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

And be sure to engage your friends that they shall not smooth over your faults, or mince them, and tell you of them in extenuating language, which may hinder Conviction and Repentance; much less silence them, for fear of displeasing you: but that they will deal freely and faithfully with you. And see that you distaste them not, and discountenance not their plain dealing, lest you discourage them, and deprive your soul of so great a benefit. Think best of those as your greatest friends, who are least friends to your sin, and do most for your recovery ⟨p. 309⟩very from it. If you say, Alas, I am not able to mortify my sins: It is not in my power. I answer, 1. I speak not of a perfect conquest: nor of a freedom from every passion or infirmity. 2. Take heed of pretending disability when it is unwillingness. If you were heartily willing you would be able to do much, and God would strengthen you. Cannot you resist Pride, Worldliness and Sensuality if you be willing? Cannot you forbear most of the actual sins you commit, and perform the duties that you omit, if you be Willing? (though not so well as you would perform them?) Yea let me say this much, lest I endanger you by sparing you: Many a miserable hypocrite doth live in trouble of mind and complaining, and after all perish for their wilful disobedience. Did not the rich young man go far before he would break off with Christ? and when he did leave him he went away sorrowful. And what was the cause of his sorrow? Why the matter was, that he could not be saved without selling all and giving it to the poor, when he had great Possessions. It was not that he could not be rid of his sin: but that he could not have Christ and Heaven without forsaking the world▪ This is the case of unsanctified persons that ⟨p. 310⟩are enlightened to see the need of Christ, but are not weaned from worldly profits, honours and pleasures; they are perhaps troubled in mind, (and I cannot blame them) but it is not that they cannot leave sinning, but that they cannot have Heaven without leaving their delights and contentments on earth. Sin as sin they would willingly leave: For no man can love evil as evil. But their fleshly profits, honours and pleasures they will not leave; and there is the stop: and this is the cause of their sorrows and fears.