Charter of our Blessedness Grace and Peace coming from the Father descend likewise from our Lord Jesus Christ He is our Peace in the very abstract both Efficiently and Meritoriously Subjectively and Objectively Originally and Completively by whom the Father speaks and gives Peace still 3. God the holy Ghost is the Author of our Peace also that gives life and strength thereto Peace is the fruit of that divine Spirit who speaks and acts still from the Father and from the Son He shall take of mine said Christ and declare it to you All that the Father hath is mine He is the Spirit of Unity and Order that composes mens spirits to the receiving and promoting of Peace in all the waies he appoints and blesses that the Unity of the Spirit may be kept still in the Bond of Peace Thus the Blessedness of Peace is rationally drawn from the blessed God Reason 2. The next ground is drawn from the Nature of Peace which abundantly demonstrates its blessedness Doth it not consist in an harmonious composure of Things accommodating all their motions to their proper ends in conformity to the Lords will is not such an agreement most pleasant and beautiful most honourable and profitable How excellently appears such a Symmetrie in all things Natural and Artificial how much more in things moral spiritual and divine Unity and Order are the choice ingredients of this Peace the chief materials and integrals thereof and are not these of singular worth indeed the former affords subsistence and strength the latter regulates and improves all in all due motions is not such a correspondence between God and man a most happy thing How blessed is the match that joins earth to heaven and the creature to the Creator Is not the calm seâ—â—â—ity of our souls a singular blessing is not the sociable conjunction of men in the pleasant waies of true Wisdom an eminent Mercy all that excellency which may be found in good things below and above is used often in Scripture Dialect to set out the Nature of this singular Peace This melodious Tuning of Persons and Things cannot but afford a most blessed Musick to judicious ears Peace is truly that eminent good wherein center all other kind of good Platonicians speak of a ravishing melody resulting from the Heavens orderly motions which would fill men with admiration were their ears but tuned thereto Peace is the marvellous consent of heaven and earth the choice result of their United Orderly positions and products That anima mundi and universal Intelligence mentioned by Philosophers doth in a sober sense illustrate the Nature of this Peace which in subordination to Divine Providence composes the creatures into their proper station and disposes of all in regular motions This Symmetry is the perfection of every Fabrick Spiritual and Political giving due proportion to the whole and parts in their well-ordered Union and Communion it is in reality vinculum universi that keeps the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Reason 3. The blessed adjuncts thereof demonstrate the same in an ample manner â—ruth and Righteousness Grace and Mercy Joy and Bliss are the choice companions and Attendants thereof Truth and Peace are the blessed twins that lovingly embrace each other in the Kingdom of Christ When he gives an abstract of his gracious All-sufficiency engaged to hâ—s people on Covenant-terms he reveals to them the abundance of Truth and Peace The summe of mans duty challenged by Gods Mercy is the Love of Truth and Peace This is the divine compass whereby a Christian is to steer his course towards true Blâ—â—â—edness Truth conforms all Beings to the divine understanding and Peace squares their Workings to the divine Will for such ends as his Truth declares to them They are aptly represented by a pair of compasses centred by Truth and moved about by Peace The girdle of Truth is buckled with Peace This golden chain leads all things to God from whom they came by a transcendent way of circulation Righteousness is as dear a Sister to Peace yea as a Mother and a tender Nurse thereto They come down together from the God of Heaven to bless the earth with all desireable good Righteousness indeed is the eldest sister yet inseparably attended with Peace Righteousness gives to God and man their due Peace looks to the orderly preserving thereof When the Lord Jesus appears to men as King of Righteousness he acts also as the King of Peace The work of Righteousness and the effect thereof in his Kingdom of Nature and Grace is assured Peace and lasting quiet The experience of all Persons and Places hath ever found this made good by the righteous God As far as Righteousness did ever extend in Morals or Spirituals so far hath Peace been extended also The Roman and Grecian States for many hundreds of years were made sensible of this The righteous God loves Righteousness his countenance doth behold the upright to bless them with all the blessings of Peace Grace and Mercy bear likewise as dear and near a Relation to Peace and Jointly to Bliss They are coupled together by the hand of heaven in the salutes and valâ—dictions sent to Gods people by the Prophets and Apostles Gods favouring Grace towards them and his renewing Grace in planted in them have still Peace for a blessed Associate They are Imparted and multiplied together as their choise Portion Often is Mercy subjoined to that Grace to denote the undeserved favour of the Lord shewed to his people in misery Thus Grace and Peace Grace Mercy and Peace go hand in hand to excite direct and enable Gods people to every duty in each relation Joy and Blessing do accompany Peace on the same account when the Lord speaks Peace to his he bestows on them the Blessings of Peace Thus the Peace of God which 〈◊〉 all understanding fils them with comfort through the Spirit of Christ Being justified by faith we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God This Peace of God keeps them as with a Garrison in the sense and comfort of his love to bring forth the fruits of his Spirit Internal Peace begets the like rejoycing in God because the love of God is shed abroad in their heart External peace with men brings an answerable measure of Joy and blessing Thus the Churches having Peace were edified and walking in the fear of the Lord in the comfort of the holy Ghost were multiplied The Application of this Point may be improved By way of Information 1. See hence the sinfulness of Sin It is sin alone that is a desperate Enemy to Peace and irreconciliable Before sin came in all things were in a perfect Peace So far as sin is removed so far is there Peace and no farther It was the sin of Angels that broke their Peace irreparably It was Adams sin that brought confusion on
Scripture yields the Major conscience suggests the Minor and from both premises deduces a comfortable conclusion There is a reflexive Act of Faith necessary hereto called the faith of evidence or assurance to perfect such a gracious Eccho resounding from Earth to Heaven Paul enjoyed such a Peace by a due Improvement of Grace Christians should labour orderly for it by their due progress in spirituall Growth working out their salvation with fear and trembling to make their Calling and Election as sure to themselves as they are sure in themselves Yet many gracious Hearts often want this sight through the many Blasts of external temptations and cloudy vapours of internal Corruptions 3. External Peace with men is answerable to our several Relations both religious and civil 1. There is a Religious Ecclesiastical Peace which is the tuning of Gods People into a due composure and Christian Correspondence in the affairs of his Church and Worship This Peace are we often minded of and pressed to that having Salt in our selves we may have Peace one with another The members of Christs body though different and distant are thus to be at Peace as in the Church mystical Invisible so in the Church Political visible They must study the things that are for Peace wherein they may edifie one another They that agree in the main of Christianity should labour to agree and help one another in the means thereof All the living stones of Christs spiritual house that are duly set on him the foundation should be regularly squared to comply with each other therein Schisms and Convulsions are alwaies bad but worst of all here Though we may not joyn with Gods people in that which