the Lord I will destroy them this peace with God takes away not only all fears and dangers of condemnation as Rom. 8.1 but also the sting of sin and death 1 Cor. 15.55 Oh Death where is thy sting Oh Grave where is thy Victory Reas 2. Because this peace is in the hand of Christ who payed a great price for it and he will maintain it that although we sin yet he is our Advocate and preserves our peace with God this peace is the peace of Christ he hath purchased it with his Blood he freely giveth it therefore surely he will maintain it he will not take it away as the World gives peace one day and taketh it away another this peace is an everlasting peace Reas 3. Because this peace does not only set the Soul free from fear of wrath but it makes every thing easie and it takes away the poyson and venome of sin and also the â—ting of death and hell is taken away sin is a poyson in every cup poysons every thing but this peace takes all away and doth assure a Believer that whatever he meets withalâ—n this World shall be to his advantage it makes prosperity to be safe and sweet to them and makes all afflictions to work for their good Reas 4. Because all troubles and dangers shall not hurt this peace but shall work together to the furtherance of their everlasting peace for this peace is so far above all evils and fears that can befal such as have it that in comparisâ—n tâ—ereof they are all light and momentany not worthy to be compared with that glory to be revealed their great hopes swallow up all their fears â—ob 19.25 For I know that my Redeâ—mer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth Quest 1. But here some may ask a Question If Christ gives such peace how then comes it to pass that many a gracious Soul meet with sv much trouble and that not only trouble in the World but trouble in spirit that the Soul hath lost his peace and sense of the favour of God Ans This Legacie was given more especially to the Apâ—stles that were called to so great a work and were to out face all the Tyrants in the World and endure so great afflictions and perâ—ecutions so that we may conceive it was alwayes constant and full with them but ordinary Christians have not so full and constant peace in themselves their peace may be interrupted for a time through sin or through temptations yet their peace doth hold though they may loose the sense of it for a time but they may be sure of this that peace will return again to them God hath not forgot to be gracious Ans 2. Their peace with God is everlasting and never fails this peace is the peace of God and in the conclusion will never fail but the wicked mans peace will fail and never come again but the righteous and merciful man shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds as Isai 57.27 Ans 3. Their dissertions and temptations are alwayes turned to their good and their peace returnâ—d with advantage of greater peace and joy their end is alwayes peace though they should and may go out of the World in the want of the sense of it yet God doth often return to the Soul at death Vse 1. Instruction Hence take notice of the wonderful care and love of the Lord Jesus to his Diâ—ciples to establish their hearts against all the troubles afflictions and fears that might befal them in this world and therefore he saith let not your heart be troubled this was the farewel speech of Jesus Christ my peace I leave with you he delights in the prosperity of his people as we may see Heb. 5.17 18. Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew to the Heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an Oath that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye you might have a strong consolation who are fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us also the Lord said unto the Prophet Isai 40.1 Comfort ye comfort ye my people saith my God speak you comfortably to â—erusalem and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished and that her Iniquity is pardoned I speak this to this end because there are some good Souls that thinks assurance of Gods love and strong consolations and joy in the Holy Ghost is too high a favour for them being such sinners as they are to attain to but let all such consider that God give as a God he gives as becometh such a great God as he is he gives according to his greatness and not according to your sinfulness and unworthiness this peace is the gift of Jesus Christ and he hath purchased it therefore if the Soul be never so unworthy yet Jesus Christ is most willing to bestow this precious everlasting peace upon you to magnifie the exceeding riches of his grace refuse not the consolations of the Almighty dishonour not grieve not the Lord Jesus Christ by your unbelief when Christ freely gives his peace it is your duty thankfully to embrace it with all acceptation Vse 2. Conviction We may hence be convinced of the great folly of all such poor Souls as do rest in such a poor peace as the World gives and look not after that true most excellent and everlasting peace which the Lord Jesus Christ does freely offer and give Alas how many Souls are there that rest themselves in that peace which the world can give carnal peace carnal