Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace…

The 3d. thing in the Doctrine to be cleared is, ⟨p. 296⟩what is meant by willingness, and a hearty purpose to be universal, in the practice of holiness, or of an honest life and walk? whereupon, as on its base, we said, the great stress of the evidence lies, and therefore we would clear it the more fully; and that we may do so, we shall, •. premit some distinctions of willingness, that we may know of what willingness it is, that the Apostle means. 2ly. We shall confirm both parts of the Doctrine after some few things permitted. 3ly. We shall show wherein this willingness consists, and what are its characters.

The 3d. thing in the Doctrine to be cleared is, ⟨p. 296⟩what is meant by willingness, and a hearty purpose to be univerial, in the practice of holiness, or of an honest life and walk? whereupon, as on its base, we said, the great stress of the evidence lyes, and therefore we would clear it the more fully; and that we may do so, we shall, •. premit some distinctions of willingness, that we may know of what willingness it is, that the Apostle means. 2ly. We shall confirm both parts of the Doctrine after some few things permitted. 3ly. We shall shew wherein this willingness consists, and what are its characters.

For the First, we would have you to distinguish, 1. Betwixt a willingness in reference to the end or benefit it self, and a willingness in reference to the mids whereby that end, or benefit is attained; betwixt willingness to have a quiet Conscience as to the end, and willingness to live honestly as the mids; There is nothing more common among people, then to think that they are willing to have heaven, and to have Christ, that they may get heaven: they think they are very sure, that they are very willing, and love well to be in heaven, when they die, and leave this present world; and yet if this be put to a narrow and just trial, it will rather be found to be a willingness to have some benefit, then to be at the mids that leads to it, they would have Christ, peace with God, and Heaven, because they are good, and men naturally have an appee and desire after good; but a desire towards the mids, that leads to the end, is a willingness to be at the practice of holiness, by which we come to a good Conscience, a willingness to deny our own righteousness, and by faith to betake our selves to Christ for peace with God, and for the pardon of sin, and a willingness to have grace to make us fruitful in every good work: many men and women have the first sort of willingness, who have not the second; therefore so soon as it comes to the use of such means, as may help to further holiness, and to attain a good Conscience they are at a stand; as it was with that man mentioned,