or Christ many of them yet what should that do here in the midst of other Duties pertaining to Man Christ being not named Therefore I will speak of it in that sense which in my Conscience I take it was ment m. Be ye thankful Be not unkind and ungrateful to those that have deserved well at your hands Q. What is the thankfulness that is here required R. It may be described a willing acknowledging and readiness to requite Benefits and good Turns received I did not say a Requital for many times there is no Power or Means so to do but at least there is Readiness to do it and Mind of the good Turn if either of these fail there is a Defect in Thankfulness The occasion of Thankfulness is a Benefit received the greater Benefit calls more Thanks which hath diversity from the Person 1. Sometimes we are wholly prevented in receiving before we have shewed any occasion 2. Sometimes again we are first in some Office but are exceeded in the answering the same 3. Sometimes the Persons are Superiors or Equals of such quality I mean as there is no great odds between the Donor and Receiver To the First and Second of each Thankfulness is the more to be shewed I mean we are more beholding inasmuch as there is less desert on our part and in the one nothing at all I would speak plainly 1. To our Parents Ministers and Masters in Learning there is no Office we could shew to deserve Kindness therefore to them we must be more bound to be thankful So to a Stranger that shall first upon some acquaintance no expectation of Requital bestow only upon us in the same measure of Beneficence our Debt is more than to one that we have or may be helpful or shew duty to again 2. To our Superiour being kind we owe more gratitude than to our Equal as Ishbosheth David 2 Sam. 19. 30. 28. 3. Even the Value of the Benefit adds some degree unto our Debt of Thankfulness most our selves as Paul writes to Philemon v. 19. Albeit I do not say unto thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides 4. And the Speediness sometimes adds to our Debt especially if it be at the first knowledge of our Want or Desire and perhaps expects not our moving the Matter or if at our Suit be given undelaiedly Beneficium qui cito dat bis dat He gives twice that gives speedily 5. But most of our debt of Thankfulness comes from the Mind of the Donor as proceeding from greater Love though there be by reason of want of power less worth in the good Turn We are then to be taught here Doctr. That to all those that have been Instruments of God's Providence to procure good unto us we are to owe Thankfulness they are so many Blessings of God to us That which the Queen of Sheba once affirmed before Solomon is very true The Instruments of God's Blessings are the Arguments of his Love to us Because the Lord loved Israel for War therefore made he the King to do Judgment and Justice 1 Kings 10. 9. 1. The first duty of Thankfulness that under God we owe is to our Parents which is so necessary that the Apostle would not have the Widows to be chosen to the service of the Church that had Children to maintain them and perform duty to them Let them saith he recompence their Ancestors So the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies For that is good and acceptable before God 1 Tim. 5. 4. The Greek Elegantly expresseth this by a Metaphor taken from the Stock 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ‑ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which feedeth her aged Parents and carries them upon her shoulders and in that regard in the Hebrew Tongue is called Chasida that is pious and merciful Let all Children hear this and as they will have the blessing of their Parents and of God that is tender of their honour learn it and fail not to praise it as Joseph did Gen. 45. 10. There will I nourish thee when he sent for his aged Father from the famished Land of Canaan to come into Goshen the most fertile Soil in all the Land of Egypt 2. So we are to be thankful to the Ministers of the Gospel to whom God hath committed the word of reconciliation that break the bread of life unto us that have the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven committed to their trust that administer unto us the Seals of the Covenant of Grace according to Christ's Institution that watch over our Souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief as the Apostle speaks Heb. 13. 17. 3. To our Teachers and Masters as Philemon owned himself to Paul v. 19. To our Benefactors to our Friends to all that are loving and kind to us David sent a Present of Thankfulness of the Spoyl of the Enemies of the Lord to all those places where David himself and his men were wont to lament in his Exile 1 Sam 30. 26. 3. He makes diligent inquiry Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul that I may shew him kindness for Jonathon's sake whose love to him was wonderful passing the love of women to their Husbands or Children 2 Sam. 9. 1. His thankfulness to the Living for the Dead's sake to the Child for his Fathers sake is again recorded Then said David I will shew kindness to Hanun the son of Nachash as his father shewed kindness unto me and David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father 2 Sam. 10. 2. What this kindness was the Scripture mentions not nor when it was shewed for David in his flight from Saul fled first to Achish King of Gath then to the King of Moab And he said unto the King of Moab Let my father and mother I pray thee come forth and be with you till I know what God will do for me and he brought them before the King of Moab and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold He durst not trust them to Saul's mercy in Bethlehem that had exercised such barbarous cruelty upon the Priests of the Lord and to the City of No◠without any just cause 1 Sam. 22. 17. 20. Possibly the King of Moab might shew some such kindness to David out of his hatred of Saul that had given him a great Overthrow 1 Sam. 11. 11. But whatsoever the matter was that had obliged David he was not unmindful of it but studied to requite it to his Son Hanun though ill entertained and misinterpreted to his destruction and his Countries The first Ambassadors that David sent after the Solemnity of his Coronation was over is thus recorded And David sent Messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead and said unto them Blessed be ye of the Lord that you have shewed the kindness to your Lord even unto Saul and have buried him and now the Lord shew
