The Christians Daily Walk in Holy Security and Peace, Treatise · Chapter 17

The Christians Daily Walk in Holy Security and Peace · Treatise · Chapter 17

p. 753CHAP. XVII. Touching furtherances and meanes of peace of God.

IT yet remaineth, that I ſhould ſhew furtherances & meanes to get and keepe this true peace of God which paſſeth all underſtanding.

Men doe erre in judging of p. 754their owne eſtates, and in like manner in concluding that theyCauſes of errour in miſ-iudgeing of a mans ſtate firſt removed. have true peace or not, from two cauſes; Either by erring in the Propoſition which they lay down as a rule to judge by; Or elſe by erring in the Aſſumption and Application of their actions or perſons to the rule propounded. Now if you erre either in the Propoſition, or in the Aſſumption, and application, you of neceſſitie will erre in your Concluſion.

Wherefore if you would judge rightly of your actions and perſon, take heed firſt that you doe not faile in your Propoſition and Rule: which that you may not doe, you muſt know what is neceſſary to the very being of a Chriſtian, what not; and this is to be learned onelyonly by the onelyonly Canon of truth to us, the word of GOD. For many erre herein, becauſe they thinke that ſuch and ſuch things are neceſſary p. 755to the being in ſtate of grace, which are not; and that ſuch and ſuch things are ſufficient to the being of a Chriſtian which are not.

Now you ſhall finde, that it is truth of faith and other ſaving graces, not the great degree and quantitie of them that maketh a Chriſtian. And that it is not the moſt forward profeſſion and forme of godlineſſe, without this power and truth therefore, that will doe it.

Secondly, Take heed that you faile not in your aſſumption and application of your ſelfe and of your actions to the Rule, though rightly propounded. The Scripture muſt alſo rectifie you in this. For many a one erreth in this alſo, ſaying, my actions and condition are according to the Rule, or not according to the Rule; When indeede they are otherwiſe than they judge. For every mans owne ſpirit ſo farre as it is p. 756ſinfull is apt to give a falſe Teſtimony of it ſelfe. David ſaid aaPſa. 31. 22▪Ps 31:22he was cut off from God, when hee was not. The bbRev. 3. 17.Rev 3:17Laodiceans thought themſelves in good ſtate, when Chriſt ſaith they were wretched and miſerable.

Now that you may not erre either in the Rule, or application of your ſelfe to the Rule, you muſt uſe all good meanes to have your judgement rightly informed in either point: and then be willing to judge of your ſelfe as you are, and of your peace with God as it is.

I told you that the holy Scripture muſt bee your guide, in judging what you ſhould be, and what you are; I meane the Scripture rightly underſtood. Now to attaine a right underſtanding of the Scripture, and abiſitie to judge your ſelfe by it, whether you bee in ſtate of grace, from the knowledge whereof commeth peace, looke backe unto p. 757Chapter 8. Se & ion 2. taking unto them theſe following directions.

1. Obſerve a difference and diſtinction in true Chriſtians, both in their different manner of calling, & eſtate after calling. Some called in infancie, as Samuel and Iohn Baptiſt: Some in middle and old age, as Abraham, and Zacheus. Some called without ſenſible terrors of cōſcience, as thoſe before mentioned. Some with violent heart-ache and anguiſh, as S. Paul and the lay▪ our. In ſome theſe terrors abide longer, in ſome a ſhorter time. And after Converſion all are not of like growth and ſtrength. Some babes, weake in judgement and affections; Some ſtrong men, ſtrong in grace generally; but ſtrong alſo in corrup…ion inſome particular▪ Some old men ſo well grounded in knowledge, and confirmed in reſolution, that no luſt getteth a head to prevaile in p. 758them. Alſo one and the ſame man may be ſometimes in ſpirituall health and ſtrong, ſomtimes under a temptation, weake, and feeble, ſometime can pray, &c. and have comfort, ſometime not. Now, none muſt conclude he is no Chriſtian, becauſe hee is not in every thing like others, no… at all times like himſelfe.

