Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

So is it with them in trouble. Is it any better with them in §. 16 their prosperity? This indeed is often great and is marvellously described in Scripture, as to their lives and oftentimes quiet peaceable ends. But have they any true consolation all their days? They eat, drink, sleep, and make merry, and perhaps heap up to themselves: but how little do these things make them to differ from the beasts that perish? Solomons advantage to have the use, and know the utmost of these things much beyond any of the sons of men of our generation, is commonly taken notice of. The account also that he gives of them is known: They are all vanity, and vexation of Spirit. This is their consolation; a crackling of thorns under the pot, a sudden flash, and blaze, that begins but to perish. So that both Adversity and prosperity slayeth them, and whether they are laughing or crying, they are still dying.

So is it with them in trouble. Is it any better with them in §. 16 their prosperity? This indeed is often great and is marvellously described in Scripture, as to their lives and oftentimes quiet peaceable ends. But have they any true consolation all their days? They eate, drink, sleep, and make merry, and perhaps heap up to themselves: but how little doe these things make them to differ from the beasts that perish? Solomons advantage to have the use, and know the utmost of these things much beyond any of the sons of men of our generation, is commonly taken notice of. The account also that he gives of them is known: They are all vanity, and vexation of Spirit. This is their consolation; a crackling of thornes under the pot, a sudden flash, and blaze, that begins but to perish. So that both Adversity and prosperity slayeth them, and whether they are laughing or crying, they are still dying.

Secondly, They have no peace; No peace with God, nor in their own souls. I know that many of them upon false bottoms, §. 17 grounds, and expectations, do make a shift to keep things in some quietness. Neither is it my business at present ⟨p. 320⟩to discover the falsenesses and unsoundness of it. But this is their State: True, and Solid peace being an effect of the Holy Ghost in the hearts of Believers (as hath been declared) they who are not made partakers of him, have no such peace. They may cry Peace, Peace indeed, when sudden destruction is at hand. The Principles of their peace, (as may be easily evidenced) are darkness, or ignorance, treachery of Conscience, self righteousness, and vain hope. To these heads may all the principles of their peace be reduced, and what will these avail them in the day when the Lord shall deal with them.