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

2. Besides this; I had rather of the ⟨p. 284⟩two that Christians would suspect and search too much then too little, because there is a hundred times more danger in seeing sin less then it is, or overlooking it, then in seeing it greater then it is, and being over-fearful. The later mistake may bring us into sorrow; and make our lives uncomfortable to us (and therefore should be avoided:) but usually it doth not endanger our happiness; but is often made a great occasion of our good. But the former mistake may hazard our everlasting salvation, and so bring us to remediless trouble.

2. Besides this; I had rather of the ⟨p. 284⟩two that Christians would suspect and search too much then too little, because there is a hundred times more danger in seeing sinne less then it is, or overlooking it, then in seeing it greater then it is, and being over-fearfull. The later mistake may bring us into sorrow; and make our lives uncomfortable to us (and therefore should be avoided:) but usually it doth not endanger our happiness; but is often made a great occasion of our good. But the former mistake may hazzard our everlasting salvation, and so bring us to remediless trouble.

3. Yea, lest you should say, This is sad language to comfort a distressed wounded soul, let me add this one Reason more. So far as I can learn by reading the Scriptures, and by long experience of very many souls under troubles of conscience, It is most commonly some notable cherished corruption that breedeth and feedeth the sad uncomfortable state of most professors, except those who by melancholy or very great ignorance, are so weak in their Intellectuals, as that they are uncapable of making any true discovery of their condition, and of passing a right judgement upon themselves thereupon.

3. Yea, lest you should say, This is sad language to comfort a distressed wounded soul, let me adde this one Reason more. So farre as I can learn by reading the Scriptures, and by long experience of very many souls under troubles of conscience, It is most commonly some notable cherished corruption that breedeth and feedeth the sad uncomfortable state of most professours, except those who by melancholy or very great ignorance, are so weak in their Intellectuals, as that they are uncapable of making any true discovery of their condition, and of passing a right judgement upon themselves thereupon.