Sermons preached

By all these Considerations it appears how great a Blessing the turning us from Sin is in the privative notion, that is the removal of so great an evil.

2. Take Blessedness in the Positive Notion, that is, to ⟨p. 54⟩enjoy a great Good: and it will appear it is a blessed thing to be turned from our Sins.

(1.) Because this is the matter of our Serenity, Comfort, and Peace here, and the pledge and beginning of our eternal Felicity hereafter. The Soul can never be settled in an holy Peace, till it be turned from its Sins; we can never find rest, till we get out of Satan's yoke, and get into Christ's blessed Liberty. The fruit of Righteousness is Peace, Isa. 32. 17. We are freed from those unquiet and troublesome thoughts wherewith others are haunted. A wicked Man's Soul is in a mutiny, one Affection wars against another, and all against the Conscience, and the Conscience against all: But where the Heart is framed to the obedience of God's Will, there is Peace, Pax est tranquillitas ordinis, when all things keep their place, as in an accurate orderly Life they do. Gal. 6. As many as walk according to this Rule, Peace and Mercy be upon them, and the whole Israel of God. There is Peace, for there is an harmonious Accord between God and them, and between them and themselves. Psal. 119. 165. Great Peace have they that love thy Law; not only Peace, but great Peace, a Peace that passeth all understanding. Whilst we are in our Sins, there is ever a fear of the War which is between God and us, and there is a War in our selves, Conscience disallowing our practices, and our practices disliking the conduct of Conscience, so that there is no peace to the Wicked. But when the Lord Jesus hath taken us in hand, and begun to cure us, and frame us aright, and show us his wonderful Grace in turning us from our Sins: here is matter provided for Serenity and Peace.