but the will chuseth him for it's portion cleaves to him and rests upon him for all safety and good as it 's all in all and gives up it self to be guided ordered and disposed of in all conditions as most safe and happy in his hands and dispose Faith counts it self most safe in the Arms of Christ this is one effect of Faith for the Soul to give up it self to Christ to do as he will with it he may give what he will and take what he will the Soul is willing to part with any thing at the command oâ— Christ willing to part with it's dearest sins and lusts for Christ Jesus so that a Spouse of Christ seeing the Wisdome Faithfulness Power and Love of the Lord Jesus doth chuse him for her portion and give up her self to Christ willing to be at his disposing and willing to part with any thing for Christ here is her leaning upon her Beloved and so she fears not for any evil tidings Doct. It is a matter of much Observation and Admiration to see a Spouse of Christ coming out of a VVilderness condition and leaning by Faith firmly upon Christ as her beloved Proof That the excellency of the Spouse of Christ is in leaning upon her Beloved Heh 11. gives a Cloud of VVitnesses Abraham left his Country by Faith offered up Isaac by Faith Noah prepares an Arke by Faith others endured cruel mocking by Faith Oh the vertue and admirable effects of Faith you see in the VVilderness how highly God approved of Caleb who followed God fully when others spake evil of the good Land saith Calch they shall he meat for us we are wâ—ll able to overcome them My servant Calâ—â— saith the Lord he shall go in his Seed shall possess it how highly the Lord approves of Faith you may see in the Church of Philadelphia Rev. 3.8 9 10. he finds no fault with them but highly commends them for keeping the word of his patience and promises most safe protection when the hour of temptation overspreads the World the Centurion who had such Faith as to say Speak but the word and my Servant shall be healed Christ highly commends that Faith as not having found such no not in Israel So the Woman of Caâ—aan her Faith Christ commends and saith be it to thee even as thou wilt Reas 1. It is so not only from the excellency of Faith it self but from the excellency of a tryed Faith 1 Pet. 1.7 That the trial of your Faith being much more precious then of Gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Christ Jesus Psal 12.6 The Words of the Lord are pure words as silver tried in a Furnace of Earth purified seven times as the word is pure and precious so is Faith under Wilderness trials Reas 2. Because this leaning upon Christ in such a state is an evidence of great love to Christ this the Lord takes great notice of Ier. 2.2 I remember the kindness of thy youth the love of thy â—spousals when thou wentest after me in the wilderness c. Reas 3. Because it 's a glorious thing to behold the love of God and Jesus Christ to lead up such a Spouse out of a Wilderness it causes that glory as is ascribed to God of old as that one act at the red Sea did Exod. 15 16. VVho is like unto thee O Lord glorious in Holiness fearful in praises doing wonders Deut. 32.10 11. He found them in a desart Land and in the wast bowling VVilderness he led him about he instucted him he kept him as the apple of his eye c. Vse 1. Instruction Here we may observe and see the manner of Gods dealing even with his most precious Churches and People even with this Shulamite he brings her out of the Wilderness so the Lord did of old when he brought his people out of Egypt He brought them into the Wilderness and the Lord saw the mixed multitude amongst them and that Generation must be all worn out before he brought them into the promised Land In the Wilderness the Lord shewed his wonderful works seeding them with Manna and giving them water out of the Rock there God proved them to know what was in their hearts and he found abundance of sin and pride and rebellion in them and yet all was to do them good in the latter end So when he brought them out of Babilon to 〈…〉 we read in Ezra and Nehemiah what afflictions and oppositions they mâ—t withal of Blastings and Mildews and disappointments in their Labours they were exercised withal as may be seen in the Prophecy of Haggai and so it will be with this Shulamite the Church of the Jews at their return the Lord will bring them out of the Wilderness of the People through many temptations and afflictions and that Wilderness condition may seem to continue for a long time if we compare Dan. 12.11 12. it appears to be fourty five years and so it hath been with the reformed Churches that are come out of spiritual Babilon in Scotland Holland and Geneva and the rest what bloody wars what persecutions and tryals of various kinds nay what Soul is it that the Lord hath brought home to himself but that they are brought out of a wilderness of tryals afflictions and temptations spiritual or outward to purge them and make them white Dan. 12. to bring them out of all confidence in themselves therefore wonder not at the persecutions and troubles that befal the Churches and Saints this day in the world God no doubt is doing some great work for his People the Lord Jesus hath his Fan in his hand and will throughly purge his Floor burn up the Chaffe and gather his VVheat into his Garner Let us not promise our selves a peaceable condition we may fear that the Lord hath further wilderness tryals to bring us through that he may purge out the Rebels and those that transgress we may fear that we are a people ripe for judgement when there is such great sins breaking out amongst us when there is so much Devision Worldliness c. Let us not be secure the Lord may justly carry us through a wilderness of sore tryals to purge his Churches of the Chaffe and to take us off from the World and confidence in his Ordinances which we are too apt to lean upon Vse 2. Instruction We may here observe what it is that makes a Spouse of Christ or any Soul an object of enquiry and admiration Her leaning on her Beloved by Faith and love this is the Glory Beauty and Excellency of any Church or Spouse of Christ or Soul to be much in the exercise of Faith and Love Faith is that which gives Glory to God Abraham gave glory to God by Believing Rom 4.20 He staggered not at the prâ—m sâ— of God through unbelief but was strong in Faith giving Glory to God That is therefore the eminency
