Discourse of the Gospel of Peace, Tract 1 · Chapter 9

Discourse of the Gospel of Peace · Tract 1 · Chapter 9

p. 97CHAP. IX.

THE second Doctrine I observe from the Text, is, That there is in the Gospel of Peace sufficient furniture to maintain our peace, in our Christian Course against all Encounters.

SECT. I.

If our Feet be shod with the Armour of the Gospel of Peace; let our way be fair or foul, hard or soft, rough or smooth; 'tis all one: Our Armour is of proof; it will either preserve us from strokes, or so abate their force, that they shall not wound us. He shall give his Angels charge over thee, to keep thee Psal. 91. 11.Ps 91:11in all thy ways; they shall bear thee up in their hands, p. 98lest thou dash thy Foot against a Stone. This Promise is not so peculiar to Christ, but that his Members may apply, and take the comfort of it to themselves. Only we must take heed we go not out of our way, i. e. that way directed to by our God; for then we go out of God's protection. He never gave a good word to Sin, nor a Promise to us to secure us from the Evil of Sorrow, while we presume into the evil way of Sin. The Devil was an errant Cheat in so deceitfully reciting this Text to our Lord Jesus, as to leave out that necessary condition of its Blessing and Protection, [in thy ways]; and addingLuke 4. 1….Luke 4:1 [any time], which brake the Hedge God made about his Promise. We must take heed of being thus fooled by him, or our selves. Forsake her not, and she Prov. 4. 6.Prov 4:6shall preserve thee; i. e. forsake not the ways of Christ, the Divine Wisdom; keep them, and nothing shall be able to break thy Peace.

I shall next give some account of the Furniture of the Gospel, with its Powers and Tendences to maintain our Peace with Men, with our Selves, with our God.

If all these reach the Doctrine, or the Doctrine them, I hope the Gospel will be a Gainer, and they who embrace it on any terms, will be no Losers.

And I shall confider its Tendency to Peace with Men, in its Precepts and Rules for prevention of Contentions with, or Injuries from them: Its Rules for our Behaviour, and supports under their Injuries, in the Way of our Christian Duty and Deportment: Its Tende…cies to Peace with our selves, and with God.

First, Its Precepts; a Conformity to which, highly contribute to the prevention of Contentions with, or Injuries from Men.

p. 991st. The Precepts of Righteousness and Equity to all Men do so. What is it that the Lord requires of thee O Mic. 6. 8.Mic 6:8Man, but to do justly, love Mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? The Grace of God (i. e. the Gospel of his Grace) hath appeared to all Men; teaching us, that denying all Ʋngodliness and worldly Lusts, we should live Righteously, Soberly, and Godly in this World.

Observe how Righteousness, and doing justly, possess the first place in the order of the Texts; and it may signifie that (according to the Gospel) all other matters of Religion or Morals, without Justice and Righteousness in the front, are but mere Ciphers, and stand for nothing. What Precepts more equitable than render to all their due; Tribute to whom Tribute, Honour to whom Honour, Custom to whom Custom, Rom. 13. 7.Rom 13:7Fear to whom Fear?

All the Quarrels, and Injuries in the World are pretended at least to be for some Wrong done, or intended as the Cause. But this Precept of the Gospel duly put in practice, disarms Men of all just causes and pretences of breaking thy Peace, by causing thy Sufferings.

Secondly, That general Rule it gives, to do unto others, what we would should be done unto us; which is said by our Saviour to be the Law and the Prophets, i. e. the Sum and Substance of their moral Precepts, concerning the deportments of Men towards one another. This Rule conformed to, would dispose the whole World into an amicable and innocent Converse and deportment, in matters both religious and civil; We should see Halcyon days. And altho other Men, Men not much pretending to a Gospel-Spirit, are not likely to inslave themselves (as they p. 100deem it) to this blessed Rule, which hath the professed Suffrage of the Light of Nature, yet shining thorough the Darkness of all its Corruptions; thy apparent conformity to it in all thy ways would much win upon them (tho but for shame of the World) to carry it equitably and peaceably towards thee.