appears evil to us yet that difference must not hinder us from closing with them in such things which they and we do account needful and good This Peace includes not Approbation of evil nor doth it exclude due Administration of regular Censures private or publick We are herein to imitate Christ our Head who approves of no evil and still administers all due censures yet is not in the least hindred thereby from bearing with his children and servants in forbearing them as he sees convenient He keeps peace with them whilest he chides and frowns threatens and corrects so should Christians do after his pattern for each others good 2. A civil Peace bears its proportion to our respective stations either political in the State or Oeconomical in the family To this Peace we are all called being bid and bound to seek and follow it hard not only with the gentle but also with the froward As we are men subject to humane frailties and willing to be born with so must we think the like of others No politick fabrick can stand without this The Laws of Nature and of Nations are subordinate to the Laws of Heaven for the cementing and maintaining hereof This Peace includes not any Commission of evil or omission of duty but only that which tends to an orderly accommodation of mutual Relations for good against evil This threefold Peace hitherto explained will appear to be a blessed thing if we do but consult with Scripture and Experience Blessedness is the confluence of all good in the removal of evil opposite to that good Such as the Peace is such is the Blessedness attending it whether spiritual or temporal publick or private Divine Records comprize still all good under this expression either as included in it or joyned to it or flowing from it It s the constant Dialect of Christ and his Apostles in their salutes and fare-wells as it was the Spirits language under the Old Testament whence the New Testament borrows most of its expressions Benedictions and Valedictions run sâ—â—ll on this wise Peace be to you Peace be with you in the Word of God Induction might easily be made by pregnant instances in each particular branch were it needful in so clear a point The experience of all Ages publick and personal verifies it more then sufficiently This Sun-light needs not the help of our Candle 3. The Demonstration and Ground of this truth may be contracted into a threefold Reason from the Author Nature and Adjuncts thereof Reason 1. Peace is a blessed thing because the blessed God is the peculiar Author and Cause thereof considered both essentially and personally 1. God essentially considered is the God of Peace that 's his Title of Honour frequently proclaimed by his Heraulds and Embassadors What 's Peace but the congruity of the workings in each creature to that end whereto the supreme Mover hath appointed their respective Beings All Good must needs be from the first and chief good being ruled by him and leading to him as it comes from him The more of true Peace there is found anywhere the more of God and Blessedness still Gods excellency is shadowed out to us by Divines in a triple Method of exemption eminency and causation Thus God is declared to be infinite unchangeable c. he is most just most wise c. and he is the Cause of Causes who supports governs and supplies all things by a constant Influx of Providence being alwaies the proxime immediate Cause to every action His divine causality runs as a string through all secundary Causes to knit them to their respective operations and effects which he suspends and orders at his will The Correspondency of creatures to his will keeps the Peace and Blessedness so far their breaking of rank and forsaking their appointed station and motion brings the Jar and Woe by breaking that Peace Sin and sorrow come in at such a gap whilest the rational creature loosens this Bond of Peace in any Relation God himself challenges a special interest in this great blessing as the Author and Ruler Supporter and Promoter Restorer and Preserver Proprietor and Disposer thereof 2. God personally considered is the God of Peace which makes it to be such a Blessing In the divine Trinity a perfect Peace shines most gloriously Unity and Order the great Essentials of Peace appear therein by the beams of that eternal Brightness Unity of Essence and Order of Persons hold forth that transcendent Peace in the divine Trin-Unity There are three that bear Record in heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are one Here is priority not superiority a co-ordination though no subordination These three divine Persons have a distinct as well as a conjunct influence into Peace there are three that bear Record on earth agreeing in one also towards Peace 1. God the Father is the Head-spring and Original Source of Peace to man It flows from him primarily to us thus the Apostle teaches us to expect Grace Mercy and Peace from God the Father 2. God the Son is the grand Treasurer of our Peace which he receives from the Father for us You have him therefore still joyned to the Father in the Magna Charta the great
2. Between the quality and quantity of it There is a latitude in the gifts of God as there is a great variety among his children Some are bigger others lesser some sicâ—lier others healthier All his dispensations are suited to their Sizes wherein his Spirit Word and Providence admirably vary according to those multiplicious Ends whereto his good pleasure did from Eternity fore-ordain the same That some have more and others less of Grace and Peace it s no wonder The various parts of the world are not alike visited from heaven for equality though none of them be without their Portion Vse 5. This truth should also prove of very great force to press an effectual Exhortation upon all the professors and possessors of Peace 1. Nominal Professors that do bear Christs Name and yet want his Peace should be mightily prevailed with to get the same and make sure of it This inestimable Vnio this rare pearl of price should marvellously gain mens hearts thereto Such a Load-stone should draw powerfully Blessedness is that good which all things do by natural instinct move earnestly for What can you desire for pleasure or profit credit or comfort that is not comprized in this incomparable Blessing What evil can you fear or beware of that it will not exclude and remove Be perswaded then to look after it more affectionately and sedulously more vigorously and effectually You must treat for Peace as for your very life with all fervency Sinners of all sorts should be strongly quickened thereto Are not you all sworn enemies to God from the very womb Were not you born and bred up in sinful Rebellion against his Highness Are not you continuing your hostility every moment by the renewal of millions of sins against the Crown and dignity of Christ Can you make any amends to him for the evil past or procure his favour by any thing of yours for the present and future Is not your case very desperate if you look not instantly for relief What can all the world do to you without Peace What Peace as long as you stand out against God with arms of defiance Be convinced then of the necessity excellency and usefulness of this blessed Peace Qu. How should I come by it Answ Thou must treat with God upon his own terms as a Traytor summoned by Proclamation All sorts of sinful wretches are called thereby as it were by name none being excepted Exclude not thy self make no excuse no delay no stop as thou tenderest thy eternal state Seek ye the Lord saith his great Herauld whilest he may be found call upon him whilest he is near Let the wicked forsake his waies and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord for he will have mercy upon him and unto our God for he will abundantly pardon Thou hast heard his offers lay down thy arms observe his Articles cast thy self at his feet and yield to Mercy if thou persist in sin dreadful will thy end be Obj. Alas I cannot come I have no power no will of mine own to the least spiritual good Answ Be the more earnest with him for his grace that it may be sufficient for you to the effectual bringing you off from self to himself He hath laid help on him that is mighty yea the mighty God and Prince of Peace able and willing to save to the utmost every soul that comes to the Father by him doth not he bid you take hold on his strength that you