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

The very same Doubts and Complaints may come from several Causes in several Persons, and therefore admit not of the same way of Cure: sometime the Cause begins in the body, and thence proceedeth to the mind: sometime it begins in the mind, and thence distempereth the body: sometime in the mind, it is most or first from worldly crosses and thence proceedeth to spiritual things: And of spiritual matters, sometimes it begins upon scruples or differences in Religion, or points of Doctrine: sometimes and most commonly, from the •ense of our own Infirmities: sometimes it is only from ordinary Infirmities: sometimes from some extraordinary decays of inward Grace: sometime from the neglects ⟨p. 5⟩of some weighty duty: and sometimes from the deep wounds of some heinous secret, or scandalous sin: And sometimes it is merely from the fresh discovery of that which before we never did discern: And sometimes from the violent assault of extraordinary Temptations: which of these is your own Case, you must be careful to find out, and to apply the means for Cure accordingly. Even of true Christians, the same means will not fit all. The difference of Natures as well as of actual Cases must be considered. One hath need of that tender handling which would undo another: and he again hath need of that rousing which another cannot bear. And therefore understand that when I have given you all the Directions that I can, I must (in the end hereof) advise you to take the Counsel of a skilful Minister in applying and making use of them: For it is in this, as in the Case of Physic: When we have written the best Books of Receipts, or for Methodical Cures, yet we must advise people to take heed how they use them without the advice of a learned and faithful Physician. For Medicines must not be only fitted to Diseases but to Bodies. That Medicine will kill one man, which will cure another of the same distemper: such difference there may be in their age, strength,