041. Chapter 36: Spiritual Peace
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Spiritual Peace
Justification, that is, the forgiveness of sins, as well as the bestowal of the right to eternal life, engenders peace with God. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). The Use of the Word “Peace” in Scripture The word “peace” is used in a great variety of ways in the Word of God. In general it refers to every sort of felicity and prosperity; in a special sense it refers to either civil or spiritual peace. Civil peace refers to the tranquil coexistence of authorities, cities, families, and individuals. Believers are obligated from their side to do everything in their power to prevent disturbance and to promote whatever is subservient to peace. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). However, light and darkness, fire and water, life and death, Christ and the devil, and faithful children of God and unbelieving children of the devil, cannot agree to all eternity. Therefore the godly ought not to imagine that they will have much external peace in the world, for the world hates them (John 15:18). The world therefore does whatever it can to arouse hatred against the godly, so that the godly should be prepared to endure tribulation. The Lord Jesus says concerning this, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). We shall here not discuss this peace, but spiritual peace. This in turn pertains either to believers in their mutual relationship or to God and the conscience. It is the latter we shall discuss here.
Spiritual Peace Defined
Peace between God and the conscience refers to man’s former, present, and future state. In reference to his former state, it pertains to a ceasing from and a laying aside of former enmity. Due to sin there was enmity between God and man (Romans 5:10). Sin made a separation between them both, causing God to hide His countenance from man (Isaiah 59:2). God hates the sinner and abhors him (Psalms 5:5-6); the face of the Lord is against him (Psalms 34:16), and His wrath is ready to destroy him (Romans 2:5-6
God is the cause of this peace. Man would have never applied to God for peace, and furthermore, due to sin, it was impossible that he would obtain peace. However, oh wonder of wonders, God Himself begins from His side!
(1) From eternity God has had thoughts of peace toward sinners, and in the Counsel of Peace has ordained the Son to be a Surety to accomplish this peace by Him. He has a peaceful heart and delights in peace; for this reason He is frequently called the God of peace. “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly” (Romans 16:20).
(2) The Son’s entry into the world was accompanied by the holy angels who jubilated, “On earth peace” (Luke 2:14). He reconciles the elect with God by His death. “The chastisement of our peace was upon Him” (Isaiah 53:5). For this reason He bears the name “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), “Melchizedek, king of Salem,” that is, peace (Hebrews 7:1-2), and He is called “our peace” (Ephesians 2:14).
(3) The Holy Spirit brings this peace into the heart of believers: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). In order to make believers partakers of this peace, the Lord uses the gospel as the external means and faith as the internal means. The Lord makes the elect partakers of this peace by bringing them into covenant with Him, which is called a covenant of peace. “... neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed” (Isaiah 54:10). By means of the gospel He calls and invites men to enter into this covenant, which therefore is called the “gospel of peace.” “... your feet shod with the preparation of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). The Lord uses men to make this gospel known. He sends them forth as His messengers, putting the word of reconciliation in their mouths (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). They are called the “messengers of peace”: “... the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly” (Isaiah 33:7); “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace” (Isaiah 52:7); “O Zion, that bringest good tidings” (Isaiah 40:9). By these means, the Lord brings man to faith, and faith, being in exercise, generates peace in the conscience. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13). This peace is the portion of believers only. The unconverted and ungodly frequently have a dead and insensitive conscience. They, not being smitten by their conscience, imagine within themselves that all is well before God and that they have peace with God. How rudely they will be awakened, however, and come to the realization that they are children of wrath and never have had peace with God! “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isaiah 57:20-21). This peace is a hidden treasure which is kept for the elect only, which the Lord permits His children to taste as often as He deems best. “I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near,” (Isaiah 57:18-19). “And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it” (Luke 10:6).
All believers are equally partakers of this peace, that is, as far as their state and the veracity of this matter are concerned. The application of this peace, however, varies greatly as far as its sensible enjoyment is concerned. Some enjoy it in a greater measure and others in a lesser measure. Some remain in this peaceful condition for a long period, and so to speak live in it; others experience this peace rarely and it rapidly dissipates.