nor to make him ashamed that he had parted so suddenly from him without his Knowledge and Consent Therefore they entred into Covenant together of perpetual amity and parted in Peace and Love and were never injurious to one another no more than Esau was to Jacob that fled from him for fear of his Life yet was at meeting embraced by him with high Expressions of Love and they buried their aged Father Isaac in Peace Gen. 35. 29. Set your Hearts saith Moses unto all the words which I testifie among you this day and he gives this reason for it in the words following For it is not a vain thing for you because it is your Life and through this thing ye shall prolong your days Deut. 32. 46 47. O that thou hadst hearkned to my Commandments saith the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah then had thy Peace been as a River and thy Righteousness as the Waves of the Sea thy Seed also had been as the Sand and the ofspring of thy Boweâ— like the Gravel thereof his Name shoulâ— not have been cut off nor destroyed from â—â—fore me Isa 48. 18 19. But if we 〈◊〉 go on to make the Precepts of God of none effect by their unlucky Neighbourhood with the Precepts of Men The Book of God will be unawares snatch'd out of your Hands as the Ark of God was from the Shoulders of Hophni and Phinehas by the Philistines 1 Sam. 4. 11. and a black Book put into our Hands written within and without Lamentation and Mourning and Woe Ezek. 2. 10. For thus saith the Lord enter not into the House of Mourning neither go to lament nor bemoan them for I have taken away my Peace from this People saith the Lord even loving kindness and Mercies Jer. 16. 5. from which Judgment the Lord deliver us that we may enter iuto Peace and rest in our Beds every one walking in his Uprightness Isa 57. 2. Now for a particular Application of his Doctrin to all Relations and Orders of Men High and Low Rich and Poor c. 1. To Magistrates and Subjects IF the Peace of God rule in the Hearts of Rulers then they will seek the Glory of God and the Peace and Good of their Subjects above all Earthly things to the fulfilling of that Evangelical Promise of Isaiah And Kings shall be thy Nursing Fathers and their Queens thy Nursing Mothers Isa 49. 23. The God of Israel said the Rock of Israel spake to me He that ruleth over Men must be just ruling in the fear of God is the Instruction that the Man after God's own Heart received immediately from God touching his Ruling and Governing the People of God And an excellent President we have from Theodosius Junior the Emperor recorded by Socrates l. 7. 22 who tells us that when in a severe Winter that did threaten and portend a great scarcity of Victual the Year ensuing it being not very plentiful at that time he gave way to the Peoples desire of the usual Games and Shews that were acted in the Circe which when it was full of People and Spectators there fell suddenly a most vehement Tempest upon them Then the Emperor plainly declared I set it down as Socrates relates it how he was affected towards God his People for by his Heralds he made Proclamation among the People saying Is it not much better for us to leave these vain Shews and Sports and with one Mouth all of us to pray to God to preserve us safe from this horrible Storm that is falling upon us Scarely were these words uttered when all the People with unanimous Consent and Alacrity began to pray to God then the whole City saith he in that respect was turned into a Temple the Emperor himself walking as a private Person began the Psalms of Praise neither indeed did his Hope fail him saith Socrates for immediately there was a great Calm and Screnity and by the Bountifulness of God there was great Plenty of all Provision the next year At another time also as he sate beholding the Shews he received a Message that one John that tyrannously had Invaded the Western Empire was miraculously overthrown and slain by his Forces As soon as he had read the Letter he said go too if ye please let us leave these Toys and go to Church and offer Prayers and Thanks to God who hath slain the Tyrant as it were with his own Hand he and all the People went immediately thro' the middle of the Hippodrome to the Temple of God and spent the whole day in Psalms and Praises to God Socrat. l. 7. 25. Sozomen tells us that the Subjects looking upon the good Examples that Arcadius and Honorius the Emperors and Sons of Theodosius set before them the Pagans were the more easily Converted to Christianity and the Hercticks joyned to the Catholick Church Soz. l. 8. 1. When such Kings come to be sick and dye they may say with Hezekiah Remember Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in Truth and with a perfect Heart and have done that which was good in thy sight Isa 38. 3. and they shall hear Euge. 2. If the Peace of God rule in the Hearts of the Subjects they will not curse the ruler of God's people Exod. 22. 28 they will not curse the King no not in their Thoughts for a Bird of the Air will carry the Voice and that which hath Wings shall utter the Matter saith King Solomon Eccles 10. 20. They will esteem their good King worth Ten Thousand of themselves as the Israelites told David their King when they would not suffer his Royal Person to be hazarded amongst them in the Battle against Absalom 2 Sam. 18. 3. They will esteem it the highest Wickedness to stretch out their Hand against the Lord 's Anointed 1 Sam. 26. 9. as David speaks when he had Saul his greatest Enemy at his Mercy they will account him The Breath of our Nostrils Lam. 4. 20. love honour and obey him in all things just and honest as the Roman Legions said to Jovinian that chose him to succeed Julian the Apostate in the Empire who said unto the Electors I will not rule over you for I am a Christian and you are Pagans and Idolaters the Apostate had corrupted them Do thou rule over us said they and we will be all Christians Regis ad exemplum is an old and true saying There is therefore great necessity to pray for such as be Rulers that they may be Subordinate to God and have Grace to their Power Pity to others that God may cloath their Enemies with shame but on himself shall his Crown flourish as God promised to David Psal 132. 18. that they may give God a fair Account of their Stewardship at the great Day in observing and practising what he hath commanded 2. To Ministers and People IF the Peace of God rule in the Hearts of the Ministers of the Gospel of Peace unless the things that belong to their Peace
