2. Then the nature is changed, when the Conscience being still and quiet, and the soul assured of the Lords love, yet nothing gives the heart quiet till 'tis contiguous to God in Christ to enjoy him, in his Holiness, and in the love and delight of his whole will. For this is a certain Rule, If the nature be not changed, if Conscience be but once quieted with the sense of Gods love, and affected with it, and hath not God indeed, nor his work to quiet it, it will fall to lusting after Creatures and live upon them, and feed the heart there. For as 'tis impossible for a man to live, or to be without provision, so the world being provision for the flesh, meat, drink, sleep, and these lawful things, there i• doth and will lie quiet without God. But now where the nature is changed, and there is another nature, there is something else provided for it to live on, and that is the Lord and his Will. As Christ said, 'tis my meat and drink to do his Will. And Rom. 7. 22. I delight in the Law of God in the inner man. There was somewhat that loathed it, but •here was somewhat else delighted in it, and there lies its life, and though the heart would rest and give over sometimes, yet 'tis a Law of the mind that the soul hath, he can have no rest, Rom. 8. 5. And therefore take a child of God, let him have meat, drink, sleep, blessing in his Calling, preach, pray, and have honour, yet •e will constantly come home to the Lord mourning. What doth all this do me good? When I rise up, lie down, eat, drink and pray, and do all without him? An untuned heart all this while. The world stands between him and the Lord all this while, but this doth not. Many a sincere heart hath heavy complaints, ⟨p. 200⟩and many doubts, because 'tis not thus; this rather is an evidence of peace, than Gods war against it. Its an old Rule, he that can live in Heaven, shall; and there is nothing but a God to suck in, and breath out, and live unto. Is this thy Element now?
2. Then the nature is changed, when the Conscience being still and quiet, and the soul assured of the Lords love, yet nothing gives the heart quiet till 'tis contiguous to God in Christ to enjoy him, in his Holiness, and in the love and delight of his whole will. For this is a certain Rule, If the nature be not changed, if Conscience be but once quie•ed with the sence of Gods love, and affected with it, and hath not God indeed, nor his work to quiet it, it will fall to lusting after Creatures and live upon them, and feed the heart there. For as 'tis impossible for a man to live, or to be without provision, so the world being provision for the flesh, meat, drink, sleep, and these lawful things, there i• doth and will lie quiet without God. But now where the nature is changed, and there is another nature, there is somthing else provided for it to live on, and that is the Lord and his Will. As Christ said, 'tis my meat and drink to do his Will. And Rom. 7. 22. I d•light in the Law of God in the inner man. There was somwhat that loathed it, but •here was somwhat else delighted in it, and there lies its life, and though the heart would rest and give over somtimes, yet 'tis a Law of the mind that the soul hath, he can have no rest, Rom. 8. 5. And therefore take a child of God, let him have meat, drink, sleep, blessing in his Calling, preach, pray, and have honour, yet •e will constantly come home to the Lord mourning. What doth all this do me good? When I rise up, lie down, eat, drink and pray, and do all without him? An untuned heart all this while. The world stands between him and the Lord all this while, but this doth not. Many a sincere heart hath heavy complaints, ⟨p. 200⟩and many doubts, because 'tis not thus; this rather is an evidence of peace, than Gods war against it. Its an old Rule, he that can live in Heaven, shall; and there is nothing but a God to suck in, and breath out, and live unto. Is this thy Element now?
