An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

3. This peace of God filleth the heart with joy and boldness at the throne of grace. For as when the Sun ariseth, the dark clouds they are scattered; Thus when the peace of God doth shine into our souls, then the heart is filled with joy in the holy Ghost, 1 Pet. 1. 8. it is called unspeakable joy, and full of glory: Insomuch that such who live in this manner, have Heaven and eternal life already begun in their souls. It is not according to the Spirit of God, that thou shouldst be heaping up sad thoughts against thy self; Gods Spirit is a comforting Spirit, as it doth all in us for holiness, so also for consolation. It is not Spiritus Calvinianus, but Papisticus, that may be truly called Melancholicus; for the Calvinist Doctrine preacheth and presseth the assuring work of Gods Spirit to the soul, the certainty of perseverance to such who have been partakers of the least true grace; but Popish Doctrine and others commend doubtings, deny certain perseverance of the true Saints; and therefore upon this account, as well as for other reasons, they may be rejected, because they tend to the utter overthrow of the consolation of Gods children. Oh then know, that a spiritual life, is a life suitable to the Spirit of God, is a comfortable glad walking, as well as an holy, and a sanctified one.

3. This peace of God filleth the heart with joy and boldnesse at the throne of grace. For as when the Sunne ariseth, the dark clouds they are scattered; Thus when the peace of God doth shine into our souls, then the heart is filled with joy in the holy Ghost, 1 Pet. 1. 8. it is called unspeakable joy, and full of glory: Insomuch that such who live in this manner, have Heaven and eternal life already begun in their souls. It is not according to the Spirit of God, that thou shouldst be heaping up sad thoughts against thy self; Gods Spirit is a comforting Spirit, as it doth all in us for holiness, so also for consolation. It is not Spiritus Calvinianus, but Papisticus, that may be truly called Melancholicus; for the Calvinist Doctrine preacheth and presseth the assuring work of Gods Spirit to the soul, the certainty of perseverance to such who have been partakers of the least true grace; but Popish Doctrine and others commend doubtings, deny certain perseverance of the true Saints; and therefore upon this account, as well as for other reasons, they may be rejected, because they tend to the utter overthrow of the consolation of Gods children. Oh then know, that a spiritual life, is a life sutable to the Spirit of God, is a comfortable glad walking, as well as an holy, and a sanctified one.