may make peace with him assuring you that you shall make Peace with him in that way Is not Christ himself the Way the Truth and Life the living and true Way that good old Way renewed by whom you must come to the God of Peace is not Christ become our Peace for that end that in him we might be sure to obtain Reconciliation through faith in his blood Come then to God with the Kings Son in your arms as Pirrhus in his distress did come to that Prince whose mercy he implored that you may treat with him on the best advantage for a desired Peace Acquaint thy self with him and be at Peace and thereby great good shall come to thee Receive I pray thee the Law from his mouth and lay up his Word in thy heart if thou return to the Almighty thou shalt be built up and put away iniquity far from thy Tabernacle Then shall thy Peace be abundantly certified and ratified to thee as himself further assures thee in that large Declaration of his His Promises are divine Cords of love and the strongest bonds of God-man to draw you to the Father by the Spirit of his Son None can come to him except he be thus drawn and all whom he gave his Son shall be thus surely drawn and made willing to come that they may be welcome Resist not therefore his Spirits motions burst not those bonds follow his drawings yield to his offers embrace his terms and your Peace is made Obj. But I am unworthy wretched miserable the chief of sinners unfit unprepared destitute of all good Answ The more need have you to hasten to him and embrace his gracious invitations Doth not he call the hungry weary and heavy-laden for Rest and Peace in himself which nothing else can afford them The whole need not the Physitian but the sick saith this Prince of Peace who came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance He needs not he expects not any worthiness of your own He bids you come self-denyingly and self-resigningly and strip your self of all your filthy raggs that he may cloath you with his own worthiness the white robes of his imputed righteousness which by faith you are to put on as he puts it on you by the hand of his Spirit His Mercy must be your only Merits Be but willing to be ordered by him in all things that he may strip you of self and cloath you with himself and your Peace is sure Lie but at his feet in all the waies of Peace prescribed you in his word of Peace and you may be certain of his Peace He comes on the white horse of his Gospel to preach Peace to all sorts of Gentiles hearken to his voice attentively affectionately submissively applicatively and all will be well Neglect no means rest on him alone who will efficaciously ordain Peace for you having wrought all his work within you Obj. But I see many do miscarry that have used the means and been far more forward in all things then I ever was I hear of those that sock and find not that but few are chosen though many called that many prove but foolish Virgins and many are turned out being found without the wedding garment Answ What of all that be you the more careful to avoid the rocks that others have split on Use more diligence in making your Calling and Election sure and working out your salvation
THE BLESSED PEACE-MAKER AND CHRISTIAN RECONCILER Intended for the healing of all unatural and unchristian Divisions in all Relations According to the Purport of that Divine Oracle pronounced by the Prince of PEACE himself Matth. 5. 9. By Claudius Gilbert B. D. Minister of the Gospel at Limrick 2 Thess 3. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zech. 8. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 3. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pax una Triumphis Jnnumeris potior LONDON Printed for Francis Titon and are to be sold at the sign of the three Daggers in Fleet-street 1658. To the Right Honourable Sir Hardress Waller Knight Major General of the Forces in Ireland And to his Vertuous Consort the Lady ELIZABETH WALLER Right Honourable THe subject of this Tract will sufficiently commend it self from its own worth and your acquaintance therewith The plain Garb wherein it doth appear can give no just cause of disparaging it to the judicious friends of Gospel-simplicity There is like to be most of Power and Peace where most of Purity cloathed with plainness The many experiences afforded to you both by the renewed Dispensations of the Lords gracious Providence in all former and latter Revolutions may be revived to further Improvement through the blessing of Heaven on your Honours perusal of these lines The Peace of God is that Signal Mercy which hath through Grace very deeply affected your Hearts and to the promoting whereof you have been many wayes remarkably instrumental in your respective Spheres through the Lords good hand Many Considerations of weight do very much press the Authors spirit which cannot but oblige him to publish his Christian respects due to your Honors as by all other possible demonstrations so by this way of Cordial Expression If my poor labours in this and other parts of Ireland have been blessed in any measure from above to any person such have much cause to acknowledge you both as the singular Means which the Lord employed for the procuring thereof Your industrious Care of this Countries welfare and renewed solicitations on the best account did occasion and hasten my coming over near five year ago Through the same Labour of Love continued and enlarged by you towards the Servants and Service of Christ upon his score divers other Ministers of his besides my self have received good Incouragement in his Work in these and other parts Your Reward is sure with the Lord who is most mindful of the least kindness shew'd to any of his friends He cannot forget the meanest Cup of Water given to the smallest in the Name of a Disciple Among the many choice favors bestowed on your Honors by the Supreme Disposer of all things this is one of a prime Magnitude that he hath given you both such hearty Affections to the friends of Christ as well as to his Peace and Interest The benign Influence of such a gracious Constellation is most obliging in such a season wherein so many malignant Aspects are cast from all parts upon the good Wayes and Servants of God To prove still-fixed and radiant Luminaries when so many others blaze but like Comets and like falling Stars or wandring Meteors is both your Honor and your Happiness Gods people in this place and in other parts cannot but take special notice thereof having so much cause to observe it to be a singular Return from the Throne of Grace to their fervent prayers so constantly renewed on your behalf That you may further reap the Joyful fruits of his Divine seed in being still farther serviceable to his Glory and his peoples Comfort proportionably to all your Eminent Relations and occasions through the supplies of his holy Spirit is the Cordial and incessant Request of him who delights to be and appear Your Honors humbly devoted servant on the best Terms in Gospel-work Claudius Gilbert From my study at Limrick March 23. 1656. The Preface Christian Reader THou hast here the substance of severall Sermons preached in Limrick out of earnest longings after this peoples good If the same prove of any use to thee through the blessing of the Father of Spirits Let him have the praise and let the Author share in thy prayers who finds so much need of help from all hands His Design herein is very Candid his desire Cordial what ever thou mayest think of his matter method or utterance The excellâ—ncy and Necessity of the Theme here handled will make full amends for any defect of Writer or Printer We can but give Hints in such an intended Brevity of those choice Rarities which are richly stored up in the larger Cabinets of others We but point at the Veins of those Golden Mines out of which many learned and godly Pens have often extracted so much precious Treasure It 's probable that in such a large field so plentifully stored the best Reapers may leave some Gleanings for their followers The Lord of the Harvest hath often employed many of his Servants among all Nations in the various successions of his Church to promote his blessed work of Peace by their Pens as by all other due Means When this Tabernacle of the most High God is to be reared up and his Tent to be pitched among the Sons of Men Contribution then is expected and accepted from all Sorts what