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

Even those that have endured the great fight of Affliction, being reproached and made a gazing-stock, and that have taken joyfully the spoiling of their goods, in assurance of a better and enduring substance, have yet need to be warned that they cast not away their confidence, and draw not back to perdition, and lose not the Reward for want of Patience and Perseverance, Heb. 10.22. to the end. That you may escape this danger, and be happy for ever, take this advice. 1. Look carefully to the sincerity of your hearts, in their Covenant-closure with Christ. See that you take him with the happiness he hath promised for your All. Take heed of looking after another felicity; […] cherishing other Hopes; or esteeming ⟨image 6⟩too highly any thing below. Be jealous, and very jealous, lest your hearts should close deceitfully with Christ, maintaining any secret Reserve for your bodily safety: either resolving not to follow him, or not resolving to follow him through the most desolate distressed condition that he shall lead you in. Count what it may cost you to get the Crown; study well his precepts of Mortification and Self-denial. There is no true hopes of the Glory to come, if you cannot cast overboard all worldly hopes, when the storm is such that you must hazard the one. O how many have thought that Christ was most dear to them, and that the hopes of heaven were their chiefest hopes, who have left Christ, though with sorrow, when he bid them let go all? 2. Every day renew your apprehensions of the Truth and Worth of the Promised Felicity; and of the Delusory Vanity of all things here below: Let not Heaven lose with you its Attractive force, through your ⟨image 7⟩forgetfulness or unbelief. He is the best Christian, that knows best why he is a Christian; and he will most faithfully seek and suffer, that best knows for what he doth it. Value not Wealth and Honour above that rate which the wisest and best experienced have put upon them: and allow them no more of your affections then they deserve. A mean wit may easily discover their emptiness. Look on all present actions and conditions with a remembrance of their end. Desire not a share in their prosperity, who must pay as dear for it as the loss of their souls: Be not ambitious of that honour which must end in Confusion; nor of the Favour of those that God will call enemies.