mirth it is a poor peace you can have from the world you may have the worlds peace and yet have a sad heart and conscience that will tell you for all this you must come to Judgement the very best peace the world can give will leave the Soul in unserable fear and distress in fear of the wrath of God which will come upon the Sons of disobedience in the midst of laughter the heart will be sad all you that thus content your selves do not your Consciences often tell you of your great and many sins and woful state to Eternity when Paul preached of righteousness temporance and judgement to come Felix trembled Act. 24.25 that is a poor peace that the world giveth that is only an outward peace but gives no inward peace and comfort to the Soul when Betshazzar was in his greatest jollity when he was drinking in his Cups his mirth and joy was soon gone and the Hand-writing upon the wall caused his knees to smite one against another as Dan. 5.5 6. in that peace that the world gives Conscience sometimes will fly in the face and tells them of those things sins that they are guilty of and that God is angry with sinners every day and that there is a Hell prepared for sinners Oh the fearful expectation of wrath and fiery indignation that oft seizeth upon the heart of such
for us where is there such love to be found in the World Oh what ardent love should then be to the Lord Jesus therefore let us shew our love to him and let our love be enflamed to him let us be willing to dye for him that hath dyed for us let us love him with all our hearts and souls and all our might that hath so greatly loved us THE Lord Jesus his LEGACIE of PEACE To Arm his Disciples against Trouble and Fear OR A SERMON PREACHED BY Mr. JOHN ALLIN The late Reverend Pastor of the Church of Christ in Dedham August 13. 1671. Being the last that he Preached before his Death which was August 26. 1671. Glory to God in the highest on Earth peace towards men good will Luk. 2.14 Cambridge Printed in the Year 1672. John 14.27 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the World giveth give I unto you let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid AFter so many Consolations and Promises of the Comforter as the Loâ—d Jesus had armed his Disciples with against his departure in these words he takes his leave or farewel of them leaving this his Legacy with them namely The blessing of peace telling them what peace saying My peace I give unto yâ—u not as the World giveth and the fruit of Christ peace was to stay their hearts against all trouble and fear as ver r. Let not your Hearts be troubled but my peace I leave with you as my blessing as the Apostle speaks â—phes 6.23 Peace be to the Brethren and love with Faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 5.14 Peace be with all that are in Christ Jesus Amen and it is a frequent Farewel in the Scripture as also in Salutations the scope of our Saviour in these words or valediction is the same he began withal ver 1. to stay their hearts against all fear and trouble it was no doubt a great trouble and tryal to the hearts of the Disciples of Jesus Christ to loose such a Master and Teacher as he was and that by so painful and shameful a death as the death of the Crosse and so it was notwithstanding all that he had spoken to them therefore he leaves peace with them My peace I give unto you To open the words My peace I leave with you as if our Saviour had said I am now about to part with you I must leave you but I will leave this Legacy My peace and that not an ordinary peace but my peace and that I give unto you you shall have peace is usually taken for or â—mplies protection from all evil and the enjoyment of all good but that they may know what peace this is he tells them it 's my peace Christ is the Prince of peace the Attonement the God of peace all peace comes from him he it is that gives all manner of peace First He gives peace with God you will say what manner of peace is that the Apostle tells us Phil 4.7 The peace of God that passeth all understanding unspeakable and unutterable such a peace that even those that have it cannot conceive the excellency of it much less can they express it God is an Enemy against sin and sinners and they are at enmity with God and for a sinner that hath offended and provoked God and that therefore hath no hope in God now for such a sinner to be at peace with God who can conceive what it is you may see the excellency of it if you consider the persons that are now at peace for a poor wretched miserable condemned sinner to be at peace with God and that this should flow from the love of God in pardoning all his sins and to account him righteous in his sight that he that was an enemy to the Great and Holy God even in his minde by evil works and had God himself the Holy Just God an enemy to him that will avenge himself on his enemies by Eternal punishment yet now to be at peace with God and that God will own him as a Friend forgiving all his sins accepting him as just righteous to eteâ—nal life take him into his high favour as a Son and Heir of Heaven and all this through the Blood of his own Son yea by the blood of his Cross is this peace made so justifying