Thirdly, The Gospel obliges to a most benign, kind and beneficial carriage to all Men; both in word, deed and countenance. By all these to express good will to all Men. Do good to all, but especially to the Houshold of Faith. Let the Stream of thy kindness be most abounding to them that fear God; but not so restrained by that larger Channel, as not to reach in some degree the very worst of Men. The Gospel Rules give no countenance to a morose, tetrical, humoursom, and froward Behaviour, to a mere selfish, close-fisted, unmerciful Temper. It obliges to all that is worthily obliging, not only to Grace, but also to Nature: to whatsoever things are true; whatsoever things are ††Phil. 4. 8. foreignPhil 4:8venerable; whatsoever things are just; whatsoever things are pure; whatsoever things are lovely; whatsoever things are of good report: If there be any Vertue; if there be any Praise, to think of these things.

How great encouragement is given to beneficence in these Words; Trust in the Lord, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the Land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Add to thy Faith Vertue, and thou shalt have Provision from God, and Quiet with Men.

I must not omit so remarkable a Passage as, for scarcely for a righteous Man will one die, yet peradventure for a good Man some would even dare to die. This Goodness will not only bind bad Men to p. 101their good Behaviour, but oblige some to suffer for thee, rather than thou shouldst suffer. If Righteousness, bare severe Righteousness fail of obliging Men to be peaceable toward thee, Goodness and Benignity may eke it out to a sufficiency.

Fourthly, Not to render evil for evil. Doing wrong is a breach of Justice; But a returning of wrong for wrong, is a breach of the Peace. 'Tis an Injury returned that makes the War. That Passage is worthy the Divine Goodness and Wisdom of the Lord Jesus: Ye have heard that it hath been said;Mat. 5. 38. 39.Matt 5:38Matt 5:39 An Eye for an Eye, and a Tooth for a Tooth, (Talion Law right or wrong) but I say unto you, that ye resist not Evil: This is not the way to quench the Coals of Injury, but rather by suffering Evil patiently: If one smite thee on the one Cheek, turn the other to him also. Let Men be weary of doing thee Injury, before they shall be able to provoke thee to pay them in their own Coin, or do any thing in a way of revenge. The Jews held it lawful to revenge Injuries; and many of the Heathen Philosophers in their Morals maintained it, not only to be lawful but glorious: But what the Jews accounted innocent, and the Heathen a Vertue; that the Gospel-Law restrains as a Vice.

Fifthly, To carry our Climax a step higher; the Gospel obliges to render good for evil. See that none render evil for evil unto any Man, but ever follow 1 Thes. 5. 15.1 Thess 5:15that which is good, both among your selves, and to all Men. That of our Saviour is unparallell'd; Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy Neighbour, and hate thy Enemy: But I say unto you, Bless them that curse you; do good to them that p. 102hate you; and pray for them that persecute you, and despitefully use you. How did this kind of deportment melt the Heart of that envious and enraged Saul into not only desisting from his Pursuit of David, that upright and useful Servant of his; but turned his Wrath into Repentance; his obdurate Heart into Tears; and his false accusation into a Confession, that David was much his better. Thou (saith he) art more righteous than I; whereas I rewarded thee evil, thou hast rewarded me good this day. If such a deportment as this will not quench the Evil; 'tis such an one as is kindled from Hell.

Sixthly, The Gospel ranks Ʋnthankfulness, not only among the distastful, but the damnable Transgressions. Such as a Man of any goodness toward God or Men, will not be guilty of. Ʋnthankful, Ʋnholy is its order of speaking. And sure as Unthankfulness is the most ungrateful Vice in the Eyes of God and Men, Thankfulness must needs be the most grateful and obliging.

Seventhly, It recommends to us a publick Spirit for the Church and all Mankind. If we have the Impression of this upon us, we shall be apparently the Blessings of Mankind, a publick and common Good. And if the Outcry against us be, as it was of the Primitive Christians, that we are a publick Pest, a Plague to the World; this publick-spiritedness will be our Compurgator, and give our Accusers the Lye, as it did theirs; and in time render us as truly lovely, as1 Cor. 12. 13.1 Cor 12:13 before we were undeservedly hated.

And what is this publick Spirit, but to mind thePhil. 1. 17.Phil 1:17 common and universal Interest, and not narrow it to my Self, or my Family, or my Party? To be content, and choose to suffer in my own Person or Estate, p. 103that many may be the better for it. To be a Christian, and so much the more a Man as I am more a Christian than another. This is a Morality which the Gospel highly commends in the Apostles, and the Old Testament in Moses, &c. But the Blessed Son of God, whose Pattern the Gospel commends to us, as we value the worthy Name of Christian, excelled all in this Point; who gave his Life a ransom for many, and became Man, that he might by his Sufferings deliver us from Wrath to come, and reconcile us to God, with whom are all our Concerns.

