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

2. And as you see that a cheap Religiousness doth not to discover sincerity: so secondly, it is not accompanied with that special blessing of God. As God hath engaged himself in his Word, that they shall not lose their Reward that give but a cup of water in his name: so he hath more fully engaged himself to those that are most deeply engaged for him; even that they that forsake all for him, shall have manifold recompense in this life, and in the world to come eternal life. Let the experience of all the world of Christians be produced, and all will attest the same truth, That it is Gods usual course to give men larger Comforts in dearer duties, ⟨p. 321⟩then in cheap: Nay seldom doth he give large Comforts in cheap duties: and seldom doth he deny them in dearer, sobeit they are not made dear by our own sin and foolish indiscretion, but by his command, and our faithfulness in obeying him. Who knows not that the Consolation of Martyrs is usually above other mens, who hath read of their sufferings and strange sustentations? Christian, do but try this by thy own experiences, and tell me, when thou hast most resolutely followed Christ in a good Cause; when thou hast stood against the faces of the greatest for God; when thou hast cast thy life, thy family and estate upon Christ, and run thy self into the most apparent hazards for his sake: hast not thou come off with more inward peace and comfort, then the cheaper part of thy Religion hath afforded thee? When thou hast stood to the Truth and Gospel, and hast done Good through the greatest opposition, and lost thy greatest and dearest friends because thou wouldst not forsake Christ and his service, or deal falsely in some Cause that he hath trusted thee in: hast not thou come off with the blessing of Peace of Conscience? Nay, when thou hast denied thy most importunate Appetite, and most crossed thy lusts, and most humbled and abased thy self for God, and denied thy ⟨p. 322⟩credit, and taken shame to thy self in a free confessing of thy faults, or patiently put up the greatest abuses, or humbled and tamed thy flesh by necessary abstinence, or any way most displeased it, by crossing its interest, by bountiful giving, laborious duty, dangers or sufferings for the sake of the Lord Jesus, his Truth and People: hath it not been far better with thee in thy Peace and Comforts then before?