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

But will this means serve turn, or must the same course be taken, to remove the sorrows of the wilfully disobedient? No, God takes another course himself, and prescribes another course to his Ministers, and requires another course from the sinner himself. But still remember who it is that I speak of: It is not the ordinary unavoidable infirmities of the Saints that I speak of; such as they cannot be rid of, though they fain would; such as Paul speaks of, Rom. 7.19. The good that I would do I do not: and when I would do good evil is present with me: And Gal. 5.17. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, &c. so that we cannot do the things that we would. A true Christian would Love God more perfectly, and Delight in him ⟨p. 252⟩more abundantly, and bring every thought in subjection to his Will, and subdue the very remnants of carnal concupiscence, that there should be no stirrings of lust or unjust anger, or worldly desires, or pride within him; and that no vain word might pass his lips: all this he would do but he cannot. Striving against these unavoidable infirmities is conquering.

But though we cannot keep under every motion of concupiscence, we can forbear the execution. Anger will stir upon provocations; But we may restrain it in degree, that it set us not in a flame, and do not much distemper or discompose our minds: and we can forbid our tongues all raging, furious or abusive words in our Anger; all cursing, swearing or reproachful speaking. If an envious thought against our Brother do arise in our hearts, because he is preferred before us▪ we may hate it and repress it, and chide our hearts for it, and command our tongues to speak well of him, and no evil. Some pride and self-esteem will remain and be stirring in us, do what we can, it is a sin so deeply rooted in our corrupt Natures: But yet we can detest it, and resist it, and meet with abhorrence our self-conceited thoughts, and ⟨p. 253⟩