God's terms, because they would not submit to have their conduct regulated by his holy law : indeed they account the experience of it to be the height of enthusiasm, and suppose that they who profess to have attained it are actuated by pride, and blinded by delusion. Can it then be any wonder that such persons should never enjoy this peace themselves ?]
The truth of this assertion will more clearly appear while we,
II. Shew the grounds and reasons of it —
We need not look further than the text to find ample materials for confirming the declaration before us : for it asserts that the wicked are in a state abso- lutely incompatible with true peace. " Like the troubled sea they can never rest " by reason of,
1. Depraved appetites —
[However eminent for piety men may be, it is certain they will find much occasion for sorrow on account of their inward depravity : but they strive to mortify their lusts ; they resist them in their first rise ; and pray to God for strength to subdue them : whereas the wicked, however moral they may outwardly appear, encourage the growth of their vile affec- tions : instead of repressing inward impurity, they enjoy the company, they relish the conversation, they read the books, they frequent the amusements, which have a tendency to foster their corruptions ; and, though from prudential considerations they impose a restraint on their actions, they will harbour evil thoughts without resistance and without remorse. The same may be said respecting their worldliness, their ambition, and every other evil appetite. As the Apostle says of the impure, that they have " eyes full of adultery, and that they cannot cease from sin," so, whatever else be the predominant passion of their hearts, they cease not from the indulgence of it ; but yield to it as far as they can consistently with the preservation of their character in the world. How then can they possess peace, whose hearts are so disturbed and defiled by their depraved affections ? — ]
2. Ungoverned tempers —
[There is indeed a wonderful difference in the natural tempers and dispositions of men, insomuch that one person, notwithstanding his real piety, shall have much to conflict with, while another shall feel comparatively but little temp- tation to transgress. Still however, the righteous will have peace, because they labour to bring their minds into subjection to Christ, and apply to the blood of Christ for pardon under