Eighthly, It advises us to mind our proper work, and not to intermeddle with the matters that belong not to us.

The contrary to this is one of the greatest Makebaits in the World. Where this is practised, many a Rock of Offence, and provocation to Wrath is removed. Every Man to keep his Place, is an excellent way for every Man to keep his Peace. In order to this the Scriptures commend it as our Duty and Wisdom, from the highest to the lowest. David, though a great Prince, did not think he had no bounds to his Province: Lord (said he) My Heart Psal. 131. 1.Ps 131:1is not haughty, nor mine Eyes lofty; neither do I exercise my self in great matters, or in things too high for me: He did not attempt beside his standing, nor above his understanding.

The Truth is, that as Disorder disturbs the March or Motions of an Army, embroils a Man's business, consumes his Estate, Body, and Soul: so whoever is the Author of it, is look't on as an ill Man; and a busie Body is not only a Cause, but the very Evil it self. Therefore the Apostle exhorts the Christians not to be busie-bodies in other Mens matters.

p. 104This was proverbial among the Greeks, and to1 Pet. 4. 15. foreign.1 Pet 4:15 speak their Proverb in plain English, it signifies, or as B…shops, or medlers in other Mens Concerns. There are few things more provoking to mean Men; 'tis an Invasion and Intrusion into Property, a removing the Land-mark: Much more, and more justly provoking is it to Princes, Magistrates and Grandees, when private Persons, and of as private parts, shall intermeddle with their Arcana's. To study to be quiet, 1 Thes. 4. 7.1 Thess 4:7and to mind our own business, according to the Apostle's Rule, are as near of kin as Cause and Effect. And therefore proves this Gospel-Precept an excellent provision, for the preserving our Peace with Men.

SECT. II.

The Prudentials the Gospel furnishes us with, or allows to preserve our Peace.

I do not reckon the avoiding downright Sin, or that which is such per se; nor the necessary indispensable Duties themselves, which the Gospel obliges us to, among the Prudentials of a Christian, or within the verge of its determination. Whatever appears to be such, must without farther consideration be embraced, or rejected accordingly. If there be no avoiding of suffering, but at the price of Sin on either hand; he makes a fool's bargain, who purchases his Peace at so dear a rate. Prudentials ought not to determine on any consideration whatever: whether we shall transgress a negative Precept at any time: for that obliges ad semper. Though there be a time for all things; what is against a negative Precept is to be excepted; the Precept that forbids Murder, Uncleanness, Lying, &c. forbids p. 105it at all times. Neither doth Prudence reach the determination of the question of dispositive Duties, or Habits of Grace; whether we shall love God and fear him, or have a purpose and disposedness to obey all his positive or affirmative Precepts, when, and in what manner they become our Duties. Nor has it to do in matters of affirmative Commands, when a natural necessity, or what is equivalent, is a restraint upon us: For 'tis a ridiculous thing to put it to the determination of Prudence, Whether he that is blind, ought to read the Scriptures? or he that is deaf, hear the Word preached? or he that is a Prisoner, to go to the Christian Assemblies abroad? or he that has not any thing to dispose of, should communicate Relief to others?

The question that Prudence is concerned to determine in a time of danger, is; What we may do to avoid suffering, without violating the Rights of God or Man? If there be any room for the Wisdom of the Serpent, 'tis to defend us from the suffering, and yetMat. 10. 16.Matt 10:16 maintain the Innocency of the Dove.

First, The Gospel teaches, and gives a liberty to choose a lesser Evil (all things considered) for the preventing or avoiding a greater.

But we must take this Rule, as concerning the Evils of Affliction, not of Sin. If a lesser Sin, comparatively with a greater, stand in competition; both are absolutely to be rejected. We must not compound one Sin for another, to do any sinful Evil that Good may come thereby, Good either simply such, or Good comparatively, i. e. a lesser Evil, is so far from our liberty and maintaining Purity, that 'tis a Flood-gate to Impiety, and such a blank brand as Christianity abhors. And not rather as we be slanderously reported, p. 106and as some affirm that we say, Let us do evil, that Good may come thereby: Whose Damnation is just.

