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The conscience, when it is awakened in the act of accusing and condemning man for sin, does withal prick, (Acts ii. 37; Prov. xviii. 14;) sting, and wound the heart with unutterable and inconceivable griefs, fears, and terrors, through the apprehension of God's infinite, eternal, and just wrath for sin.

Now, when God, by his Spirit, Rom. v. 1 - 5, gives any true hope and assurance unto a man that his justice is satisfied concerning him, through Christ; and that now all enmity and wrath is done away on God's part; and that he loves him in Christ, with a free, full, and everlasting love, Rom. viii. 16; hereby he speaks peace to the conscience, having done away all the guilt of sin, which before molested it through sense of God's anger and fear of punishment. Hence arises peace and comfort in the conscience, which therefore is called peace of conscience. Thus the mind ceases to be perplexed, and, by faith in Christ's death, through the Spirit, becomes quiet with an heavenly tranquillity, resting on the word of promise, and according to the measure of clear apprehension of God's love in Christ, in the same measure is at sweet agreement within itself, without fear or trouble, John xiv. 27; and in the same measure he has peace of conscience, flowing from the assurance of justification.

As soon also as a man begins actually to be at peace with God, his lusts do begin to be at war with him, rebelling against the law of his mind, which yet by little and little shall be subdued and conquered; which conquest, though it be imperfect in this life; yet by virtue of the peace now made with God, if he will improve it by seeking help of God, and taking to him the complete armour, fighting manfully under Christ's banner, Eph. vi. 10, he may so prevail against them, that they do not so often, nor so strongly, assault him as in former times. Now, so far as the powers and faculties of man agree in their fight against sin, and subdue it, that it does not assault and molest him, he may be said to have the peace of sanctification.

The first peace whereby God is pacified, and is