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

and that it is a higher and sweeter work that God calls you to, and would have you spend your time and strength in. 1. The first part of it is Love. A work that is wages to it self. He that knows what it is to live in the Love of God, doth know that Christianity is no tormenting and discontented life. 2. The next part is, Delight in God, and in the Hopes and fore-thoughts of everlasting Glory. Psal. 37.4. Delight thy self in the Lord, and he shall give thee the Desires of thy heart: This is it that you should be bending your studies and endeavours for, that your soul might be able to Delight it self in God. 3. The third part ⟨p. 526⟩is Thankfulness and Praise? Though I say not as some, that we should be moved by no fears or desires of the Reward (that is, of God) but act only from Thankfulness (as though we had all that we expect already) yet let me desire you to take special notice of this Truth; that Thankfulness must be the main principle of all Gospel-Obedience: And this is not only true of the Regenerate after faith; but even the wicked themselves who are called to Repent and Believe, are called to do it in a glad and Thankful sense of the mercy offered them in Christ. All the world being fallen under Gods wrath and deserved condemnation, and the Lord Jesus having become a Sacrifice and Ransom for all, and so brought all from that Legal Necessity of perishing which they were under, the Gospel which brings them the News of this, is glad tidings of great Joy to them; and the very justifying Act which they are called to, is, Thankfully to Accept Christ as one that hath already satisfied for their sins, and will save them, if they Accept him, and will follow his saving Counsel, and use his saving means: and the saving work which they must proceed in, is Thankfulness to obey that Redeemer whom they Believe in. So that as General Redemption is the very Foundation of the new world and its Government, so Thankfulness for this ⟨p. 527⟩Redemption is the very life of Justifying faith, and Gospel obedience. And therefore the denial of this universal Redemption (as to the Price and Satisfaction) doth both disable wicked men (if they receive it) from coming to Christ by true Justifying Faith (which is, The Thankful Acceptance of Christ as he is offered with his benefits;)