The peril of the times displayed. Or The danger of mens taking up with…

2. Your own comfort, in all changes, will be greatly helped by it. We have observed, that the best must look to meet with trouble, when God cometh to visit a people for these things: nor can they tell how deeply they may personally suffer in such times. However, there is a way by which the people of God may come to have much inward tranquility in their Souls, and be able to commit themselves to God with a sedate Spirit, when the Storms of Judgments are most furious, and Sinners in Zion are afraid▪ and fearfulness surpriseth the Hypocrites: and this is worth our utmost endeavour, and the peace of it will make full amends for all the labour we can use about it. And I am sure that there is nothing that will more largely ⟨p. 159⟩contribute hereto than this, viz. the Testimony of our Consciences to our sincerity, in standing by, and upholding the power of Godliness, in the most degenerate times. This will give rejoicing in the greatest afflictions that can befall us. Paul sets a Probatum est upon this, 2 Cor. 1.12. Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our Conscience, that in simplicity and Godly sincerity, we have had our Conversation in the World. This will help to fix our hearts in times when the most threatening Symptoms of evil appear, and the Clouds are gathering thick and fast: So it is with him who is upright. Psal. 112.7, 8. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed▪ trusting in the Lord: his heart is established he shall not be afraid. Whereas the want of this integrity, or some notorious defect in it, touching the Conscience, and making it to reflect upon the man, will offer more inward molestation, and hea•t disquietment, than all the outward troubles which he can encounter withal.

2. Your own comfort, in all changes, will be greatly helped by it. We have observed, that the best must look to meet with trouble, when God cometh to visit a people for these things: nor can they tell how deeply they may personally suffer in such times. However, there is a way by which the people of God may come to have much inward tranquility in their Souls, and be able to commit themselves to God with a sedate Spirit, when the Storms of Judgments are most furious, and Sinners in Zion are afraid and fearfulness surprizeth the Hypocrites: and this is worth our utmost endeavour, and the peace of it will make full amends for all the labour we can use about it. And I am sure that there is nothing that will more largely