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

4. Observe further, that I add your Actual performance of Duty; because true hearty Willingness, will show it self in actions and endeavours. It is but dissembling, if I should say, I am willing to perform the strictest, holiest Duties, and yet do not perform them. To say, I am willing to Pray, and Pray not: or to Give to the poor, and yet Give not: or to perform the most self-denying costly Duties, and yet when it should come to the Practise, I will not be persuaded or drawn to them? I will not confess a disgraceful sin; nor further a good Cause to my danger, cost or trouble; nor reprove, nor submit to reproof; nor turn from the way of temptations, or the like. Action must discover true Willingness. The son that said to his father, I go Sir, but went not to labour in the vineyard, was not Accepted or Justified. If therefore you are in doubt whether your Willingness be sincere, enquire into your practice and performance. God commandeth you to Pray, to instruct your family, to be Merciful to the poor, to forgive those that wrong you, &c. The flesh and the Devil persuade you from these. Do you perform them, or do you not? Though you may do it with backwardness, and dullness, and weakness, yet do you Do it? and desire you could do it better? and lament your misdoing it? and endeavour to Do it better ⟨p. 101⟩then you have formerly done? This shows then that the spirit prevaileth, though the flesh do contradict it.

4. Observe further, that I add your Actual performance of Duty; because true hearty Willingness, will shew it self in actions and endeavours. It is but dissembling, if I should say, I am willing to perform the strictest, holiest Duties, and yet do not perform them. To say, I am willing to Pray, and Pray not: or to Give to the poor, and yet Give not: or to perform the most self-denying costly Duties, and yet when it should come to the Practise, I will not be perswaded or drawn to them? I will not confess a disgracefull sin; nor further a good Cause to my danger, cost or trouble; nor reprove, nor submit to reproof; nor turn from the way of temptations, or the like. Action must discover true Willingness. The son that said to his father, I go Sir, but went not to labour in the vineyard, was not Accepted or Justified. If therefore you are in doubt whether your Willingness be sincere, enquire into your practice and performance. God commandeth you to Pray, to instruct your family, to be Mercifull to the poor, to forgive those that wrong you, &c. The flesh and the Devil perswade you from these. Do you perform them, or do you not? Though you may do it with backwardness, and dullness, and weakness, yet do you Do it? and desire you could do it better? and lament your misdoing it? and endeavour to Do it better