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become propitious and gracious to man, is absolutely necessary to the being of a Christian.

The second, which rests from the manifestation of this peace unto man, and the sensible feeling of the operation of this peace in man, is not necessary to the being of a Christian, at least in a sensible degree of it, but to the well-being of a Christian it is necessary. For a man may be in the favour of God, and yet be without the sense of this peace in himself: because this peace of conscience does not flow necessarily from the being in God's favour, but from knowledge and assurance of being in his favour.

Now, a man, in many cases, may lose for a time his sense of God's favour, his faith being over clouded with fears and unbelief, as it was with David, after his adultery, &c. Psa. li. 11, 12, who yet was upheld secretly by his right hand, as the Psalmist was in another case, Psa. lxxiii. 23, by virtue of that first peace of God, yet, until God gave him the sense and feeling of his loving countenance, he could not enjoy the comfort of it; yea, though God by Nathan in the outward ministry of his word, had given him assurance of God's loving-kindness, saying, The Lord has put away thy sin, thou shalt not die, 2 Sam. xii. 13.

That first peace is absolute, and admits of no degree.

The second, which flows thence, both in respect of peace of conscience, and in respect of good agreement of the powers and faculties of man within themselves, and of freedom from assaults and molestations either of Satan from without, or from lusts within, is not absolute; but admits of several degrees. In the life to come this latter peace shall be perfect: for then all believers shall be perfectly freed from all trouble of conscience, and from all molestation by temptations; their victory shall be complete. But in this life their peace is but imperfect; it is true for substance, but is more or less, as the light they have received is more clear or dim; and as grace in them is more strong or more weak.

For although man's justification is absolute, and