A most sweet and assured comfort for all those that are afflicted in conscience…A most sweete and assured comfort for all those that are afflicted in consciscience…

Now therefore as the peace of conscience and joy ⟨image 24⟩of mind is such a treasure, as the eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard, nor the tongue expressed; but passeth all understanding: & as they only know what the peace of mind meaneth, that feel it; so they alone can in trueth speak of a troubled mind, that have tasted of it by experience.

Now therefore as the peace of conscience and ioy ⟨image 24⟩of minde is such a treasure, as the eye hath not seene, the eare hath not heard, nor the tung expressed; but passeth al vnderstanding: & as they only knowe what the peace of minde meaneth, that feele it; so they alone can in trueth speake of a troubled minde, that haue tasted of it by experience.

But let us show what way is to be used to keep us from this wound of the spirit. It is the use of Physic, as to cure us of diseases when we are fallen into them; so to preserve us from sickness before it hath taken hold of us: it is the power of the Word, as to assuage ⟨image 24⟩the trouble of Conscience, when it doth once press us; so to prevent it before it hath overtaken us. It is a chief point of worldly wisdom, not to tarry for the use of physic until we be deadly sick; but to be acquainted with Gods merciful preservation to defend us from it; likewise it is a chief policy of a godly Christian, not only to seek comfort when the agony is upon him; but also to use all good helps to meet with it before it comes. And if we condemn them of folly, who will not as well labour to keep themselves out of debt; as to pay the debt when they owe ⟨image 25⟩it: so it is a madness not to be circumspect to avoid all occasions, which may bring trouble of mind upon them; as we would be provident to enter every good way which may draw us out of this trouble, when we have once entered into it.