THE GREAT TREATY OF PEACE OR A Serious Exhortation upon a sad occasion to double Diligence about making Peace with God Part whereof was preached at the Funeral of Mrs. ANNE KYRL April 6. 1677. To which is Annexed The Character of that Worthy Gentlewoman By H. S. Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed for John Hancock at the Sign of the Three Bibles in Popes Head Alley in Cornhil 1677. To the Relations OF Mrs. ANNE KYRL Lately Deceased H. S. Wisheth the Multiplication of Grace and Peace through the Knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. THE GREAT TREATY OF PEACE BY a sad Providence you are brought together into this place yea by a long series of Providences the Governor of the World hath brought it to pass That I must be your Orator for a while and you my Auditors To bespeak your attention and seriousness being met upon such a sad occasion one would think should be needless I hope you are perswaded that you are all here before God to whom all things are naked and opened and to whom you must another day give account of your being here this day I hope also that you are fully perswaded that preaching the Gospel what ever the World accounts it is the power of God Rom. 1. 16. and that whereby it pleaseth him to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1. 18 21. and that Faith comes by hearing it Rom. 10. 17. and that 't is a means ordained of God to open peoples eyes and to turn them from darkness to light c. Acts 26. 17 18. I would hope also that you are come with an expectation to hear what God by Man will say unto you and with a resolution to do what shall be commanded you of the Lord as Peters Hearers Acts 10. 33. when he was sent to them to tell them words whereby they might be saved Acts 11. 14. My hearts desire and prayer to God is that I may so speak and you may so hear that our Souls may be when we go hence where that Blessed Soul is whose Corps we are met here to inter It is written 2 Pet. 3. 14. thus Wherefore Beloved seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless The day of the Lord will come v. 10. whatever Mockers v. 3 4. say to the contrary Therefore the Apostle exhorts to holiness v. 11. and in this v. 14. repeats his Exhortation The Exhortation is enforced by Arguments 1. One v. 12. from their hope and expectation of Christs coming 2. Another from the new and better estate they expected at his coming according to promise v. 13. which promise you have Isa 65. 17. 66. 22. Behold I create new Heavens and a new Earth that is a new estate of the Church which was to have 1. It s inchoation and beginning 2. It s consummation and perfecting 1. It s inchoation at the first coming of Christ in Gospel times which estate of the Church is called 1. A new Creation by the Prophet Isaiah 2. The World to come by S. Paul Heb. 2. 5. 3. The Kingdom of Heaven by John Baptist Mat. 3. 2. 2. It s consummation and perfecting at the second coming of Christ at the last day which is that here spoken of v. 13. and Rev. 21. 5. Now it follows Wherefore seeing we look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace c. Beloved beloved of God Christ Angels and Men seeing ye look for expect hope for such things such a new and happy estate viz. Eternal blessedness Eternal life when this Life shall have an end be diligent industriously diligent sedulous studious sollicitous that ye may be found of him that is of the Lord Jesus Christ when he shall come to judgment to the judgment either of all in general or of each one in particular 1. In Peace In peace with God reconciled to him by Jesus Christ Col. 1. 20. Rom. 5. 10. 2. In peace with our selves having peace of Conscience and no trouble or terror in our spirits at his coming as they Rev. 6. 15 16. who could not endure to see the face of him that sate on the Throne 3. In peace with others especially the Saints holding fellowship and communion with them Without spot having the unspoted righteousness of Christ imputed to them as their own And blameless in their conversation Three things upon this occasion I intend to speak to 1. That Christ will come to judgment 2. At his coming Believers expect a blessed estate 3. They that do expect this blessed estate must be diligent that they may be found of Christ in peace at his coming in a reconciled estate with God Of the two former briefly of the last more largely 1. That Christ will come to judgment is an Article of our Faith We say we believe that Jesus Christ the Son of God shall come from his right hand to judge the quick and the dead 1. Christ himself hath told us so Joh. 14. 3. 2. Enoch prophecied of it Jude 14. 15. 3. Paul assures us of it Acts 17. 31. 1 Thes 4. 16. 2 Thes 1. 7 8. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 4. Peter likewise 1 Pet. 4. 5. 5. And John Rev. 1. 7. 6. Yea Angels Acts 1. 11. This day is diversly called with respect to good and bad 1. To the good so 't is called 1. The day of refreshing Acts 3. 19. Repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come 2. The day of redemption Lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh Luke 21. 28. 2. To the bad so 't is called 1. A day of wrath and revelation of Gods righteous judgment Rom. 2. 5. 1 Cor. 4. 5. 2. A day of perdition 2 Pet. 3. 7. Use Seeing Christ will come to judgment I have a fourfold request to make unto you 1. That you would settle this Truth in your hearts by believing it Do not only say you believe it viz. That Christ shall come to judge the quick and the dead but do so indeed believe it with all your heart My hearts desire and prayer to God for you is that you may be established strengthned and setled in the belief of this Article of the Christian Faith 2. That you would be mindful of it let it be always in your thoughts Christ will come to Judgment he will reckon for this another day Say this often to your selves The coming of the Lord draweth nigh he is even at the door Jam. 5. 8 9. 3. That you would repent Because for certain God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world by Jesus Christ Acts 17. 31. 4. That you would see to it that your conversations be holy and godly Seeing Christ will come to judgment what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness 2 Pet. 3. 11. Doct. 2. Believers at the coming of Christ expect a
and consider well what God hath done towards making peace between man offending and himself offended and you will understand the better of how great concern a reconciled estate with God is to you Direction 3. Understand well the way of making peace with God viz. by Jesus Christ who is our Peace Eph. 2. 14. and by whom there is peace on Earth Luke 2. 14. and peace in Heaven Luke 19. 38. having made peace through the blood of his Cross Col. 1. 20. When Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon they came with one accord to him and having made Blastas the Kings Chamberlain their Friend desired peace it being their great concern because their Country was nourished by the Kings Country Acts 12. 20. In like manner God being highly displeased with sinners they must make Jesus Christ Gods beloved Son in whom his Soul is well pleased Mat. 12. 18. their Friend to make peace for them And if Sinners desire this of him he will not say them nay John 6. 37. Direction 4. Know also and labour with thy self to be fully perswaded that peace with God and a reconciled estate with him is a real thing a real blessing and privilege Sure that about which Such a Consultation was held Such a Contract was made between the Father and the Son And such Articles were performed by both Father and Son must needs be a real thing And that for the accomplishment of which so much real work was finished and so great a price was paid must needs be a real thing Direction 5. Well understand the terms upon which this peace and reconciliation with God is really tendred in the Gospel and Ministry thereof The Terms are 1. Laying down our Arms in a penitent way Wash ye make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes cease to do evil learn to do well Come now and let us reason together and be friends saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red like crimson they shall be as wooll Isa 1. 16 17 18. 2. Resigning up our selves to the government of Christ in a believing way Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved said Paul and Silas to the trembling Jaylor Acts 16. 31. And that it is really tendered in the Gospel and Ministry thereof who can doubt that well considers that one Scripture 2 Cor. 5. 18 19 20. where the Gospel is called by the Holy Ghost the word of reconciliation and the Ministry of it the ministry of reconciliation and where we are beseeched and prayed in Christs stead to be reconciled to God Direction 6. Make it your business to get into this reconciled estate Lest you should deceive your selves and think you make it your business when you do not Know that when a man makes any thing his business 1. He thinks of it seriously much and often his first and last and middle thoughts are of it he thinks of it when he is eating drinking sleeping working journying 2. He talks of it perpetually and puts questions about it to any one he thinks can better inform him 3. He does cast and contrive this way and that way how to effect it 4. He takes all opportunities offered that may further it 5. He removes all hindrances of it and is glad when they are removed and sad while they lie in the way 6. He allows time for it yea redeems time for it 7. He sequesters himself from all company that may disturb him in it 8. He puts out his strength in the use of all means to effect it Thus in this way make it your business to get into a reconciled estate with God 1. Think seriously of it as the Prodigal did Luke 15. 