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

DIRECTION XXVI.

26. Having led you thus far towards a settled Peace, my next Direction shall contain a Necessary Caution, lest you run as far into the contrary extreme, viz. Take heed that you neither trouble your own soul with needless scruples; about matters of doctrine, of duty, or of sin, or about your own Condition: Nor yet that you do not make your self more work then God hath made you, by feigning things unlawful which God hath not forbidden, or by placing your Religion in Will-worship, or in an over-curious insisting on Circumstantials, or an over-rigorous dealing with your Body.

26. Having led you thus far towards a setled Peace, my next Direction shall contain a Necessary Caution, lest you run as far into the contrary extreme, viz. Take heed that you neither trouble your own soul with needless scruples; about matters of doctrine, of duty, or of sin, or about your own Condition: Nor yet that you do not make your self more work then God hath made you, by feigning things unlawful which God hath not forbidden, or by placing your Religion in Will-worship, or in an over-curious insisting on Circumstantials, or an over-rigorous dealing with your Body.

This is but the Exposition of Solomons, Be not Over-wise, and be not Righteous overmuch, Eccl. 7.16. A man cannot serve God too much; formally and strictly considering his service: much less Love him too much. But we may do too much Materially ⟨p. 347⟩intending thereby to serve God; which though it be not true Righteousness, yet being Intended for Righteousness, and done as a service of God, or Obedience to him, is here called Over-much-Righteousness. I know it is stark madness in the profane secure World to think that the doing of no more then God hath commanded us, is Doing too much, or More then needs; as if God had bid us do more then needs, or had made such Laws as few of the foolish Rulers on earth would make: This is plainly to Blaspheme the Most High by denying his Wisdom and his Goodness, and his Just Government of the World: and to Blaspheme his holy Laws, as if they were too strict, precise, and made us more to do then needs: and to reproach his sweet and holy ways, as if they were grievous, intolerable and unnecessary. Much more is their Madness, in charging the Godly with being too Pure, and too Precise, and making too great a stir for Heaven, and that merely for their Godliness and Obedience, when, alas, the best do fall so far short of what Gods Word and the necessity of their own souls do require, that their Consciences do more grievously accuse them of Negligence, then the barking World doth of being too precise and diligent: And yet more mad are the World, to lay out so much Time,