To blesse God for the peace of Conscience. [ CXXXV]
WHen the Romans by conquest might have given Law to the Grecians at Corinth,* 1.1 in the solemn time of the Isthmian games, their Generall by an Herald unexpectedly proclaimed freedome to all the Cities of Greece; the Procla∣mation at first did so amaze the Grecians, that they did not believe it to be true; but when it was proclaimed the second time, they gave such a shout, that the very birds flying in the air were astonished therewith, and fell dead to the ground. But if you will have a better story, take that of the Iewes, who when at first they heard of Cyrus's Proclamation, and that the Lord thereby had turned the captivity of Sion, they confesse, that at the first hearing of it, they were like men that dream't; but afterwards,* 1.2 their mouths were filled with laughter, and their tongues with singing. Now the peace that the Grecians and the Iewes had, was but the peace of a People, or a Nation, and a great blessing of God too; but how much more reason is there, that our affections should be strained to the highest pitch of ••oy and thanks, when we hear of the Proclamation of the peace of conscience? that peace, which is not of our bodies, but of our souls; not of our earthly, but of our heavenly estate; a peace that