17. and Peter Mark 14. 72. 2. Talk perpetually of it and put questions about it as Peters Hearers Acts 2. 37. and the Jaylor Acts 16. 30. Be talking of it when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up 3. Contrive how to effect it Sit down and consult what is to be done Luke 14. 31 32. 4. Watch and take all opportunities that may further it For Watching see Luke 21. 34 36. 1 Cor. 16. 13. 1 Pet. 5. 8. 5. Remove all hindrances of it If iniquity be in thy hand put it far away Job 11. 14. Do as they Ezra 10. 3. covenanted to do and did v. 11. 6. Allow time for the doing of it Redeem time from meals and sleep rather then want it for this work Eph. 5. 16. 7. Sequester your selves go into your Closets shut the door against all Disturbers Mat. 6. 6. 8. Put out your strength in the use of of all means to effect it Set about it with all your might Eccles 9. 10. Q. In the use of what means A. In the use of all means Reading Hearing Studying Meditating Praying Watching Fasting Searching Trying Examining your selves Keeping your hearts Flying temptations and occasions of sin neglecting no opportunities of acquainting your selves with God Among other means use these with diligence preparation and prayer as in the sight and presence of the great God 1. Attend upon the Word and Ministry of Reconciliation so called 2 Cor. 5. 18 19. because 't is a great means of reconciliation This blessing of peace comes out of Zion Ps 128. 5. 'T is the fruit of the lips that must be instrumental to make peace with God Isa 57. 19. If there be a Messenger with him that is a Minister of the Gospel and Interpreter one of a thousand to shew unto Man his uprightness then he that is God is gracious to him and saith Deliver him from going down to the pit I have found a ransom Job 33. 23 24. 2. Joyn with confession of sin whereby God has been offended Contrition and Conversion 1. Confess sin I acknowledged my sin unto thee said David Ps 32. 5. and mine iniquity have I not hid I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin If we confess our sins saith S. John 1 Joh. 1. 9. God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins See Jer. 3. 13. 2. Mourn for sin and turn from it unto God Rend your hearts and turn unto the Lord Joel 2. 13. for he is gracious Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Isa 55. 7. 3. Make your supplication to the God of peace in the name of Christ who is our Peace Eph. 2. 14. and the Prince of peace Isa 9. 6. Give your selves to prayer Ps 109. 4. Pray as David did Ps 60. 1. O God thou hast been displeased O turn thy self to us again Cause thy face to shine Ps 80. 3. and as Daniel ch 9. 17. Cause thy face
for such things made her diligent industriously diligent that she might be found of Christ in peace without spot and blameless in a reconciled justified and sanctified estate She gave her mind she set her self to be found in this estate She was instant in season and out of season about this In the morning she sowed her seed and in the evening she withheld not her hand Eccles 11. 6. She gave all diligence to add to her faith vertue and to vertue knowledge c. She gave diligence to make her calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1. 5 10. She was not slothful but shewed diligence to the full assurance of hope Heb. 6. 11 12. And whatsoever she apprehended was commanded by the God of Heaven she would diligently do it Ezra 7. 23. What more shall I say Her eyes were turned away from beholding vanity Ps 119. 37. Her ears were swift to hear Jam. 1. 19. In her tongue was the Law of kindness Prov. 31. 26. Her hands were stretched out to the poor and needy Prov. 31. 20. Her feet were shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace Eph. 6. 15. Her knees were bowed unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Eph. 3. 14. Her face was Zion-ward Jer. 50. 5. Her clothing was humility 1 Pet. 5. 5. Her ornaments a meek and a quiet spirit 1 Pet. 3. 4. Her girdle sincerity Eph. 6. 14. Her speech was savoury seasoned Salt Col. 4. 6. Corrupt communication proceeded not out of her mouth but such as might minister Grace to the hearers Eph. 4. 29. Her conversation was upright Ps 37. 14. Ordered aright Ps 50. 23. As became the Gospel Phil. 1. 27. Without covetousness Heb. 13. 5. Chaste coupled with fear 1 Pet. 3. 2. Honest 1 Pet. 2. 12. Holy 1 Pet. 1. 15. Heavenly Phil. 3. 