The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being…

4. That this must be witnessed in the Conscience t• give it ease. There is peace with God upon the ap• plying of a pardon, Rom. 5. 1. The very act o• forgiveness past in the Court of Heaven, is a fru•• ⟨p. 221⟩of Gods being reconciled, and rendereth the mans late peaceable: but this peace doth not influence •he Conscience to make peace there, till it be acquainted with, and ascertained of this forgiveness; •he still his Guilt, and that is his trouble, and •ill he can get some good security of his pardon, •he is not satisfied: The report indeed that there •s forgiveness with God, and the offer of it made •o him, is some relief, and affords him a supporting hope against utter despair, but it must be a signed and sealed pardon, read to him, that will restore him to real comfort; there is many a Malefactor is Executed for all the mercy of the Prince: God may be a God of forgiveness, and many may taste of it, but he may perish: Time was when he pleased himself with a general notion of mercy, but now he considers what God hath •aid, Isa. 27. 4. Fury is not in me; who will set bri•rs, &c. And so he cannot rest, till Christ saith •o him, Be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven; the •an must have a good ground to believe his pardon, as he hath been assured of his Condemnation.

4. That this must be witnessed in the Conscience t• give it ease. There is peace with God upon the ap plying of a pardon,