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

We first find, He that believeth and loveth Christ sincerely, shall be saved. Then we proceed, He that believeth sincerely taketh Christ for his Sovereign. Then, He that truly taketh Christ for his Sovereign, doth truly resolve to obey him and his Laws, before the world, flesh or devil. Then, He that truly resolveth thus to obey Christ before all, doth sincerely perform his resolution, and doth so obey him. For that is no true resolution ordinarily, that never comes to performance. And here we are cast unavoidably to try whether we do perform our resolutions by actual obedience? before we can sit down with settled Peace: much more before we get Assurance. Now those that are diligent and careful in obeying, and have greatest conquest over their corruptions, and do most seldom yield to temptations, but do most notably and frequently conquer them, these have the clearest discovery of the performance of their resolutions ⟨p. 274⟩by obedience; and consequently the fullest Assurance: But they that are oftenest overcome by temptations, and yield most to sin, and live most disobediently, must needs be furthest from Assurance of the sincerity of their obedience, and consequently of their salvation.

We first finde, He that believeth and loveth Christ sincerely, shall be saved. Then we proceed, He that believeth sincerely taketh Christ for his Soveraign. Then, He that truly taketh Christ for his Soveraign, doth truly resolve to obey him and his Laws, before the world, flesh or devil. Then, He that truly resolveth thus to obey Christ before all, doth sincerely perform his resolution, and doth so obey him. For that is no true resolution ordinarily, that never comes to performance. And here we are cast unavoidably to try whether we do perform our resolutions by actual obedience? before we can sit down with setled Peace: much more before we get Assurance. Now those that are diligent and carefull in obeying, and have greatest conquest over their corruptions, and do most seldom yield to temptations, but do most notably and frequently conquer them, these have the clearest discovery of the performance of their resolutions ⟨p. 274⟩by obedience; and consequently the fullest Assurance: But they that are oftenest overcome by temptations, and yield most to sin, and live most disobediently, must needs be furthest from Assurance of the sincerity of their obedience, and consequently of their salvation.