unto me O God! how great is the sum of them If I should count them they are mo in number than the Sâ—nâ— Psal 139. 17 18. David confesseth in the Contemplation and review of God's Favours that his Arithmetick fails him and comes short in a sacred Hyperbole as being far above our Capacities we cannot so much as tell them in order If you begin at your Conception in the Womb where the Psalmist begins I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made Psal 139. 14. or at God's Election in laying the foundation of your Salvation in Christ before he laid the foundation of the world as the Apostle speaks According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world Eph. 1. 4 where will you end You must in plain terms resolve to say with our Psalmist Such knowledge is too wonderful for me it is high I cannot attain to it Psal 139. 6. Secondly Consider how continual are his Mercies without any Intermission or Interruption They are renewed every Morning saith Jerem As he maketh his Sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust Matth. 5. 45. as our Lord speaks He holdeth our Soul in Life when we think there is but a step between us and Death as David thought when he fled from Saul 1 Sam. 20. 3. and suffereth not our feet to be moved Psal 66. 9. but according to his pleasure in whom we live and move and have our being Acts 17. 28. as the Apostle speaks The Manna that came from Heaven was not restrained one day in forty years perambulation and peregrination in the wilderness thou with heldest not thy Manna from their mouth saith Nehemiah nor the water that flowed out of the rock but gavest them water for their thirst Notwithstanding the many and great provocations of God's People The Pillar of the Cloud departed not from them by day to lead them in the way nor the Pillar of fire by night to shew them light in the way that they should go saith Nehem. 9. v. 9. 20. In the Element of his Mercies we draw our Breath continually to stir us up to continual Thankfulness Thirdly Consider how great are the benefits that we receive from God that call with a loud Voice for this duty of Thankfulness for them which makes the Psalmist cry out O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men The Scripture is quoted by Isaiah Isa 64. 4. and by the Apostle rendered thus Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2. 9. What greater thing hath he prepared or can he prepare for them that love him because he loved them first 1 Joh. 4. 19. as St. John speaks than Jesus Christ the Son of his love Is not this gift of God as our Saviour speaks to the Woman of Samaria Joh. 4 10. the gift of gifts It is then all our duties to acknowledge with Joy and Thankfulness the truth of the Lord and this Mercifulness of God our Saviour in regarding our Vileness so far as to save us from our spiritual Enemies giving for us the ransom of the pretious Blood of his dear Son and to end we ever-more keep a grateful Memory of this benefit he hath appointed the use of the Holy Eucharist a name signifying Thankfulness Exh. Let us then come and rejoyce to the Lord and with a loud and strong Voice acknowledge this Benefit Let us frequent his Holy Table so mercifully set before us in the Gospeâ— in despight of our Enemies endeavouring to draw one another thereto and to live such a Life as may even silently call the very Adversaries of our profession to the Worship and Service of God whom serving chearfully on Earth for the abundance of all things it may be our portion to enjoy and to sing aloud and thankfully unto in the Heavens with his Holy Saints and glorious Angels and our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Fourthly How undeserved are the Benefits we receive from God that they may provoke us to Thankfulness and how unexpected We deserve nothing but Wrath and the curse of Mount Ebal Deut. 27. 13. or of Cain Gen. 4. 11. or of our Father Adam to whom it was said Cursed is the Earth for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eat thereof all the days of thy Life Gen. 3. 17. If God should deal with us according to our demerits our best performances are but glorious Transgressions and we are but unprofitable Servants at the best as our Lord speaks Luk. 17. 10. Jacob pleads his Merit towards Laban stoutly in Gen. 31. from v. 36. to v. 41. And Jacob was wroth and chode with Laban and Jacob answered and said to Laban what is my Transgression or what is my sin that thou hast so hotly pursued after me And he stands upon his guard and justifies himself and challengeth Laban to lay to his Charge any unwarrantable Action in his twenty years service though he had changed his wages ten times as the Prodigal 's elder Brother said to his Father Lo these many years do I serve thee neither did I at any time transgress thy Commandment Luc. 15. 29. But having to deal with God he sets a very low esteem of himself as not deserving the least of God's Mercies I am not worthy of the least of all the Mercies and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy Servant for with my staff I passed over this Jordan and now I am become two bands Gen. 32. 10. See also the same dejection and self-denial in his Grand-father Abraham Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord who am but dust and ashes Gen. 18. 23. and of Mephibosheth when David said unto him Fear not for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy Fathers sake and will restore thee all the Land of thy Father Saul and thou shalt eat Bread at my Table continually And he bowed himself and said What is thy servant that thou shouldst look upon such a dead Dog as I am 2 Sam. 9. 8. The Mercies and Kindnesses of all Men in the World compared to God's undeserved Favours are but as a drop of a bucket of Water to the great Ocean My thoughts are not as your thoughts neither are your ways my ways saith the Lord For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth so are my ways bigher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts Isa 55. 8 9. This Consideration makes sometimes the faithful so earnest in the affection of joy as they seem almost ridiculous in the Eyes of carnal Men as David to Michal when he danced before the Lord 2 Sam. 6. 21. But their Justification is easie it is before the Lord that
