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

Yea we may so far subdue our love of the world, as that it shall not hinder us from being merciful to the poor, compassionate to our servants and labourers, and bountiful to our power in doing good works: nor yet shut out Gods service from our families or closets, nor rob him of our frequent, affectionate thoughts, especially on the Lords day. So for sensuality or the pleasing of our flesh more immediately; we shall never on earth be wholly freed from inordinate motions, and temptations, and fleshly desires, and urgent inclinations and solicitations to forbidden things. But yet we may restrain our Appetite by reason, so far that it bring us not to gluttony and drunkenness, and a studying for our bellies, and pampering of our flesh, or a taking care for it, and making provision to satisfy its lusts, Rom. 13.14. We may forbear the obeying it, in excess of Apparel, in undecent, scandalous or time-wasting Recreations, in uncleanness or unchaste ⟨p. 255⟩speeches or behaviour, or the reading of amorous Books and Sonnets, or feeding our eyes or thoughts on filthy or enticing objects, or otherwaies wilfully blowing the fire of lust: So also for the performance of Duty: We shall never in this life be able to Hear or Read so diligently, and understandingly or affectionately as we would do: nor to remember or profit by what we hear, as we desire. But yet we can bring our selves to the Congregation, and not prefer our ease or business or any vain thing before Gods Word and Worship, or loath or despise it because of some weakness in the speaker: And we may in a great measure restrain our thoughts from wandering, and force our selves to attend; and labour when we come home to recall it to mind. We cannot call on God so fervently, believingly or delightfully as we would: But yet we may do it sincerely as we can, and do it constantly▪ We cannot instruct our children and servants, and reprove or exhort our neighbours, with that boldness, or love and compassion and discretion and meet expressions, as we would: But yet we may do it faithfully and frequently as we are able.

Yea we may so farre subdue our love of the world, as that it shall not hinder us from being mercifull to the poor, compassionate to our servants and labourers, and bountifull to our power in doing good works: nor yet shut out Gods service from our families or closets, nor rob him of our frequent, affectionate thoughts, especially on the Lords day. So for sensuality or the pleasing of our flesh more immediatly; we shall never on earth be wholly freed from inordinate motions, and temptations, and fleshly desires, and urgent inclinations and solicitations to forbidden things. But yet we may restrain our Appetite by reason, so farre that it bring us not to gluttony and drunkenness, and a studying for our bellies, and pampering of our flesh, or a taking care for it, and making provision to satisfie its lusts,