Peace advances holiness
The same effect will follow, if he can by any means either destroy or shake our peace. For the peace of God is another precious means of advancing the image of God in us. There is scarcely a greater help to holiness than this: a continual tranquility of spirit, the evenness of a mind stayed upon God (Isaiah 26:3), a calm repose in the blood of Jesus. And without this, it is scarcely possible to grow in grace and in the vital knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). For all fear (unless the tender, filial fear) freezes and numbs the soul. It binds up all the springs of spiritual life and stops all motion of the heart toward God. And doubt, as it were, mires the soul, so that it sticks fast in the deep clay. Therefore in the same proportion as either of these prevails, our growth in holiness is hindered.
1771 text
7. *The same effect will ensue, if he can by any means either destroy or shake our peace. For the peace of God is another precious means of advancing the image of God in us. There is scarce a greater help to holiness than this, a continual tranquility of spirit, the evenness of a mind stayed upon God; a calm repose in the blood of Jesus. And without this, it is scarce possibly to grow in grace, and in the vital knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For all fear (unless the tender, filial fear) freezes and benumbs the soul. It binds up all the springs of spiritual life, and stops all motion of the heart toward God. And doubt, as it were, bemires the soul, so that it sticks fast in the deep clay. Therefore in the same proportion as either of these prevail, our growth in holiness is hindered.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 42 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 2:11.
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