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Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace…
Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace and solid joy of a good conscience sprinkled with the blood of Jesus and exercised always to be void of offence toward God and toward men : brought down and holden forth in XXII very searching sermons on several texts of Scripture ... / by James Durham.
Edinburgh: printed by the heir of Andrew Anderson, 1685
Title page typeset from the transcription.
HEAVEN upon EARTH in a Serene and Smiling good Conscience. › Sermons on hebrews n13.18 › Sermon 2
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
for true peace is the result of a mans designed, and in some measure seriously endeavoured conformity to all Gods commands; and the breach of any one command will some way mar his peace; There must be then an universal design, and endeavour to keep touches with God, we can never else have solid peace: But where this is, there is fair and ready access to peace, and a good evidence of a good Conscience; according to that notable word, Psal. 119. 6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all thy commandments. Its only this universal respect to Gods commands that prevents shame, and gives the Believer boldness; and therefore it must needs be a good evidence of, and have a great stroke and influence upon a good Conscience.
for true peace is the result of a mans designed, and in some measure seriously endeavoured conformity to all Gods commands; and the breach of any one command will some way marr his peace; There must be then an universal design, and endeavour to keep touches with God, we can never else have solid peace: But where this is, there is fair and ready access to peace, and a good evidence of a good Conscience; according to that notable word, Psal. 119. 6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all thy commandments. Its only this universal respect to Gods commands that prevents shame, and gives the Believer boldness; and therefore it must needs be a good evidence of, and have a great st•oak and influence upon a good Conscience.
The 3d. thing in the Doctrine to be cleared is, ⟨p. 296⟩what is meant by willingness, and a hearty purpose to be universal, in the practice of holiness, or of an honest life and walk? whereupon, as on its base, we said, the great stress of the evidence lies, and therefore we would clear it the more fully; and that we may do so, we shall, •. premit some distinctions of willingness, that we may know of what willingness it is, that the Apostle means. 2ly. We shall confirm both parts of the Doctrine after some few things permitted. 3ly. We shall show wherein this willingness consists, and what are its characters.