or Jehoshaphet you marcht out against the Enemies of God and Man or else he hath none in this World and he in whom ye trusted hath made you more than Conqueror in pacifying Scotland subduing Ireland and preserving the Peace and safety of England and in checking the Pride and Insolency of your sworn Enemies beyond Sea and setting a bound to it that it cannot pass and though the Waves thereof toss themselves yet they cannot prevail tho' they roar yet can they not pass over it Jer. 5. 22. as the Prophet speaks of God's bounding the Sea when he said Hitherto shalt thou come and no further and here shall thy proud waves stay themselves Job 38. 11. Your Majesties Soul is bound up in the bundle of Life with the Lord your God in all your hazardous high and honourable undertakings and the souls of your Enemies them shall he fling out as out of the middle of a sling as vertuous Abigail speaks to King David 1 Sam. 25. 29. For as an Angel of God so is my Lord the King to discern good and bad therefore the Lord thy God will be with thee saith the wiâ—e Woman of Tekoah to the King 2 Sam. 14. 17. Therefore saith he to the God of this Life Draw me not away with the wicked and with the workers of Iniquity which speak peace to their Neighbours but mischief is in their hearts For they speak not peace but devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the Land Psal 28 3. and 35. 20. If the Peace of God rule in your Royal Heart because he hath set his love upon me therefore will I deliver him I will set him on high because he hath known my name saith God to David He shall call upon me and I will answer him I will be with him in trouble I will deliver him and honour him with long life will I satisfie him and shew my salvation Psal 91. 14 15 16. no richer Promises in all the Book of God than those that are made to God's King and again I will make thy officers peace and thine exactors righteousness violence shall be no more heard in thy Land wasting nor destruction within thy borders Thy people shall be all righteous saith the Prophet Isa 60. 17 18 21. And the work of righteousness shall be peace and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever and my people shall dwell in peaceable habitations and in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places Isa 32. 17 18. Again Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee Isa 26. 4. For the King trusteth in the Lord and through the mercy of God he shall not be moved saith King David Psal 21. 7. and therefore he protests thus For my brethren and companions sakes I will now say Peace be within thee Psal 122. 8 But who were these Men whom the King honoured thus to account his Royal Brethren and worthy Companions Not such as the sons of Zeruiah that were his Cousins and were too hard for him 2 Sam. 3. 39. that were bloody Men and Murdererers of Princes nor such as Haman the Agagite Companion to King Ahasuerus that plotted and contrived the murder of all Gods people in one day Esth 3. 8 9. nor such as Doeg the Edomite that at Saul's Command butchered the Priests of the Lord even four score and five persons that did wear a Linnen Ephod 1 Sam. 22. 18. in his eyes all such vile persons were contemned Psal 15. 4. as David professeth he would know no such wicked personss they should not tarry in his sight Psal 101. 4. 7. But he tells us I am companion to all them that fear thee to them that keep thy precepts Psal 119. 63 65. to the Saints that are in the earth and to the excellent in whom is all my delight Psal 16. 3. why so Because the Law of God is in his Heart what Law The Law of Peace Great peace have they that love thy Law and nothing shall offend them Psal 119. 165. Then there shall be no breaking in by foreign Invasion nor going out by domestick Insurrection no complaining in our Streets Happy is that people that is in such a case the Psalmist corrects himself yea happy is that people whose God is the Lord Psal 144. 15. whose peace rules in their hearts My second Address shall be in all due Reverence and Humility to the Right Honourable the High Court of Parliament consisting of Lords and Commons I will with Jeremiah the Prophet get me unto the great Men and speak unto them I hope with better acceptance and Success than he did for they have known the way of the Lord and the judgment of their God Jer. 5. 5. are better acquainted with it having had better breeding and means of instruction than others of meaner Estate Let the Peace of God rule in your Hearts unto which ye are all called in one Body politick That ye all speak the same thing that there be no divisions among you but that you be perfectly joyned together in the same â—â—ind and in the same judgment as the Apostle charges the Corinthians by the name of Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1. 10. That there be in none of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God Or amongst you a profane person as Esau to sell his bitth right for a Mess of Popery as he did for a mess of Pottage as the Apostle speaks Heb. 3. 12. and ch 12. 16. You are the most solemn Representative of our Church and State our Law-makers and living Laws are the most honourable Assembly of Christians under Heaven at this day an Assembly of Philosophers and Divines yea of Kings and Priests unto God the Father and his Christ Rev. 1. 6. You are our first born that have a double portion of Honour put upon you above your Brethren to be our Rulers and Law-givers to use the Apostle's words You are a chosen Generation a royal priest-hood a holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him that hath called you out of darkness unto his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2. 9. As those that sate there before you above an Hundred and Twenty Years ago were like so many Zorobabels that led the people of God from Caldean to Babylon that laid the foundation of our Reformation upon Christ anotheâ— foundation no man câ—n lay 1 Cor. 3. 11. saith the Apostle and his truth and sounded by the Trumpet of the Gospel a fair retreat from Romish Popish Babylon the mother of Harlots and abominations of the earth Rev. 17. 5. the mistress of Witchcrafts that selleth nations through her whoredoms and families through her witchcrafts Nah. 3. 4. as the Prophet speaks so God hath called you together that your Hands may finish it that ye may bring forth the head-stone thereof with shouting crying Grace grace unto it as the Angel speaks Zach. 4. 7. That