ever sutably to their severall abilities The Badgers and Rams skins will be welcome from such as bring their heart therewith though they cannot bring Gold and precious stones as some others do The God of this Temple prizes the Widows Mite cast into his Treasury for repairing thereof at a very high Rate He delights to see his Laborers active about this piece of work which is so dear to him and cost him so dear His Children please him best when forward though weak about this study and occupation whereof they receive a special charge from him In such a publick and wofull Incendy as now threatens all things Civil and Sacred every one should bring what water he can get to the quenching of such devouring flames We have all a share in the Publick good and have had a hand in the publick evil It 's good Reason we should be sensible of our personal and Relative sins which have been and are still the diviing Causes of distractingly destructive sorrows The sad experiences of so much mischief occasioned by our own and others Lusts cannot but press ingenuous Christians to utmost endeavours for esficacious redress Sense of Duty in such a Juncture and Turn of Affairs prevailed with me to the publication of the Libertine School'd and Christs Soveraign Antidote against sinfull Errors not long ago The same ground hoth now brought forth these Papers to serve as a whet-stone though dull in it self to the sharpening of all the Lords Friends that their abilities and Opportunities may be improved to the uttermost for Christs Interest in this great Work of his I would not be idle as long as its day nor neglect any advantage afforded of doing God and
whom Kings Raign and Princes execute Judgement Righteousness is the Soâ—pier and Basis of his Government So far as his Lieutenants act like him they promote Peace If otherwise they shall die like men and come to account though they be called Gods by Deputation Rulers are the grand wheels that move all the rest either right or wrong They are the Head and the chief Organs of the Body Politick if they be distempered it cannot but fare ill with the whole They are the Loadstones and great Attractives whose Magnetick force draws effectually the hearts heads and hands of all about them They are the Looking-glasses of Court and Country which they most observe in dressing themselves They are as publick Springs that must feed many either with good or evil with the Waters of Siloah or Marahs of Life or of Death 3. Christian Magistrates bear also relation Ecclesiastical to the Church of Christ according as they are real or Nominal professors of his Name therein Their Help is of very considerable use towards Church-peace whilst they observe the Lords Rule about it Though they be not Church-Officers qua Magistrates to Rule in the Church yet are they Officers of Christ to rule for the Churches good Their Power is Cumulative not Privative it is civil not Spiritual it looks after the External not the Internal Man It is to be Ruled by Gods Word not by mans Will it uses civil not spiritual censure and Rewards it aims at Gods honour and mans Good in a godly civil Peace as we have from Scripture sufficiently touched in another Tract Is not Christs Interest the best part of their Work and Interest the finest flower of their Garland the richest Jewel of their Crown Doth not he intrust them by his Providence with his own Power and Authority that they may take most care of that Business which is most dear to him Are not the souls of men incomparably beyond all externals and their eternal state of greatest consequence Are not all Powers ordained of God for terror to every evil work and for Incouragement to every one that doth well Is not the Magistrate appointed to be a Minister of God for mans Good in well doing and an Avenger of every One that doth evil without limitations or exceptions but such as the nature of his Office doth clearly determine by the Light of Reason and Religion Hath not the Lord himself taken care in all Ages to direct excite and strengthen his civil Deputies to this very thing in a special manner Did not he commend such as tended it in proportion still to their care thereof Did he not alwayes brand those Magistrates with Notes of disgrace with heavy threats and stroaks who neglected his work and postposed it to their own and others worldly Concernments Was not the care of Gods House the choice delight of all his Eminent Servants preferred before all and bringing his choice Blessings upon all the rest Was not this the Glory of his Davids and Solomons his Asa's and Jehosaphats his Hezechias and Josias his Zerubbabels and Nehemiahs Did he not honor and reward the very Pagan Princes of the four successive Monarchies so far as they tendered the peace of his Church Hath he not so dealt with the famous Princes of all other Nations to this day Did he not engage his All-sufficiency for the singular advance of his Glory in the later dayes by giving us Kings and Queens for Nursing Fathers and Mothers to his Church Hath not he assured us that all their honour and power shall then yield their best contribution to the procuring and promoting of his peoples Peace on the best account Hath not he promised that when his Spirit shall be most poured out upon all Nations to bring home both Jews and Gentiles to Christ whom they have pierced that they may be saved from all evil by him that then evil spirits and false Prophets shall be turned out and the Rulers of his people shall be most zealous in detecting and punishing them sutably to their deserts Are not those persons most injurous to Princes and people who labour to take off our Noble Governors from honouring and serving of Christ in the greatest Affairs of his peoples welfare Is it not sad that upon mistakes any of Christs friends should be found thereby subservient to the great Design and Interest of sin and Satan Do not all the Titles of Honour bestowed from the Soveraign of Heaven upon Magistrates characterize most eminently their Dignity and Duty in order to the peace and good of his Church Are not such Illustrious Parents most concern'd to tender Gods Family committed to their care Are not such noble Nurses to attend the welfare of such Nurslings as the Lord himself peculiarly owns Are not such choice Stewards to mind their choice charge in a choice manner Should not such excellent Shepherds shew most care of Christs most excellent Flocks Are not such singular Rulers to regulate with singular Industry the Loods chief Work according to his Rule Doth not he afford them Means and Helps answerable thereto Have they not the free disposal of mens persons and estates orderly and legally entrusted with them that they may be fully enabled to provide for all Church-Necessaries Doth the Church of Christ stand in less need now of such assistance then in former Ages Are not our distempers increasing on us so desperately that our condition must needs prove woful if our great Physitians do neglect our cure Are not Church-Officers sundry wayes disabled and frequently disturbed by various Obstructions from accomplishing it Are not their Heads their hearts and their hands so distracted by our Discords and Disorders that they themselves need very much help as well as their people Are not multitudes of seducing and seduced Ones professed enemies to the Church and Ministry of Christ scornfully rejecting and abusing them Who shall deal with them if Rulers do not What if primitive Churches subsisted long without the Magistrates Help So did Moses Elâ—jah and Christ subsist long without bodily food by extraordinary support and supplies from above Will that infer the neglect of any means for soul or body appointed and afforded from God in the course and ordinary road of his Providence What if some Magistrates abuse their Power against their proper Dignity and Duty shall any conclude against the right use thereof What if God hath provided spiritual Ordinances to be used spiritually in his Church for their spiritual good in order to his Glory by his spiritual Officers according to his spiritual Rule which he blesses as spiritual weapons sufficient in their kind to attain his ends shall that exclude the Rulers political help which God requires and promises directs and blesses by his Spirit Word and Providence The Lord needs no help from any creature he will build his house maugre all neglects and oppositions from Earth and from Hell in due time and order That any are called