2. Truſt not your owne iudgement, of ſenſe in your owne eaſe, whoſoever would underſtand, and be wiſe according to Scripture; muſt deny himſelfe, and not ccPro. 3. 5.Prov 3:5leane to his owne ſenſe or wiſedome; but muſt be dd1 Cor. 3. 18.1 Cor 3:18a foole that he may be wiſe, you muſt bring your conceits to be ordered and framed by the Scriptures. You muſt not preſume to put a ſenſe of your owne into the Scripture; but alwayes take the ſenſe and meaning out of it. It is preſumption, of a mans owne opinion, and ſtiffeneſſe in his owne conceits, which marreth all in p. 759this caſe. And whence is this but from his folly and pride? Oh, if you who are troubled in Conſcience, could be every way nothing in your ſelves, you would quickly be ſomething in God, and you ſhould quickly know it. If you would be humbled, and not nouriſh this pride in you, you ſhould quickly know your ſtate with comfort.

I know many of you will wonder that I ſhould charge you with pride; you judging your ſelves to be ſo baſe and vile. Wel for all that, I will now prove to your faces, that it is humility you want, and if it were not that you were proud, you would judge of things otherwiſe than you doe.

For firſt you cannot beleeve in CHRIST (you ſay) becauſe you cannot obey him, and bee dutifull as a good wife to him: If you could obey, then you could beleeve that he were yours and you his; whereas, you muſt p. 760firſt beleeve in Chriſt, and take him for your husband, and beleeve he is your husband, before you can obey him. Can a woman, or ſhould a woman obey a man, and carry her ſelfe towards him as to her husband, before that ſhee beleeve that hee is her husband? If you could obey as you ſhould; Oh, then you thinke CHRIST would love you; It were well if you could love CHRIST, and obey him, it is your dutie. But to thinke he will not ſave you, becauſe you have no goodneſſe or worth in you to cauſe him to love you, is not this from hence, you would be ſome thing in your ſelfe, for which Chriſt ſhould caſt his love upon you. Chriſt **Hoſ. 2. 19 20Hos 2:19marrieth you not becauſe you were good, but that hee might make you good, that you might know him, &c.

But you doe not ſee this hisObiect. worke in you, that he hath made you good, therefore you doubt.

p. 761I anſwer: though it may be inAnſw you, yet Chriſt will not let you ſee it, becauſe you will not beleeve that hee is yours, and you his. Bring your heart to this, (and you have reaſon for it) for the Father giveth him, and he giveth himſelf to you in the Word and Sacraments; then you will love him, and obey him abundantly. Is not ſhe a proud and fooliſh woman, that may have a Kings ſonne, upon Condition that ſhee will ſtrip her ſelfe of all her own proper goods, and let him endow her at his pleaſure, yet ſtill ſhee will be whining and diſcontented with her ſelfe, becauſe ſhee hath nothing of her owne to bring to him, for which hee ſhould love her.

But you will ſtill ſay, ChriſtObiect. hath not endued you with ſo much grace, as to be able to doe as you ſhould.

Content your ſelves, If youAnſw. would but ſee that he hath married p. 762you to himſelfe, you then would uſe the meanes which hee hath appointed, whereby he giveth his graces, you would be thankfull for what you have, you would pray & wait his pleaſure for more, relying on his wiſedome for how much, and when. If you doe not thus, then in this you ſhew your ſelves proud, in that you preferre your owne wiſdom before his.

Let it be ſuppoſed that you are not proud, ſtanding upon termes of having any goodneſſe in you, for which Chriſt ſhould love you, but you would with all your hearts bee all that you are in him, and would be beholding to him for taking you, poore, and …aſ… as you are Is there no other pride (thinke you) but when you doe thinke well of your ſelves, or would bee thought well on, for your goodneſſe? Yes, there is another pride which is as dāgerous in this caſe p. 763of cauſleſſe doubting; and that is to bee too well conceited of, and to bee wedded to your owne knowledge, and to your owne opinion in judging your ſelves. Vnderſtand it in this particular. The holy Scriptures give you to underſtand (I ſpeake ſtill to ſuch onelyonly as with all their ſoules would pleaſe GOD, yet can feele no comfort) that your ſtate, in point of Salvation, is good. And Gods experienced children, yea, his faithfull Miniſters, who dare not lye for God, much leſſe to eaſe you, they according to the Scriptures doe aſſure you that your ſtate is not as you ſay it is; but you have conceits other wiſe, & you have no feeling of comfort, and in your ſenſe to you, it is otherwiſe then either the Scripture, or the Miniſters ſpeake. Now when you will preferre your owne opinion and ſenſe (ſuch as it is) before the iudgement of Gods word of truth, and before the iudgement of p. 764Gods Ministers, iudging according to this word. Are you not highly conceited of your owne opinion? And are you not ſtrangely proud? though it may be you thought otherwiſe.