his Law and Justice a great price must be payed to purchase it and the tearms is free grace in a covenant of grace to all that believe it is free grace in God to accept of a satisfaction in Christ he might have exacted it of the sinner himself and the tearms of this free grace are only to believe and accept of it the new Covenant is established upon better promises then the old wherein God hath promised to take away a hard and stony heart and to give a heart of flesh now for a sinner to be at peace with God through the merit and righteousness of Christ and upon the tearms of the covenant of grace and what follows God now takes them into the state of Sons ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord God Almighty and they are made Heirs of the Glory of Christ for a sinner thus to be at peace with God I say who can tell what it is to be Heirs of God and co heirs with Jesus Christ this is Christs peace which he gives to his Disciples Secondly This peace is the inward peace of a good Conscience the sence of that peace which a Soul hath with God through Jesus Christ being prinkled from an evil Conscience we have boldness and access with assurance of Faith unto the holiest of all and confidence towards God 1 Joh. 3. God sending his Spirit the Comforter to witness that we are at peace with God yea he sends his Spirit to seal up this peace with God and this breeds joy unspeakable and full of glory it fills the Soul with all joy in Believing Rom. 15 13. Now the God of hope all you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost so that we may boldly go to the Throne of grace yea even to the holiest of all with confidence to wards God and have liberty before him this is a singular part of this peace to be perswaded that we are at peace with God and that we are the Children of God and that we are partakers of all the priviledges of the Sons of God Thirdly Christs peace is a peace with men and so usually taken in Scripture and especially with the Saints Ephes 2.14 For he is our peace who hath made bath one and hath broken own the mâ—ddâ—e wall of partition between us that we mâ—y be all oâ—eâ—a Iesus Christ both Jâ—ws and Gentiles Fourthly This peace comprehends peace with the Creature even with the Beasts of the field Job 5 23 For thou shait be in leaâ—ue with the
as are in the greatest peace and prosperity that the world can give but now where the peace of Christ is there is no fear of Hell for there is no condemnation to such a Soul now Again this peace that the world doth give how short and uncertain is it it is but a short peace that the world giveth Solomon saith if a sinner live an hundred years and his dayes be prolonged yet I know it shall go well with those that fear God yea that is the thing to know how it shall be with the Soul Haman may go home and boast of his greatness and of the favour he was in with the King and that the Queen also suffered none but him to come in with the King to the Banquet but poor man he could not foresee that the next day he must be hanged upon the Gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai and so it is many times a man in favour to day and utterly out of favour to narrow although the peace of the world be but a slighty peace yet a man is not sure of it one day when the world saies peace peace then suddain destruction comes upon them as a Whirl wind were this well considered would any man rest contented with that peace which the world can give one would think they should not be contented without that true durable peace which Christ gives and not with that poor peace which the world gives which is so short and uncertain that lasts not but those comforts they are gone as a Whirlwind and their places know them no more as Solomon saith and will any rest in such a peace Vse 3. Tryal This may put every one of us upon the tryal how nearly doth it concern every Soul to consider and examine whether his peace be the peace of Christ or of the world truely if the peace you have be the peace the world gives it is not worth a rush we are a secure people and live in peace but consider what true peace you have for your Soul to depend upon and to this end consider 1. It 's a certain truth That there is no peace to the wicked saith my God Isai 57.21 what peace can a Soul have that lives in a course of sin and enmity against God as Iehu saith to King Ioram what peace so long as the Whoredoms of thy mother Iezabel and her Witchcrafts are so many so long as the Soul goes on in the wayes of any sin loves it and favours himself in it it is impossible to have any pence with God that infinitely hates all sin iniquity the wicked must forsake his wayes and thoughts repent and turn to the Lord before he can be at peace with God but now that Soul that can truely say that be hath turned from every known sin he mourns for sin it 's his grief and burthen it is a good sign that that Soul is at peace with God but when we live in any way of sin in a way of lying or any other known sin it is impossible that he should be at peace with God 2. This peace is the gift of Christ he only can make peace between God and sinners 1 Joh. 5.12 He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life