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

Answ. The Second Doctrine answers to that Objection; for the second Doctrine saith, That a Godly mans peace may be interrupted.

Object. But one thing yet troubles me, and makes me fear, that my peace and quiet it not good, and that is because I came so lightly and slightly by it, I see how it hath been and it with others of the people of God; some that have been long afflicted and wounded ⟨p. 14⟩and have lien troubled a great while, and so they have had peace: but as for me it is not so with me, I came lightly, and slightly by my peace and quiet, and therefore I do even fear that the Lord never spake peace yet unto my soul.

Object. But one thing yet troubles me, and makes me fear, that my peace and quiet it not good, and that is because I came so lightly and slightly by it, I see how it hath been and it with others of the people of God; some that have been long afflicted and wounded ⟨p. 14⟩and have lien troubled a great while, and so they have had peace: but as for me it is not so with me, I came lightly, and slightly by my peace and quiet, and therefore I do even fear that the Lord never spak peace yet unto my soul.

Answ. Doest thou say Lightly? how lightly? hast thou stolen thy peace? or have others bought their peace? for you say, others have been much afflicted and troubled, and had a great deal of heart-smart. But I pray tell me, did those who have had all this trouble, did they purchase, or buy their peace at the hand of Christ withal this trouble? or did Christ give them that peace and comfort freely? Buy it! no surely, they did never purchase it, never buy it, but Christ gave it them freely. Why, if Christ gave it them freely after all their trouble; why may he not give it thee freely after less trouble? I have read, and so have you, in the Gospel, a Parable of two that came into the Vineyard to work; the one in the beginning of the day, who bare the heat of the day; and the other at the latter end of the day: and both had a penny; When they were both paid, he that was there at the beginning of the day, murmurs, saying I have been here all this day, and I have born the heat of the day, and I have but a penny; and the other that came in at the latter end of the day, hath a penny as well as I: the man that had been there working at the beginning and heat of the day, he murmurs; but he that came at the latter end, he did not murmur; nor say, surely, my penny is naught, because I have a penny given me, as well as he that hath born the heat of the day. If any should complain, those that have born the heat of the day, that have been so much troubled should in reason be the persons, but hath the Lord taken you, and given you a penny, the same peace with him who bare the heat of the day; and will you complain and say, surely, my penny is fale coin, and my peace naught, because, I have not born and endured so much trouble as another hath? you know, some children are born into the world with more pain than others, some with less pain: should the Child that is born with less pain, say, I am a Bastard, because I was not born with so much pain as the other was? When Christ is formed in the souls of men & women, some are regenerate and born again with more pain, some are regenerate and born again with less pain: should he that is born with less pain, say, I am a Bastard, and not a true Son, because there was not so much pain at my first regeneration as such a one had? you know how it was with Zacheus;