Wherefore if you underſtand things aright, you muſt have a meane conceit of your owne underſtanding, of your owne opinion, and of your owne ſenſe. For as you muſt deny your goodneſſe, and be poore in reſpect of conceit of any goodneſſe in you, if you would ever looke to have any goodneſſe from Chriſt; ſo you muſt deny your owne opinion, knowledge, ſenſe, and wiſedome, if you would know ſpirituall things aright, and would become wiſe through Chriſt.

And that it may appeare now, that you are not too well conceited of your owne opinion touching your eſtate, make uſe in this caſe of Experienced Chriſtians, p. 765but eſpecially of iudicious and godly Ministers. Let not feareAn excellent helpe making way to peace of conſcience either of troubling them, nor yet of ſhaming your ſelfe hinder you. But do it according to theſe directions.

Firſt, Acquaint ſuch a one withRules how to lay open our ſtate to others, when the Conſcience is troubled. your caſe betimes; keepe it not to your ſelfe too long. For then like a bone long out of joynt, and a feſtred wound, it will not be ſo well, nor ſo eaſily cured, beſide the vexation in the meane time.

Secondly, deale plainely, truely, and fully, in ſetting downe the cauſe of your trouble, not doing as many, telling one part of your griefe, and not another, which hath beene the cauſe that they have gone away without comfort. Either tell all or none in this caſe. If you thinke him not faithfull, reveale nothing thereof to him: If you judge him a fit man, then ſhew all, as you will doe your bodily maladies p. 766and diſeaſes to a Surgeon, or Phyſician, if you would have them cured.

Thirdly, Beleeve them rather than your ſelves in this caſe, hearken to them, and make uſe of their judgement and experience, and bee not preſumptuous of your owne underſtanding and feeling. In times of your feares and doubts be not raſh and ſudden in judging your ſelves. The Devill is a jugler, and your eyes be dazeled, and of all menMen overgone with trouble of conſcience, are moſt unfit toiudge of their own eſtate. you are the moſt unfit and incompetent to iudge of your ſelves in this caſe. For when groundleſſe ſuſpition, and cauſeleſſe feares have like a head-ſtrong Colt got a head, and hath caught the bit in his teeth, it will (like to other paſſions) carry you head long whither it liſteth, contrary to al right, reaſon, and underſtanding. In ſuch ſuſpicion & feare of your eſtate, you are like a iealous woman in the fit of her jealouſie, p. 767and feare of her husbands unfaithfulneſſe; ſhe will picke matter out of every thing he doth, (though he ſtudy to give her no occaſion of ſuſpition) to increaſe her ſuspition of him; If hee be ſomewhat ſtrange and auſtere, then (ſhe ſaith) he loveth her not but others better. If he be kinde to her, then ſhe thinkes that this is but to dazel & blind her eyes, that hee may without ſuſpition give himſelfe to other women. Deale now ingenuouſly, and anſwer whether it is not, or whether it hath not beene ſo with you? I pray marke your abſurd and contrary reaſonings. When you proſper, thence you inferre, ſure God doth not love mee, for whom he loveth, he correcteth. When God whips you well for this, and doth caſt you into grievous afflictions, thence you conclude, ſure God is wroth with mee, and doth not love mee. If you bee troubled in Conſcience, p. 768Oh, then GOD writes bitter things againſt you, you can have no peace. And when he giveth you quiet of minde, Oh, then you feare all riſeth from preſumption, your caſe is naught, and it wasbetter with you when you had trouble in minde. Is it not thus? Are you not aſhamed that you have beene thus ſenſeleſſe, and abſurd in your owne reaſonings: and yet, this underſtanding, reaſon, and ſenſe of yours muſt be harkned unto, before the truth of Gods Word, and before the iudgement of all men, though never ſo judicious. Will any body that is wiſe truſt ſuch a judgement? If an excellent Phyſitian for others, is ſeldome found to be the beſt Phyſitian for himſelfe in a dangerous ſickneſſe, but will make uſe of one (it may be) inferiour in judgement in Phyſicke to himſelfe; for his owne wits be not ſo well his owne in his owne caſe; then me p. 769thinkes, it ſhould be your wiſedome to make uſe of the judgement of others, and not follow your owne ſenſe.