We shall discuss this peace in its specific manifestations to convince weak believers that the Lord has spoken peace to their souls; to discover to the unconverted that they have no peace; to make everyone delighted with this peace by presenting the desirability of being in such a state; and to stimulate everyone to strive for this condition. The Various Ways in Which this Peace Manifests Itself A believer is often as Samuel who as yet did not know the voice of God. The Lord frequently speaks peace to the soul; however, if this peace does not engender a disposition which in his opinion it ought to bring forth, he does not acknowledge it as such. He must therefore know in what manner and in which steps the soul enjoys peace.
First, sometimes this peace will reveal itself in a hope that one will as yet attain to it. The soul in her mourning, praying, and looking unto Christ, sometimes does not receive a certain assurance that she is at peace with God, but is nevertheless encouraged that God who has begun a good work in her will further deal with her, and this hope sustains her as an anchor sustains a ship in a storm (Hebrews 6:19).
Secondly, it manifests itself sometimes in quietness within the soul, even though the soul neither dares nor is able to determine that she is a partaker of Christ, and although she cannot yet be assured by way of the reflex act of faith, the grounds of which she does indeed behold. In this manner a calm and sweet quietness comes within the soul (she knows not how); even if this is not experienced by having communion with God, it is nevertheless so in the exercise of the soul toward God. Fear is gone, terror has disappeared and, due to promises which she secretly believes, the soul is quiet. “Truly my soul waiteth upon God [Note: The Statenvertaling reads: “Immers is mijn ziel stil tot God,” that is, “Truly, my soul is quiet before God.”] : from Him cometh my salvation” (Psalms 62:1).
Thirdly, this peace sometimes manifests itself in being delighted and satisfied. This is the request of an absolute and unconditional surrender into the hand of the Lord of herself, her salvation, and the way in which it will please the Lord to lead her. This is accompanied with a secret confidence in His power, goodness, veracity, and faithfulness, trusting that He will make all things well, saying, “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me” (Psalms 138:8). The soul dares to place its trust in this.
Fourthly, sometimes this peace manifests itself in being assured of the forgiveness of sins and of being in the state of grace -- this being true, however, in the absence of joy and many sweet inner motions. She knows in whom she has believed, entrusts herself to Him, believes that she will be saved, and upon that truth stands firm even though she does not have the taste of the blessedness of her state which would enable her to find sweet delight in it. “... but I obtained mercy” (1 Timothy 1:13); “... I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12); “Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalms 73:24).
Fifthly, this peace sometimes manifests itself in having free access to the throne of grace. The soul approaches as an adopted child, acknowledges God as her Father, and in this disposition comes to God through Christ with approbation, delight, confidence and in the lifting up of her heart, exclaiming, “Abba, Father!” (cf. Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6).
Sixthly, this peace sometimes manifests itself in a delightful joy that the Lord has been reconciled with her, her sins forgiven her, that the Lord has made her one of His favored ones, and the recipient of salvation. Her soul rejoices in this and leaps for joy. “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10).
Seventhly, this peace sometimes manifests itself in its essential form and excellency. God, who is peace, fills the soul with His peace and fully encompasses her with peace; and the soul is thus irradiated with peace from all sides. The passions are too limited, the understanding falls short, and words fail to express what it means to have peace with God. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Php 4:7).
Behold, believers, these are the many different ways in which this peace manifests itself. Who of the godly -- if he has given heed to the mercies of the Lord, and if he has some remembrance of his former experiences -- would dare to deny that he has ever enjoyed something of this peace? And if he has experienced something of this, let him be assured that, even though the feeling vanishes, this peace between God and his soul will never be broken. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27). The Sweetness of This Peace From the foregoing it can already be deduced to some degree what the excellent sweetness of this peace is; this will be all the more evident from what follows.
