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

2. Others do more dangerously err, by taking the strong conceit of their own fantasy for the witness of the Spirit. As soon as they do but entertain the opinion that it must be such a witness of the Spirit, without the use of Marks, that must Assure men of their Adoption, presently they are confident that they have that witness themselves. It is scarce likely to be Gods Spirit that is so ready upon the mere change of an opinion: The devil useth to do as much to cherish ⟨p. 71⟩presumption, as to destroy true faith and Assurance. It is a shrewd sign that our persuasions of our truth of Grace is a delusion, when we find the devil a friend to it, and helping it on: and it is a probable sign it is a good persuasion, when we find the devil an enemy to it, and still troubling us, and endeavouring our disquiet.

2. Others do more dangerously erre, by taking the strong conceit of their own phantasie for the witness of the Spirit. As soon as they do but entertain the opinion that it must be such a witness of the Spirit, without the use of Marks, that must Assure men of their Adoption, presently they are confident that they have that witness themselves. It is scarce likely to be Gods Spirit that is so ready upon the meer change of an opinion: The devil useth to do as much to cherish ⟨p. 71⟩presumption, as to destroy true faith and Assurance. It is a shrewd signe that our perswasions of our truth of Grace is a delusion, when we finde the devil a friend to it, and helping it on: and it is a probable signe it is a good perswasion, when we finde the devil an enemy to it, and still troubling us, and endeavouring our disquiet.

And here I remember the scruple that troubleth some about the spirit of bondage, and the spirit of Adoption. But you must understand that by the spirit of bondage, is meant, that spirit, and those operations on the soul which the Law of Works did naturally beget in those that were under it; which was, to be partly in bondage to a task of Ceremonious duties, and partly to the Curse, and obligation to Punishment for disobedience, without any Power to Justify: They were said therefore to be in bondage to the Law; and the Law was said to be a Yoke which neither they nor their fathers were able to bear,