therefore make out your interest in Jesus Christ by Faith without which you can have no true peace but if you take up comfort and expect peace from any duties of your own or any thing of your own yea if you take up comfort from the mercy of God or from the promise without Christ in the promise if you take not hold of Christ in the promise your comfort will not hold because you lay hold of peace without true right to it is Christ most precious and sin most hateful 3. Where Christ gives peace he gives grace grace mercy and peace goes together Christ Jesus never justifieth but he also sanctifieth that Soul as Rom. 8.1 There is now no condemnation to those that are in Jesus Christ but who are they those that walk not after the flesh but after the spirit as also ver 13. For if ye live after the flesh you shall dye but if through the Spirit ye mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Oh where is your mortifying and purging out of sin by the Spirit where is your delight in the wayes of Holiness and Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 Jesus Christ is made not only wisdome and righteousness but Sanctification and Redemption consider what power of Grace you have received to mortifie the deeds of the flesh by the spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting Holiness in the fear of God If you can make it out that it is thus then you have this peace otherwise you have none of it 4. I might add also that this peace that Christ gives disposeth the heart to a peaceable disposition he will love to be at peace with others as Isai 11.6 7. the Kingdome of Christ is thus discribed the Wolf also shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lye down with the Kid and the Caâ—f and the young Lion and the fatling together and a little Childe shall lead them the wisdome that is from above is first pure then peacable and easie to be intreated consider what love there is in you to peace do you not delight do you not love to be at distance from any of the Saints of God but love peace seek peace and ensue it Vse 4. Exhortation 1. To every Soul that yet hath not this peace which Christ gives breathe after it labour for it Oh consider and look about you and think whether it be not needful to get this peace which Christ gives consider these following particulars 1. The poor uncertain peace that you now have in the World that the World can give you have heard what it is now will you content your selves with the Worlds peace can you go from day to day with this peace will you rise and go about your business with this peace will you with the Drunkard sleep upon the top of a Mast On awake awake and consider what a peace all your worldly peace is 2. Consider what a dreadful Enemy you have whiles you have only that peace that the World can give you have God for your Enemy the great and dreadful God that will certainly be avenged of his Enemies it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Nahum 1.2 God is jealous and the Lord revengeth the Lord rerengeth and is furious the Lord will take vengeance on his Adversaries and he reserveth wrath for his Enemies Ye would tremble to salâ— into the hand of a cruel Enemy much more into the hand of God whom you have justly provoked to be your Enemy what cannot he do he hath prepared instruments of death yea Isai
30.33 Tophet is ordained of old yea for the King it is prepared he hath made it deep and large the pile thereof is fire and much wood and the breath of the Lord like a stream of Brimstone doth kindle it Oh Consider what God is and what a state and condition every sinner is in that is an Enemy to God and it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God if you were ready to fall into the hands of a cruel Nation Oh what fear would there be what care and endeavour to escape it God is not cruel but he is a just revenging God 3. Consider how willing God is to be at peace see how the Lord expresses himself Isai 27.5 Let him take hold of my strength that he may make peace with me and he shall make peace with me Many a poor Soul questions whether God be willing they think it is in vain for them to go about to make peace with God why do you say so you hear the Lord here by the Prophet say if he will make peace he shall make peace the question therefore is not whether God be willing to be at peace with you but whether you be willing to be at peace with him the Lord hath given his Son to make peace and sends the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.20 Now then we are Embassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ stead be reconciled to God Oh what evedent Demonstrations are there that God is willing to be at peace with poor sinners would God ever have given his Son and the Son have given himself if he had not been willing to be at peace surely no and also as was before alledged he hath sent Embassadors to beseech and intreat you to be reconciled our peace and all good is ready in Christ but here is the misery men will not be at peace Christ complains you will not come to me that you might have life who is it that is now at peace with God that was not once in the same estate with your Selves