First, this peace does not only consist in a cessation of enmity between God and the person (which enmity could not but instill terror to the highest degree), but it includes a free and familiar relationship with God. Such is the testimony concerning Enoch: “And Enoch walked with God” (Genesis 5:24), and such was the privilege of Abraham: “... walk before Me” (Genesis 17:1). Such a soul who may thus be at peace and walk with God, lives in separation from all that is visible and above all that is of the earth, and is irradiated by the perfections of God, all of which fill her. She humbly interacts with God as her Father; at one time she is silent and reverently bows before God while worshiping Him, and then again will be communing with Him. God speaks to the heart; He comforts, gladdens, strengthens, and encourages; the soul expresses her needs, tells of her sorrow, and pours out her desires before Him; she lets herself be irradiated by His love and is ignited with love in return. Then she views the perfections of God, so that in adoration she stands still and exclaims in amazement, “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable” (Psalms 145:3). She rests under His shadow; then the heart yearns for the future and beholds her perfect felicity from afar; the soul gives thanks for the wondrous benefits, and thus the soul which is at peace becomes radiant due to her fellowship with God.
Secondly, as sinful as the soul may be -- daily offending in many ways -- her conscience time and again finds peace in the blood of Christ. It is as if she had not committed sin (Hebrews 9:14). Even if all in the world would acquit, comfort, and offer assistance, it would all be in vain if the conscience within were to condemn her, be in bondage, and be restless. If the conscience may be at peace with God, however, whatever be in hell and upon earth that may set itself in array against her, the conscience is quiet and at peace. “When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?” (Job 34:29).
Thirdly, since the soul is at peace with God, this peace also extends to the holy angels who previously were against man. The Cherubim barred Adam from Paradise and barred the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). Man now being reconciled with God, however, has communion with the holy angels, and is “come unto ... an innumerable company of angels” (Hebrews 12:22). The angels now assist them in their way, for they are all “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).
Fourthly, there is peace with God and with all men as men, and that not only with the godly but also with the ungodly. From their side, the heart of the godly is peacefully disposed toward all, for they view them all as creatures of their God and thus are ready to help them; and if they are evil, they are far beyond their reach and will not be able to harm them. “In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by Me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 54:14-17).
Fifthly, there is peace with God, with all creatures (the devils excepted), with sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, hail, fire, silver, gold, and wild and tame animals -- yes, everything is kindly disposed toward them, and it appears as if everything smiles at them and is ready to be of service. “For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee” (Job 5:23).
Sixthly, when the believer experiences this peace with God, he can readily bear all crosses and also “glory in tribulation” (Romans 5:3). Then they find themselves to be in Paul’s condition: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Then death is no terror unto them, but only a departing in peace (Luke 2:29), even if, due to their witness of the truth, they must die a violent death. This peace causes martyrs to sing and rejoice in the midst of torture and flames.
If already here peace with God is so sweet and invigorating, what will it be when there are no more sins which time and again disturb the peace, and when there will no longer be estrangement from God, but rather eternal unity in joy, love, and peace! “For how great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty!” (Zechariah 9:17). The Characteristics of True Spiritual Peace
These excellencies mentioned are sufficient to stir up a believer, who is acquainted with this peace and has tasted it to some degree, to strive for an increased and more steadfast sense thereof.
However, since the matter is so great and they so readily lose this peace, and since they perceive that those who neither know nor seek God rightly yet boast of their peace and quietude, and because they, due to their ignorance, are not able to distinguish everything clearly, they fear that the sweet quietude and peace of their soul are not of a right nature; they thus have no peace with God. To convince such upright souls that they indeed have true peace with God, and to convict those who have carnal peace that they are without peace, we shall enumerate several infallible marks, in reflection upon which everyone may become manifest to himself.
First, one who possesses peace in truth is much exercised with peace; he cannot live without it, and if he does not find it, he is restless, in bondage, and goes about with a heavy heart. “... neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin” (Psalms 38:3); “And Thou hast removed my soul far off from peace” (Lamentations 3:17). He seeks for it and cannot be comforted with anything until he has received it by renewal. “My sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted” (Psalms 77:2). His continual prayer is, “Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation” (Psalms 35:3). When such a person finds it again, he will delight himself in a most wondrous way and say, “I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste” (Song of Solomon 2:3); “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalms 4:8).
Secondly, the one who is at peace has reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ as the basis for his peace. There is no peace as long as sin is not removed, and sin cannot be removed except by the blood of Christ; however, one cannot be a partaker of this except by faith. For this reason a gracious person continually goes to Christ, receives His offered atonement as a ransom, humbly and prayerfully comes to the Father while wrestling with the promises, and thus obtains peace. “... that in Me ye might have peace” (John 16:33); “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace” (Romans 5:1); “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13); “... preaching peace by Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:36).
