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

I believe there is no father or mother that hath children to govern, but they know by experience, that •here is a necessity of frowns and rods for ⟨p. 133⟩the more disobedient; and that rewards and smiles are no cure for stubbornness or contempt. 12. Lastly, Do but well consider, what a sola•cisme in Government it would be, and what desperate inconveniences it would have brought into the world, if God should but have set such a punctual landmark between his Kingdom and the Kingdom of Satan, as we are ready to dream of: If God should have said in his Word, just so oft a man may be drunk, or may murder, or commit adultery, or steal, or forswear himself, and yet be a true Christian and be saved! Or just so far a man may go in neglecting duty to God and man, and in cherishing his flesh, hiding his sin, &c. and yet be a true Believer and be saved. This would 1. Embolden men in sinning, and make them think, I may yet venture, for I stand on safe ground: 2. And it would hinder Repentance: Indeed it would be the way to rob God of his honour; and multiply provocations against him, and keep his children in disobedience, and hinder their growth in holiness, and cause a deformity in Christs body, and a shame to his Religion and sacred name. As for those that say, Assurance never encourageth men in sin, but tends to destroy it. I answer, It is true of Gods Assurance, seasonably given to those that are ⟨p. 134⟩fit for it, and used by them accordingly: But if God should have told all the world, just how far they may sin, and yet be certain of salvation, this would have bred Assurance in those that were unfit for it, and it would have been but the putting of new wine into old cracked bottles, or a new piece into an old garment, that would break them, or make worse the rent. I must therefore freely tell these objectors (I am sorry that so many of my old acquaintance now harp so much on this Antinomian string) that ignorance or error hath so blinded them, that they have forgotten, or know not 1. What an imperfect piece the best is in this life, much more the worst true Christian. 2. Nor what a subtle Devil we have to tempt us. 3. Nor what an active thing corruption is, and what advantage it will take on unseasonable Assurance. 4. Nor what the nature of Grace and Sanctification is;