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

2. But your strongest Probabilities are from the Consideration of the Work of God upon your Soul, and the present frame and inclination of your Soul to God. You may know that you have workings above nature in you; and that they have been kept alive and carried on these many years against all opposition of the flesh and ⟨p. 173⟩the world: It hath not been a mere flash of conviction which hath been extinguished by sensuality, and left you in the darkness of security and profaneness as others are. You dare not give up your Hopes of Heaven for all the world: You would not part with Christ, and say, Let him go, for all the pleasures of sin, or treasures of the earth: If you had (as you have) an offer of God, Christ, Grace and Glory on one side, and worldly prosperity in sin on the other side, you would choose God, and let go the other. You dare not, you would not give over Praying, Hearing, Reading, and Christian company, and give up your self to worldly, fleshly pleasures; yet you are not Assured of salvation, because you find not that Delight and Life in Duty, and that Witness of the Spirit, and that communion with God, nor that tenderness of heart, as you desire. It is well that you desire them: But though you be not Certain of Salvation, do not you see a great likelihood, a Probability in all this? Is not your heart raised to a Hope that yet God is merciful to you, and means you good? Doubtless this you might easily discern.

2. But your strongest Probabilities are from the Consideration of the Work of God upon your Soul, and the present frame and inclination of your Soul to God. You may know that you have workings above nature in you; and that they have been kept alive and carried on these many years against all opposition of the flesh and ⟨p. 173⟩the world: It hath not been a meer flash of conviction which hath been extinguished by sensuality, and left you in the darkness of security and prophanness as others are. You dare not give up your Hopes of Heaven for all the world: You would not part with Christ, and say, Let him go, for all the pleasures of sin, or treasures of the earth: If you had (as you have) an offer of God, Christ, Grace and Glory on one side, and worldly prosperity in sin on the other side, you would choose God, and let go the other. You dare not, you would not give over Praying, Hearing, Reading, and Christian company, and give up your self to worldly, fleshly pleasures; yet you are not Assured of salvation, because you finde not that Delight and Life in Duty, and that Witness of the Spirit, and that communion with God, nor that tenderness of heart, as you desire. It is well that you desire them: But though you be not Certain of Salvation, do not you see a great likelihood, a Probability in all this? Is not your heart raised to a Hope that yet God is mercifull to you, and means you good? Doubtless this you might easily discern.