Praise God—it is almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, discussing peace, in his typically very pastoral style. This comes from his book, entitled, "A Body of Divinity." . . .
"But why do not all believers have the full enjoyment and possession of peace? Why is it, that this flower of peace is not fully ripe and blooming?"Some of the godly may not have so full a degree of peace. . . . 1) Through the fury of temptation. Though the devil cannot destroy us, he will disturb us. He disputes against our adoption; he would make us question the work of grace in our hearts, and so disturb the waters of our peace. He is like a subtle cheater, who, if he cannot make a man's title to his land void, yet will put him to many troublesome suits in the law court. If Satan cannot make us ungodly, he will make us unquiet. Violent winds make the sea rough and stormy; so the winds of temptation blowing, disturb peace of spirit, and put the soul into a commotion.
"2) The godly may not enjoy peace, through mistake and misapprehension about sin. They find so much corruption [within them], that they think surely, if there were grace [within], there would not be such strong working of corrup-tion. [Actually,] this should be so far from discouraging Christians, and hinder-ing their peace—[instead] it is an argument for them. Let me ask, ‘From where is it that you feel sin?' No man can feel sin, but by grace. A wicked man is insensible. Lay a hundred pounds upon a dead man, he does not complain; but being sensible of corruption, argues a gracious principle, (Rom. 7:21). Again, From where is it that there is a combat with sin, but from the life of grace? (Gal. 5:17). Dead things cannot combat. From where is it that the saints weep for sin? What are these tears but seeds of faith? [These things not being understood] hinders a Christian's peace."
