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

You say, your faith and obedience have such breaches and sad defects in them, that you cannot be Certain that they are sincere. Suppose it be so: Do you see no great Likelihood or hopes yet that they are sincere? If you do (as I think many Christians easily may, that yet receive not a proportionable comfort) remember that this is no small Mercy, but matter of great consolation.

You say, your faith and obedience have such breaches and sad defects in them, that you cannot be Certain that they are sincere. Suppose it be so: Do you see no great Likelyhood or hopes yet that they are sincere? If you do (as I think many Christians easily may, that yet receive not a proportionable comfort) remember that this is no small Mercy, but matter of great consolation.

But suppose the worst, that you see no Grace in your self: yet you cannot be sure you have none: For it may be there, and you not see it. Yea suppose the worst, that you were sure that you had no true▪ Grace at all, yet remember that you have still abundant cause of Comfort in Gods General Grace. Do you think you must needs Despair, or ⟨p. 495⟩give up all Hope and Comfort, or conclude your self irrecoverably lost, because you are Graceless? why be it known to you there is that ground of Consolation in general Grace that may make the hearts of the very wicked to leap for joy. Do I need to prove that to you? You know that the Gospel is called Glad tidings of salvation, and the Preachers of it are to tell those to whom they preach it. Behold we bring you tidings of great Joy, and glad tidings to all People. And you know before the Gospel comes to men they are miserable. If then it be glad tidings and tidings of great joy to all the unconverted where it comes, why should it not be so to you? and where is your great joy? If you be Graceless, is it nothing to know that God is exceeding merciful, slow to anger, ready to forgive, pardoning iniquity, transgression and sin? loving mankind? Is it nothing to know that the Lord hath brought Infinite Mercy and Goodness down into humane flesh? and hath taken on him the most blessed office of Reconciling, and is become the Lamb of God? Is it nothing to you, that all your sins have a sufficient Sacrifice paid for them, so that you are certain not to perish for want of a Ransom? Is it nothing to you, that God hath made such an universal Grant of Pardon and Salvation to all that will Believe: and