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

Besides, Conscience is a Judge in mans soul, and will be Accusing and condemning men so far as they are guilty: now they that make work for the most frequent and terrible Accusations of Conscience that will stand with true Grace, are unlikely to have Assurance. For Assurance quiets the soul and easeth it; and a galled Conscience works the contrary way. They that keep open the wound, and daily fret off the skin more, and are still grating on the galled part, are unlikely to have Assurance. 10. Again, These weakest Christians being least in Duty and most in sinning (of any in whom sin reigneth not) they are consequently most in provoking and displeasing God. And they that do so, shall find that God will show them his displeasure, and will displease them again. They must not look to enjoy Assurance, or see the Pleased face of God, till they are more careful to please him, and are more sparing and seldom in offending him. As Gods universal Justice in Governing the world, will make as great a difference between the sincerely Obedient and Disobedient, as there is between Heaven and Hell; so God• Paternal Justice in Governing his family, will make as wide a difference between the more Obedient children and the less Obedient, as is ⟨p. 132⟩between his dreadful frowns, and his joyous reviving smiles; or between his smarting Rod, or his encouraging Rewards. 11. If God should give Assurance and Peace to the sinning and least obedient believers, he should not fit his providential disposals to their good. It is not that which their state requires, nor would it tend to their Cure any more then a healing Plaster to a sore that is rotten in the bottom, or a Cordial to the removal of a cacochymy, or the purging out of corrupt redundant humours. They are so inclined to the Lethargy of security, that they have need of continual pinching, striking or loud calling-on, to keep them waking: (still remember, that by this weak Christian, I mean not every doubting distressed soul, that is weak in their own apprehension, and little in their own eyes, and poor in spirit: but I mean those that have the least measure of sincere Love to Christ, and desire after him, and tenderness of conscience, and care to please God, and the greatest measure of security, worldliness, pride, flesh-pleasing, and boldness in sinning, which is consistent with sincerity in the faith.)

Besides, Conscience is a Judge in mans soul, and will be Accusing and condemning men so far as they are guilty: now they that make work for the most frequent and terrible Accusations of Conscience that will stand with true Grace, are unlikely to have Assurance. For Assurance quiets the soul and easeth it; and a galled Conscience works the contrary way. They that keep open the wound, and daily fret off the skin more, and are still grating on the galled part, are unlikely to have Assurance. 10. Again, These weakest Christians being least in Duty and most in sinning (of any in whom sin reigneth not) they are consequently most in provoking and displeasing God. And they that do so, shall finde that God will shew them his displeasure, and will displease them again. They must not look to enjoy Assurance, or see the Pleased face of God, till they are more carefull to please him, and are more sparing and seldom in offending him. As Gods universal Justice in Governing the world, will make as great a difference between the sincerely Obedient and Disobedient, as there is between Heaven and Hell; so God Paternal Justice in Governing his family, will make as wide a difference between the more Obedient children and the less Obedient, as is