unto them Ye take too much upon you seeing all the congregation are saints every one of them and the Lord is among them wherefore then lift ye up your selves above the congregation of the Lord Num. 16. 3. 32. The earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up c. Pilate had rather released Jesus than Barabbas for he knew that for Envy they had delivered him Matth. 27. 18. And the Contention was so sharp saith Luke between Paul and Barnabas Acts 15 39. that they departed asunder the one from the other men that had had hazarded their lives often for the Name of the Lord Jesus as all the first Synod at Jerusalem testifie to the Gentiles under their hands v. 26. Two Apostolick men of whom the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them and when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away Acts 13. 2 3. I find Strife and envying always joyned together as Rom. 13. 13. Let us walk honestly as in the day not in strife and envying 1 Cor. 3. 3. For are ye not carnal whereas there is among you envying and strife and divisions or factions are ye not carnal and walk as men And James â—aith That where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work Or as the Original bears it Tumult and unquietness Jam. 3. 16. Thus I have briefly searched into the inward Reasons of Dissentions according as the Holy Ghost in the Scriptures hath laid them before us 2. The outward Reasons of them are 1. Satan the old Serpent that kept not his first station Jude 6. but brake his own peace with God in Heaven and ours with our God in Paradise and ever since with one another that slips no occasion to sow the Tares of dissention in the Lord's field and persecutes the Woman that brought forth the Man-child Rev. 12. 13. 17. as hotly as ever because he knoweth that he hath but a short time between him and the Lake spoken of Rev. 20. 14. to break the peace and hinder her prosperity By making war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ the things that shall come upon him and his followers make haste Deut. 32. 35. Secondly Wicked men set on by Satan to set us together by the ears that they may weaken us by our own powers The Church had sometimes rest from her Paganish Enemies and Persecutors but never from her own Children that she had nourished and brought up yet they rebelled asainst her Isa 1. 2. That came to her in Sheeps-clothing but inwardly they were Ravening Wolves as our Lord describes them Matth. 7. 15. Such were the Arians of old whose Divisions and Cruelties exceeded the Paganish as much as the Popish exceed all that were before them in Malice Hatred and Cruelty towards God's People of which the Apostle gave warning to the Elders of the Church of Ephesus saying For I know that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock and also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them Acts 20. 29 30. And again he would have Timothy to know that in the last days perilous times should come which he describes so exactly as if he had lived in our days to behold them 2 Tim. 3. verse 1 2 3 4 c. The next Observation from these words is this Obs 2. That the Peace of God ruling in the hearts of Believers is the only remedy against all Dissentions inward and outward which is here called God's peace for these Reasons Reas 1. For indeed he and he alone it is that makes men to be of one mind together Rom. 15. 5. 2 Cor. 13. 11. the work of godly union is the Prerogative of God according to the Name that Gideon gave to the Altar that he built in Ophrah when he was made Captain General against the Midianites he called it Jehovah Shalem that is the God of peace or the Lord send peace which he did grant his people for forty years after the defeat of their invading and presumptuous Enemies by the Sword of the Lord and the Sword of Gideon Judg. 6. 24. and Chap. 8. 28. Reas 2. Because it is God alone that makes the Enemies to be at peace together with those that he loves as Solomon speaks Prov. 16. 8. When a man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his Enemies to be at peace with him I make peace saith the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah Chap. 47. 7. 3. He is termed by the Name of The God of peace Prov. 15. 15. Not only in respect of the giving spiritual peace of Conscience which is a continual Feast but this inward peace of Affections and outward carriage towards others as our Apostle concludes his Second Epistle to the Corinthians among whom there had been many Dissentions and Contentions 1 Cor. 1. 11. Finally my brethren farewel be of good comfort be of one mind live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you 2 Cor. 13. 11. 4. Lastly he is called The God of peace not only essentially but also personally Obs 3. God in the unity of Essence and Trinity of Persons is the God of peace there is a most blessed and eternal peace between them 1. God in the unity of Essence is the God of peace the Apostle concludes the 15th Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans thus Now the God of peace be with you all Amen and to the Philippians he writes thus The things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me do and the God of peace shall be with you Phil. 4. v. 9. 2. God the Father the first Person in order of the glorious Trinity is styled the God of peace as the Fountain and first Author of it and who in that he is our Father in Christ loves us and will not see us want any good thing Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights saith St. James 1. 17. and our Apostle concludes his Epistle to the Hebrews with this Prayer Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the everlasting covenant make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Heb. 13. 20 21. 3. God the Son the second Person in the blessed Trinity is also styled the God of peace as the Deserver of all that is to be given us and Bestower who by Office and Authority is able to dispence from the Father unto us his Subjects such things as we have need of whereof Grace and Peace are the chief Jewels as verse 2.
