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

ANSWER.

YOU must distinguish carefully between Repentance as it is in the Mind and Will, and as it shows it self in the Passion of Sorrow. All that have saving interest in Christ, have their Judgements and Wills so far changed, that they know they are great sinners, and that there is no way to the obtaining of pardon and salvation but by Christ, and the free mercy of God in him; and thereupon they are convinced that if they remain without the Grace of Christ, they are undone for ever: Whereupon they understanding that Christ and Mercy is offered to them in the Gospel, do heartily and thankfully accept the offer, and would not be without Christ, or change their Hopes of his Grace for all the world, and do resolve to wait upon him for the further discovery of his Mercy and the workings of his Spirit, in a Constant and Conscionable use of his Mea•s, and to be Ruled by him, to their power. Is it not thus with you? If it be▪ here is the Life and Substance of Repentance ⟨p. 413⟩which consisteth in this change of the mind and heart: and you have no Cause to Doubt of the truth of it, for want of more deep and passionate humiliation. 2. I have told you before how uncertain and unconstant the Passionate effects of Grace are, and how unfit to Judge by, and given you several Reasons of it. Yet I doubt not but some work upon the Affections there is, as well as on the Will and Understanding: but with so great diversity of manner and degrees, that it is not safe judging by it only or chiefly: Is there no degree of Sorrow or Trouble that hath touched your heart for your sin or Misery? If your Affections were no wh•• stirred, you would hardly be moved to Act• on; to use means, or avoid iniquity, much less would you so oft complain as you do. 3. If God prevented those heinous sins in the time of your unregeneracy, which those usually are guilty of who are called to so deep a degree of sorrow, you should rather be thankful that your wound was not deeper, then troubled that the Cure cost you not dearer. Look well whether the Cure be wrought in the change of your heart and life from the world to God by Christ, and then you need not be troubled that it was wrought so easily. 4. Were you not acquainted with the evil of sin, and danger and misery of