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

10. I add also the Grounds (in the fourth Mark) on which this Resolution must be raised. For false Grounds in the Understanding will not bear up a true Resolution in the Will. And therefore we put the Articles of our Creed, before our Profession of Consent and Obedience. Sound Doctrine, and sound Belief of it, breeds a sound Resolution, and makes a sound heart and life. If a man resolve to obey Christ, upon a conceit that Christ will never put him upon any suffering (else he would not resolve it,) and that he ⟨p. 106⟩will give him such brutish pleasures when he is dead as Mahomet hath promised to his disciples, this Resolution were not sound: yet in many lesser points of Doctrine a true Christian may be unsound, and yet soundly cleave to the foundation. He may build hay and stubble possibly: but the foundation must be held.

10. I add also the Grounds (in the fourth Mark) on which this Resolution must be raised. For false Grounds in the Understanding will not bear up a true Resolution in the Will. And therefore we put the Articles of our Creed, before our Profession of Consent and Obedience. Sound Doctrine, and sound Belief of it, breeds a sound Resolution, and makes a sound heart and life. If a man resolve to obey Christ, upon a conceit that Christ will never put him upon any suffering (else he would not resolve it,) and that he ⟨p. 106⟩will give him such bruitish pleasures when he is dead as Mahomet hath promised to his disciples, this Resoution were not sound: yet in many lesser points of Doctrine a true Christian may be unsound, and yet soundly cleave to the foundation. He may build hay and stubble possibly: but the foundation must be held.

11. Observe well (lest you mistake me) that I speak only of the Necessity of your present Resolving to forsake all for Christ, if he call you to it; but I speak not of your absolute Promise or Prediction that eventually, you shall not deny or forsake him. You may be uncertain how you shall be upheld in a day of trial, and yet you may now be Resolved or fully Purposed in your own mind what to do. To say, I will not consent, purpose or resolve, unless I were certain to perform my Resolutions, and not to flag or change again; this is but to say, I will be no Christian unless I were sure to persevere. I will not be married to Christ, lest I should be drawn to break my covenant with him.