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

4. Next let me tell you what men you must choose to open your mind to: And they must be, 1. Men of Judgement and Knowledge, and not the Ignorant, be they never so honest: Else they may deceive you, not knowing what they do: either for want of understanding the Scripture, and the nature of Grace and Sin; or for want of skill to deal with both weak Consciences, and deep deceitful hearts. 2. They must be truly fearing God, and of experience in this great work. For a Troubled soul is seldom well resolved and comforted merely out of a ⟨p. 505⟩Book; but from the Book and Experience both together. Carnal or formal men will but make a Jest at the Doubts of a Troubled Christian; or at least will give you such formal Remedies as will prove no Cure: Either they will persuade you, as the Antinomians do, that you should trust God with your soul, and never Question your Faith: Or that you do ill to trouble your self about such things: Or they will direct you only to the Comforts of General Grace, and tell you only that God is Merciful, and Christ dyed for sinners: which are the necessary Foundations of our Peace; but will not answer particular Doubts of our own sincerity and of our Interest in Christ: Or else they will make you believe that Holiness of heart and life (which is the thing you look after) is it that troubleth you and breeds all your scruples: Or else with the Papists, they will send you to your Merits for Comfort; or to some Vindictive Penance in Fastings, Pilgrimages, or the like; or to some Saint departed, or Angel, or to the Pardons or Indulgences of the Pope: or to a certain, formal, carnal Devotion, to make God amends. 3. They must be men of downright Faithfulness, that will deal plainly and freely, though not cruelly: and not like those tender Surgeons that will leave the Cure undone for fear of ⟨p. 506⟩hurting: Meddle not with men-pleasers and daubers, that will presently speak Comfort to you as Confidently as if they had known you twenty years, when perhaps they know little of your heart or Case. Deal not with such as resolve to humour you. 4. They must be men of fidelity, and well tried to be such, that you may trust them with those secrets which you are called to Reveal. 5. They must be men of great stayedness and wisdom, that they may neither rashly pass their Judgement, nor set you upon unsound, unwarrantable or dangerous Courses. 6.