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

It hath ever been the Devils Policy to begin in persuading men to Worldliness, Fleshpleasing, Security and Presumption, and utter Neglect of God and their souls, or at least preferring their bodies and worldly things: and by this means he destroyeth the world. But where this will not take, but God awaketh men effectually, and casteth out the sleepy Devil, usually he fills mens heads with needless scruples, and next setteth them on a Religion not commanded, and would make poor souls believe they do Nothing, if they do not more then God hath commanded them. When the Devil hath no other way left to destroy Religion and Godliness, he will pretend to be Religious and Godly himself: and then he is always over-religious and over-godly in his Materials. All overdoing in Gods work is undoing. And who ever you meet with that would Over-do, suspect him to be either a subtle destroying enemy, or one deluded by the destroyer. O what a Tragedy could I here show you of the Devils acting! and what a Mystery in the Hellish Art of Deceiving could I open to you! And shall I keep the Devils counsel? No. O that God would open the eyes of his poor desolate Churches at l•st to see it!

It hath ever been the Devils Policy to begin in perswading men to Worldlyness, Fleshpleasing, Security and Presumption, and utter Neglect of God and their souls, or at least preferring their bodies and worldly things: and by this means he destroyeth the world. But where this will not take, but God awaketh men effectually, and casteth out the sleepy Devil, usually he fils mens heads with needless scruples, and next setteth them on a Religion not commanded, and would make poor souls believe they do Nothing, if they do not more then God hath commanded them. When the Devil hath no other way left to destroy Religion and Godliness, he will pretend to be Religious and Godly himself: and then he is always over-religious and over-godly in his Materials. All overdoing in Gods work is undoing. And who ever you meet with that would Over-do, suspect him to be either a subtil destroying enemy, or one deluded by the destroyer. O what a Tragedy could I here shew you of the Devils acting! and what a Mysterie in the Hellish Art of Deceiving could I open to you! And shall I keep the Devils counsel? No. O that God would open the eyes of his poor desolate Churches at l•st to see it!