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

By this time I hope you see that this way of Over-doing hath another Author then many zealous people do imagine: and that it is the Devils common successful trade: so that his Agents in State-Assemblies are taught his Policy, When you have no other way of un-doing, let it be by over-doing. And the same way he takes with the souls of particular persons: If he see them troubled for sin, and he cannot keep them from the knowledge of Christ and free Grace, he puts the name of [free Grace and Gospel▪ preaching] upon Antinomian and Libertine errors which subvert the very Gospel and free Grace it self. If he see men convinced of this, and that it is neither common nor Religious Libertinism and sensuality that will bring men to Heaven, then he will labour to make Papists of them, and to set them on a task of external formalities, or macerating their bodies with hurtful fastings, watchings and cold, as if self-murder were the highest pitch of Religion, and God had a pleasure to see his people Torment themselves! I confess it is very few that ever I knew to have erred far in Austere usage of their bodies: But some I ⟨p. 365⟩have; and especially poor Melancholy Christians that are more easily drawn to deal rigorously with their flesh then others be. And such Writings as lately have been published by some English Popish Formalists, I have known draw men into this snare I would have all such remember, 1. That God is a Spirit, and will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth: and such Worshippers doth he seek. 2. That God will have mercy and not sacrifice; and that the Vitals of Religion are in a Consumption when the heat of Zeal is drawn too much to the out-side. And that placing most in externals is the great character of Hypocrisy, and is that Pharisaical Religion to which the doctrine and practice of the Lord Jesus was most opposite, as any that will read the Gospel may soon see. 3. That God hath made our bodies to be his Servants, and Instruments of Righteousness, Rom. 6. 13. and helpful and serviceable to our souls in Well-doing: And therefore it is Disobedience, it is Injustice, it is Cruelty to disable them, and causelessly to vex and torment them, much more to destroy them. You may see by sick men, by Melancholy men, by Mad men and Children, how unfit that soul is to know, or Love, or serve God, that hath not a fit body to work in & by. The Serpent knows this well enough: