Discourse of the Gospel of Peace, Tract 1 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
An account of the nature of that Peace which is the design and tendency of the Gospel of Christ.
WHat I shall say on this head, will chiefly refer to that peace which is between God and a reconciled sinner; tho in some things it may extend to other parties in, and considerations of this peace.
First, It is a Divine peace.
1. A peace of which God alone is the author and contriver as to all the articles of it. All its articles that concern the Promises on Gods part, the terms and conditions of enjoying them on mans part, are all of Gods sole authority and disposing. No man on earth, nor Angel in Heaven, had any thing to do in their composure. God did never treat with any man to agree about the terms of the Covenant of Grace, nor to propose what he would be content to submit unto, for reconciliation with his God.
As the Law of Commandments on Mount Sinai, so the Law of Grace, and Covenant of Promise from Mount Zion, was so compleated by God alone, that no room was, or shall ever be left for man to set the least hand to it. No room left for any alteration, any new condition. God hath made a large abatement, and relaxation of the Law of Works, as a Condition and Covenant of Life; but of this Covenant of Grace, the Law and terms of life contained in that, he will bate nothing to the best, or greatest of men.
He that will have peace with God, must have it on Gods own terms, these Gospel-terms, or go without it, and shift for himself as well as he can. It is therefore call'd altogether Gods Covenant in Scripture, because tho man be one of the foederati, yet he is so only by accepting.
This peace as to the Covenant on which 'tis founded, is called a Covenant of promise, to denote that, 'tis not terms of justice or equity on our partEph. 2. 12. that hath any concern in it, any plea to make, 'tis all as freely and fully Gods, as gift it self.
2dly, It is a Divine peace, as to the accepting it, closing with the terms of it on our part. I am not so silly as to say, that faith, repentance, Covenanting with God, are not our acts. I will affirm they are not only our proper acts, but also the proper acts of none but our selves. But yet that assistance, influence, vigour, by which we perform them, is so little our own, so much above the power of corrupted nature, that man is divested of all pretence of glorying, or pretending to it. I shall not need to produce a Scripture-confirmation, Chapter and verse, of our being born of God, of the Spirit, not of the will of man, but God's; our being sanctified by him, as well as elected or justified. 'Tis agreed on all hands, that our closing with, and embracing the Gospel, which derives its peace to us, may be called Gods work, and is so beyond all dispute, tho not without some distinction.
Secondly, This peace of the Gospel, is an holy peace.
A peace that is neither patched up for unholy ends, nor by any unholy … There is nothing in it unbecoming the Divine being on the one hand, nor man on the other. No temptation to any thing that is indecert, except it be uncomely to part with a leprosie, or a shame to be ashamed of things most shameful; or a sin to be sanctified; or an unhappiness to be saved; or below us to be so much beholden to the most high God, and to be bound to acknowledg it.
Thirdly, 'Tis a just peace.
A peace wherein man hath infinitely more than his right, and yet God hath no wrong. A peace wherein God is unspeakably gracious to man, and perfectly just to himself. No Attribute of God receives any affront, tho the sinner goes unpunisht, and the sin clean remitted. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.
Fourthly, 'Tis a faithful peace.
There is nothing in this peace that will deceive or betray us. As the Gospel tells us the best (as far as words can express, and such narrow souls as we at present can apprehend) so it tells us the worst we may meet with in this way of Gospelholiness. It tells you of a Crown of Life, Righteousness, and Glory; and it tells you also of many a bitter Cross, of being killed all the day long, of a life in this world, filled with spiritual warrings, and the great fight is against the foes, which are so insinuated into our bowels, our very souls, that we call them our selves. Mortifie therefore your members Col. 3. 5.which are on the earth. What members are they? are they right eyes, or right hands? Indeed they are not so in a proper sense, but they are so in that rank and value they hold in the corrupted nature; and must be pluckt out, and cut off with our own hands, if we would enter into life. The Apostle enumerates some few of them; Fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is Idolatry.
The Gospel tells you of the sweets of peace with God through Jesus Christ, and it tells you also of the enmities of the world, wherein you must expect to live as lambs among wolves. It tells you of the joys of Gods countenance, and the smiles of his face: It tells you also of the frowns of men, and of God too; if you deal unfaithfully with him, and unbecoming his children. It tells you of a glorious reward, an everlasting rest: But also that you must work, and run, and war, and wait, and deny your selves, and crucifie the flesh with its affections and lusts. In short, it tells you of God being your Father, the unsearchable riches of Christ your portion, the holy spirit your companion and comforter; but also that you must wholly resign your selves to the will of God, and your Redeemer; to do and suffer what he pleases; you must live by faith, and not by sense; and cast the chief anchor of your hope on the other side the grave.
Fifthly, 'Tis a well grounded peace.Isa. 57. 21.
Most mens peace is built in the air, and dreams of their own imaginations. Their peace is a peaceJob 25. 2. & 22. 21. without a foundation. But the Gospel peace hath foundations, against which neither time nor storms, men nor Devils can prevail. The whole Fabrick is composed by Divine Wisdom, and defended by Divine power, and derived to the Saints by the Word and Oath of the only true God, imprintedIsa. 26. 3. in their souls by the Holy Spirit of Grace and Peace.
'Tis not a peace grounded on sensuality, legalJoh. 14. 7. righteousness, or superstition; all which are but rowling sands, and all the peace built on them will soon disband, and fall to ruins, and more woful disappointments. But 'tis such a peace that theIsa. 7. 27. more enlightened, awakened, and scrutinous the soul is, the more she is confirmed, and consolated in her peace. Yea the troubles, and emptyings of the false satisfactions of this world, do but make her so much the more happy, as to retire to this peace and rest wherein she is at home, and begins everlasting rest here.
Sixthly, 'Tis a Peace that inlarges the Soul to a secure Meditation of all the Ʋnderstanding is capable of.
It is a sad Consideration of the Peace of carnal Worldlings, of all men unreconciled to God, that 'tis within a very narrow compass so imprisoned to present exterior things, that if they dare to step in their serious Meditations beyond these narrow Bounds, their Peace is in no small hazard.
If they look into their Consciences, such as canJer. 2. 3. and dare speak truth, its reports are like alarms of War, or messengers of worse Tidings than of Death.
If they look up to Heaven, that's none of their1 Cor. 6. 9 10 Treasure; they are not free of that holy and happy City, nor are they meet to be its Inhabitants. Death makes all their Life-time subject to Bondage.Isa. 33. 14.
If they think seriously and genuinly of God, so much the more as they have a Sense of his glorious Perfections, so much the more terrible he is to them. All the Considerations of his Justice, Veracity, Omnipotency, Eternity, are against them. Yea, his very Patience, Mercy, Goodness abused, are the greatest Upbraiders of their Ingratitude, Rom. 2. 4.and threaten the sorer Destruction.
If their thoughts look into Hell, they behold that flaming Furnace, that bottomless pit gaping upon them, and kindling in their own Bosoms.
If they consider Eternity, it looks to them, either very dark, empty and naked, or furnished with those Treasures of wrath they have heaped up by Sin and Unbelief, against the day of Wrath.
If they dare acquaint themselves with the great Tribunal of the Holy and Just one, and the best Pleas they can make there: Alas, how Self-condemned are they already.
But this blessed Peace of the Gospel gives the Soul that delightful freedom, that well-grounded security, that it can with an assured mind take its turn in any of these quarters. 'Tis its daily Conversation. Thence it is she fetches her chief Supports and Comfor…▪ It is this World is her Prison, the Body her …ns, and Remain-corruptions her Tormenters. …er Sallies into those Regions which are so bad Airs to an unregenerate Soul, are her Recreations and Reliefs. Such a Person who embraces the Gospel with all that belongs to it, can look inward, and read the Testimonials of his Sincerity, and consequently, its interest in all the Blessings of the new Covenant. He can rifle over his Conscience without fear from top to bottom; he can appeal to it for his Compurgator. Whatever Evil yet lodgeth in his Soul, if his Conscience be dim-sighted, or partial, he loves it not so well, but he will apply himself to the Supream Lord, in those honest Expressions of the Psalmist, Search me, O God, Psal. 139. 23.and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me into the way everlasting.
Heaven is the place of his Citizenship and Priviledges,Phil. 3. 20. foreign. his daily Walk, his Fathers House, his everlasting Rest; his Heart is there already. That is the Mark his Eye is fixed on, the Prize he aims at in his Christian Course. Every serious believing Meditation of that blessed State, imps his Wings, puts new Life into him. His name is written there, 'tis prepared for him; and he for it.
The more free, frequent and genuine his thoughts are of the Divine Being, the more full and ravishing are his Delights and Satisfactions. All those Attributes and Perfections of Glory, which are a terror to unsanctified Souls, shine upon him in the Face of Jesus Christ. He beholds that Justice and Power, that frowns so terribly on an unconverted Sinner reconciled to him, greatning and confirming his Felicity, transforming his Soul into the Divine Image, ravishing it from … World and himself; to live in, upon, and to this blessed and beatifying Object. It is one of the greatest acts of Self-denial he is capable of, to be willing to live at this distance from him. It is his chief support and stay, while in this Wilderness and Dungeon, that he shall behold his Face in righteousness, Psal. 17. 15he shall be satisfied, when he shall awake with his likeness.
Death is therefore become desirable. He can meditate its Terrors, and out of that invincible Conqueror extract Sweetness. Its Countenance is as amiable to him, as a broken demolished Prison to an escaped Prisoner. He can read that Text with a Comment to his own unexpressible advantage, And delivered them who through fear of Death, Heb. 2. 15.were all their life-time subject to Bondage.
He looks on Hell as a Flame that hath no Power on him, so much as to singe his Garments. Its Meditations have these, as its principal Effects. That he beholds in that Misery the evil of Sin, even of his own, the rich distinguishing and indearing Grace of God. The pity he owes to those yet within its Danger; how much he ought to love, serve, honour, long, and wait for that blessed Jesus from Heaven, who hath delivered him from wrath to come.
Seventhly, It is a lasting and a growing Grace.
1st, It is a lasting Peace; 'tis not a mere truce of a short period; 'tis not a Peace that depends on an humour, or mutable contingent Interests. It is a Peace that hath Gods Covenant, and the embracing Truth and Godliness for its basis. These are no fickle, feeble Foundations, they are alway of the same Countenance and Endearment. 'Tis built on Gods2 Sam. 23. 5. Covenant, which is an everlasting Covenant, well ordered in all things and sure. It is not every defect in the performance of Duty, nor every false Step we make in our walking, will break this Peace on Gods part. For while the heart is sincere, and the bent of the Soul for God and Duty, there's no Breach on the terms of Peace. The Covenant of God in Christ hath provided Pardon in course for eommon Infirmities, and Pardon upon Repentance for grosser miscarriages.
The Law or Covenant that was too weak to maintain our Peace, through the weakness of the Flesh, is not now the Covenant of our Peace: But such a Covenant as supposes our Infirmities, and hath provided a Justification in the sight of God, in a righteousness beyond our own. If any man sin, we have an 1 Joh. 2. 1. Phil. 3. 3.advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. We rejoyce in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the Flesh.
And on our part, so far as we embrace and understand the Gospel, those Providences which are dark to our Reason, and unpleasing to the Flesh, will not produce hard thoughts of God or Godliliness, and prove a make-bate in our hearts against them. We shall not be so foolish and unhappy, as to stumble at the Cross. Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.
2dly, As it is a lasting, so it is a growing Peace. The more we grow in Grace, and in the Knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the wise Application of it to our own Souls; the more will our Peace grow, and burnish. It will not rest in a bare negative Peace, exclusive of trouble and uneasiness; but will be accompanied with joy in believing. Like generous Wine poured into the glass by a skilful hand, it will sparkle and have the Mo… on… and Countenance that will affect the Eye and Tast with what is exceedingly grateful. But this Peace, tho capable of increase here to abundance, 'tis but a dwarf, an embrio, to what it shall arrive at in Heaven: 'Tis the same Peace begun here, that we shall carry with us thither, and which will there be consummate, and in its highest Perfection.
Eighthly, It is an inward Peace. It is a Joy without noise, none of that which is like the crackling of thorns under the pot. It is a secret silent thing, that which the stranger intermedleth not with. It breaks notProv. 18. 1. out into the vain and foolish Demonstrations of a wine-sprung-mind. It decorates the countenance with signs of an inward Pleasure, a delightful Scene acted on the Stage of the Mind: Its great Concerns are with God and its self, whose Communion is purely Spiritual. He that drinketh of the water that I shall give him, it shall be in him a well of water, springing up to eternal life.
Ninthly, It is a Peace that none under the sound of the Gospel want, but those who carelesly or wilfully reject.
Nothing but that unbelief, which is the hardness of the heart, can exclude and make us Strangers to this Peace. It is a general Peace in its tenders. God is so far reconciled in Christ, that none but by their own desault need want this incomparable Peace. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself: What he did in, and by Jesus Christ, hath laid the way open on his part. That which remains, is our Duty and Concern, scil. to be reconciled to God. Now then we are Embassadors for Christ, as tho 2 Cor. 5. 18, 20.God did beseech you by us. We beseech you in Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God. Upon this Consideration, we are to go out into the high ways and hedges, Luk. 14. 23and compel them to come in, that is, to the Gentiles, and the vilest of sinners among the Gentiles, and preach, and tender this peace through Jesus Christ, use all the Scripture-arguments; yea, those from the fall by sin, and the curse of the Law, and the misery of their condition under that fall and curse; and the blessed and gracious reliefs the Gospel of life affords; and not take a denial, if all the pains, and prayer, and patience, and means we can use may perswade them. But if all those will not do, we must lay the Damnation that follows, at their own Doors, their Blood, the Blood of their Souls upon their own Heads; their want of Peace is just on Gods, wilful on their parts.