CHAP. VI.

Of Safety, Liberty and Quiet.

Secondly, Safety, Liberty and Quiet conduce much to the Happiness of the outward Man.

I refer these to one Head, because I find them linked together in Bishop Wilkins his Treatise of Natural Religion; and before him in Bishop Andrews his Manual of Devotions more than once, and because they are of near affinity one to another.

1. By Safety I understand, 1. Freedom from force and violence, captivity, loss of Goods by Enemies, foreign or domestick, by Pirates and Robbers. For our security from these we have many promises in Scripture, Levit. 25. 18. If you shall do my Statutes, and keep my Judgments, ye shall dwell in the Land in safety. Prov. 1. 33. Whoso hearkneth unto me, shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil, Job 10. 18.

2. Freedom from perils and dangers, and sad accidents; as Fire, Tempest, contagious Diseases, Terrors by Night; for our security from these also we are not without promises of the divine protection. Prov. 12. 21. There shall no evil happen to the just, but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. Psal. 91. 3. He shall deliver thee from the snare of the Fowler, and from the noisome Pestilence. And v. 5. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness. Prov. 3. 23. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. Job 5. 19, 20. In famine he shall redeem thee from death, and in war from the power of the Sword, &c.

II. By Liberty is meant, being at our own disposal, and not under Bondage, restraint or imprisonment; from which, obedience to the Commandments of God secures us. For the most usual causes of Sufferings of this nature are neglect of our duties, or vicious and illegal acts; as Murthers, Adulteries, Theft, Sedition, and the like, which are all contrary to God’s Commandments; these enjoining us to obey Laws, to submit to Government, to do our own business, and not to be busy-bodies in other mens matters, &c.

III. By Quiet is understood immunity from Troubles, and molestations proceeding from Enmity, Contentions, Law-suits, Immoderate Care and Anxiety about worldly things; Obedience to the Law of God doth in a great measure secure us from these: That commands us to love even our Enemies. Now who can be so barbarous and inhumane as to injure them that truly love him, and seek his good? Moreover the Scripture tells us, That when a mans ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him, Prov. 16. 7. And the Apostle puts the Question, Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 1 Pet. 3. 13. As for Contentions and Law-suits, another Apostle adviseth us rather to suffer wrong than molest our selves and brethren with them. And for care and anxiety about worldly things, which is indeed a very tormenting Passion, we are forbidden it often in Scripture: And our Saviour, Matth. 6. 25, &c. produceth many Arguments or Considerations to arm us against it.