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

This must needs be undeniable, if you grant the former Point, That the least measure of Grace, yieldeth not Assurance of its sincerity (which is proved:) and withal if you grant this plain truth, That it is Gods ordinary way, to give a small measure of Grace at the first. This I prove thus: 1. Christ likeneth Gods Kingdom of Grace to a grain of mustard seed, which is at first the least of all seeds, but after cometh to a tree: And to a little leaven, which leaveneth the whole lump. I will not deny but this may be applied ⟨p. 137⟩to the visible progress of the Gospel and increase of the Church: but it is plainly appliable also to the Kingdom of Christ within us. 2. The Scripture oft calleth such young beginners, Babes, Children, Novices, &c. 3. We are all commanded still to grow in Grace; which implieth that we have our smallest measure at the first. 4. Heb. 5.12. showeth, that strength of Grace should be according to time and means. 5. Common experience is an invincible argument for this. Men are at a distance from Christ when he first calleth them to come to him: and many steps they have Toward him before they reach To him. We are first so far enlightened as to see our sin and misery, and the meaning and truth of the Gospel, and so roused out of our security, and made to look about us, and see that we have souls to save or lose, and that it is no jesting matter to be a Christian: and so we come to understand the tenor of the Covenant, and Christs terms of saving men: But alas how long is it usually after this, before we come sincerely to yield to his terms, and take him as he is offered, and Renounce the World, Flesh and the Devil, and Give up our selves to him in a faithful Covenant! We are long deliberating before we can get our backward hearts to Resolve. How then should a man know just when he was past ⟨p. 138⟩the highest step of common or preparative Grace, and arrived at the first step of special Grace?

THis must needs be undeniable, if you grant the former Point, That the least measure of Grace, yieldeth not Assurance of its sincerity (which is proved:) and withall if you grant this plain truth, That it is Gods ordinary way, to give a small measure of Grace at the first. This I prove thus: 1. Christ likeneth Gods Kingdom of Grace to a grain of mustard seed, which is at first the least of all seeds, but after cometh to a tree: And to a little leaven, which leaveneth the whole lump. I will not deny but this may be applied