But you will ſay, ſhall I thinke otherwiſe of my ſelfe than IReply. feele?

I anſwer; I, in ſome caſes, orAnſw. elſe you will bee counted a wilfull foole, as in the caſe of an Ague, you feele your drinke to be of an odde relliſh; before you had your ague, you knew it was well relliſhed, and thoſe which bring it, tell you it is the ſame, ſtanders by taſte it for you, and ſay it is the ſame, and that it is excellently well reliſhed, I hope you are wiſer in ſuch a caſe as this, then to conclude according to your feeling, and taſte; every one ſeeth that the fault was in your palate, not in the drinke. Even ſo it is with you when the palate of your underſtanding is diſtempered with a ſhaking fit of groundleſſe, and faithleſſe feare, p. 770wherefore in this ſtate, deny your owne ſenſe, and truſt not your owne iudgement; but hearken unto th… judgement of other men. And the rather, becauſe GOD doth therefore comfort men, and give them experience of his conſolations, cc2 Cor. 1. 42 Cor 1:4that they may comfort other in like caſe. Alſo hee hath given commandement …o his more underſtanding, & more confirmed children, that they ſhould dd1 Th…. 5 14comfort you, giving you to underſtand how it is with you in the matter of yous …onk, better than you can know of your ſelves. Nay more, God hath given to his Miniſters …he eeIſa. 50. 4.Isa 50:4tongue of the learned, to ſpeake a word in due ſeaſon to the ſoule that is wearie. Should not the judgements of theſe be regarded? But which is moſt of all, God hath not onelyonly given to Miniſters skill, to diſcerne your ſtate better than your ſelves, but hath given power and Ioh 20. 23.John 20:23authority, when they ſhall ſee p. 771cauſe, in his name to abſolve you, Chap. 17and to aſſure you, that (if it bee with you, according as you doe thus and thus relate your ſtate to be) you are in Gods favour, and in ſtate of grace.

I meane not that you ſhould hang your faith upon any mans, or any mens judgement; but when that men judicious, being in better caſe to judge of you, then you are to judge of your ſelves, ſhall by the Word of God, and by authoritie from him give you hope and comforts; you ought to comfort your ſelves by theſe meanes.

Thus much I have ſaid, that your judgement might be fitted to underſtand aright in what ſtate you ſtand. Which if you will obſerve it, it will be an excellent furtherance towards the obtaining of peace.

Now I will ſhew by what meanes you may hav… cauſe and matt… your judgement p. 772to worke upon, whence it may give you peace and comfort.

If you would have peace andMeanes to get and keep true peace. comfort in your ſoules, then firſt and chiefly you muſt get and cheriſh the Spirit of God in you, that it may speake peace to you, and may give you matter for your ſpirit to worke upon, whereby you may conclude, you are in Gods favour. For, though I grant, that you can have no feeling witneſſe to your ſelfe (ſay whatſoever can beſaid) untill your ſpirit can witneſſe that you are Gods children; yet your ſpirits are not to bee truſted in their witneſſing but onelyonly ſo far forth as the Spirit of God doth witneſſe to your ſpirits that it is ſo, that you are indeed his children. Whatſoever comfortable conceits a man may have in himſelfe of his good eſtate in grace, he… an have no true joy, and … by the holy Ghoſt, p. 773whoſe proper work it is to comfort, and is therefore called the ffIoh 14. 16John 14:16Comforter. For by him only a man can know, and by him a man may know gg1 Cor. 2. 121 Cor 2:12the things which are given him of God.

But it will be ſaid, the Spirit Reply.bloweth where it luſteth, how is it poſſible for any man by any meanes to get it?

