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

2. Another most common unhappy miscarriage of sad Christians lieth here, that They will rather continue complaining and self-tormenting, then give over sinning, so far as they might give it over if they would. I beseech you in the Name of God to know and consider what it is that God requireth of you. He doth not desire ⟨p. 307⟩your vexation but your reformation. No further doth he desire the trouble of your mind, then as it tendeth to the avoiding of that sin which is the cause of it. God would have you less in your fears and troubles, and more in your obedience. Obey more, and disquiet your mind less. Will you take this counsel presently and see whether it will not do you more good, then all the complaints and doubtings of your whole life have done. Set your self with all your might against your pride, worldliness and sensuality, your unpeaceableness and want of love and tenderness to your brethren; and whatever other sin your conscience is acquainted with. I pray you tell me, If you had gravel in your shoe, in your travel, would it not be more wisdom, to sit down and take off your shoe, and cast it out, then to stand still or go complaining, and tell every one you meet of your soreness? If you have a thorn in your foot, will you go on halting and lamenting, or will you pull it out? Truly sin is the thorn in your conscience: and those that would not have such troubled consciences told of their sins for fear of increasing their distress, are unskilful comforters; and will continue the trouble while the thorn is in. As ⟨p. 308⟩ever you would have peace then, resolve against sin to the utmost of your power: Never excuse it, or cherish it, or favour it more. Confess it freely. Thank those that reprove you for it. Desire those about you to watch over you, and to tell you of it: yea to tell you of all suspicious signs that they see of it, though it be not evident. And if you do not see so much Pride, Worldliness, Unpeaceableness or other sins in your self, as your friends think they see in you, yet let their judgement make you jealous of your heart; seeing self-love doth oft so blind us, that we cannot see that evil in our selves, which others see in us; nay which all the Town may take notice of.

2. Another most common unhappy miscarriage of sad Christians lieth here, that They will rather continue complaining and self-tormenting, then give over sinning, so farre as they might give it over if they would. I beseech you in the Name of God to know and consider what it is that God requireth of you. He doth not desire