of any Church or Soul to give Glory to God by Believing thus Iob under all his afflictions and temptations could believe that his Redeemer did live and that he should see him at the last day upon the Earth which was an eminency in him it 's therefore I say the eminency of any Church or Soul to be strong in Faith it is a great dishonour to God and to Jesus Christ when Disciples that have been long in the School of Christ yet have but little Faith how oft did the Lord Jesus upbraid his Disciples with this Oh ye of little Faith and sometimes how is it that you have no Faith this is an eminency in a Christian when he can give much Glory to God by Believing Christ delighteth in this and admires the Faith of the Centurion Mat. 8.10 VVhen Jesus heard it he marvelled and said to them that followed verily I say unto you I have not found so great Faith no not in Israel ver 13. And Iesus said unto the Centurion go thy way and as thou hast believed so be it done unto thee and his Servant was healed in the self same hour In this life of Faith the Apostle Paul was very eminent when he said the life that I now live I live by Faith in the Son of God Psal 27.1 2 3. the strength of his Faith was such that he said though an Host should encamp against me my heart should not faiâ— though war should rise against me in this will I be confident Faith gives God the Glory of his Power faithfulness mercy and grace to lean and venture the whole Interest of the Soul for Eternity upon the Lord Jesus Christ notwithstanding so many Sins Corruptions and Temptations this is a great and glorious work this is our victory over the world even our Faith and this Faith is that which draws vertue from Jesus Christ which causeth the Soul to be in love with the Lord Jesus as we may see in the Spouse she leaned upon her Beloved upon his love to her and the more because she felt his love to her Oh the eminency of Faith and love as the Apostle highly commends the Church of the Thessalonians 1 Thess 1.2 3. VVe give thanks to God alwayes for your work of Faith and abouâ— of love so Chap. 58. He calls Faith and Love the Brest-plate 1 Tim. 1.14 the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with Faith and Love which is in Christ Iesus where ye see much Faith and Love you may say there is abundance of Grace in that Soul 1 Pet. 1.8 VVhom having not seen yee love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory This Love causeth the Soul to love the Holy God his Holy Law and also to love all the Saints of God and this is far above nature it argues a purified heart to love the Saints as 1 Pet. 1.22 Seing ye have purified your Souls in obeying the Truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the Brethren see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently Love is the fulfilling of the Law and Faith worketh by love these two Graces will be the glory of the Shulamite the new Ierusalem that is to come down from Heaven and it is the beauty and glory of any Christian the want or defects in these graces is a great blemish in any Spouse of Christ or Christian let us therefore I say acknowledge the eminency of that Church or Soul that is much in the exercise of Faith and Love Vse 3. Instruction Here we may observe and see the safety of any Soul oâ— Church of Christ to lean and stay it self upon Jesus Christ in Wilderness Tryals and Afflictions So Caleb and Ioshua so long as they trusted in God and cleaved to him the Lord was with them and brought them into the promised Land what can any Soul have to lean upon in an evil day of tryal trust not in Princes or any Son of man his breath is in his nostrils by strength shall no man prevail Confidence in Church Priviledges if men trust to them or Ordinances yea if they cry the Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord see what the Lord speaketh to this very largely Ier. 10. Isai 48.1 2. they call themselves the Holy City and stay themselves upon the God of Israel but not in Truth all such props as these will deceive them that lean upon them but now for a Soul to lean upon Christ as her Beloved in the enjoyment of all his Ordinances such a Soul may finde comfort herein as Holy David Psal 27.4 5. One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I sâ—â—k after that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the dayes of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his Holy Templeâ— For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his Pavillion in the secret of his Tabernacle shall he hide me he shall set me upon a Rock Vse 4. Tryal But would you be safe in times of Tryal and Afflictionâ— 1. Consider what interest you have in Jesus Christ can you lean and stay upon him alone and say he is my Rock my only Refuge have you chosen him as your Portion your all in all are all things dung and drosse in comparison of him can you suffer the loss of all for him this is a true leaning upon Christ as your Beloved but when the Soul wants an interest in Christ Jesus and hath not him to lean upon whether will such a Soul flee for help in times of tryal trouble and distresses there is then none but Christ none but Christ that will suit the Soul in this respect you may venture to lean upon him he is able and willing to bear all the weight that is laid upon him it doth therefore nearly concern every Soul to consider what interest he hath in Jesus Christ what perswasion have you had of the alsufficiency and grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ have you tryed his alsufficiency can you be perswaded of the alsufficiency of one that you never tryed but especially consider whether God hath drawn your heart to chuse Jesus Christ for your portion for your stay and support for your all and in all and that you have laid the whole weight of your Souls upon him have you given up your selves to Christ to be at his dispose have you chosen and taken him for your Lord and Christ and are you at his command can you part with your dearest Lust and sin as his command engages your Souls to do and suffer any thing that he requires 2. Consider is he your Beloved do you lean upon Jesus Christ as your Beloved as he whom your Soul loveth as he that is altogether beautiful and desirable is your greatest delight in communion with God so that if Christ should ask you the Question he asked Peter Ioh. 2.1.17 Simon