peace peace when there is no Peace but sudden destruction like the Dreamer in the Prophet that eats and drinks in fancy but is still empty and wretched Thus many dream themselves into a fools Paradise snorting on the Bed of carnal security till they drop into Hell at unaware 3. There is a dead Peace without sense or smart because without life in such who are Spiritually and judicially dead though they seem to live This was the case of many in Sardis All unregenerate Souls are naturally dead in Sins and Trespasses Divers of them after a temporary flash of profession do apostatize and grow worse then before These are the Trees twice dead plucked up by the root Seared consciences that grow past feeling into all Excess Like the dead Sea once a flourishing soil turned now by divine Vengeance for sin into a stinking puddle that Kils every fish and fowl that come but near it Such like the Ranting Crue have stifled and murdered Conscience by frequent Relapses so that they can commit all iniquity with greediness and without remorse They are dead whilst they live like the wanton Widdow The Peace of a rotten Carrion is their perfection wherein they please themselves till conscience revive to hurry them to their final Execution 4. There is a Diabolical Peace a Combination with Satan and for him in the waies of sin Hell it self hath some kind of Union and Order that Kingdom of Darkness if disordered in it self or divided against it self could not possibly stand There is a Belzebub a Prince of Devils the strong man that keeps all in Peace under his Rule As Satanical spirits do conjure together so are too many wicked Wretches combined with them either directly or collaterally Witches and Sorcerers are become Satans slaves by explicite Compact All wicked Persons are his Instruments though many of them more implicitly Conjunction in sin is a conspiracy though often coloured with specious pretences of good fellowship Many are daily found to do the Devils work in plotting mischief and tempting others to sin The best of their Peace is but conjuration in all sinfull associations Whilst they make a Covenant with Hell and find no trouble in Satans drudgery what Peace can they expect There is no Peace saith my God to the wicked All such Peace is but nominal and aequivocal Our Text excludes all such Secondly There is a good Peace Peace in good which is intended here This is the sweet agreement and harmonious Correspondency of things in conformity to Gods Will their Soveraign Principle Rule and End The Creatures esse and Being is given it in order to its operari and working That working is still to be sutable to their Being according to that Rule which the Being of Beings doth by his pleasure appoint thereto for its proper end Whilst things thus move in their respective Sphere Peace is maintained in a mutual accommodation to each other Man is specially concerned in this Peace and that in a treble respect 1. There is an Eternal Peace Peace with God 2. An Internal Peace Peace in man 3. An External Peace Peace with men 1. Peace with God is made in the Court of Heaven in the Regeneration of Gods Elect when the Soul is first united to Christ by the renewing of the Holy Ghost in the first conversion Then is actual application made effectually of Christs all-sufficient oblation upon conjugal terms whereby Reconciliation between God and Man is actually compleated Thus being justified by faith we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom we have access through faith into the Grace wherein we stand The Fathers eternal Purpose and the Sons virtual Purchase is then and not till then effectually fulfilled by the spirits Operation The Elect themselves are by nature before this gracious change alike Children of wrath and enemies to God even as others The sentence of the Law given to mankind in the first Adam abides in force upon all his natural Posterity and upon Gods Elect with the rest till they become by renewing Grace the seed of Christ the second Adam and thereby brought into a state of Reconciliation His Union to Christ that affords communion with him in this as in all other priviledges Thus God wills a change in them positive and Relative though he changes not his will about them His Electing Love of good Will towards them is an immanent eternall Act of his which makes no actual Change in their state till their nature be changed by his sanctifying Grace that his Love of delight may operate about them being a transient Act. The change is not in God but in the Creature wrought upon by such Acts flowing from God Gods Will is indeed but one Intire Act being God himself but the operations manifestations and effects thereof about the Creatures are various many wayes A Traytor is not in Peace with the Prince till actually pardoned and discharged in a legal and orderly way Christ indeed presented an all-sufficent satisfaction to divine Justice whereby Impetration was made of divine Mercy for all Gods Elect but upon the conditions agreed between them to be seasonably and effectually applyed to those Elect of his Till such conditions be fulfilled in them by his sanctifying Spirit they cannot enjoy the actual benefit thereof This divine Peace is the peculiar of the new creature born again by that singular Grace which forms the new man after Gods Image by a supernatural Birth The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the best of the best Man before this spiritual work is enmity against God neither willing nor able to yield subjection towards Peace and Reconciliation But the Soul once married unto Christ and adopted of the Father through the spirits gracious application is made Partaker of true and lasting Peace the debts being paid crimes forgiven and all sins covered with the Wedding Garment of Christs Ri hteousness imputed to him and by Faith received 2. Internal Peace is Peace of conscience flowing from the former by a seasonable and orderly reflexion The Kingdom of God is first Righteousness then Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Thus to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace The Conscience duly purified through faith in his blood is orderly pacified This Peace admits of a various and variable latitude according to the various degrees and conditions of Gods children In some its not perceived sensibly of a good while after conversion admitting of Clouds and Eclipses as the light of the Sun in nature through earthly and airy Interpositions The due sense thereof requires a special Irradiation of Christs Spirit shining upon his gracious Image wrought in the soul to make a due Reflexion thereof That Holy Spirit must witness with our spirit that we are the children of God and if Children then Heirs yea coheirs with Christ This requires a rational discourse formed in the soul by divine Logick whereof
and fit Medicines for all our distempers He must make Peace within our Borders and he bids us to look up to him as the sole Arbitrator both of Peace and War All means must be used to make Peace with him by closing with Christ and subjecting to him on conjugal terms trusting in him alone according to his Word for the Peace desired Great Peace have they that love his Laws and nothing shall offend them He will then make our Officers Peace and our Exactors Righteousness Hath not he engaged himself to his People by his Word and Oath by Covenant and Promises by his hand and Seal to communicate all Peace to them in due season and order Observe we the method prescribed to us and we need not doubt of a Soveraign Cure Whilst we are carefull in an Obedience of Faith to obey his Preceps he will not fail to fulfill his Promises Every Ordinance and Institution of his is a special Help which he hath promised to bless unto his People In every Providence he will be also duly acknowledged to direct our feet into the way of Peace The wayes of his Wisdom are all pleasantness and all her paths are Peace The Lord Jesus is the great Peace-maker both in Heaven and Earth His coming brings still with Glory to God on high Peace on earth also and good will towards Men. Promote his Interest and you promote Peace whether in Church or State whether in publique or private Relations According as his entertainment is so is our Peace like to be internally and externally