Caryl - Houston-Packer Collection BS1415 .C37 v10

Chap. 34.. An Expofation upon the Book, of j o B. Verf. 29. and the confcience quiet, in thegreateft vifible confufions. Let the world turn about and overturn, lot it !hake and break into a thoufand pieces, this peace abides unshaken, unbroken: let the world rage in the heat either of war or perfecution, yet the heart is ferene,fixr, and quiet, like Mount Zion, that cannot be remo- ved. Chrift tells his Difciples (John a6.33.) 7hefe things have- 1fpoken untoyou, that in meye might havepeace ; (and in the fame verfe he foretells them) In the world you fhatdhave tribulation as if he had faid, you shall have a peace concurrent and contem- porary with your tribulation ; trouble from the world fhall not hinder the peaceyou have from me ; yea,my peace fhall conquer the troubles you have in the world. Thus the Prophet tryum- phed in believing, (Hab. 3. 17.) Though the labour ofthe Olive jhouldfail, and the Vine yetldnofruit, though therebe no-Calves its the (tall, nor Sheep in the fold, &c. yet 1 will joy in the Lord, and rejoyce in the God ofmyfalvation. To rejoyce in the Lord,is more then robe quiet, or to have peace in the Lord. Joyis the exalts. tion of peace, it is themolt delicious fruit of peace : The worft of worldly evils cannot defpoil us of the leafs purely fpiritual good, much lefsof the greateft. Him wilt thou keep in perfeEl peace, whore mimic isflayed on thee, (Ifa. 26. 3.) That's perfe sly per- feel to whichnothingcanbe added, and fromwhì:chnothing can, be taken away yet that is truly perfe&, towhich though iom thing maybe added, yet it cannot be either totally or. finally ta- ken away. Such is the foul-peace of true believers in this life, . and therefore a perfe& peace. Secondly, As outward tribulation cannot hinder the foul-peace: of a godly man, fo the policy, plots, and temptations of Satan, our arch-enemy cannot, yea his charges andmoft fpiteful.accula- tions (hall not. The great deligne of the devil, is, to deftroy and devour fouls, his own condition beingmoll miferabic, he at once envies all thofe who are not in the fame condition, and acrempts . to make them fo; and whenhe fails in that attempt, the deitru- &ion offouls, yet he will not ceafe to attempt their tnoleftacion, and totrouble thofe whom he cannot utterlydevour. Now, as Saran cannot at all,prevail in the former attempt, the destroying of fouls, fohecannot wholly prevail in the latter, the troubling of fouls. Hence that gallàtit challenge of the Apoflle, (Rcrat.. S. 33, 34,)Who fhall lay any thing to thechargeof Gods e?e17 .t rt . ie; ?-51

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