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

Answ. Its all very true. But consider, Love hath two parts; the one in the Will, which is commonly called, a faculty of the soul as Rational; and this is the same thing that I call Willing, Accepting, Choosing or Consenting: this Complacency is true Love to Christ; and this is the sure standing Mark. The other is the Passionate part, commonly said to be in the soul as sensitive; and this, though most commonly called Love, yet is, less certain and constant, and so unfitter to try your state by; though a great duty so far as we can reach it.

2. You must understand and well remember, that it is not every willingness that will prove your sincerity. For wicked men may have slight apprehensions of spiritual things, which may produce some slight desires and wishes, which yet are so feeble and heartless, that every lust and carnal desire overcomes them: And it will not so much as enable them ⟨p. 95⟩to deny the grossest sin. But it must be the Prevalent part of your Will that God must have: I mean, a greater share, a deeper and larger room then any thing in the world. That is, you must have a higher estimation of God, and everlasting happiness, and Christ and a holy life, then of any thing in the world: and also your Will must be so disposed hereby and inclined to God, that if God and Glory to be obtained through Christ by a holy self-denying life, were set before you on the one hand; and the Pleasure, Profits and Honours of the world, to be enjoyed in a way of sin, on the other hand; you would resolvedly take the former and refuse the later. Indeed they are thus set before you: and upon your choice dependeth your salvation or damnation (though that Choice must come from the Grace of God.)

3. Yet must you well remember, that this Willingness and Choice is still imperfect: and therefore when I mention a hearty willingness, I mean not a perfect willingness. There may be and is in the most gracious souls on earth, much undisposedness, backwardness and withdrawing of heart, which is too great a measure of unwillingness to duty. Especially to those duties which the flesh is most averse from, and which require most of God and his Spirit to the right performance of them.