But we may admit, and chuse a lesser Evil of Affliction, to avoid a greater of the same kind. Nature teaches to expose an Arm to a blow, to save the Head; to take Medicines, suffer Incisions, Cauterisings, &c. to save our Lives, or preserve, or recover health. We are exhorted by Christ himself, when persecuted in one City, to fly into another, Mat. 10. 23. 24. 16. Act. 27. 11.Matt 10:23Matt 10:24Matt 10:16Acts 27:11and rather suffer a voluntary Banishment, than to abide the Oven's Mouth of an unmerciful, persecuting, tempting Adversary. We may preserve the liberty and safety of our Persons at the charge of our Purses. The Scriptures are so pregnant with Advices and Examples of this Nature, that 'tis needless to give more particulars.

Secondly, We may totally shift and avoid a suffering, by withdrawing out of its way, when 'tis threatned by some suddain transient motion.

Thus did our Lord himself, whose Pattern is an Authority equivalent to a divine Precept or Commission. Then took they up Stones to cast at him: but John 8. 59.John 8:59Jesus hid himself, and went out of the Temple, going through the midst of them, and passed by.

And it is fit to be observed, that this withdrawing was in the very Act of his preaching to the Jews, and from the Temple it self, the most solemn, and the only consecrated place of God's Worship. God doth not require us to regard our Safety so little, as for a bare Circumstance, to stand obstinately in the way of a mad Bull, or unreasonable inraged Men, who are worse.

p. 107Thirdly, We may, and ought to order the Circumstances of Time, Place, Number, and the like, (which are alway left to human Prudence) in Religious Actions, and Duties, as may most conduce to Safety, and free us from Disturbances from Men, and our own Fears; I say, the Circumstances, not omit the Duties themselves altogether, or so far as to hazard the Salvation, or necessary Edification of our Souls. This is the due Construction of Affirmative Precepts, that they bind not at all times, i. e. not to be practised always; (for otherwise we must be always praying, hearing, &c. and confound all Duties by performing them at the same instant of Time, which is neither a Duty, nor a Possibility;) but most to Edification.

Fourthly, We may be silent as to the open publick Profession of some Truths, at some times, wherein it will be made a Snare. We must not at any time deny the least Truth; to do so is utterly inexcusable, from the great Transgression, the presumptuous Sin. Suppose we were in Idolatrous Pagan, or Mahometan Countries: If we take liberty to speak some Truths as freely as we may, and do, in Christian Countries; we must on no occasion visit such places, but at the cost of our Lives, unless we should be defended by Miracles. When the Reason is the same in other Places, the Duty or Liberty is the same also. No Man ought to accuse himself. And if Men will accuse of professing necessary Truths with necessary Circumstances, as guilty of a Capital Crime; we may sayJohn 18. 23.John 18:23 as Christ, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil.

Fifthly, We may make use of any good Principles, which our Adversaries, or any of them hold in common with our selves, to conciliate their Friendship, p. 108and engage them to our Security. I confess 'tis one Expression, and sad evidence of the Malice that prevails in the World, that a disagreement in some one Opinion shall raise more Hatred, Enmity, and Mischief, than the agreement in an hundred shall kindle Love and Kindness. There is much of the great Abaddon in this, of the Destroyer of Christians, by destroying their Love; that in order to Hatred and Miseries, an Opinion, a meer Opinion, or peaceable Practice, contrary to our Sentiments, shall weigh so much as to render a Man unworthy our Love, Peace, or to Live: And yet many a Moral, and Evangelical Truth which he holds as we do, shall not be thought worthy to touch the Ballance, nor speak one good word for him. I shall cite only one Text, to speak, or rather confirm the design of this Particular. But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadduces,Acts 23. 6, 7.Acts 23:6Acts 23:7 and the other Pharisees; he cryed out in the open Assembly, Men and Brethren, I am a Pharisee, the Son of a Pharisee: of the Hope and Resurrection of the Dead am I called in question. The Issue was, the Pharisees, who were in that point one with him, took his part; and the Sadduces lost their unjust and cruel Design against the Innocent Apostle. It is no part of the Duty, or Commendation of a Christian, to be so silly, as not to know and promote a just Interest, by honest and lawful means. He that puts on this Furniture of Christian Prudence, may prevent much of that Trouble which others expose themselves unto, and might avoid without Sin. It were well if we knew the difference of suffering the breach of our outward Peace for Imprudence, from that which is for pure Conscience: I am sure that upon a just Discovery, the former cannot find so good a Security for p. 109its inward Peace as the latter; tho invincible Ignorance of the difference of the one from the other, may in some degree plead an excuse.

