A27009:48
The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…
The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32 directions : written for the use of a troubled friend / and now published by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed for T. Underhil, 1653
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
THE RIGHT METHOD For a settled PEACE OF CONSCIENCE and Spiritual COMFORT. In XXXII. DIRECTIONS.
THE RIGHT METHOD For a setled PEACE OF CONSCIENCE and Spirituall COMFORT. In XXXII. DIRECTIONS.
IT must be understood, that the Case here to be resolved is not, How an unhumbled profane sinner that never was Convinced of Sin and Misery, should be brought to a settled Peace of Conscience. Their Carnal Peace must first be broken, and they must be so far humbled, as to find ⟨p. 2⟩the want and worth of Mercy, that Christ and his Consolations may not seem contemptible in their eyes. It is none of my business now, to give any advice for the furthering of this Conviction or Humiliation. But the Case in hand is; How a Sinner may attain to a settled Peace of Conscience, and some competent measure of the Joy of the holy Ghost, who hath been convinced of Sin and Misery, and long made a Profession of Holiness, but liveth in continual doubtings of their sincerity, and fears of Gods wrath, because of an exceeding Deadness of spirit, and a want of that Love to God, and Delight in him, and sweetness in Duty, and witness of the Spirit, and Communion with God, and other the like Evidences which are found in the Saints. How far the party is right or wrong in the Discovery of these Wants, I now meddle not. Whether they Judge rightly or wrongly the Directions may be Useful to them. And though I purposely meddle not with the unhumbled that feel not the want of Christ and Mercy, yet most that falls may be useful to all that profess the Christian faith. For I shall study so to avoid the extremes in my doctrinal Directions, as may conduce to your escaping the desperate extremes, of Ungrounded Comforts, and Causeless Terrors, in your own spirit.
IT must be understood, that the Case here to be resolved is not, How an unhumbled prophane sinner that never was Convinced of Sin and Misery, should be brought to a setled Peace of Conscience. Their Carnall Peace must first be broken, and they must be so far humbled, as to finde