The godly may not enjoy peace—through mistake and misapprehension about sin. They find so much corruption, that they think surely, if there were grace, there would not be such strong working of corruption. Whereas this should be so far from discouraging Christians, and hindering their peace, that it is an argument for them. Let me ask, Whence is it—that you feel sin? No man can feel sin—but by grace. A wicked man is insensible. Lay a hundred pound weight upon a dead man, he does not complain. Being sensible of corruption, argues a gracious principle. Rom 7:21. Again, Whence is it—that there is a combat with sin—but from the life of grace? Gal 5:17. Dead things cannot combat. Whence is it—that the saints weep for sin? What are these tears, but seeds of faith? The not understanding of this principle, hinders a Christian’s peace.
The godly may not enjoy peace—through remissness in duty; they may leave their first love. When Christians abate their fervency—God abates their peace. If you slacken the strings of a violin—the music is spoiled. Just so, if Christians slacken in duty, they spoil the sweet music of peace in their souls. As the fire decays—the cold abates—our peace cools.
Thomas Watson. A Body of Divinity.
