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

DIRECTION XXIV.

24. My next advice for the obtaining of a settled Peace and Comfort, is this: [Take heed that you content not your self with a cheap course of Religion, and such a serving of God as costeth you little or nothing: But in your abstaining from sin, in your rising out of sin, and in your discharge of Duty, incline most to that way which is most self-denying, and displeasing to the flesh (so you be sure it be a lawful way.) And when you are called out to any work which will stand you in extraordinary labour and cost, you must be so far from shrinking and drawing your neck out of the yoke, that you must look upon it as a special prize that is put into your hand, & a singular advantage & opportunity for the increase of your comforts.

24. My next advice for the obtaining of a setled Peace and Comfort, is this: [Take heed that you content not your self with a cheap course of Religion, and such a serving of God as costeth you little or nothing: But in your abstaining from sin, in your rising out of sin, and in your discharge of Duty, incline most to that way which is most self-denying, and displeasing to the flesh (so you be sure it be a lawful way.) And when you are called out to any work which will stand you in extraordinary labour and cost, you must be so far from shrinking and drawing your neck out of the yoke, that you must look upon it as a special prize that is put into your hand, & a singular advantage & opportunity for the increase of your comforts.

THIS Rule is like the rest of the Christian Doctrine, which is not throughly understood by any way but experience. ⟨p. 314⟩Libertines and sensual Professors that never tried it, did never well understand it. I could find in my heart to be large in explaining and applying it, but that I have been so large beyond my first intentions in the former Directions, that I will cut off the rest as short as well can.