In reſpect of mans owne abilitie,Anſw. it is as unpoſſible for him to get the ſpirit to come into, and to move in his hart, as it was for thoſe impotent folke, which lay waiting at the hhIoh. 5. 3, …John 5:3Poole of Betheſda, for the Angels comming to move the waters, to cauſe the ſaid moving of the waters; yet they wayting, the waters were moved, and ever and anon they that waited, and gave not over waiting at the Poole, were benefited. Thus if men will wait in the uſe of the meanes wherein, and whereby GOD doth give and continue his holy Spirit to p. 774men, they may looke to have it.

The firſt meanes to get theMeanes to obtain the Spirit. ſpirit, is to be an empty ſoule, ſenſible of the loſſe of that holy Spirit which once you had in Adam, you muſt mourne, and hunger, andMat. 5 3, 4, 5, 6.Matt 5:3Matt 5:4Matt 5:5Matt 5:6 thirſt after the Spirit. If you will doe thus, you may expect the receiving of the Spirit. For God ſaith, that iiIſa. 4 4. 3.Isa 4:4Isa 4:3hee will powre water upon him that is thirſtie, &c. I will powre my ſpirit upon thy ſeed, ſaith he to the Church.

Secondly, that your heart may be ſtirred up to long for the Spirit, you muſt know that there is an holy Ghoſt, and not onelyonly ſo, but muſt know him to bee God, and you muſt beleeve him to bee the comforter: And, as it is in our Creede, give him this honour and glory, as to beleeve in him, and conceive of him as the proper Author of ſanctifi atten and comfort, this is the way to have the Spirit, and to be ſure of it that you have it. Our Saviour ſaith, p. 775that the not knowing or beleeving hereof, is the cauſe why the kkIoh. 14. 17John 14:17World receive not the Spirit.

Thirdly, bee conſtant and diligent in waiting for the having, and for the increaſe of the gifts of the Spirit, in the holy exerciſes of Religion, as, reading, hearing and meditating of the Word of God, eſpecially of the bleſſed Hyſtory, and promiſes of the Goſpell, &c. You muſt wait for it in the motions and ſtirring of GODS Word in you by Gods meanes, then as Cornelius and his company received it at llAct. 10. 44.Acts 10:44Peters Sermon; and as the Galathians at the mmGal 3. 5Gal 3:5hearing of ſaith, ſo may you. For the Goſpell is called the nn2 Cor. 3. 6. 8.2 Cor 3:62 Cor 3:8Miniſtery of the Spirit.

Fourthly, Pray for the Spirit, and though you cannot pray wel without the Spirit, yet ſith it is Gods will that you ſhould pray for it, ſet about Prayer for it as well as you can, then God will enable you to pray for the ſpirit, p. 776and you ſhall have it. For Chriſt ſaith, If yee that are evill know how to give good gifts to your children: ooLu. 11 14How much more ſhall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that aske him? As theſe are means to get the ſpirit, ſo they are meanes to continue, nouriſh, and increaſe the graces of the Spirit.

Fifthly, If you would keepe and nouriſh this Spirit, you muſt take part with it in its luſting againſt the fleſh, you muſt not reſiſt, but willingly receive the comforts and motions of the ſpirit, and muſt doe your beſt to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, you muſt take heed that you neither ppEph. 4. 30 31Eph 4:30grieve nor qq1 Theſ. 5 19, 20.1 Thess 5:191 Thess 5:20quench the ſpirit; It is grieved, when it is reſiſted, croſſed, or oppoſed any way. It is quenched as fire is, two wayes; firſt, by throwing on water, all ſinfull actions, as they be greater or ſmaller, are as water, they doe accordingly more or p. 777leſſe quench and abate the Spirits operations. Secondly, fire may bee quenched and put out by with-drawing of wood and fewell. All neglect, or negligent uſing of the Word, Sacrament, Prayer, Meditation, and holy conference, and communion of Saints, doe much chill and quench the ſpirit: Whereas the daily and diligent uſe of all theſe, doth much increaſe, ſtrengthen, ſtirre up, and inflame it; whence muſt needs follow much peace and comfort.

