The Soul's Conflict with Itself

In this conflicting state, every principle labouring to maintain it self, at length by help of the spirit, backing and strengthening his own work, grace gets the better, keeping nature within bounds, and suppressing corruption. And this the soul (so far as it is spiritual) doth by gathering it self to it self, and by reasoning the case so far, till it concludes, and joins upon this issue, that the only way to attain ⟨p. 567⟩sound peace, is (when all other means fail) to trust in God. And thereupon he lays a charge upon his soul so to do, is being a course grounded upon the highest reason, even the unchangeable goodness of God, who out of the riches of his mercy, having chosen a people in this world, which should be to the glory of his mercy, will give them matter of setting forth his praise, in showing some token of good upon them, as being those on whom he hath fixed his love, and to whom he will appear not only a Saviour, but salvation it self. Nothing but salvation; as the Sun is nothing but light, so whatsoever proceeds from him to them, tends to further salvation. All his ways towards them lead to that; which ways of his, though for a time they are secret, and not easily found out, yet at length God will be wonderful in them to the admiration of his enemies themselves, who shall be forced to say, God hath done great things for them; and all from this ground, that God is our God ⟨p. 568⟩in covenant. Which words are a stern that rule and guide the whole text.

In this conflicting state, every principle labouring to maintaine it selfe, at length by helpe of the spirit, backing and strengthening his owne worke, grace gets the better, keeping nature within bounds, and suppressing corruption. And this the soule (so farre as it is spirituall) doth by gathering it selfe to it selfe, and by reasoning the case so farre, till it concludes, and joynes upon this issue, that the onely way to attaine ⟨p. 567⟩sound peace, is (when all other meanes faile) to trust in God. And thereupon he layes a charge upon his soule so to doe, is being a course grounded upon the highest reason, even the unchangeable goodnesse of God, who out of the riches of his mercy, having chosen a people in this world, which should be to the glory of his mercy, will give them matter of setting forth his praise, in shewing some token of good upon them, as being those on whom he hath fixed his love, and to whom hee will appeare not onely a Saviour, but salvation it selfe. Nothing but salvation; as the Sunne is nothing but light, so whatsoever proceeds from him to them, tends to further salvation. All his wayes towards them leade to that; which wayes of his, though for a time they are secret, and not easily found out, yet at length God will be wonderfull in them to the admiration of his enemies themselves, who shall be forced to say, God hath done great things for them; and all from this ground, that God is our God