when there seemed to be but a step between us and ruin which I write not to puff us up with Pride nor Himself whose not the least Praise is that he delights not in the hearing of his own Praise but to make us thankful and to stir us up to pray heartily to God for him that he would keep his Mind in him for evermore and confirm his love to him for ever Bless Lord his substance and accept the work of his Hands for thy Church and People smite through the Loyns of those that rise up against him and of them that hate him that they rise no more which is Moses's Prayer for Levi. Deut. 33. 11. See David's Prayer 1 Chron. 29. 18. O Lord God of Abraham Isaac and Israel our Fathers keep this for ever in the Imagination of the Thoughts of the Heart of thy People and prepare their Heart unto thee that at length our Eyes may behold that joyful sight That Mercy and Truth are met together that Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other Psal 85. 10. as the Psalmist speaks and the full Accomplishment of that Evangelical Promise Violence shall be no more heard in thy Land Wasting nor Destruction within thy Borders that Men may call our Walls Salvation and our Gates Praise Isa 60. 18. that when he rests from his Labours his Works may follow him My next Address is to you my Reverend Brethren of the Ministry of the New Testament to you in a special manner is the Word of his Salvation sent Acts 13. 26. as the Apostle speaks to the Church of Corinth being by nature as hateful to God and hating one another Tit. 3. 3. as those that are embodied with you Let the Peace of God rule in your Hearts into which ye are called not only in one Body Mystical as all Christians are but also into one Body Ecclesiastical and be ye thankful that ye be all of one Mind 1 Cor. 1. 10. We are Embassadors for Christ the Prince of Peace the King of Peace upon whom the Chastisement of our Peace was laid Isa 53. 5. That came and preached Peace to you that were afar off and to them that were near saith the Apostle Eph. 2. 17. and hath left us a Legacy of Peace and hath committed unto us the Ministry of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 5. 19. the Gospel of Peace Rom. 10. 15. O that it might be said of us under the New Testament as he speaks of Levi in the Old He walked with me in Peace and Equity and did turn many from Iniquity Mal. 2. 6. Let us be diligent in our Master's work like faithful and wise Stewards whom our Lord hath made Rulers over his Houshold to give them their portion of meat in their due season Blessed are those Servants whom our Lord when he cometh shall find so doing of a Truth I say unto you that he will make them Rulers of all that he hath Luk. 12. 42 43 44. That we may recover poor Sinners out of the Snare of the Devil who are taken Captives by him at his Will 2 Tim. 2. 25. That when the chief Shepherd shall appear we may be found of him in Peace without spot and blameless and receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 4. 2 Pet. 3. 14. That being Teachers sent of God to teach the way of God in Truth may shine as the brightness of the Firmament and by turning many to Righteousness as the Stars for ever and ever as the Prophet Daniel speaks Dan. 12. 3. Now since God by this Text as by the tenor of the whole Book of God calls us to Peace how many of our Profession are counted the greatest Enemies to it in the whole Kingdom as being neither Peace-makers nor Peace-keepers with our Neighbours but by Austerity and Severity exacting our dues to the utmost Farthing with such rigour as the Sons of Eli did use that were Sons of Belial and knew not the Lord 1 Sam. 2. 12. contrary to that Spirit of the Gospel which Christ's own Disciples were ignorant of when they would have consumed the Samaritans with Fire from Heaven as Elijah did the Guards of Ahaziah Luk. 9. 55. and putting their Parishioners into the Court often for very small matters as if they sought not them but theirs so contrary to the Apostle as if Destruction and Misery were in their ways and the way of Peace they had not known as the Apostle speaks of the Gentiles Rom. 3. 17. Hence it is in the first place that Men prosper not under the means of Grace as thinking it impossible that the same Fountain should at the same place or spring-head send forth sweet Water and bitter as St. James speaks Jam. 3. 11. And that Men abhor the Offerings of the Lord as if all soughe their own and not the things which are Jesus Christs Phil. 2. 21. which the Israelites are recorded to have done of old for the vileness of their Priests that with Force and Cruelty ruled over them and many depart from them with Indignation to more peaceable Assemblies of Christians without any purpose to return because their Shepherds have caused them to go astray as the Prophet Jeremiah speaks ch 50. 6. And since our Liturgy that we read daily is so full of good Prayers Collects and Requests for Peace that God who is the Author of Peace and lover of Concord would give to all Nations Unity Peace and Concord Let this Charity begin at home and let us with our Apostle follow after the things that make most for Peace and the things wherewith we may edifie one another Rom. 14. 17 19. and ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord Men shall call you the Ministers of our God ye shall eat the Riches of the Gentiles and in their Glory shall ye boast your selves as the Evangelical Prophet speaks Isa 61. 6. lest the Lord divide us in Jacob and scatter us in Israel as he did Simeon and Levi that were Brethren in Evil but not in any good to their perpetual in famy remembring always that he that soweth Discord among Brethren is one of the seven things that are an Abomination to the Lord as Solomon speaks Prov. 6. 16. Again our Brethren that profess the same Faith of Christ crucified with us yet dissent from us in some Externals and Circumstances about Religion lay to our charge that we hang all our Religion and Ministration upon certain stinted Forms and Canonical Offices upon Persons and Places Times Canonical Hours Vestures Postures and Gestures c. and that under the Fig-leaves of Formality in the worship of God we cover all Iniquity as the Church of Rome doth whose whole Religion is nothing else but a Congeries of such insipid stuff And that of late we were ready upon the advance of Popery to turn Papists rather than part with our Livings perceiving some to be turned aside already after Satan like fallen Stars and others with Demas to forsake us