SECT. III.

If there be no avoiding Suffering without Sinning: If neither Piety nor Prudence can secure us, nor reconcile Men to us: Tho we cannot divert the Blow, we may ward it off, or be so well provided to bear its violence, that it shall not wound our better Part; its I…ons shall not enter into our Souls, our inward Quiet shall abide undisturbed, there shall be intire Peace.

For this we have a Promise from him that can as easily make it good, as speak it; When thou passest thorow the Waters, I will be with thee; and thorow Isa. 43. 2.Isa 43:2the Rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest thorow the Fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the Flame kindle upon thee. What higher Expressions of Security in Sufferings can be imagined? And what is the Sense of all but this, that in the midst of Dangers they shall be safe? The God of the Spirits of all Flesh will protect their Spirits from being afflicted, whatever their outward Calamities may be.

Another Passage like this, and one that brings its Construction in its Forehead, is, He shall deliver thee in six Troubles, yea, in seven there shall no evil Job 5. 19Job 5:19touch thee. Not only from Troubles, but in them: and how so? No Evil shall touch thee. Thy better Part shall not feel the smart of them; No, nor the Snare of them. They are indeed God's Corrections, or Tryals: Considered as the former, an afflicting Sense may be our Duty, and p. 110become us: But considered as the latter, for Righteousness Sake, and the keeping a good Conscience; 'tis our Duty and Priviledg, to be so far from afflicted, as to be affected with Joy. The Gospel hath provided such a Guard as is sufficient; a Guard like our Glass-Windows (tho of much better Mettal) that lets in the Light, and keeps out the Storm. Be Phil. 4. 6, 7.Phil 4:6Phil 4:7careful in nothing, but in every thing let your Requests be made known to God by Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving; and the Peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your Hearts and Minds through Jesus Christ. And that this Peace, as from God, is such as is like its Name, a Security from him, a Solace to our selves in that Security, 'tis said to be passing all understanding, which refers to the Cause and the Effects also.

To the Cause: As it hath that Virtue and Power that is able to fortify to the utmost; which the Greekforeign. will afford a more copious Expression of, scil. shall garison your Hearts, &c. The Lord, as the Lord of Hosts, will pitch his Tents not only round about thee, but within thee.

To this Effect, it is in and upon the Heart and Mind: They shall be preserved intire, there shall be no breaking in upon them: They shall not be pillaged of their Graces, or their Comforts: When all outward Peace and Comforts may be ravish'd from you, your Hearts and Minds shall be safe. And if they be safe, all is safe; if they be disturbed, whatever outward Blessings we possess, they are barren and fruitless. But if it be demanded, How can these things be? I answer, the Gospel hath shewed them unto us, or rather God by the Gospel, in its Furniture of Precepts, Promises, and adequate Provisions.

p. 111First, Our support under our suffering, is the well-grounded Contentment it directs and enables to.

A Contentment with what we have, and without what we have not; and both upon desirable and possible terms. Be content with the things that you have, foreign Jam. 1. 16Jas 1:16or that are present. Ay, may a Man say, that's easily said; as, Be ye warm'd and filled: But where shall we have the things needful to this Contentment with little or nothing, or it may be worse than nothing, Frowns, and Fears, and Foes, and Afflictions? The Well-Spring of this Contentment is in the next Words: The Lord put not his Servants on unreasonable or impossible things; for he hath said, I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee. And if there be not enough for thy present supply in God, graciously present with thee, Heaven it self will be barren of Contentment and Satisfaction.