Thirdly, true peace is always accompanied by God’s eye being upon them, by His presence, and by having fellowship with God. It is a quietude without inner unrest. Since God and man were separated due to enmity, they become one again by virtue of the atonement; thus, the peace which issues forth from the atonement is necessary for communion with God. The Father and Christ come and make their abode with him (John 14:23). The soul which is at peace, again exercises fellowship, “And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). Such a soul cries out, “Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:15). She has liberty to approach unto God and makes use of this liberty. “If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God” (1 John 3:21); “... we have peace with God ...” (Romans 5:1).
Fourthly, true peace is tender and is readily impaired, and those who have peace readily perceive the impairment of this peace. It does not always please God to bring His children with the bride into the banqueting house, or with the disciples upon the holy mount, or with Paul into the third heaven.
(1) He frequently withdraws Himself, and hides His countenance from them. “Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalms 10:1); “How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?” (Psalms 13:1). At times He remains silent as if He had no regard for them. “Where is Thy zeal and Thy strength, the sounding of Thy bowels and of Thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?” (Isaiah 63:15). At times He permits them to run after Him for a long time, call upon Him, and seek communion with Him with supplications and tears; however, it appears as if God does not heed this and does not hear them. “... I sought Him, but I could not find Him; I called Him, but He gave me no answer” (Song of Solomon 5:6). “Why art Thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but Thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent” (Psalms 22:1-2). He appears to reject them and to be angry with them. “Why castest Thou off my soul ... Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; Thy terrors have cut me off” (Psalms 88:14-16); “... hath He in anger shut up His tender mercies?” (Psalms 77:9).
(2) Those that are at peace still have the old Adam within them, which frequently and very forcefully makes its presence felt. This engenders laxity and laziness in seeking the countenance of the Lord, as well as neglect of exercise to remain near to the Lord and to exercise communion with God. Added to this are more serious sins committed by them against their conscience and contrary to the warning of the Holy Ghost, thereby grieving the Spirit of God. “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30).
(3) Furthermore, the devil secretly assaults them, or shoots at them with his fiery arrows. The world entices them with earthly beauty and terrifies them by its wickedness. Tribulations and various crosses overwhelm them. This tosses their faith to and fro, and darkens their peace; this they sense and it grieves them. It causes them to languish, and they cannot rest until they may have received it again.
(4) We have shown in the above in how many ways and steps this peace manifests itself. In all believers, peace does diminish, in the one as well as in the other. However, faith may continue to be in exercise in many who are strong in faith, so that they have peace with God, even though they miss the taste and the sense of this peace, and are subject to opposite sentiments. Since believers are very desirous of, and seek much for, this peace, they also readily perceive when this peace is disturbed in the least degree. “My Beloved put in His hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for Him” (Song of Solomon 5:4). This sentiment is indicative of being a partaker of this peace. Yes, even the excessiveness of consternation due to missing this peace, such as discouragement, unbelief, hopelessness, sorrow, and the temporary refraining from seeking peace -- giving up on this as if this could not be obtained -- reveals the strong desire, the hunger and thirst, the love for and knowledge of this peace, and that they have tasted thereof in some measure. Thus it is a clear evidence that a person has peace with God if he is in unrest when this peace is absent, and if he promptly and with sorrow becomes aware of this condition.
Fifthly, they who truly have peace, actively guard against sin and endeavor to live in tender godliness before the countenance of God. Since they have tasted the sweetness of this peace (the one more and the other less) and know that sin disturbs this peace; since they know that the Lord gives more peace to those who are determined to live a life pleasing unto the Lord; since there can be no peace with God without the love of God -- therefore they walk carefully, not as fools, but rather as being wise (Ephesians 5:15). “He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly” (Psalms 85:8).
