A discourse concerning meekness and quietness of spirit to which is added, A sermon…

1. That he hath the sweetest and surest Peace, who is the most Master of his own Passions. The ⟨p. 128⟩comfort that a Man hath in governing himself, is much greater than he could have in having People to serve him, and Nations to bow down to him. It is certain the worst Enemies we have, if ever they break loose and get head, are in our own Bosoms. Enemies without threaten only the evil of pain; they can but kill the Body, and no great hurt in that to a Child of God, if they do not provoke the Enemies within, our own irregular Passions, which if they be not kept under, plunge us in the evil of sin, and that's the much greater evil. An Invasion from Abroad doth not so much disturb the Peace of a Kingdom, as an Insurrection at Home doth; and therefore it concerns us to double our Guard, where our danger is greatest, and above all keepings, to keep our Hearts, that no Passion be allowed to stir without a good reason to be given for it, and a good use to be made of it; and then if we be troubled on every side, yet not distressed, perplexed, yet not in despair, 2 Cor. 4. 8, 9. Offended by our Fellow-Servants, but not offending our Master; reproached by our Neighbours but not by our own Consciences; this is like Zion's Peace, Peace within the Walls, Psa. 122. 7. We have need to pray as one did, Liberame à malo isto homine, meipso; Lord deliver me from that ill Man, mine own self, and then I am safe enough. The Lusts that war in our Members, Jam. 4. 1. are the Enemies that war against our Souls, 1 Pet. 2. 11. If this War be brought to a good issue, and those Enemies supperest, whatever other Disturbances are given, Peace is in the Soul with Grace and Mercy from God, and from the Lord Jesus. Nehemiah was aware of this, as the design of his Enemies, when they hired a pretended Prophet to give an Alarm, and ⟨p. 129⟩to advise him meanly to shift for himself, it was (saith he) Neh. 6. 13. That I should be afraid and do so, and sin. Whatever we lose, we shall not lose our Peace, if we do but keep our Integrity; therefore instead of being solicitous to subdue our Enemies that lay Siege to us, let us double our watch against the Traitors within the Garrison, from whom especially our danger is; since we cannot prevent the shooting of the fiery Darts, let us have our Shield ready, wherewith to quench them. If we would not hurt our selves, blessed be God no Enemy in the World can hurt us.