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

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, Acts 15.

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 Justifie: They were said therefore to be in bondage to the Law; and the Law was said to be a Yoak which neither they nor their fathers were able to bear, Acts 15.

And by the spirit of Adoption is meant, 1. That spirit, or those qualifications and workings in their souls, which by the Gospel God giveth only to his sons: 2. And which raise in us some child-like affections to God, inclining us in all our wants to run to him in Prayer as to a Father, and to make our moan ⟨p. 70⟩to him, and open our griefs, and cry for redress, and look to him and depend on him as a child on the father. This spirit of Adoption you may have, and yet not be certain of Gods special Love to you. The knowledge only of his general Goodness and Mercy, may be a means to raise in you true childlike affections. You may know God to have fatherly inclinations to you, and yet doubt whether he will use you as a child, for want of Assurance of your own sincerity. And you may hope God is your father, when yet you may apprehend him to be a displeased angry father, and so he may be more your terror then your comfort. Are not you ready in most of your fears, and doubts, and troubles, to go to God before all other for relief? and doth not your heart sigh and groan to him when you can scarcely speak? Doth not your troubled spirit there find its first vent? and say, Lord, kill me not: forsake me not: my life is in thy hands: O soften this hard heart, make this carnal mind more spiritual! O be not such a stranger to my soul Woe to me that I am so ignorant of thee! so disaffected to thee! so backward and disinclined to holy communion with thee! Woe to me that I can take no more pleasure in thee! and am s mindless and disregardful of thee! O that thou wouldst stir up in me more lively desires, and