some dislike of his saving work, by which he would pardon you, and save you from damnation (but that is