20. All her springs whence slowed these streams were in God Ps 87. 7. Her confidence was not in the slesh Her rejoycing was in Christ Phil. 3. 3. Christ was her All Col. 3. 11. Her wisdom to direct her righteousness to justifie her sanctification to cleanse her redemption to set her at liberty 1 Cor. 1. 30. When she was hungry his flesh was her meat When thirsty his blood was her drink John 6. 55. When she fainted he was her cordial Luke 2. 25. When she fought with her spiritual adversaries he was her victory and triumph 1 John 5. 4 5. 1 Cor. 15. 57. Rom. 8. 37. When she failed Christ was her Advocate with the Father John 2. 1 2. In life he was her hope 1 Tim. 1. 1. In death he is her gain Phil. 1. 21. In the grave he will be her life and resurrection John 11. 25. I think I may say of her as Hezekiah of himself Isa 38. 3. That she walked before God in truth and with a perfect heart and did that which was good in his sight And as Christ of Nathanael John 1. 47. Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile Her dying words exprest much of a Christian indeed To instance They exprest 1. Her expectation of a change I do not hope to live long 2. Her weannedness from the world and sense of the badness of it For said she being fit to dye 't is the best time to dye in and the worst age to live in 3. Her lamenting after God for she complained of unprofitableness under the means she enjoyed and of the want of former refreshments 4. Her confidence in God For said she though I am a great sinner yet I believe I am a pardoned sinner and so have rest and quiet One saying to her There is need of the Lords help Yea said she and God hath laid help upon one that is mighty and by his stripes I am healed One repeating that Scripture Ps 116. 6. The Lord preserveth the simple I was brought low and he helped me Yea said she the Lord will remember me in my low estate Her thankfulness Blessed be God said she I have refreshing though not rest At other times she would say O the consolations of the Lord are not small things 6. Her prayerfulness In her last fit she said Lord ease Lord help Pray pray pray And so whiles we were praying for her she fell asleep Thus she has given you an Example as Christ did his Disciples John 13. 15. I will not call you to lamentation but to imitation I must Not to lamentation Though some of you have lost a dear Sister And some of you a tender Aunt And some a faithful Friend And some a helper of their faith and joy And some an encourager in the ways of God The poor have lost a visitor and liberal benefactor And this Congregation a worthy member And she her self has lost something too she has lost her Asthma or difficulty of breathing Her pains sighs and groans Her cold sweats and fainting fits Her sorrows and sufferings Her troubles and temptations Her sins and corruptions But what are her gains No tongue can express nor heart can conceive what they are She has gained Heaven What eye hath not seen nor ear hath heard nor hath it entred into the heart of man 1 Cor. 2. 9. A Kingdom Everlasting Luke 12. 32. 2 Pet. 1. 11. A Crown of righteousness and life 2 Tim. 4. 8. James 1. 12. An Inheritance rich and glorious Eph. 1. 18. Incorruptible undefiled and that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 1. 4. She has gained fulness of joy in the presence of God and pleasures for ever more at his right hand Ps 16. 11. An exceeding exceeding eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. The Beatifical Vision Mat. 5. 8. The immediate and full fruition of God and Christ An eternal life with God and Christ and Saints and Angels And therefore I must not call you to lamentation But as I said to imitation I must Follow her as she followed Christ 1 Cor. 11. 1. Let her Vertues live in you so shall she in some sense still live with you 1. Look for such things as she did Look for new Heavens and new Earth Look to things not seen and things that are eternal Look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of c. Look for and hasten unto the coming of the day of God 2. Let the expectation of such things make you diligent in the use of means to be found of Christ at his coming in peace without spot c. in a reconciled justified and sanctified estate Give your minds set your selves to be found in this estate Be instant in season and out of season about it In the morning sow your seed and in the evening withhold not your hand Eccles 11. 6. Give all diligence adde to your faith vertue c. 2 Pet. 1. 5. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. Be not slothful but shew diligence to the full assurance of hope Heb. 6. 11 12. And whatsoever shall be commanded you by the God of Heaven diligently do it Ezra 7. 23.