This Contentment the Apostle Paul had actually learned in Christ's School, where every true Christian is a Scholar, and hath the same Book and Lesson asPhil. 4. 11.Phil 4:11 he; and the same Spirit to be his Instructer and Assister. God forbid (saith the same Apostle) that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Gal. 6. 14.Gal 6:14Christ, by whom (or whereby) the World is▪ crucified to me, and I unto the World. This was his Experiment, this was his Glory, that as the World was become without any beauty or desirableness, and but of little use to him; so his relish of it was as flat, as its taste was insipid; his love and desires towards it were as dull, low and unactive, as was its loveliness. And this being wrought in him by Christ, or (according to the Margin) by the Cross of Christ, the Cross became his Glory; that as it emptied him of the World, so it emptied him to it, and made him p. 112well content without it. He was as dead to the World, as the World was to him: This was his Contentment and Glory, and may by Grace become ours.

Secondly, The Satisfaction arises from having done our Duty and, maintained our Innocency.

Such a Testimony of our Consciences is sufficient to maintain our Peace within, and such a Peace, as, like generous Wine poured out, shall sparkle with Joy: This is our rejoycing, the Testimony of our 2 Cor. 2. 12.2 Cor 2:12Conscience. Believe it, a Man's Conscience has more to do in the keeping or breaking a Man's Peace than all the World beside. 'Tis not all the plenty or security the World can advance, that can withstand the Assaults Conscience can make against our Peace: And that Man's Peace cannot be low or assaultable, whose Witness is in Heaven, his Record on high, and both copied into his own Bosom. That Expression looks big, and somewhat like the Philosopher's; I carry my All with me. A good Man is satisfied from himself. The Philosopher gloried inPro. 14. 4.Prov 14:4 his Vertue, which was (according to his notion) his own, and none could take it from him. The evangelically good and vertuous Man has his satisfaction from his Conscience, witnessing his Innocency to Men, his Integrity to God. Let every Man prove his own work, so shall he have rejoycing in himself, and not in another; i. e. his Work being approved by Conscience, which is to a Man in God's-stead: Let the World say or do what they can, it will bring forth the genuine Fruit of an inward Satisfaction.

Thirdly, In these ways of the Gospel of Peace, a Christian avoids, and is secure against the greatest Trouble.

p. 113His Sins are pardoned, and the Evidence of reconciled Divine Favour shines, in all the holy Evangelical Principles that possess his Soul, and in the very Paths he walks in. That Man is blessed to whom God will not impute Sin; and what can tend more to make a Man a quiet Man, than the Contemplation of his being a blessed Man? How can any thing be left behind, where the Sting of Death is plucked out by the roots? Tho it may be he cannot please some implacable Men, God is pleased with him; forPsal. 11. 7Ps 11:7 his Countenance beholds the upright, and then more especially, when they are discountenanced by Men for Righteousness sake. As greater Troubles swallow up the lesser, so their unbounded Felicity by the free Grace of God in the Redeemer; may swallow up all afflicting sense of the absence of those lesser Comforts, which at best are but for the present; and though they come and go as God sees good in his own Wisdom, for the just Designs of his own Glory, they will leave the Peace of God dwelling and abiding with us.

Fourthly, The great Reward of Suffering for Christ's and Righteousness sake.

A believing sense of this is enough to keep a Heart quiet under the most impetuous Storms of Affliction, and suppress not only our Groans, but the most secret Murmurs or Reluctancies: Blessed are they Mat. 5. 12.Matt 5:12that are persecuted for Righteousness sake; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.—Rejoyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your Reward in Heaven: For so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you. A multitude of Texts of this Import are easily produced. That Christian's Sight is very dim, and his Heart more dark than the lowest Dungeon his present estate can be reduced unto, that cannot p. 114derive sufficient Consolation from all those bright Stars of this kind that shine over his Head. Certainly Believers are not made up all of Faith, and the little they have is very idle, when such Promises as these cannot keep them from breaking their Patience and Peace under a light Affliction. O for a Life of Faith! that's all that is wanting to confirm our Peace in the worst of Times, and put these words of Triumph first into our Hearts, and then into our Lips, I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; And Gal. 3. 20.Gal 3:20the Life that I now live in the Flesh, is by the Faith of the Son of God.