5. 20. whom we preach warning to every Man and teaching every Man in all wisdom that we present every Man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. 2. And for their Works sake And we beseech you Brethren to know them which labour among you And to esteem them very highly for their works sake and be at peace among your selves saith the Apostle to the Thessalonians 1 Thes 5. 12 13. upon which account the Apostle says to the Galatians They received him as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus and he bears them Record that if it had been possible they would have pluckt out their Eyes and have given them to him Gal. 4. 14 15. 3. And for their own sake These Men are the Servants of the most high God which shew unto us the way of Salvation saith the Pithoness by divine Inspiration Act. 16. 17. They must not hate them and persecute them for speaking the truth of God unto them Am I therefore become your Enemy saith the Apostle because I tell you the truth Gal. 4. 16. As Ahab to his shame professeth concerning Micaiah by whom we enquire of the Lord but I hate him for he doth not Prophesie good concerning me but evil 1 Kin. 22. 8. he received the just reward of his hatred by a shot at RamoahGilead the Jews hated Jeremiah the Prophet but to theiâ— Destruction Jer. 38. 4. And thus they dealt with our Lord that spake as never Man spake unto them and did what never Man did among them both him and his Followers to their dispersion as at this day for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost 1 Thess 2. 16. He that seeketh my Life seeketh thy Life saith David to Abiathar that fled from Saul's Massacre of the Priests of the Lord and their Town of Nob but with me thou shalt be in safety 1 Sam. 22. 23. Good Obadiah hid an Hundred Prophets of the Lord by fifty in a Cave and fed them with Bread and Water 1 Kin. 18. 13. from Jezâ—bel's Cruelty as Rabab the Cauponess as the Caldee Paraphrase styles her hid the Spies from the King of Jerico ' s rage When the Minister shall say at the great day to the Judge of the Quick and Dead Loe I and the Children that God hath gave me Heb. 2. 13. And the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them and they have received them Those that thou gavest me I have â—ept and none of them is lost saith our Saviour Joh. 17. 8 12. The Apostle tells the Thessalonians For what is our Hope or Joy or Crown of Rejoycing Are not even ye in the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming 1 Thes 2. 19 20. 3. To Husband and Wife IF the Peace of God rule in the Heart of Husband and Wife which is the first and dearest Relation in the World and the root of all others unto which they are called in one Body that they should no more be two but one Flesh Gen. 2. 24. Then the Husband will not deal treacherously against the Wife of his youth Mal. 2. 15. that is his Companion and Wife of his Covenant that is Bone of his Bones and Flesh of his Flesh as the first Man speaks but nourish and cherish it as the Lord the Church Eph. 5. 29. as the Apostle speaks of the second Man that is the Lord from Heaven Comfort her as Elkanah did Hannah in her Affliction Hannah why weepest thou and why eatest thou not Am not I better to thee than ten Sons 1 Sam. 1. 8. Not give an occasion of Speech against her to bring up an evil Name upon her that she deserves not Deut. 22. 14. He will rejoyce with the Wife of his youth she shall be to him as a loving Hâ—nd and as a pleasant Roe her Breasts will satisfie him at all times he will be always ravished with her love Prov. 5. 18 19. and never be bitter against her Col. 3. 19. but dwell with her according to knowledge giving Honour to the Wife as the weaker Vessel and as being Heirs together of the Grace of Life that their Prayers be not hindred 1 Pet. 3. 7. He will observe with Joseph the Embrace of a strange Woman whose Mouth is smoother thdn Oyl but the end more bitter than Wormwood sharper than a two-edged Sword her Feet go down to Death her steps take hold on Hell Prov. 5. 3 4 5. Her House saith he is the way to Hell going down to the Chambers of Death Pro. 7. 27 who so pleaseth God shall escape from her but the Sinner shall be taken by her Eccles 7. 26. Live joyfully with the Wife saith he again or enjoy Life whom thou lovest all the days of thy Life of thy Vanity which he hath given thee under the Sun for that is thy Portion in this Life and in thy Labour which thou takest under the Sun saith Solomon that injoyneth Cohabitation Eccles 9. 9. 2. If the Peace of God rule in the Heart of the Wife that was taken out of the Side of her Husband Gen. 2. 21. then she will be as careful to preserve his Life as Michal was that when her Father Saul sent to kill him Lo Michal let David down thro' a Window and he went and fled and escaped 1 Sam. 19. 11 〈◊〉 and she laid a Teraphim in his Beâ— She will never forsake the guide of her yâ—uth nor forget the Covenant of her God Prov. 2. 17. that she solemnly entred into in the day of his Espousals in the day of the Gladness of his Heart She will prove another Lucretia so famous among the Romans for Vertue and Hatred of Baseness that when she suffered Violence that she could not resist stabb'd her self to the Heart which indignity occasioned a great change in their Government or rather like the vertuous Woman whose Price is far above Rubies the Heart of her Husband doth safely trust in her Prov. 31. 10 11. because she hath set him as a Seal upon her Heart as a Seal upon her Arm her love to him being as strong as Death Cant. 8. 6. which she will more readily choose to undergo than go aside to Uncleanness with any instead of her Husband upon whom the Spirit of Jealousie shall never come which is cruel as the Grave the Coals thereof are Coals of Fire which hath a most vehement flame the Tryal and Punishment whereof whether just or unjust is most severe as of any Sin whatsoever Numb 5. 21 22. Jealousie saith Solomon is the rage of a Man therefore he will not spare in the day of Vengeancâ— he will not regard any Ransom neither will he rest content though thou givest many gifts the Husband will accept of no Ransom to save the Adulterer Prov. 6. 34 35. Her Husband is known in the Gates not by base Scoffs and Nick-names when he sitteth among the Elders of the Land Prov. 31. 23. but by his Wives Godliness and Vertue she will do him Good and not
