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

And then this being all so, the fourth point is undeniable, That It is but very few Christians that reach to Assurance of Salvation. If any think (as intemperate hot spirited men are like enough to charge me) that in all this I countenance the Popish doctrine of Doubting and Uncertainty, and contradict the common doctrine of the Reformed Divines that Write against them; I answer, 1. I do contradict both the Papists that deny Assurance, and many foreign Writers who make it far more Easy, Common, and Necessary then it is (much more both them and the Antinomists, who place Justifying faith in it.) But I stand in the midst between both extremes; and I think I have the company of most English Divines. 2. I come not to be of this mind merely by reading Books, but mainly, by reading my own heart, and consulting my own experience, and the experience of a very great number of Godly people of all sorts, who have opened their hearts to me, for almost twenty years time. 3. I would entreat the gainsayers to study their own hearts better for some considerable time, and to be more in hearing the case and complaints of Godly people; and by that time they may happily come to be of my mind. 4. See whether all those Divines that have been very practical, and successful ⟨p. 151⟩in the work of God, and much acquainted with the way of the Recovery of lost souls, be not all of the same Judgement as I in this point, (such as T. Hooker, Jo. Rogers, Preston, Sibs, Bolton, Dod, Culverwell, &c.) And whither the confidentest men for the contrary be not those that study Books more then hearts, and spend their days in Disputing, and not in winning souls to God from the world.

And then this being all so, the fourth point is undeniable, That It is but very few Christians that reach to Assurance of Salvation. If any think (as intemperate hot spirited men are like enough to charge me) that in all this I countenance the Popish doctrine of Doubting and Uncertainty, and contradict the common doctrine of the Reformed Divines that Write against them; I answer, 1. I do contradict both the Papists that deny Assurance, and many forreign Writers who make it farre more Easie, Common, and Necessary then it is (much more both them and the Antinomists, who place Justifying faith in it.) But I stand in the midst between both extreams; and I think I have the company of most English Divines. 2. I come not to be of this minde meerly by reading Books, but mainly, by reading my own heart, and consulting my own experience, and the experience of a very great number of Godly people of all sorts, who have opened their hearts to me, for almost twenty years time. 3. I would intreat the gainsayers to study their own hearts better for some considerable time, and to be more in hearing the case and complaints of Godly people; and by that time they may happily come to be of my minde. 4. See whether all those Divines that have been very practical, and successfull