Christs Love and Affection Towards Jerusalem, Chapter 25
CHAP. 25.
Such as are ſtrangers to Chriſt and the Goſpell, cannot have any true peace.
Chap. 25 Vſe 4. Woe to the wicked.4 IF the things of Chriſt and the Goſpell be things that belong to every mans peace; then it muſt needs be a word of terror to all wicked men, who are enemies to Chriſt and to the Goſpell, becauſe ſo far forth as they ſet themſelves againſt Chriſt and the Goſpell, ſo farre forth they are enemies to their owne peace, at leaſt to all true peace that might be a ſtay and comfort unto them in the evill day: for though they make a covenant with death, and be at an agreement with hel it ſelfe; yet that is but a peace of their own making, a peace that will not hold water in the time of trouble; a peace that will end at length in a fearfull ſtorme; it is a wofull thing for any to be at peace with his ſinnes, and with the enemies of his ſalvationaJuſtin. de diſci. & perfect. c. 11. pag. 64. Nulla cum inimicis ſpiritualibꝰ pax firmanda, ſemper mentiuntur et abſque rubore laqueos tendunt. Auguſt. to. 10. ad fratres in erèmo, ſerm. 2. E. Habe…e pacem cum omnibus, omnium tamen vitia odientes; habete in corde, in ore, in opere pacem: nam ſi Cain pacem habuiſſet in corde, non i…ruiſſet in fratrem ſuum: ſi Abſalon pacem habuiſſet i…re, non impugnaſſet patrem: ſi Judas habuiſſet pacem in opere, non fugiſſet ad laqueum.; becauſe ſo long as he is at peace with them, he is at warre with heaven, at warre with God, at warre with Chriſt, at war with all things that might procure his welfare, and with all creatures that wiſh or deſire his good: yea while he is at peace with them, hee is in the next degree to hardneſſe of heart, and already lulled aſleepe in that woefull ſecurity, that will one day awaken into horror and amazement. Meane while it is a ſigne that Sathan hath a full, entire, and plenary poſſeſſion of all, becauſe the things which he hath are in peace; and if all were not ſurrendred up to him, there would not be ſuch a peace.bLuke 11.21. When a ſtrong man armed keepeth his pallace, all that he poſſeſſeth is in peace; whē Satan, the ſtrong man, poſſeſſeth all, and there is no more to bee had; hee may well give way to a temporary peace: when the enemy hath got all into his hands, and brought al in ſubjection round about him, then there muſt needs follow a peace: but it is a woefull peace to the captive, when the enemy hath got all, when hee can have no conditions of peace, but ſuch onelyonly as the enemy is pleaſed to give; & ſuch is the peace of all wicked men; it is a peace that is joyned with perpetuall bondage and ſlavery. If the Iaylor bee at peace with his priſoner, it is a ſigne hee hath him ſure under barre and bolt; for if once hee breake looſe from him, hee then purſues him with hue and cry, and lets him know, that his former peace is now expired. If Laban be at peace with Iacob, it is a ſigne he is content to be his drudge; for if once he begins to fly away from him, hee ſhall ſoone heare, that Labans peace is turned into warre. If Pharaoh be at peace with the Iſraelites, it is a ſigne they are in bondage to him; if once they begin to thinke of their liberty, hee is then up in armes, and hath no more thoughts of peace towards them: even ſo, if Sathan be at peace with any, it is a ſigne they are wholly his, and it muſt needs bee a woefull peace, that cānot be had without profeſſed enmity againſt God; there is no true peace, but that wch hath his foundation in Chriſt, and is wrought by the Goſpell; as far as wicked men are from the things of Chriſt & the Goſpell, ſo farre they are from all true peace: There is no peace to the wicked, ſaith my God cIſa. 57.21.the righteous man hath peace on every ſide; peace above him, becauſe hee is in a covenant of peace and reconciliation with God; peace beneath him, becauſe hell hath nothing to lay to his charge; peace within him, becauſe his owne heart ſpeakes peace unto him; peace without him, becauſe hee is in love and charity with all men; but there is no peace to the wicked, no peace above him, becauſe God is his enemy; no peace below him, becauſe hell hath an endleſſe number of fearefull and grievous things to charge him withall; no peace within him, becauſe his owne conſcience hath a quarrell againſt him, and is ready to accuſe him of many things; no peace without him, becauſe brotherly love is a ſtranger to him, and the way of peace he hath not knowne.