Now when you have gotten this holy Spirit, and have any proofes of the holy Spirits being in you, then you ought to reſt ſatisfied in the Spirits witneſſe to your ſpirit, your ſpirit ſhould doubt no more. For even in this that God hath given you his ſpirit, the very being of it in you is a reall proofe, and the greateſt confirmation that can be of your being inſtate of grace. For when p. 778you have this S…it; I You are oo1 Ioh. 2 27.1 John 2:27annointed, what greater confirmation would you have of being made ppRev. 1. 6.Rev 1:6Kings and Prieſt… to God. 2 You are alſo by this ſpirit qqEph. 4. …0Eph 4ſealed to the day of Redemption, what greater confirmation can there be of Gods Covenant, and of his Will and Teſtament towards you. 3. It is likewiſe the tt2 Cor. 1. 22. Ephe. 142 Cor 1:22Earneſt of your inheritance, which giveth preſent being, and beginning to the Covenant, and bindeth to the perfect fulfilling it in its time, wherefore you are ſo ſurely Gods, when he hath given you his Spirit, that unleſſe you can thinke he will loſe his Spirit, the earneſt which he gave you, you can have no cauſe to thinke that hee will loſe you, or not fulfill the promiſe of Salvation ma… unto you, whereof his Spirit is the earneſt,How the Spirit doth witneſſe to a man that he is Go…s …. and part of the Covenant.

This Spirit doth witneſſe to a man, that he is the child of God two wayes. Firſt, by immediate p. 779witneſſe & ſuggeſtion. Secondly, by neceſſary inferences, by ſigns from the infallible fruits of the ſaid ſpirit; by which later witnes you may know the former to be a true teſtimony from Gods ſpirit, the ſpirit of Adoption; and not from a ſpirit of errour and preſumption. For this ſpirit of Adoption is a ſpirit of aaZ…ch 12. 10grace and ſupplication, it is a ſpirit of bbIſa 61. 3.Isa 61:3godly ſorrow, and it is a ſpirit ofa Rom. 8. 26Rom 8:26 **Act … 8. Gal. 5. …2.Acts 8Gal 5:2ſpirituall ioy. Where it doth teſtifie that you are Gods children there it will give you new harts, cauſing you to deſire and endevourAct. 24. 16Acts 24:16 to live like Gods children, in reverent feare and love, leading you in the right way. checkingIſa. 30. 21.Isa 30:21 you, and calling you backe out of the way of ſinne; ſtirring you up to prayer, with ſighes, deſires, and inward groanes, at leaſt making you to cōfeſſe your ſinnes, and to aske and hope for pardon in the name of CHRIST. And will ſtill be putting you on p. 780to live like obedient children; giving you no quietif you doe not. Thus much of the firſt and principall meanes of getting true peace and comfort.

Secondly, If you would have the invaluable Iewell of p…ace, then abſtaine as much as is poſſible, from the act of all groſſe, and from all preſumptuous ſins; and from the allowance of any ſinne. For the more ſin, the more guilt; and the leſſe ſin, the leſſe guilt: Now, the leſſe guilt lyeth upon the Conſcience, the more peace of Conſcience, the ssPſa. 51. 14Ps 51:14more guilt, the leſſe peace.

Thirdly, When you fall into ſinne, (for who liveth and ſinneth not) then with all ſpeed affect your heart with godly ſorrow for it, cauſe it to be a burden and a load, and wearineſſe to the Conſcience; but withall, affect your heart wi…h hope of mercy, forgivenes, and grace through Christ. Then with all humble ſubmiſſion you muſt ſeeke unto GOD, p. 781the God of peace, but come to him by Chriſt Ieſus, the ttIſa. 9. 6.Isa 9:6Prince of peace, upon whom lay the uuIſa. 53. 5.Isa 53:5chaſtiſement of your peace. Aske mercy and forgiveneſſe. Aske repentance, grace, and new obedience. Beleeve in Chriſt. If you doe all this, then you come unto Chriſt, and unto God by Chriſt, according to his Commandement, and you have his ſure promiſe, that ccMat. 11. 29.Matt 11:29you ſhall have reſt to your ſoules. This doe, for ddIoh. 16. 33John 16:33in Chriſt onelyonly can you have peace. This true application of CHRISTS bloud, and ſatisfaction, will ſo eeHeb. 9. 14Heb 9:14ſprinkle e Heb. 10 12Heb 10:12the Conſcience, from the guilt of ſinne; that there ſhall remaine ffHeb. 10. 2▪Heb 10:2no more Conſcience for ſinne, that is, no more guilt which ſhall draw upon you the wrath of God and eternall puniſhment for ſinne; whence muſt needs follow peace of Conſcience; becauſe the Conſcience hath nothing toHeb. 9 Pſal. 32 3, 4, 5.Heb 9Ps 32:3Ps 32:4Ps 32:5 accuſe you of, guiltineſſe being waſhed off by Chriſts bloud. As p. 782ſoone as David, after his foule ſinnes, could come thus to God, his heart had eaſe.

