Some select cases resolved. Specially, tending to the right ordering of the heart, that…

Novemb. 22. I saw the Lord, and by Faith did apprehend Christ's Righteousness; and did see that I was to make Use of Christ's Righteousness apprehended by Faith, not only for Satisfaction to Justice, but also to take it as an Evidence, unspotted, of the Lord's Love towards me, to beget Peace in me. I saw I had a long Time made use of it for Satisfaction, but not for Evidence, and so for Peace. For I saw when I had done, and the Lord had enabled me to do this and do that, then my Conscience was at Peace, and got Peace in that? But when I wanted that, and apprehended Christ's Righteousness by Faith, all that which he hath done perfectly, I did not there find Peace to my Conscience, as having an Evidence of the Lord's Favour and Acceptance. Whenas I saw that if any Thing I did by the Help of the Spirit might give me Evidence; then much more all that which Christ did, and had done perfectly ought to give me Peace, and be an Evidence, not only of God's Favour to me, but of that Grace I want; (the want of which made me doubt of the Lord's Love) because all that Faith and Holiness in Christ is by Faith made mine; and it is as if I had done it. For I saw, if I had perfect Holiness in me, I should not doubt of the Lord's Love to me; Why now, when I see I have it in Christ by Faith? So I saw a threefold Use of Faith in Christ's Righteousness: 1. For Satisfaction to Divine Justice, and making me righteous; 2. For Evidence of God's Favour to me; 3. For the Honour of God, because by that I honour God infinitely.

Novemb. 24. I felt over Night much Darkness and Unbelief; and saw, that if Satan had once made us begin to doubt, he would hold us with Doubts continually, ⟨p. 67⟩about the Being of God and Truth of the Scriptures. And I saw the next Morning this Error; viz. That I did believe what the Lord spake, because I saw it agreeable to my Reason, and so made that my last Resolution of all Doubts. And I began to think, how it should be otherwise? So I saw I was indeed to see the Things God spake, in the Reality of them, and in their Agreement with Reason, but not to make this the last Resolution of Doubts, though a Resolution. But then, when I had seen Things so agreeable to Reason, yet to look upon God's Testimony of them in Scripture as the last and chief Light and Ground of Settlement; and not to believe these Things are true, because I see they are true, but to believe, the Lord sees them more clearly than I: and he knowing them to be so, I see them so, and believe them upon his Testimony, much more: For if I believe any Thing to be true, because I see it so; much more because God saith it, who sees it better, and whose Word stakes me down, and confirms me in it.