whether real or hypocritical Machiavellians that do neglect him and put him off with Idol-worship and Obedience shall find a sutable Peace and Attendance They that give him but an empty shell are like to receive little better from him The true Politicks are still to be learned in the school of Christ under the Teachings of his gracious Spirit They that are enemies to his Word of Peace and Instructions given to his servants about Peace-making may sadly repent it when it s too late As without him we can do nothing so through his help we may do all Things through Christ strengthening us Peace made in his way will be a good Peace otherwise it will prove but a counterfeit one He it is that will give Peace unto his People and will give to them all the Blessings of Peace Let him have the Honor we shall have the Comfort he will bless us whilst we are blessing him Believe and pray waite and endeavour for a blessed Peace in due attendance on the blessed God whose Purposes and gracious Thoughts of Peace are seasonably executed by him in speaking and creating Peace to them and for them Secondly Towards men also should fit helps be used in reference thereto He that hath made us rational Creatures appoints us means to be rationally used All his Creatures have their Instinct from him which leads them steadily to their proper Center for Rest and Peace Mans Reason is his proper Instinct that moved him aright to his Rest in God and so long had he Peace with all the Creatures But by his Rebellion as he broke with God so they all broke with him and his own self became his own enemy The Lord hath appointed means for recovery through Faith in Christ the promised Seed for spiritual Peace and through Obedience both of Faith and Love answerable to each kind of Peace in each relation All the Vertue and Power of the means depend on Gods appointment and Blessing as in Naturals so in Spirituals He deals with Men by Men after the manner of Men. Thus all diligence should be used in and about the means but our dependency should be on him alone whether he do grant or deny any means that Peace may be made and duly maintained restored and improved in an Eccelesiastial Political and Oeconomical Way Unity and Order must be with all care still looked after as was before hinted All the means that direct and help thereunto should be exactly studied and managed The Physicians rules are to be observed in taking all things by him appointed towards Health and Cure All Superiors in their several charges have their proper work cut out to their hand and so have Inferiors in each condition private and publique that they may be blessed in making of Peace We should therefore consider one another to provoke one another to love and good Works in all the wayes of Peace All our Principles and our Practices should be animated with that gracious Spirit which is directly opposite to all those sinfull Principles and Practices formerly mentioned Our Thoughts Words and Actions should still manifest the fruits of Christs Spirit in Love and Joy long suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance which are the noble Attendants of Peace In dying to sin and living to God we should attend our generation Work among the Sons of Men. Every Grace hath its peculiar work and use to be improved still towards true Peace Gifts and Endowments internal and external should be made all subservient thereto Every opportunity is to be redeemed in the right use of all Abilities for effecting of it Each of us a part must study and know his own Station well therein to maintain and to promote Peace We must be content to allow their grains to the best of Men and consider them as subject still to much infirmity that we may avoid all offence-giving and offence-taking in order to Peace Observe what is good either morally or naturally in the very worst of Men to make the best of it that we can towards Peace Mind what evil remains even in the best that it may be checked and mortified to the same purpose Make the best construction that you can possible of others thoughts expressions and carriage till clear evidence demonstrate the worst Forgive others much and your self nothing Be content to bear and forbear very far for the Blessing of Peace Use no foul means where fair ones will serve a dextrous gentle hand is the best Bone-setter Be very faithfull in all your dealings in love to the person and hatred to sin Be as favourable to men as you can so their sores be effectually searched and dressed toward a sound Cute Avoid extreams mind the vertuous middle which unites all good and separates from evil To do much good and to hear much ill is that property of a Peace-maker observed of old by a famous Prince out of experience What you cannot mend with your best labors bewail in secret as gracious Austin did till the Lord open you a door of Hope to enter into Peace The God of Peace himself give you Peace alwayse and by all means was the signal request of the great Apostle that choise friend of Peace Seek Peace and pursue it when it seems to be lost and flying away was the solemn Charge given by the Psalmist to those that wish well to God and his
People If it be possible as far as in you lies have Peace with all men this is a Gospel precept obliging us all Only be we sure that it be a good Peace a Peace in Good not an evil Peace a Peace in evil Brethren Live in Peace fare-well be perfect be of good Comfort be of one mind live in Peace and the God of Love and Peace shall be with you This is Pauls Valediction left with Gods Children who are dignified with this Property of blessed Peace-making That is the next point to be considered of Proposition 3. Peace-making is the dignifying Property of Gods Children This Conclusion is considerable in its Deduction and Explication Confirmation and Demonstration towards Application 1. It s Deduction is cleared by viewing the Context Scope and Connexion of the words and sence parts and whole Having set down the Blessedness of Peace and Peace-making he subjoins the Characters of such persons whom God blesses in such a Work They shall be called the Children of God saith Christ they shall be known and distinguished thereby as a man is properly dignified and discerned by his name this shall appear to be the Dignity and property of Gods Children Thus the whole Text is a Divine Enthymeme a contracted Syllogism the first part whereof affords the Consecution and this latter Branch holds forth the Proposition from which as from its Cause by an Apodeictical ratiocination à priori the particle For deduces the said conclusion Gods Children cannot but be Peace-makers and blessed therein Secondly For Explication the genuine Import of this Scripture-dialect is to be minded 1. To be called in the language of Heaven is as much as to be and appear such God cals a Thing by Constitution and Designation by making and appointing it to what that name denotes thus he cals his Children to be Peace-makers he enables and ordains them thereto Man is said to call by Dignification and distinguishing Appropriation acknowledging and discerning it to be thus truly and eminently Thus Peace-making is such a proper Dignity and a dignifying Property of Gods Children that they shall be known and discerned thereby as a Person of Honor is by his Name and Title of Dignity 2. The phrase of Gods Children is variously significant in Scripture First Generally by vertue of an immediate production thus the Angels are called the Sons of God and Adam also bears the Title of Gods Son Secondly More specially by supernatural Regeneration and Spiritual Adoption thus true Converts made new Creatures born of the Spirit by receiving Christ receive the dignifying Power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to become the children of God Thirdly Professedly by federal Relation in a visible Ecclesiastical Dignification thus all Church members whether Infant or Adult are called Gods Children though many of them apostatize afterwards from that professed Adoption Thus the Jewish Posterity were called Gods Children all Church-members in Galatia are so dignified thus the Childen of the Kingdom are they called who are cast out at last Fourthly Most especially by eternal Generation thus God the Son the personal Word is the Son of God Fifthly By a transcendent Generation so Christ as the Son of Man with respect to his humanity being conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary was born the Son of God the child of the most High Sixthly This Title is sometimes given by vertue of an eminent function thus Magistrates are called the Children of the most high as they are also on the same account sirnamed Gods by a providential Call to that Office wherein they act as the Lords Deputies The second and third Acception of this express are proper to the Subject in hand and sometimes the sixth The gracious Children of God are eminently discerned by this property which is their Dignity so far as it is visible so far appear they to be Gods Children especially if they be Magistrates Both their Honor and their Happiness flourish wonderfully in the blessed performance of this signal Duty 3. For Confirmation hereof you have the harmony of all Records Divine and Humane subscribed unto by the constant Experience of all men in all places Gods Children have been still remarkably discerned by this singular Work Scripture by such illustrious Actings of the Lords Worthies testifies it most eminently The whole Series of sacred History speaks it aloud In such a multitnde of famous Witnesses a few hints may serve in the name of all That glorious Type of Christ well known by the Title of Melchisedek is as famously dignified with that of King of Salem the City of Peace â—he Apostle presses this notable parallel attended with divers others that the Glory of Gods only Son might be the more observably admired in this dignifying Property of his singular Predecessor Christ himself appeared to be the Son of God most eminently by this very thing He came personally to become our Peace to purchase and procure restore and preserve promote and improve all Peace for us in and through himself His glorious Office called him peculiarly thereto for which he was proportionably qualified by the Fathers Spirit His Sacerdotal his Prophetical his regal Function tended all to Peace and are still conversant about it to Eternity His whole progress from deepest humbling to the highest degree of exalting concurred thereto All his eminent Types and fore-runners were faithfully employed to that end The successive Priests of Aarons Linage pointing at his Priest-hood and holding it forth by ceremonial Rites to believing eyes made this work of his their proper business and dignifying charge for his Honor and his peoples good The many Prophets whom his Spirit sent and qualified from one Age to another still preached Peace in him and by him whom they did represent The famous Princes in their Generations that governed his People were his choise vicegerents upon this very score All those Instruments whom the Lord made use of in bringing his People into the Canaan of Peace and Rest out of Egypt through so many changes to settle them there in their Spiritual and Civil Liberties under his Government acted to the same purpose The whole Contexture of his Providence from Adam to Christ holds forth as much in all the various transactions of it Each passage also of the New Testament whether Historical Doctrinal or Prophetical points at this dignifying property What was said and done more figuratively under the old Testament about this subject is herein more Evangelically as with a Sun-beam expressed to us The Peace of Christs Kingdom so much celebrated by David Solomon Moses and Esay as by all his other Prophets is gloriously expressed and gradually fulfilled in this last Period which began at his first personal coming incoatively and will be perfected by his second coming consummatively The 45. and 72. Psalm the Song of Solomon with the 31 32 33 60 61 65. of Esâ—ias the 31 32 33. of Jeremy the latter end of
made throughly sensible of their guilt and shame How far are the best from an exact performance of this great Duty How unlike are we to this dignifying Property of Gods People How short come we of that peaceable Spirit and Carriage that should teâ—tifie ouâ— gracious acquaintance with the Nature Charge and Interest of Christ the great Peace-maker Le ts all be humbled deeply before him at the sight and sence of so much unworthiness Let the conviction of our foolish mistakes and woful miscarriages awaken and shame us Doth the Lord suffer so much in his Cause Credit and Charge through our sinful jars and shall we not mourn Have we been such peevish and perverse Children and not judge our selves Have we so basely slighted such a Father in that which is so dear unto him and shall we not grieve Have we abused our Brethren and Fellow-servants so unworth ly and shall we not express the regret thereof Is not the fault of a child of a near Relation much more provoking then of any stranger Hath not our God used all possible means to teach us manners and press us with all might to Christian Peace-making Are not our wretched distractions much more provoking now to him and to all because of all the great cost and care he hath been at on a better account Have we lost our ingenuity have we forgotten our Duty and Interest so desperately as still to be senceless of our folly and misery herein Hath Satan so far deluded us hath sin prevailed so to the hardening of us that we see not the apparent ruin of all publique and personal Good following close our unnatural divisions our uncivil disorders All our miscarriages reflect on the Lord who will not alwayes bear with our frowardness His dearest people of old were frowned on and chid threatned and smitten very heavily for lesser faults then ours Their renewed Crimes after much indulgence from his fatherly hand forced him to turn them out of doors and disinherit them He bids us all go to his Shiloh where his presence dwelt and learn by the desolations thereof to observe the fruits of disorders and divisions in his Kingdom and Family All his dispensations to them were for Types and Examples to us to shame us all for those many sins wherein we so far exceed them The woful Ruins of so many Churches once so flourishing in each part of the World should prove a powerfull warnning to us all If we be indeed the children of God let it appear by our ingenuous shaming of our selves for our unchristian abusing of him in abusing his Peace his People and our selves so groundlesly and so frequently so sinfully and so wofully Vse 3. This Truth may be improved by way of Discovery Hence may we enquire into our own State and take a Prospect of the Posture of Affairs within and without us Doth this character of Godâ— children dignifie us and others Is it ouâ— eminent property to be Peace makers Do we act herein in a way becoming the children of God This is a needfull and usefull enquiry for all sorts of persons in this self-deceiving and hypocritical Age so full of mistakes and distempers Bring we the case to the Lords own Test measure it by the line of the Sanctuary Do we act about Peace from him and like him for him and through him as becomes his Children 1. Do we act from God about all the matters of his Peace Is he our Principle and source of all spiritual activeness Is he the Supreme efficient of all good in us and to us Are we born again of his gracious Spirit to make us new creatures that we might walk in newness of Life As we have born the Image of the earthly do we now bear the Image of the heavenly Adam Do we receive from Christ the second Adam the Root and seed of spiritual Life as we received from the first Adam the Spawn and Beginnings of natural Life We naturally grow wild as the timber in the Forest as stones in the Pit and rock Hath the Lord hewen and digged us down by the hand of his Spirit with the tools of his Word and Providence to square and polish us for his spiritual Edifice Hath he translated us from death to life that were naturally dead in sins and trespasses Hath he by his Gospel-salve opened our eyes to turn us from darkness unto light and from the power of Satan to God Hath he poured clean waters upon us that we might be effectually cleansed from all our filthiness and from all our dividing Idols A new heart also hath he given us and a new Spirit hath he put within us Hath he taken away the stony heart out of our flesh and given us a new heart of flesh Hath he put his Spirit within us to cause us to walk in his Statutes that we may keep his Judgements and do them Hath he washed us in the Laver of Regeneration through the renewing of the holy Ghost shed on us abundantly