I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

¹The issue is thus much. Then behold! what a blessed condition the Saints and people of God are in? Is it not a bl•ssed thing to have peace within; to have quiet, peace, and rest within? If ye have peace within; though ye want peace without, you will be able to hear all your burdens,² The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmities. But a wounded spirit who can bear? Some bear Agues and Fevers; some bear Stones, and Colics, Rackings and Tormentings; but a wounded spirit who can bear? O but the spirit of a man will sustain his infirmities, if he have peace within; if he be Heart-whole, as they say, if he have peace within then will he be able to bear all his burdens. Ye see into what times we are now fallen; we cannot promise our selves peace for a day together; suddenly a cloud may arise, in a night, and all our comforts laid in the dark; How good a thing is it then, to have peace within, to have rest and quiet within! If I have peace within, I can relieve my self here against all calamity. What though I have trouble from my friends? yet I have peace within: what though I am thus reproached? yet I have peace within; I am wet indeed, my garment is wet; but I am not wet to the skin, I am dry within,³ I have peace within. Blessed (says our saviour) are those that mourn for they shall be comforted. Are those blessed for the present that shall be comforted? how blessed are those then that are comforted, and that have peace, and quiet already.

¹The issue is thus much. Then behold! what a blessed condition the Saints and people of God are in? Is it not a bl•ssed thing to have peace within; to have quiet, peace, and rest within? If ye have peace within; though ye want peace without, you wil be able to hear al your burthens,² The spirit of a man wil sustain his infirmities. But a wounded spirit who can bear? Some bear Agues and Feavers; some bear Stones, and Collicks, Rackings and Tormentings; but a wounded spirit who can bear? O but the spirit of a man wil sustain his infirmities, if he have peace within; if he be Heart-whole, as they say, if he have peace within then wil he be able to bear al his burthens. Ye see into what times we are now fallen; we cannot promise our selves peace for a day together; suddenly a cloud may arise, in a night, and al our comforts laid in the dark; How good a thing is it then, to have peace within, to have rest and quiet within! If I have peace within, I can relieve my self here against al calamity. What though I have trouble from my friends? yet I have peace within: what though I am thus reproached? yet I have peace within; I am wet indeed, my garment is wet; but I am not wet to the skin, I am dry within,