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

I Will begin with the later part of this Direction. He that is troubled upon mere mistakes may be quieted upon the removal of them. If he understood not the universal extent of Christs satisfaction, or of the Covenant or conditional Grant of Christ and Life in him: and if upon ⟨p. 247⟩this he be troubled, as thinking that he is not included; the convincing him of his error may suffice to the removal of his trouble. If he be troubled through his mistaking the nature of true Faith, or true Love, or other Graces, and so think that he hath them not when he hath them; the discovery of his error may be the quieting of his soul. The soul that is troubled upon such mistakes must be tenderly dealt with: Much more they that are disquieted by groundless fears, or too deep apprehensions of the wrath or justice of God, of the evil of sin, and of their unworthiness, and for want of fuller apprehensions of the loving kindness of God, and the tender compassionate nature of Christ. We can scarce handle such souls too gently. God would have all to be tenderly dealt with, that are tender of displeasing and dishonouring him by sin. Gods own language may teach all Ministers what language we should use to such, Isa. 57.15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose Name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For ⟨p. 248⟩I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: For the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made, &c. But the wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt: There is no peace saith my God to the wicked. Much more tender language may such expect from Christ in the Gospel, where is contained a fuller revelation of his Grace. If Mary a poor sinful woman lie weeping at his feet, and washing them with her tears, he hath not the heart to spurn her away; but openly proclaims the forgiveness of her many sins. As soon as ever the heart of a sinner is turned from his sins, the heart of Christ is turned to him. The very sum of all the Gospel is contained in those precious words, which fully express this,