according to his gracious Promises Hath the Lord thus begotten us again unto a lively hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead that we might enjoy and promote Peace Have we put off the old man which is corrupt after its deceitfull lusts and put on the new man which afâ—er God is created in Righteousness and true holiness Have we learned in his school to strip us of self that we may put on Christ for our Garment Have we received his effectual Call to obey it efficaciously in order to his Peace Hath his Spirit convinced us applicatively of sin of Righteousness and of Judgement Hath he brought us into to the wilderness that he might speak to our hearts therein words of Grace and Peace Hath he given himself in giving us his Son upon conjugal terms by his sanctifying Spirit and have we thereby been enabled to surrender up our selves unto him by a lively faith of his own working Do we through faith partake of those gracious Promises which make us Partakers of the Divine Nature to escape the pollutions that are in the world through lust Doth Christ thus dwell in our heart by faith that being grounded and rooted in him we may thence receive out of his fulness Grace for Grace in order to Peace Doth he draw us so powerfully by the inward cords of his Spirits motions and the outward Bands of his Word and Providence as to make us to run after him and follow him fully in all the wayes of Peace Is he the Load-stone that draws our Iron-hearts by Magnetical virtue into all sutable operations Is he the Treasure the Magazin of all our supplies the Ground and foundation of all our desires delights designs and labors about all kind of Peace Do we thus receive and act all from him not from any Creature within or without us to manifest our selves his Children Secondly Do we act like him in
Soveraign Physician Shall not the Head look to his Body Will not this dear Husband take care of his own Spouse Can such a friend be still estranged from his dearest Relations Shall not every Promise be made Yea and Amen in him who is the same yesterday to day and for ever Should not this cordial be carefully laid up and faithfully improved by all Peace-makers who thereby testifie their dignifying Property of being Gods Children Vse 5. This Truth cannot but express a vigorous Exhortation and press it strongly upon all the Sons of Men to look well after this signal Property of the Children of God This voice of Heaven speaks a Divine Oracle by the mouth of Christ 1. To the Friends of Discord And 2. To the Friends of Peace 1. The friends of discord should be effectually adviesd about it It s a business of exceeding weight to be found in a diametral Opposition to this eminent Character of Gods People will be as wofull as its sinfull All those who cherish dis-unions and jars between God and Man between man and man had need consider the sadness of it All the Promoters of disorders and Animosities in any relation Publique or Private Civil or Ecclesiastical should be spoken to sinners of all ranks either gross or close Superiors or Inferiors attend hereunto The Cryer of Heaven proclaims an Oyer to teach of you Hearken in season as for your Life before it be too late A Dâ—sswasive and a Perswasive are hence proposed to you in the Lords Name 1. A Disswasive from your case and course so full of evil and empty of good so bent to evil and backward to good How unlike are you to the Children of God and to God himself whilst you love what he loaths and loath what he loves Do not envy and strife breed all confusion and every evil work Whom do you resemble in such a Love and Life of contentious divisions and dividing Contentions Are not you so much the more like Mars and Bellona the gods of Heathens by how much the more unlike unto Christ the Lamb of God and the Prince of Peace Are not you comformed to Satan the God of Confusion so much the nearer by how much further you stand and act from the God of Peace and the Peace of God Shall not God himself disswade you from that state and carriage so like unto hell and so unlike Heaven Is there not reason enough in his Divine Logick to convince you now of your sinfulness and wretchedness at once When God refuses to own you for Children the devil will be sure to challenge his Right in all such who do so nearly represent him Your dividing from God and from his wayes of Peace should strike terror into your very souls Will you still carry Hell in your Bosome in your Countenance in your Speech and Carriage to train you up for that Eternal Hell in utter Confusion Have not you mispent time enough already in the base drudgery of Sin and Satan against the Peace of our dread Soveraign May not this hour be your very last this advice the last address to you if you let it slip how desperate is your Case Have you not abused the Bounty and Patience of his Majesty too much already do you not know he will not alwayes bear When his Spirit once ceases reasoning with you his justice will immediately follow to seize on you towards Execution Be then moved by your own Interest Buy what ever is dear unto you or to the publique Let Ingenuity prevail with you and be disswaded from following the God of Discord and Disorder under whom you serve at the command of your Contentious Lusts Be willing to see and conside rhow unreasonable and unprofitable how unpleasurable and dishonourable such a condition will prove in the end Be sensible at last be ashamed be weary of that Life so wretchedly mispent in wrangling and Wars with God and goodness What fruit can you expect from those sinful wayes the End whereof is Death Natural and Civil Spiritual Eternal Learn to abhor and utterly abandon those Dividing Lusts that would still separate you from God and his Peace Such bitter Roots can give you no Fruit but what is harsh noisom and detestable to God and good men See then the baseness of that Rotten Heart which like a Dung-hill is still putrifying breeding more Vermin Weeds and Corruption Your body of Sin must be crucified with a Lingring Shamefull Violent Death for all its Treasons against the God of Peace The Limbs of that old man that inveterate Rebel that is still plotting and acting trechery in your own bosome must suffer jointly and severally You must be content that his Right hand Right eye and Right foot should be judicially proceeded against to Extirpation else you are none of Gods Children yet if you cherish any of Satans Brats in your deceitfull heart you 'l be arraigned for Treason against Heaven Be then disswaded from such Compliances with Sin and Satan by patronizing any secret Lust See the worst of your selves in the Lords own Glass that you may be throughly divorced from that corrupt self which hath kept you so long in League with Satan and at War with God Be willing at last to bewail your case and be dis-ingaged from all evil wayes in Principle or Practice which are such desperate Enemies to your Peace As you desire to be called the Children of God be sure you beware of such State and Acts which oppose directly the property and dignity of such 2. A Perswasive is sent to you likewise to invite you to the Lords own Work in his own Method That you may be numbred among Gods Children you must attend their dignifying property You must be born again that you may enter into his Kingdom and the Peace thereof if you will believe the Prince of Peace himself Old Things must pass away all things must become new Is not the God of Peace well worth such a Change Is not his Peace of incomparable value What are all things below but Bables thereto Be then encouraged to look after the Narure of Children that you may manifest the Property of such You must receive the Spirit of Adoption from the Father of Spirirs in the renewing of your inward Man that you may be able to speak and act as becomes Gods Children A Contract of Marriage must effectually pass between the Son of God and your Soul by mutual consent that you may be taken into this Family All men naturally are children of Wrath and wedded to Sin By custome therein they increase their Bonds becoming twice more children of Hell till by increase of Disobedience they visibly appear the Devils children Be therefore stirred up to look after a gracious Change for a better state that you may live in a better Rank You have been too long among the Beggars embracing dung-hils and with prodigals feeding among swine after