Upon Health of Body and Peace of Conscience by William Spurstowe (1666) It was a high and eminent testimony given by St. John to the Elder Gaius, in the prayer that he made for him, with an earnest wish that he might prosper, and be in health, even as his soul prospers (III John 1:2).  It is a crown that I could heartily desire might be deservedly set upon the head of everyone that is called by that honorable name of Christian; and then I doubt not, but those reproaches, which are daily cast upon them, would fall as far short of them, as stones that are thrown at the sun; and those scandals, at which those who are without do stumble, would be removed, and they also won by their conversation to the obedience of the faith. But alas!  I must invert the Apostle’s wish, and if I will wish true prosperity to the saints themselves, pray primarily that their souls may prosper and be in health.  Where may I find the man, or who can tell me what is his name, whose care and observance has so far prevailed, as to make his soul in an equal plight with his body, so as to keep the one as free from lusts, as the other from diseases?  Who ever thought it necessary that pensions should be given to orators to dissuade men from running into infected houses, or to be out of love with mortal poisons?  Is not the least jealousy and suspicion of such things argument enough to secure themselves against dangers that may fall out?  But is there not need to admonish and warn the best and holiest of men that they abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul?  Is it not requisite to bid the most watchful to take heed of a lethargy, when the wise virgins are fallen asleep?  Did not Christ himself caution his disciples against having their hearts at any time over-charged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life?  And yet the meanest of their condition might seem to exempt them from such snares.  From whence then is it that the welfare and health of the body should be more studiously endeavored by all, than the well being of the soul in its peace and serenity?  Is it not from the strength of fleshly principles which abide in the best, and darken oft time the eye of the understanding, that it cannot rightly apprehend its own concernments?  If there were but a clear insight into that blessedness into which peace of conscience gives a believer, it could not be but that it being laid in the balance with the health of the body, it should as far over-weigh it as a full bucket a single drop, or as the vintage of wine a particular cluster.  True it is that health of body is the salt of all outward blessings, which without it has no relish or savor; neither riches nor honors, nor delights for the belly or back, can yield the least pleasure where this is wanting, so that enjoyment of it alone may well be set against many other wants.  And better it is to enjoy health without other additional comforts, than to possess them under a load of infirmities.  And yet I may still say, what is the chaff to the wheat?  Though it be the greatest outward good that God bestows in this life, it is nothing to that peace which passes all understanding.  Sickness destroys it, age enfeebles it, and extremities embitter it, but it is the excellency of this divine peace that it works joy in tribulation, that it supports in bodily languishments, and creates confidence in death.  Who is it that can throw forth the gauntlet, and bid defiance to armies of trials, to persecution, distress, famine, nakedness, peril and sword?  It is only he whose heart is established with this peace, the ground of which is God’s free love, the price of which is Christ’s satisfaction, the worker of which is the Holy Spirit, and the subject of which is a good conscience.  This was it that filled old Simeon’s heart with joy, and made him to beg a dismissal on account of his Savior, whom his eyes had seen, his arms embraced, and his soul trusted in (see Luke 2:28-32). What a strange thing is it then, that there should be so few merchant-men who seek this goodly pearl, which is far above all the treasures of the earth that are hid in it or extracted from it.  Many say, “Who will show us any good?”, but it is David only that prays, “Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us” (Ps. 4:6).  Others, like the scattered Israelites in Egypt, go up and down gathering straw and stubble; when he, like an Israelite indeed, in the wilderness of this world, seeks manna, which his spirit gathers up and feeds upon with delight; then he cries out, “Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased” (Ps. 4:7).  It is the love of God shed abroad in the heart that doubles the sweetness of prosperity, and sweetens also the bitterness of affliction.  A wonder only therefore it is, not that few should seek, but much greater that any in this world should live without it.  Can any live well without the king’s favor, either in his court, or kingdom?  And yet there are many places wherein such persons may lie hid in his dominions, when the utmost ends of the earth cannot secure them against God’s frowns.  But if any be so profligate and Cleopatra-like to dissolve this jewel of peace in his lusts, and to drink down in one prodigious draught that which exceeds the world in its price, and yet think they can live well enough without it; let them consider how they will do to die without it.  Sweet it is in life, but it will be more sweet in death.  It is not then the sunshine of creatures, but Savior-shine that will refresh them.  It is not then wine that can cheer the heart, but the blood of sprinkling that will pacify it.  The more perpendicular death comes to be over our head, the lesser will the shadow of all earthly comforts grow and prove useless, either to assuage the pains of it, or to mitigate the fears of it.  What is a fragrant posy put into the hands of a malefactor who is in sight of the place of execution, and his friends bidding him to smell of it?  Or what is the delivering to him a sealed conveyance that entitles him to great revenues, who hath a few minutes only to live?  But O, what excess of joy does fill and overflow such a poor man’s heart, when a pardon from his prince comes happily in to prevent the stroke of death, and to assure him both of life and estate?  This is indeed as health and marrow to the bones.  And is it not thus with a dying sinner who expects in a few moments to be swallowed up in those flames of wrath, the heat of which already scorch his conscience and cause agonies and terrors which embitter all the comforts of life, and extract cries from him that are like the yellings of the damned: “I am undone, without hope of recovery.  Eternity itself will as soon end as my misery.  God will forever hold me as his enemy, and with his own breath will enliven those coals that must be heaped upon me.”  Of what value now would one smile of God’s face be to such a person?  How joyful would the softest whisper of the Spirit be, that speaks any hope of pardon, or peace?  Would not one drop of this sovereign balm of God’s favor let fall upon the conscience, heal and ease more than a river of all other delights whatsoever?  Think therefore upon it, O Christians, so as not any longer through your own fault to be without the sense of this blessing in your hearts; that so in life, as well as in death, you may be filled with this “peace of God, which passeth all understanding.”  If prayer will obtain it, beg every day a good look from him, the light of whose countenance is the only health of yours.  If an holy and humble walking will preserve it, be more careful of doing anything to lose your peace, than to endanger your health; remember that peace is so much better than health, as the soul is better than the body. But grant, holy Father, however others may neglect or defer to seek peace with thee and from thee, yet I may now find thy peace in me by thy pardoning all my iniquities, and may be found of thee in peace without spot, and blameless in the great day.    ——————————————————————- This article is taken from:  Spurstowe, William.  The Spiritual Chymist: or, Six Decads of Divine Meditations on Several Subjects. London: Philip Chetwind, 1666.  A PDF file of this book can be downloaded, free of charge, at http://www.ClassicChristianLibrary.com