Back to the index.
Peace and quietness is a thing that is very excellent and commendable, greatly to be desired; and the inward peace of the soul, it is the greatest benefit and favour when it is granted—when the inward man is at peace, and then it is a peace of the right kind. Of all things that we can possess here it is most comfortable; and indeed it is the very beginning of heavenly happiness. To have righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, when they are attained unto, they are the beginnings of the kingdom of grace here; and the perfection of them is the perfecting of the kingdom of glory hereafter.
Now I would have you to consider, if so be that ye find peace, whether it be a right and a sound peace or not; for in truth the most part, they are always at peace, and whatever trouble they find in the world and in their outward estate, yet they find no trouble in their inward estate. ~And therefore, that ye may know whether your peace be of the right kind or not, consider that, as there be two sorts of sleeping, so there is also two sorts of peace. First, there is a sick sleep; secondly, there is a sound sleep. Now if ye would know what is the difference betwixt this sick sleep and this sound sleep, this is it. When we waken off a sick sleep, we find ourselves to be sicker than when we did fall asleep, and our pain to be greater, so that we cannot get rest: but when we waken off a sound sleep, we find comfort, refreshment, and strengthening by it. So I may say truly, it is even so in respect of the peace of the mind: there is a sick peace, and there is a sound peace. Now ye shall know by your wakening, of what sort your peace is; and that s sure, there will be a wakening either soon or syne (sooner or later). And if so be that thy peace be a sick peace, then terrible and fearful will thy wakening be; and thou will rue that ever thou was at peace, but will wish from thy heart that rather thou had been troubled all thy time. Whereas, again, if thy peace be a right and a sound peace, it furnishes to them who has it strength, comfort, refreshment; and when he finds it, he cannot rejoice enough into it, nor be thankful enough to God, who has dealt so graciously and so favourably with him. And this sound and perfect peace is not to be found without that warfare whereunto ye were exhorted the day, and the former Sabbath also; for our peace consists not in this, that we have no enemies: that sort of peace is only the peace of the kingdom of heaven, and so that peace is not to be looked for, nor to be found here. 'We must, so long as we are here, have malicious, crafty, and powerful enemies. But our peace here consists in this, that we have the favour of God, that we are clothed with his armour, and stands by his strength.
And therefore let us labour earnestly, and cry for this peace. And because this peace comes through repentance for sin, and reconciliation through the blood of Jesus Christ, therefore let us cry unto the Lord for these things, through the blood of Jesus Christ, by the which remission of sins is attained unto: that so we may find and feel this peace to be m our souls, and may be refreshed in the sense thereof, through Jesus Christ.