lovest thou me more then these can you then Answer in truth Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee do you love to be in the company of Jesus Christ do you love the Image of Christ wherever you see it are you glad to do him any service do you love all that is Christs his Ordinances Word Law his Ministers Saints if you take delight in these things it is a sign Christ hath loved you and that you will lean upon Christ in the evil dayes and blessed and happy is that Soul that can thus lean upon Christ her Beloved when wilderness-tryals troubles and afflictions comes upon them all such have Christ for their Head and Husband and Saviour and are safe in his arms where this is wanting consider what we have Isai 10.3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation and in the desolation which shall come from far to whom will ye flee for help and where will you leave your glory Vse 5. Exhortation 1. To them that yet have no part in Christ Labour for that Faith in and Love to the Lord Jesus Christ that Christ may not shake you off in an evil day what interest have you in the World that can reach your Souls to save them what is there in Heaven or Earth that can save the Soul but only the Lord Jesus Christ He is able to save to the utmost all that come to God by him Joh. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Sonshall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Oh think oft of this Scripture and consider of the means of grace God hath so long afforded you and how oft he hath been calling upon you and knocking at the doors of your hearts Oh take the season while it lasts Oh to day to day while it is called to day harden not your hearts least God Sware in his wrath that you shall never enter into his rest Christ bad them walk in the light while they had the light and immediately he withdrew himself from them Oh do but forsake your sin all your sins and accept of the Lord Jesus upon his own terms and then you may venture to lean upon the Lord Jesus Christ he is able to bear the weight of all your Souls 2. Branch To the Spouse of Christ Be much in the exercise of Faith and Love First Be much in the exercise of Faith lean upon Christ as your Beloved stay on him rest upon him cast all your burthen and care upon him strengthen your selves in him you will need a strong Faith in wilderness tryals that may befal us consider how weak we are without Faith in Christ which will shield us against our potent enemies Sathan and all the World all other props are but as a broken Reed whereon will you lean else you have no righteousness no goodness no wisedome in your selves where will you lean then if not upon Christ what is there in the Creature that you may lean upon all the things of the World are Vanity of vanities therefore cast your care and your burthen upon the Lord Jesus who is able to stablish strengthen and settle you he is able to bear all the weight that is laid upon him do your sins and corruptions trouble you you may lay the weight of them upon the Lord Jesus he is able to bear them you may cast the care of your Souls upon him ye may cast the care of your Families the care of your Children you may cast all upon him he is able to bear the weight of all he is the Rock of ages Consider who your Beloved is the Lord Jesus Christ the God of Glory the Redeemer and Saviour of his People that Redeemeth Israel from all their Iniquities If any man sin we have an Advocate 1 â—ohn 2.1 He hath all Power in Heaven andEarth he is the Soveraign Lord of all you can be in no danger but he is able to save and he knows how to do it for he is only wise and he is faithful in all his promises and he is very loving he hath loved his with an everlasting love and from thence he hath given himself for us and will not lofe any that come to him whom he loveth he loveth to the end believe much and you shall receive much Christ saith to thee be it as thou wilt a Faith that will not be beaten off that hangs upon Christ for a blessing and as Jacob will not let go without a blessing shall surely have it what can any believing Soul finde in Christ that may not encourage him to lean upon him he is the Saviour the Head and Husband of his Church that takes care of them and that continually he is the Redeemer of his People that redeems them not only from all their adversities but from all their iniquities Oh then venture upon Jesus Christ and let Faith overcome all your doubts this Christ will accept of consider what encouragements a Believer hath to venture all upon Christ we have encouragement from the Covenant of Grace Ezek. 36.25 26. Then will Isprinkle clean water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your silthiness and from all your Idols will I cleanse you a new heart also will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh and I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my way and I will write my Law in your inward parts and I will put my fear into your hearts and you shall not depart from me and I will forgive your sins and remember them no more consider how God hath confirmed this covenant even by his Oath he hath Sworn by himself that we might have strong consolation and he hath confirmed it also by the Seals of the Covenant the Lord hath given us two Seals he hath set the Seal of Baptism to it whereby God hath owned us for his We are Baptized into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost besides he hath given us the blessed Supper of the Lord Oh what a blessed Seal is that wherein the Lord offers a crucified Christ to us with all his merits he offers Christ with all the benefits and priviledges thereunto belonging when Christ is offered all his offered this Ordinance it signifieth that spiritual nourishment your Souls may have by a crucified Christ when the Lord said This is my Body which was broken for you and this is my Blood which was shed for you shall we be unbelieving notwithstanding all this and weak in the Faith like Thomas God forbid Lastly Be much in love to Jesus Christ that you may say you lean upon your Beloved is there not great cause that we should love Christ dearly that hath given himself to death for us what love is due to him that dyed
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
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
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