When Christians Find No Peace Within (2)

(3) When the soul finds no rest the Spirit of God awakens the soul and keeps it in the holy pursuit of stirring up the grace of faith to its proper function. It is not so much the having of grace, as grace in exercise, that preserves the soul. We should 'stir up the grace of God in us' (2 Tim. 1:6), that it may be kept working in vigour and strength. It is the waking Christian, that has his attention and his grace ready about him, who is the safe Christian. Grace dormant, without the use of it, does not secure us. The soul without action is like an instrument not played upon, or like a ship always in the haven. Even life itself is made livelier by action. The Spirit of God, by whom his children are led, is compared to things of the quickest and strongest actions, as fire and wind. By stirring up the grace of God in us, sparkles come to be flames, and all graces are kept bright.
(4) We see another use of speaking to our own hearts. When the soul sees itself out of order, it then enjoins itself the duty of trusting in God. The soul works as it should, by reflecting on itself, gathering some profitable conclusion, and leaving itself with God. David, upon reflecting on himself, found nothing but discouragement; but when he looked upward to God, there he found rest. This is one reason why God allows the soul to tire and beat itself, that, finding no rest in itself, it might seek him. Let no man, truly religious, use as an excuse his temper or provoking circumstances, for grace raises the soul above nature. Though holy men be subject to 'like passions with others' (James 5:17), as it is said of Elijah, yet they are not so enthralled by them that they carry them wholly away from their God; but they hear a voice of the Spirit within them, calling them back to their former communion with God; and so grace takes occasion, even from sin, to exercise itself.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Soul's Conflict with Itself, Works, vol. 1, p. 199
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