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

1. Understand that I speak of Gods ordinary working by means, not denying but God may by a voice from Heaven, or an Angel, or other supernatural Revelation, bestow ⟨p. 120⟩Assurance on whom he pleaseth. But I hope all wise Christians will take heed of expecting this, or of trusting too much to seeming Revelations, unless they could prove that God useth to confer Assurance in this way; which I think, they cannot.

1. Understand that I speak of Gods ordinary working by means, not denying but God may by a voice from Heaven, or an Angel, or other supernatural Revelation, bestow ⟨p. 120⟩Assurance on whom he pleaseth. But I hope all wise Christians will take heed of expecting this, or of trusting too much to seeming Revelations, unless they could prove that God useth to conferre Assurance in this way; which I think, they cannot.

2. By the smallest degree of Grace, I mean, of Faith, Love, Obedience and those saving Graces whose acts are the condition of our Salvation, and which in the fore-expressed Marks I laid down to you. Do not therefore so far mistake me, as to think that I speak of a small measure of those common Gifts which are separable from true Sanctification: such as are extensive Knowledge, Memory, Ability of Utterance in Preaching, Repeating, Exhorting or Praying; An ornate, plausible winning deportment before men, such as is commonly called Good breeding or Manners; An affected humble, complementall familiarity and condescension, to creep into mens estimation and affections, and steal their hearts, &c. Many a one that is strong in saving Grace, is weak in all these, and other the like.

2. By the smallest degree of Grace, I mean, of Faith, Love, Obedience and those saving Graces whose acts are the condition of our Salvation, and which in the fore-expressed Marks I laid down to you. Do not therefore so farre mistake me, as to think that I speak of a small measure of those common Gifts which are separable from true Sanctification: such as are extensive Knowledge, Memory, Ability of Utterance in Preaching, Repeating, Exhorting or Praying; An ornate, plausible winning deportment before men, such as is commonly called Good breeding or Manners; An affected humble, complementall familiarity and condescension, to creep into mens estimation and affections, and steal their hearts, &c. Many a one that is strong in saving Grace, is weak in all these, and other the like.