those committed to their Trust at the great Day 2. If the Peace of God rule in the Heart of the Children into which they are called in one Parental and Domestick Body then they will be always ready and careful to honour their Father and Mother according to the tenor of the Fifth Commandment which the Apâ—stâ—e calls the first Commandment with promise Eph. 6. 2 which some expound of the second Table Others take it that that hath a special promise It is absolutely the first hath a Promise for that concerning God's shewing Mercy to Thâ—usands of them that fear him and keep his Commandments is not a promise but a part of the Descâ—iption of God's Nature and Inclination as Exod. 34. 6 7. They will shew love to their Parents and love to one another by which all Men may know that they are Christ's Disciples as our Lord speaks Joh. 13. 35. The Apostle tells us we had Fathers of our Flesh which corrected us and we gave them Reverence Heb. 12. 9. that is their due with Obedience and Thankfulness in nourishing and maintaining them as Joseph did his Father and all his Family in Egypt seventeen Years Gen. 47. 12. David was careful of his aged Parents when he knew not how to secure himself from the Violence of Saul 1 Sam. 22. 3. Children must beg their Parents Blessing at all times as Jacob and Esau Joseph's and Jacob's Children Gen. 27. 4. especially at their departing this Life Children must not be Stubborn and Rebellious or Incorrigible in taking ill Courses there is a very severe punishment appointed for this horrible Sin And they shall say unto the Elders of this City this our Son is Stubborn and Rebellious he will not obey our Voice he is a Glutton and a Drunkard and all the Men of the City shall stone him with stones that he dye so shalt thou put evil away from among you and all Israel shall hear and fear Deut. 21. 20 21. They must nor do as the Prodigal Son that wasted his Substance with riotous Living Luk. 15. 13. and brought himself to want all things They must not hate one another in their Heart Lev. 19. 17. as wicked Cain did his Righteous Brother Abel that never did him wrong Gen. 27. 41. as Esau did his Brother Jacob that resolved to kill him after his Father's Death Gen. 37. 4. or as the Patriarchs did Joseph who moved with Envy sold him into Egypt saith St. Stephen Act. 7. 9. They improve their Union in the Flesh to their Communion in Grace and Glory as Children of their Heavenly Father as the Seed that the Lord hath bless'd 5. Masters and Servants IF the Peace of God rule in the Hearts of Master and Servant into which they are called in Body Domestick and despotical to live under one Roof and eat of the same Family Provision then both Master and Mistress Man-Servant and Maid-Servant will carry themselves towards one another in this Relation as the Servants of Jesus Christ For saith the Apostle He that is called in the Lord being a Servant is the Lord's free-man likewise also he that is called being free is the Lord's Servant 1 Cor. 7. 22. Then Masters will give unto their Servants that which is just and equal as the Apostle exhorts Col. 4. 1. paying their wages when it is due The keeping the Wages of the Hireling is a crying Sin Jam. 5. 4. The wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all Night until the Morning saith Moses Lev. 19. 13. At his day thou shalt give him his hire neither shall the Sun go down upon it for he is poor and setteth his Heart upon it lifteth his Soul unto it lest he cry against thee unto the Lord and it be Sin unto thee Deut. 24. 15. Not turning them out of Doors when they are sick without any further regard of them which is a hiding our Eyes from our own Flesh Isa 58. 7. The Centurion did not so that came to our Lord Jesus Christ the great Physitian for cure for his sick Servant that lay at home Matth. 8. 6. Masters must not be extream in the Government and Usage of their Servants knowing that ye also have a Masten in Heaven Col. 4. 1. saith the Apostle The Egyptians were ill Masters that made the Israelites serve with Rigor and Blows when they were Pharoah's Bond-men Exod. 1. 13 14. in so much that when Moses and Aaron were sent unto them to comfort and support them and to preach the Gospel the glad Tydings of their Deliverance from their sad Condition but they hearkned not unto Moses for Anguish of Spirit for straitness or shortness of Breath and for cruel Bondage Exod. 6. 9. Even Mother Sarah is recorded to have dealt hardly with her Handmaid Hagar when she had laid in her Husband's Bosom so as to make her flee from her Face Gen. 16. 6. that was ready to flee in her Face with Threats and Frowardness Correction given in Anger hath usually more of Rigour than of Right Nabal's Servants complain to their Mistress Abigail of their Master's Untowardness and Crossness towards them and of his Incivility towards David's Servants that had been very civil and peaceful towards him That their Master was such a Son of Belial that a Man cannot speak to him 1 Sam. 25. 17. And ye Masters saith St. Paul do the same thing unto them that ye would have done to you if ye were in their stead forbearing Threatnings knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of persons with him Masters are required to deal bountifully with suchas serve them well and long And when thou sendest him out free from thee thou shalt not let him go away empty of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him Deut. 15. 13 14. 2. If the Peace of God rule in the Hearts of Servants into which they are called into one Family or private Corporation Then they will be subject to their ow Masters without fear not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward as St. Peter exhorts 1 Pet. 2. 18. And St. Paul also Servants obey in all things your Masters according to the Flesh not with eye-service as Men-pleasers but in singleness of Heart fearing God And whatsoever ye do do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto Men knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the Inheritance for ye serve the Lord Jesus Christ Col. 3. 22 23 24. To the same effect doth the Apostle direct his Speech to Servants in the sixth Chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians almost the same verbatim v. 6 7 8. They must not obey unlawful Commands from whatsoever Master Saul gave a bloody Command to his Life-Guaâ—l that stood about him Turn and slay the Priests of the Lord but the Servants of the King would not put forth their Hand to fall upon the Priests of the Lord 1 Sam. 22. 17. But as our