A Body of Practical Divinity

Resp. Some of the Godly may not have so full a degree of Peace. 1. Through the fury of Temptation; the Devil if he cannot destroy us, he will disturb us: Satan disputes against our Adoption; he would make us question the work of Grace in our Hearts, and so troubles the Waters of our Peace: Satan is like a subtle Cheater, who if he cannot make a Mans Title to his Land void, yet he will put him to many troublesome Suits in Law. If Satan cannot make us Ungodly, he will make us unquiet: Violent Winds make the Sea rough and stormy; the Winds of Temptation blowing, disturb Peace of Spirit, and put the Soul into a Commotion. 2. The Godly may not enjoy Peace, through mistake and misapprehension about Sin. They find so much Corruption, that sure if there were Grace, there would not be such strong Workings of Corruption: Whereas this should be so far from discouraging Christians, and hindering their Peace, that it is an Argument for them. Let me ask, whence is it that you feel Sin? no Man can feel Sin but by Grace. A wicked Man is insensible; lay an 100 weight upon a Dead Man, he doth not complain, but the being sensible of Corruption, argues a Gracious Principle, Rom. 7.21. Again, whence is it that there is a Combat with Sin, but from the Life of Grace? Gal. 5.17. Dead things cannot Combat. Whence is it that the Saints weep for Sin? what are these Tears, but Seeds of Faith? The not understanding of this, hinders a Christians Peace. 3. The Godly may not enjoy Peace through remissness in Duty; they leave their first Love. When Christians abate their fervency, God abates their Peace; if you slacken the Strings of a Viol, the Music is spoiled; if Christians slacken in Duty, they spoil the sweet Music of Peace in their Souls. As the Fire decays, so the Cold increaseth; as Fervency in Duty abates, so our Peace cools.

Resp. Some of the Godly may not have so full a degree of Peace. 1. Through the fury of Temptation; the Devil if he cannot destroy us, he will disturb us: Satan disputes against our Adoption; he would make us question the work of Grace in our Hearts, and so troubles the Waters of our Peace: Satan is like a subtil Cheater, who if he cannot make a Mans Title to his Land void, yet he will put him to many troublesom Suits in Law. If Satan cannot make us Ungodly, he will make us unquiet: Violent Winds make the Sea rough and stormy; the Winds of Temptation blowing, disturb Peace of Spirit, and put the Soul into a Commotion. 2. The Godly may not enjoy Peace, through mistake and misapprehension about Sin. They find so much Corruption, that sure if there were Grace, there would not be such strong Workings of Corruption: Whereas this should be so far from discouraging Christians, and hindering their Peace, that it is an Argument for them. Let me ask, whence is it that you feel Sin? no Man can feel Sin but by Grace. A wicked Man is insensible; lay an 100 weight upon a Dead Man, he doth not complain, but the being sensible of Corruption, argues a Gracious Principle,