therefore you may be at peace only delay not but as Christ advises agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art in the way with him if you delay you will dye in your sins therefore if ever you intend to make your peace with God at all do it now really speedily and without delay 4. Lastly Lay down your enmity if Rebels will be at peace with their King they must lay down their weapons Isai 55.7 8 9. Let the Wicked forseek his way and the Vnrighteous man his thoughts and 〈◊〉 him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon for my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your wayes my wayes for as the Heavens are higher then the Earth so are my wayes higher then your wayes and my thoughts then your thoughts there is joy in Heaven at the conversion of a sinner if you would but come in and accept of peace there is a way of peace yet for that sinner that hath lived in the peace of the World all this while if you will turn from all your sins unto God submit to the Government of the Lord Jesus 2. Exhortation To such as have received this great and wonderful gift of Christ this our blessed peace Oh prize it highly be exceeding thankful for it and labour by all means to cherish preserve and increase the assurance thereof think what a singular mercy it is to be at peace with God by Jesus Christ how unspeakable and full of glory it is this peace is a continual peace as Rom. 5.2 By whom also we have access by Faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God this I say that those that have this peace should labour so to walk as that they may persevere in it and to this end consider what the Psalmist speaks Psal 85.8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak peace unto his people and to his Saints but let not them turn again to folly have a care you break not your peace remember Davids broken bones beware of sin and see that you walk humbly before God you have sin and corruption and you may meet with temptations Satan is your Enemy and he cannot abide you should have this peace therefore be watchful and be humble Isai 57.15 For thus saith the High and Lofty one that inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is Holy I dwell in the High and Holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones these are the Souls that shall have peace but take heed of an evil and unbelieving heart in departing from the living God take heed you doat not upon the peace of the World and grow secure by it 3. Exhortation Make use of this peace as it is intended by Christ Let not your heart be troubled Psal 125.1 2. they that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount-Sion that cannot be removed but abideth for ever as the Mounâ—aâ—nâ— are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever Psal 27.1 2 3. The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear the Lord is the strength of my life of whâ—m shall I be afraid when the wicked even my enemies and my foes came upon me to eat up my flesh they stumbled and fell though an Host should encamp against me my heart shall not fear though War should rise against me in this will I be confident Psal 46.1 2. God is ouâ— refuge and strength a very present help in trouble therefore will not we fear though the Earth be removed and though the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea why should such a Soul fear for any evil tidings ye have that peace that the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against Oh shew your peace by your boldness in God by your glorying in tribulation do you meet with outward losses what need that trouble you when you have such a God as you have do you meet with painful afflictions you may well bare them patiently so long as the Soul enjoys Christs peace do you meet with ill Neighbours or disquiet in your Families all theâ—e are but light afflictions not worthy to be compared to the Glory that shall be revealed nay doth Death look you in the face you may tryumph over it for the sting of Death is taken away thanks be to God that hath given us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord and therefore let the peace of God guard your hearts against what ever you may meet withal If you consider the reasons of the point 1. The glorious excellency of this peace 2. That it is the gift and purchase of Christ and kept in his hand 3. Because this peace do not only set the Soul free from fear of wrath but takes away the poyson and venom of sin and also the sting of Death and Hell is taken away 4. Because all troubles and dangers shall not hurt this peace but all shall work together to the furtherance of their everlasting peace this peace will guard your hearts against all evil whatsoever you have cause to be quiet therefore let nothing dismay or disquiet the hearts of those that Christ hath given this peace unto whatever you hear of in the World we hear of many troubles and disquiets abroad in the World and the cause of God suffers much we should lay it to heart but not to be troubled disquieted or dismayed in the soarest troubles in a word Faint not for we look not at things â—resent which are temporary but at thing to come which are Eternal FINIS