Directions for Daily Communion with God (continued)
1. If we have by the grace of God in some measure done the work of the day, and filled it up with duty, we may then lie down in peace at night. If we have the testimony of our consciences for us, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God we have this day had our conversation in the world, that we have done some good in our places, something that will turn to a good account; if our hearts do not reproach us with a diem perdidi, [Conscience says to you: "I wasted the day."] alas, I have lost a day: or with that which is worse, the spending of that time in the service of sin, which should have been spent in the service of God; but if on the contrary we have abode with God, have been in his fear, and waited on him all the day long, we may then lie down in peace, for God saith, Well done, good and faithful servant; and the sleep of the labouring man, of the labouring Christian, is sweet, is very sweet, when he can say, as I am a day's journey nearer my end, so I am a day's work fitter for it.
Nothing will make our bed-chambers pleasant, and our beds easy, like the witness of the Spirit of God with our spirits, that we are going forward for heaven; and a conscience kept void of offence, which will be not only a continual feast, but a continual rest.
2. If we have by faith and patience, and submission to the divine will reconciled ourselves to all the events of the day, so as to be uneasy at nothing that God has done, we may then lie down in peace at night. Whatever hath fallen out cross to us, it shall not fret us, but we will kiss the rod, take up the cross, and say, all is well that God doth. Thus we must in our patience keep possession of our own souls and not suffer any affliction to put us out of the possession of them. We have met with disappointments, in husbandry perhaps, in trade, at sea, debtors prove insolvent, creditors prove severe, but this and the other proceedeth from the Lord, there is a providence in it, every creature is what God makes it to be, and therefore I am dumb, I open not my mouth: That which pleaseth God ought not to displease me.
3. If we have renewed our repentance for sin, and made a fresh application of the blood of Christ to our souls for the purifying of our consciences, we may then lay us down in peace. Nothing can break in upon our peace but sin, that is it that troubles the camp; if that be taken