He who wishes to deal faithfully with his soul will readily be able to perceive from the above how he must judge of his peace; that is, whether it is a carnal peace of mind and carelessness, or whether his peace is true peace with God. An Exhortation to Self-Examination
You who are not exercised with this peace, are not restless about its absence, are not concerned about having and preserving it, and are not suspicious as to whether or not your peace of mind is of the right sort; you who effortlessly and as a matter of course have attained to this peace, that is, without the wrestling of faith to receive Jesus as a ransom, and to be reconciled by His blood applied to the heart by faith, and only there to find your conscience purged of dead works; you who have a peace of which God is not the focus and which you enjoy apart from being in the presence of and in communion with God; you who are always stable and always have and are at peace within (except that shame and harm or a crime may occasionally trouble you), and you are not conscious of the fact that this peace is readily impaired and the heart immediately troubled about its absence; you who due to this inner peace of mind are not prompted to be on guard against all sins (also those of the heart) and to live a life pleasing unto God -- I assure you that your peace is nothing but a carnal peace, and that God’s eternal and unbearable wrath hangs above your head. Yes, your peace of mind is a dreadful judgment of God upon you in consequence of your prior sins. “For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes” (Isaiah 29:10). You belong to those who are at peace and of whom you can read with fear, “I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: The Lord will not spare him” (Deuteronomy 29:19-20). Amos 6:1 is applicable to you: “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria.” If you presently do not come to your senses and repent, how rude will your awakening then be when it will be too late and you will open your eyes in hell! “Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14). On the contrary, you who have ever enjoyed this peace in some measure as previously delineated, and who perceive that the five marks of this peace enumerated in the foregoing are truly found within you, see to it that you do not deny this grace under any pretext. You would sin against your conscience, grieve yourself, and impede your growth in peace and godliness. Rely upon the witness of your conscience in the presence of God -- the conscience witnessing that the inner frames mentioned earlier and their inner motions are truly within you. Acknowledge it to be thus, that is, that you have peace with God, even though the light and the sensible enjoyment of it may have disappeared. If the thought should arise in you, “I am deceiving myself,” reject it immediately if it occurs to you without reason. You can always rest assured that nothing is deceitful except that which keeps us from Christ, love for and communion with God, and a tender guarding of our heart against sin. Whatever stirs us up to the former is not deceitful and cannot deceive us, since it guides us in the way of salvation. Therefore do not cast your liberty away, but approach God as being at peace with Him.
Exhortation to Seek and Preserve this Peace
First, be much exercised to attain to this peace within your heart and to increase in the sensible enjoyment of this, for a) to live without this peace causes a continual restlessness, and if you are and remain unconverted there will be nothing but eternal unrest, for the worm will not cease to gnaw unbearably to all eternity. b) To live in peace with God is inexpressibly sweet and engenders love and holiness, all of which is evident from that which has been said. To this end:
(1) Allow yourself time to acknowledge and feel this lack of peace as well as the cause thereof: sin in its abominableness and bitterness. Let this stir up your heart in such a lively sense that you can no longer bear it.
(2) Do not avoid this anxiety, and do not allow hopelessness to take its place, which will result in a deadly insensitivity. Neither allow earthly attractions nor a yielding to lust to take its place, for this, rather than eliminating evil, would only make matters all the worse. With this restless heart, however, run to Christ, the Prince of Peace; receive Him and His offered merits by faith, and apply Him to your heart in order that you might have peace in Him.
(3) Do not pass this by too quickly, but frequently pause in order to reflect attentively upon the way of reconciliation and peace, the efficacy of Christ’s death, the certainty of the promises, and the fact that one becomes a partaker of this without merit, without price, and out of free grace. Reflect upon the veracity of these matters, applying them to your own heart until you sense that the truth of God’s Word is also true in your heart.
(4) Furthermore, let there be frequent prayer that the Spirit of God would testify with your spirit, seal you, and cause you to experience the power and the sweetness of this peace. An unpretentious and upright soul who is thus engaged will find more peace than many who are knowledgeable (even though they are converted) and who hastily pass this by.
