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

Thus you see the danger of rash interpreting, and so misinterpreting Providences. As such interpretations of prosperity and success deludeth not only the Mahometan world, and the Profane world, but many that seemed Godly; so many such Interpretations of Adversity and Crosses do; especially if the Seducer be but kind and liberal to relieve them in their Adversity he may do with many poor Souls almost what he please.

Thus you see the danger of rash interpreting, and so misinterpreting Providences. As such interpretations of prosperity and success deludeth not onely the Mahometan world, and the Prophane world, but many that seemed Godly; so many such Interpretations of Adversity and Crosses do; especially if the Seducer be but kind and liberal to relieve them in their Adversity he may do with many poor Souls almost what he please.

3. The third Enemy to your peace here mentioned, is, Misinterpreting or misapplying the Passages of Preachers, in their Sermons, Writings, or private Speeches. A Minister cannot deal throughly or seriously with any sort of sinners, but some fearful troubled souls apply all to themselves. I must entreat you to avoid this fault, or else you will turn Gods Ordinances, and the daily food of your souls into bitterness and wormwood, and all through your mistakes. I think there is few Ministers so preach, but you might perceive whom they mean, and they so difference as to tell you who they speak to. I confess it is a better sign of an honest heart, and self-judging conscience, to say He speaks now to me: this is my case: then to say, He speaks now to such or such a one: this is their case. For it is the property of Hypocrites to have their eye most abroad; and in every duty to be minding most the faults of others: and you may much discern such in their prayers, in that they will fill their confessions most with other mens sins, and you may feel them all the while in the bosom of their neighbours, when you may even feel a sincere man speaking his own heart, and most opening his own bosom to God. But though self-applying, and self-searching be far the better sign, yet must not any wise Christian do it mistakingly▪