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

And then more dark is it and impossible to discover, How far a man may go in these grosser sins; and yet have the prevalent habits of Grace? As to the ⟨p. 268⟩former Question about the intercision of Justification, I am somewhat inclinable to think, that the habit of Faith hath more to do in our Justification then I have formerly thought, and may as properly be said to be the condition as the act: and that as long as a man is (in a prevalent degree) habitually a Believer, he is not only imperfectly and virtually Justified, but so far actually Justified, that he should be saved, though he were cut off before he actually Repent: And that he being already habitually Penitent, having a hatred of all sin as sin, should be saved, if mere want of opportunity do prevent the Act: And that only those sins do bring a man into a state of condemnation, or prove him in such, which consist not with the Habitual Preeminence of Christs interest in our souls above the interest of the flesh and world; And that David's and Peter's were such as did consist with the preeminence of Christs interest in the habit. But withal, that such gross sins must needs be observable, and so the soul that is guilty doth ordinarily know its guilt, yea and think of it: And that it is inconsistent with this habitual Repentance, not to Repent actually as soon as Time is afforded, and the violence of ⟨p. 269⟩passion so far allayed, as that the soul may recollect it self, and Reason have its free use: And that he that hath this leisure and opportunity for the free use of Reason, and yet doth not Repent, it is a sign that the interest of the flesh is habitually as well as actually stronger then Christs interest in him. I say, in this doubtful case, I am most inclining to judge thus: But as I would have no man take this as my resolved Judgement, much less as certain Truth, and least of all, to venture on sin or impenitency ever the more for such a doubtful opinion, which doth not conclude him to be certainly unjustified; so I am utterly ignorant both how long sensual passions may possibly rage and keep the soul from sober Consideration; or how far they may interpose in the very time of Consideration and frustrate it, and prevail against it:

And then more dark is it and impossible to discover, How farre a man may go in these grosser sinnes; and yet have the prevalent habits of Grace? As to the ⟨p. 268⟩