But we must remember, though the main pillar of our comfort be in the 1free forgiveness of our sins; yet if there be a neglect in growing in holiness, the soul will never be soundly quiet, because it will be prone to question the truth of justification, and it is as proper for sin to raise doubts and fears in the conscience, as for rotten flesh and wood to breed worms. And therefore we may well join this as a 2cause of disquietness, the neglect of keeping a clear conscience. Sin, like Achan, or Jonah in the ship, is that which causeth storms within and without; where there is not a pure conscience there is not a pacified conscience, and therefore though some thinking to salve themselves whole in justification, ⟨p. 31⟩neglect the cleansing of their natures; and ordering of their lives: yet in time of temptation, they will find it more troublesome then they think. For a conscience guilty of many neglects and of allowing it self in any sin to lay claim to Gods mercy, is to do as we see mountebanks sometimes do, who wound their flesh to try conclusions upon their own bodies how sovereign the salve is; yet oftentimes they come to feel the smart of their presumption, by long and desperate wounds. So God will let us see what it is to make wounds to try the preciousness of his Balm, such may go mourning to their graves. And though (perhaps) with much wrestling with God, they may get assurance of the pardon of their sins, yet their conscience will be still trembling (like as Davids though Nathan had pronounced unto 3him the forgiveness of his sin) till God at length speaks further peace, even as the water of the sea (after a storm) is not presently still, but moves and trembles a good while after the storm ⟨p. 32⟩is over. A Christian is a new creature, and walketh by rule, and so far as he walketh according to his rule peace is upon him. Loose walkers that regard not 4their way, must think to meet with sorrows instead of peace. Watchfulness is the preserver of peace. It is a deep spiritual judgement to find peace in an ill way.
But we must remember, though the maine pillar of our comfort bee in the 1free forgivenesse of our sinnes; yet if there be a neglect in growing in holinesse, the soule will never be soundly quiet, because it will be proane to question the truth of justification, and it is as proper for sinne to raise doubts and feares in the conscience, as for rotten flesh and wood to breed wormes. And therefore we may well joyne this as a 2cause of disquietnesse, the neglect of keeping a cleare conscience. Sinne, like Achan, or Ionas in the ship, is that which causeth stormes within and without; where there is not a pure conscience there is not a pacified conscience, and therefore though some thinking to salve themselves whole in justification, ⟨p. 31⟩neglect the cleansing of their natures; and ordering of their lives: yet in time of temptation, they will finde it more troublesome then they thinke. For a conscience guilty of many neglects and of allowing it selfe in any sin to lay claime to Gods mercy, is to doe as we see mountebanks sometimes do, who wound their flesh to try conclusions upon their owne bodies how soveraigne the salve is; yet oftentimes they come to feele the smart of their presumption, by long and desperate wounds. So God will let us see what it is to make wounds to try the preciousnesse of his Balme, such may goe mourning to their graves. And though (perhaps) with much wrastling with God, they may get assurance of the pardon of their sins, yet their conscience will bee still trembling (like as Davids though Nathan had pronounced unto 3him the forgivenesse of his sin) till God at length speakes further peace, even as the water of the sea (after a storme) is not presently still, but moves and trembles a good while after the storm ⟨p. 32⟩is over. A Christian is a new creature, and walketh by rule, and so far as hee walketh according to his rule peace is upon him. Loose walkers that regard not 4their way, must thinke to meet with sorowes instead of peace. Watchfulnesse is the preserver of peace. It is a deep spirituall judgement to find peace in an ill way.
- 1To have and maintain true comfort, we must grow up holiness.To have and maintaine true comfort, we must grow up holinesse.
- 28. Want of a clear conscience raises tumults in the soul.8. Want of a cleare conscience raises tumults in the soule.
- 3Psal. 51.
- 4Gal. 6. 16.