Secondly, be much exercised to preserve this peace -- whatever the measure of it may be -- for it is tender and is very readily impaired: a) by laxity in maintaining, exercising, and pursuing this peace (Song of Solomon 5:3); b) by not heeding one’s heart or by imposing less restraint upon sinful inclinations (Psalms 37:3); c) by falling into greater sins (Psalms 51:10); d) by quenching or not yielding to the promptings of the Spirit and by desiring to go upon a different way (Isaiah 63:10); e) by esteeming earthly things too highly, by having our heart set upon them in seeking after them, or by being too troubled when one has to miss them (James 4:4). To that end:
(1) Be continually engaged in exercising faith, hope, and love.
(2) Acknowledge grace and rejoice in it in the presence of God.
(3) Thank the Lord for this as being a singular and free gift from Him.
(4) Use your liberty to approach continually through Christ, even if the sensible enjoyment is absent.
(5) Walk carefully. If you have fallen, do not remain there but quickly rise and wash your conscience in the blood of Christ so that absence of peace will not be able to take root. Thirdly, if you have lost the sense of being spiritually established, be it to a greater or lesser degree -- yes, if it appears that wrath has come in its place, do not remain in this miserable condition, do not yield to it by being either discouraged or in despair, but rather conduct yourself with valor and seek to be restored. To that end, know first of all that:
(1) God never changes. All change is from the side of man, which does not affect the matter itself, but rather faith and our feeling.
(2) A spark of life as yet remains in you which will surface and flourish if it could but come forth and break through. There continues to be sorrow due to what must be missed: the knowledge of the sweetness of this peace, and the memory of the previous peaceful frame. There continue to be thoughts of how you would rejoice if by renewal you could but attain to this previous peaceful frame, as well as a desiring for this. There will continue to be an intermittent lifting up of heart and eyes to heaven for the Spirit; you will not be able to return to the world. There will be fear for sin and there will be a desire for sanctification and an endeavor to be sanctified. All of this will always be present.
(3) Know that it is God’s way to lead all His favorites in this manner, namely, that at times they may have the sensible enjoyment of this peace and at other times must miss this.
(4) Consider that you have also been in a troubled state prior to this peace being absent, have frequently been delivered from this, and have by renewal enjoyed this peace in some measure. These things ought to be of support to you and sustain you against discouragement and despair, for when hope collapses, the use of the means will cease.
Secondly, calmly search out the cause for the unrest of which we have spoken before. Having discovered this (or if you cannot discover this), labor to humble yourself deeply; that is, sink away in the sense of your sinfulness and the impotency of your soul. It is appropriate to set apart a day of fasting for this purpose, and then do as much as it pleases the Lord to enable you to do. If you have been very barren, dull, listless, and insensitive, you ought to resume this after some days, or after a week or two, bringing yourself before the Lord as you are, and as much as possible make known before Him your desire for peace. The Lord knows the intent of your spirit and for what purpose you have set apart that day, and He will at last speak peace to your soul.
Thirdly, lift up your soul to the covenant and to its Mediator, Jesus. Reflect upon former days, considering how you then were accustomed to wrestle and pray, how you received Him, how you surrendered to Him, but also the exercises and refreshment you indeed enjoyed at that time. This is suitable to quicken your soul in the exercise of faith and to receive Jesus by renewal, as a ransom for sin and as the Prince of Peace. A soul is frequently restored in this way and may receive a greater measure of peace.
Fourthly, do not expect, at first, to receive again the measure of peace and intimacy which you had prior to losing your peace, for that rarely happens; rather, remain humble and acknowledge the crumbs of grace whereby at one time you have been able to pray, weep, and pour out your heart before the Lord in order that some hope may intermittently arise. Therefore, quietly follow the leading of the Spirit who turns His hand to the little ones, comforts the humble ones, and gives them grace.
Fifthly, strictly adhere to your times of spiritual exercise; neither neglect it, nor engage in it hurriedly, as if you would only do so to satisfy your conscience; rather, remain prostrate before the Lord, however barren you may be, and wait to see if some light may not dawn. If not, be not discouraged, but keep your soul humble as a weaned child, and maintain that quiet hope that God will return. Let there be a determined resolution to nevertheless be willing to seek the Lord as long as you live, being desirous rather to die at His feet than to depart from Him. And the Lord who is good to the soul that seeks Him will at last say, “Mary! My child, here am I,” upon which the soul will rejoice. “Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).