The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal

he doth not thereby pretend that the cure can never be
effected, unless that be exactly observed. I doubt it hath
occasioned much unnecessary disquietude to some holy
persons, that they have not found such a regular and
orderly transaction in their souls, as they have seen
described in books; that they have not passed through all
those steps and stages of conversion, which some (who
perhaps have felt them in themselves) have too
peremptorily prescribed unto others. God hath several
ways of dealing with the souls of men, and it suffices if
the work be accomplished, whatever the methods have
been.
Again, though in proposing directions I must follow that
order which the nature of things shall lead to, yet I do
not mean that the same method should be so punctually
observed in the practice, as if the latter rules were never
to be heeded till some considerable time have been spent
in practicing the former. The directions I intend are
mutually conducive one to another, and are all to be
performed as occasion shall serve, and we find ourselves
enabled to perform them.
But now, that I may detain you no longer, if we desire to
have our souls moulded to this holy frame, to become
partakers of the divine nature, and have Christ formed
in our hearts, we must seriously resolve, and carefully
endeavor, to avoid and abandon all vicious and sinful
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