But when you have thus gotten a good and cleare Conſcience,How to keepe the Conſcience tender. See alſo Cap. 15. Sect. 2. at the end of it. take heede of defiling it againe, or giving it any matter of unreſt: Be as tender in keeping your Conſcience unſpotted, and unwounded as you are of the apple of your eye. Sin not againſt knowledge, and Conſcience, and in any caſe ſmother not the good checks and watchwards of your Conſcience. For if being waſhed, you doe againe defile it, this will cauſe new trouble of heart, and you muſt againe apply your ſelves to this laſt preſcribed remedy.

In the fourth place, CHRIST having taken upon him the burden of your ſinnes, which was intollerable, you muſt take upon you, and ſubmit unto the yoke of Mat. 11. 19Matt 11:19Christs ſervice, which is light and eaſie. You muſt indevour to doe p. 783whatſoever hee hath commanded in his Word and Goſpell, following his ſteppes in all his imitable actions; in all humility and meekeneſſe, in all ſpirituall and heavenly mindedneſſe. When you can thus ſubject your ſelves to Chriſt in holineſſe, you ſhall have peace. For the holy Ghoſt ſaith, the worke of Iſa. 32. 17.Isa 32:17righteouſneſſe is peace; and againe ſaith, To be ſpiritually minded is Rom. 8. 6.Rom 8:6peace, that is, bringeth with it peace. I comprehend CHRISTS yoke of the Goſpell in theſe three, Faith, Hope, and Love. As theſe three be in you and abound, in the ſame degrees ſhall peace be in you, and ſhall abound.

Having Faith in Chriſt (ſaithRom. 5. 1.Rom 5:1 the Apoſtle) we have peace with God. It is God that juſtifieth,Rom. 8. 33Rom 8:33 who ſhall lay any thing to your charge? For juſtifying Faith is the ground and ſpring, from which onelyonly ſound and true comfort doth flow.

p. 784Hope will make you wait, and expect with patience for the accompliſhmentRom. 8. 25Rom 8:25 of GODS ſure promiſes; whereby it will hold you as ſteady, and as ſure from wracke of ſoule, as any Anchor can hold a ſhip; God doth therefore give hope, that it may be as an Anchor, ſure and ſtedfaſt; Though while you are in the Sea of this world, it doth not keepe you ſo quiet, but that you may bee in part toſſed and diſquieted with the waves and billowes of feare and doubt, to try the goodneſſe of your veſſell, and ſtrength of your Anchor, and tacklings; Yet you ſhall be ſure not to make ſhipwracke of Faith and a good Conſcience, if Heb. 6. 18. 19Heb 6:18Heb 6:19you ſhall lay hold upon this hope ſet before you.

And as for Love, They that love the Lord ſhall have peace, you muſt therefore love God, love his ordinances and his people; Love God with all your p. 785heart; Love your neighbours as your ſelves, love Gods Commandements For great peace ſhall they have (ſaith the Prophet) that love Gods Law, and nothing ſhall offend Pſal. 119. 165.Ps 119:165them.

Whoſoever doe thus take up Chriſts yoke, and follow him, ſhall find reſt to their ſoules; andMat. 11. 29Matt 11:29 peace ſhall be upon them, as upon the Iſrael of God.Gal. 6. 16.Gal 6:16

Fiftly, If you would have peace uſe all good meanes, whereby you may bee oft put in remembrance of the exhortations and conſolations of God. They in the Hebrewes were therefore out of quiet, and readie to faint in their minds, both becauſe they forgat the exhortation, which ſaid, My ſonne, Heb. 12 5.Heb 12:5despiſe not the chaſtening of the Lord, &c. And becauſe they forgat the conſolation, which ſaith,Heb. 12. 6.Heb 12:6 Whom the LORD loveth, he chaſteneth.Meanes of being put in mind of Gods conſolationss

The principall meanes of being put in minde of GODS p. 786conſolations, are theſe following.

