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

Here are two or three points which I would have you distinctly to observe, though I lay them all together for brevity. ⟨p. 146⟩1. That it is only a greater measure of Grace that will ordinarily afford Assurance. 2. That therefore it is only the stronger and holier and more obedient sort of Christians that usually reach to a Certainty of Salvation. 3. That few Christians do reach to a strong or high degree of Grace. 4. And therefore it is but few Christians that reach to Assurance.

HEre are two or three points which I would have you distinctly to observe, though I lay them all together for brevity. ⟨p. 146⟩1. That it is only a greater measure of Grace that will ordinarily afford Assurance. 2. That therefore it is only the stronger and holier and more obedient sort of Christians that usually reach to a Certainty of Salvation. 3. That few Christians do reach to a strong or high degree of Grace. 4. And therefore it is but few Christians that reach to Assurance.

For the two first of these it will evidently appear that they are true, by reviewing the Reasons which I gave of the last point save one. He that will attain to a Certainty of Salvation, must 1. Have a large measure of Grace to be discerned. 2. He must have that Grace much in Action, and lively Action: For it is not mere Habits that are discernible. 3. He must have a clear understanding to be acquainted with the Nature of Spiritual things: To know what is a sound evidence, and how to follow the search, and how to repel particular Temptations. 4. He must have a good acquaintance and familiarity with his own heart: and to that end must be much at home, and be used sometime to a diligent observation of his heart and ways. 5. He must be in a good measure acquainted with, and a Conqueror of contradicting Temptations. 6. He must have some competent cure of the deep Deceitfulness of the ⟨p. 247⟩