A27009:424
The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…
The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32 directions : written for the use of a troubled friend / and now published by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed for T. Underhil, 1653
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thus I have told you what sins you must look after when you find your peace broken, and your conscience disquieted; search carefully lest some iniquity lye at the root. Some I know will think that it is an unseasonable discourse to a troubled conscience, to mind them so much of their sins, which they are apt to look at too much already. But to such I answer, either those sins are mortified and forsaken; or not: If they be; then these are not the persons that I speak of, whose trouble is fed by continued sin: but I shall speak more to them anon. If not; then it seems for all their trouble of conscience, sin is not sufficiently laid to heart yet.
Thus I have told you what sinnes you must look after when you finde your peace broken, and your conscience disquieted; search carefully lest some iniquity lye at the root. Some I know will think that it is an unseasonable discourse to a troubled conscience, to minde them so much of their sinnes, which they are apt to look at too much already. But to such I answer, either those sinnes are mortified and forsaken; or not: If they be; then these are not the persons that I speak of, whose trouble is fed by continued sinne: but I shall speak more to them anon. If not; then it seems for all their trouble of conscience, sinne is not sufficiently laid to heart yet.
The chiefest thing therefore that I intend in all this discourse, is this following advice to those that upon search do find themselves▪ guilty in any of these cases. As ever you would have peace of conscience, set your selves presently against your sins▪ And do not either mistakingly cry out of ⟨p. 305⟩one sore, when it is another that is your malady; nor yet spend your days in fears and disquietness of mind, and fruitless complainings, and in the mean time continue in wilful sinning: but resist sin more, and torment your minds less: and break off your sin and your terrors together.
The chiefest thing therefore that I intend in all this discourse, is this following advice to those that upon search do finde themselves guilty in any of these cases. As ever you would have peace of conscience, set your selves presently against your sinnes And do not either mistakingly cry out of