1. You muſt be much Converſant in Scriptures, by reading, hearing, and meditating thereon. For they were all written to Rom. 15. 4.Rom 15:4that end, that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, you might have hope.

The Scriptures of God, they are the very aaIſa 12 3.Isa 12:3Wells and bb…ſa. 66. 11Breaſts of conſolation and Salvation. The Law diſcovers ſinne, and by its threats againſt you, and by relating judgements executed upon others, doth drive you to Chriſt; The promiſes of the Goſpell madeGal. 3. 24Gal 3:24 to you, and the ſignification of the accompliſhment thereof to others, doe ſettle and confirme you in Chriſt, whereby your heart is filled with joy and conſolations. The Goſpell is called the ccRom. 10 15Rom 10:15Gospell of peace, and the Miniſters of the Goſpell are ſaid to bring glad tydings of this peace, …t is the bright ſhining light in the Goſpel, which p. 787will ddLuk. 1. 79Luke 1:79guide your feet in the way of peace.

2. Be much in good Company, eſpecially in theirs, who are full of ioy and peace in beleeving, whoſe example and counſell will mind you of joy and comfort, and will be of excellent uſe unto you, to eſtabliſh you in peace.

Sixtly, and laſtly, Acquaint Iob 22. 21. 23.Job 22:21Job 22:23your ſelfe with God, touching the courſe he uſeth to take with his children in bringing them to glory; Acquaint your ſelfe with God alſo in praying much for peace, unto him who is the God of peace, the Father of mercies, and the God of all conſolation; then ſhall you have peace, and much good ſhall be unto you. For it is GOD that Pſal. 85. 8.Ps 85:8ſpeaketh peace to his people, wherefore aſſuredly his anſwer to him that asketh peace, will be an anſwer of peace, even this peace which paſſeth all underſtanding. GOD ſhall give you peace, and with it glory, even a glorious peace.

p. 788Thus having directed my Pen not onelyonly to you in particular, in this tract of peace, but (ſith it is judged fit to be publike) both in this and the other directions, to a daily walke, unto all other that need and deſire it, you may ſee the excellency of peace, together with the impediments, furtherances, and meanes of peace. Sh…nne the Impediments, improve the furtherances, and I dare aſſure you, that albeit in this life you may ſtill feele a conflict betweene faith and doubting, betweene hope and feare, and betweene peace, and trouble of minde; yet in the end youPſal. 37. 37.Ps 37:37 ſhall have perfect peace; and in the meane time, though I cannot promiſe you to have alwaies that peace which will afford you ſenſe of ioy; yet God hath promiſed, that you ſhal have that which ſhall keepe your hearts and mindes in Chriſt; And what would you have more?

p. 789Thus I have endevoured to ſatisfie your godly deſire, I have of purpoſe written much in as few words as the points in hand would well beare; I did it the rather, not onelyonly becauſe writing is tedious to mee, but becauſe I know that you are eſtabliſhed already in theſe truths, wherefore theſe may be ſufficient to helpe you unto diſtinct notions of the moſt neceſſarie things that belong to a Chriſtian life, and to put you in remembrance. I have omitted many allegations of Scriptures, and have forborne to write out moſt that are alleaged. It was partly for haſte, partly for mine owne eaſe, and partly becauſe it would have made this Booke to be too big for a vade mecum to carry about with you; but I conſidered that you are much converſant, and well read in the Scriptures; and you may turne to the places, p. 790both in the line, and in the mar…ent, for you will finde, that, for the moſt part, the life of each point in hand lyeth hid in the Text of the Scripture alledged. I thanke God I have reaped much benefit to my ſelf in ſtudying, and Penning theſe directions. I pray God that …ou may reap much good in reading of them. Now the God of Rom. 15. 13 Heb. 13. 20 21.Rom 15:13Heb 13:20hope fill you with all ioy and peace in beleeving. And the God of peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Ieſus, that great Shepheard of the Sheepe, by the bloud of the everlasting Covenant, make you perfect in every good worke to doe his will, working in you that which is well pleaſing in his ſight, through Ieſus Chriſt, to whom be glory for ever and ever,

Amen.