Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace…

Follows, Be still, as being stayed and fixed, quieted and calmed, against reeling-to and fro, up and down, and against all struggling with God, and fretting at his providence, because ye have to do with him, and not with men.

Follows, Be still, as being stayed and fixed, quieted and calmed, against reilling-to and fro, up and down, and against all strugling with God, and fretting at his providence, because ye have to do with him, and not with men.

We shall not proceed further for the time; only ye may see from what hath been said, if we look singly on it, that there is here a most clear, useful, and necessary duty at all times, and more especially at this time: We say especially at this time, for these reasons. 1. Because of the common and general security, and formal way of going about duty, that is stolen in amongst Christians at this time, and there cannot be a better mean to help this, then to give our selves to the exercise of self-examination▪ and to the trial of our ways; This seriously gone about would make us re•ze, and stir up our selves in good earnest, to cry mightily to God: and if this be a time, that hath such an evil in it, as great security and formality; and if this be a duty▪ that may throw Gods blessing help the same, let none complain of over liness, coldness, and life-lesnesse in Religion, that is not seriously ⟨p. 217⟩minding, and going about this, as a necessary, profitable and excellent mean to amend it▪ 2ly. Because there is much false bulk, and empty show of a profession; Which we are afraid, but a very little trial will quickly evidence, and discover to be so, even to be unsure work; I will not say, but there may be some sickerness, and solidity in the profession of some, but it is to be feared, that many others are but building castles in the air, castles of come down when the rain shall descend, the winds blow, and the floods beat, having much more show then substance, and solid work; and the way to make it sicker, sure and solid work, that will abide the trial, is to lay it to the Rule, and to try it thereby; many profest Christians are like to foolish builders, who build by guess, and by rule of thumb, (as we use to speak) and not by Square and Rule; and if they have but bulk enough, they look not much to the solidity, and straightness of the Fabric: There are many engagements come under, many fastings, prayers, hearings of the Word, &c. (which are good in themselves, and commendable) but there would be Self-examination, to see what solidity is in them all; else we will be like the men, who expend all their stock on the stone and timber-work of a large house, and leave nothing to plenish, and furnish it within;