beauty in it, as is much fet by, in the fight of God, Pfal. 45. II, So fhall the King greatly defire thy beauty. It is a lovely fight to fee any thing grow, fo as to thrive, and prof per; Corn on the ground, Cattel in the field, Fruit on the tree. Children in the house, growing up as Olive Plants about the Table. But the growth, and profperity of the Soul is much more lovely. Indeed there is much spiritual beauty and loveliness in the very first principles of spiritual life, wherein, (as I have fhewed you) the first Foundation of Soul-profperity, as to our difcerning it, is laid. These are much of the fame nature, and bear the fame name with that perfect ftate of happiness, which is enjoy'd in Heaven. As that is called, Glory, fo are thefe, 2 Cor. 3.18, But we all with open face, behol ding, as in a glafs, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the fame image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. And if fo; then where all thefe lovely principles thrive and profper, the fpirit of glory rests upon fuch a Soul, as 1 Pet. 4. 14. This is fo; but that which I fhall specially inftance in, as most comprehenfive of the bleffed effects of Soul-profperity in this life, is that fweet peace within, and heavenly ferenity of fpirit, which a profperous Soul, fo long as it doth profper, may,and (if it know its own happiness) ufually doth enjoy.

1: Much

I. Much fweet peace, because of that fweet agreement which there is between a Man's Confcience, and Himself. Confcience we know, if enlightened, preffeth to duty; which, if neglected in its feafon, will wound and fting, A profperous Soul is more afraid of this, then to be threat'ned with a fiery Furnace, Dan. 3. 13. That did not affright, them at all; but a Man may fay as Job 27, 6, My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: My heart shall not reproach me fo long as I live. He was not afraid of those rebukings, and upbraidings. Now, when grace is kept in exercife, as it is in a profperous Soul, this keeps peace, and that when troubles, and tryals come upon us, as an armed Man. 2 Cor. 1. 12, Our rejoicing is in this, the teftimony of our Confcience, that in fimplicity, and godly fincerity, not with fleshly wijdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our converfation in the World. This evidenced the profperity of his Soul, and that was his rejoicing. That prayer of the Apostle for others, Gal. 6. 16. was heard for himself. As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy.

(2.) Much fweet peace; because there is a sweet agreement, between a Man's affection, and his condition. A profperous Soul living, and defiring to live in the enjoyment of God, is where it would be; and

is willing to be, what God will have him to be, in the darkest hours that befall him, Rejoicing in hope of the glory of God, Rom. 5.

This fubdues his affection to his condition; when his condition otherwife would not be according to his affection. Being clear in the point, of his intereft in God, he can fay, how barren foever his condition be of outward comforts, The Lord is my porti on: I have a goodly heritage, Pfal. 16. 5, 6. Making God his Heaven, and his Earth too, Pfal. 73.25,

(3.) A fweet peace because a sweet abetween a Man's Hope and his a Reafon. When the foundation of Soul-profperity is firft laid, being quick'ned with principles of fpiritual life, it is born again to a lively hope of the heavenly inheritance, Pet. 1. 3,4. And when the Soul profpers, according to the knowledge it hath of its own state, it is able to give a reason of its hope, as the expreffion is, 1 Pet. 3. 15. A reafon grounded upon the free promife of God, Rom. 2.7. If ye continue in well doing: and nothing is well done, where grace is not exercifed. But if it be fo, ye look for glory and immortality, and eternal life. Then following after righteousness, holiness, &c. Eternal life is as it were within reach; we may lay hold on it, 1 Tim. 6. 12. Thus Paul had reafon on his fide, 2 Tim.4. 7,8. A good

fight well managed, a good course well finithed, a good faith well preferved. Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of righteouf nefs: Not because of this, but because of the free promife of God; for though a Man's Soul profper to his dying day, yet eternal life is the gift of God, Roman. 6. 23. Rev.

2. 10.

(4.) Much sweet peace: Because there will be a sweet agreement between a Man's Refolutions, and his Performances; both in refpect of Doing, and Suffering the Will of God.

(1.) In doing what God requires. The principles of fpiritual life, the firft day they are received, fo incline the heart heavenward, that such refolutions are taken up, as Pfal. 39.1, I faid, I will take heed to my ways. Now, when grace is not exercifed, and the Soul profpers not, then there is no keeping up this refolution, good purposes are broken off. That divine principle which should keep the heart from back-fliding, is kept under, and oppreffed by the contrary working of corruption. Such a Soul deals with God, as that Son did with his Father, to whom, he promised, to go,but went not. But now, fo far as the Soul profpers, Performances will be answerable to Refolutions. See Paul's refolution, Act. 24. 16, And herein, do I exercife my felf to have always a ConfciI 4

ence

ence void of offence toward God, and toward Men. Heb. 13. 18, Pray for us; for we trust we have a good Confcience, in all things wil ling to live bonefly, And fee his perfor mance, Phil. 4. 12, I know how to be abafed, and I know how to abound. It must needs be fo; for the more the Soul profpereth, every work of Religion will be the better perfor med, with more delight, with lefs wearynefs; with more conftancy, and less destra Єtion.

(2.) Sweet peace; because of sweet agree, ment between a Man's refolutions, and his performances in refpect of fuffering what God impofeth, and inflicteth; whether upon a Man's own perfonal account, or upon the common account of Religion; when the first principles of Soul-profperity are infufed, the Soul is inclined to comply with Christs injunction, Luk. 9. 23, If any Man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his Crofs daily, and follow me. And the more the Soul profpereth, the more the Will is melted down, into the Will of God, to suffer what God will, and that in fubmiffion to his Will, Pfal. 39.9, I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, becaufe thou didst it. Or upon the common account of Religion. Heb. 11. 35, ―others were tortured, not accepting delive rance, that they might obtain a better refurrection. Know then, that all unquiet work