Fifthly, If all these Considerations prove not effectual by moral suasion, or as they carry in them the highest reason; to work a Christian walking in his Integrity into a quiet and calm Temper of Spirit: Yea, if all the Assistances of gracious Principles fall short of this end by their own Powers: There is somewhat I have yet to offer beyond them all; and that which all our Infirmities cannot baffle. And that is, God (according to his Promise) will undertake to work this Peace where the Mind is stayed on him. Tho it reach not the Triumph of the Assurance of Faith, or it is not strong enough to take fast hold of God's Strength and Truth, yet if it have but the Faith of Recumbency or Reliance; yea, but such a Faith as will keep it resolved from departing from God, he has ingaged to keep such a Soul in Peace, in perfect Peace. Thou wilt keep him in perfect Peace, whose Mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee. The God Isa. 26. 3.Isa 26:3of Peace has engaged to keep that Soul in Peace, who embraces the Gospel of Peace; yea, who embraces it sincerely, tho with much weakness.

p. 115Now, let the worst come to the worst: If (in thy Christian Course) all those holy, harmless, benign, obliging Deportments towards the Adversaries of Evangelical Holiness, which the Gospel directs and assists thee in, cannot make their hard Hearts relent, their Bowels express some Pity toward thee: If all thy Christian Prudentials cannot put by the designed blow, but it lights and lies heavy on thee: Yet there is a reserve within thy self, or with thy God, that will secure thy Peace under all their Pressures. But we have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels, that the excellency of the Power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, but not distressed; We are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed: Alway bearing about in our Body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our Body.

SECT. IV.

The Gospel Furniture, for preserving a Man's Peace with himself.

I am not now to consider Peace in general, or as within our selves as the Subject and Seat of it, but Peace with our selves, i. e. a Peace between those Faculties and Powers of the Soul, which are each of them apart of our selves; and also of the same faculty with it self. For not only the Judgment and Will, the Conscience and Affections may be at a jar one with another, but also the Judgment it self may not only hesitate, but militate with it self. I am in a straight betwixt two (saith the Apostle) first to determine which is best (all Circumstances considered) p. 116secondly, and consequently, which to choose. This Contest and Counter-acting may be found in the Conscience, Will, and all the Affections upon divers scores, not now intended to be handled: But there is that in the Gospel of Peace, which, though it do not, yea ought not to restrain all those Agitations, that sometimes counter-ballance, and give check to one another, and in the same faculty, yet it provides so, as notwithstanding to preserve the peace and tranquillity of a Man with himself, so as those counter-Motions shall make no Disturbance or Disquiet to him.

What this Furniture is, is the next question to be resolved, and that which answers the Design of this Section.

First, There is a sufficient clearness of Light in the Gospel, to determine and fix us aright in our main Concerns.

To be undetermined in our main Concerns (whatever prospect we have of other things) exposes us to storms within from the Contentions of the greatest Competitors that can have to do with us, or we with them. When the Judgment, Understanding, Will, &c. shall have the question agitated by them in earnest; Whether God or the World, the Flesh or the Spirit, Time or Eternity shall have the ascendant in our Hearts and Lives? The Issues of these things, or of such like import, are so momentous and weighty, as it may well put a Man upon the wrack. But when these things are adjusted and fixed, all other things are comparatively indifferent. So that, though every thing is to be considered, chosen, affected with a Christian Discretion, yet the Passions or Affections have no just provocation p. 117to be stirred up to so high a Ferment, or our Impressions to be so deep and piercing, as to disturb our Peace.

A sufficient proof of this we have in the Animosities that are in the World in the Concerns of Religion, beyond those which derive from diversities of Opinions in Philosophy, Medicine, or such Arts and Sciences as touch not Religion, or the Concerns of the Soul with God, and for Eternity. The reason is plain; because the one sort make no pretence to our main Concerns, which the other doth, as carrying our eternal Life or Death in their Hands. And though our Instance be of disquietness abroad, of Men one against another, yet all arises from those Lusts that war in our Members, and often act the same part among themselves. Having said thus much to clear our way, I shall say somewhat of the sufficiency of Evangelical Light, to help us to determine and fix in our main Concerns.Jam. 4. 1.Jas 4:1

Two great things, yea the greatest of all other, the Gospel-Light sufficiently determines.

First, That the knowledge and injoyment of, and conformity to God is our chiefest and only satisfying Good.

The knowledge of and conformity to God are essential to the enjoyment of him. The Evangelical Light of the Scriptures do so plainly discover these, that he that runs may read them, if he attend to it. I will instance in a few Texts; Acquaint thy self with Job 22. 31.Job 22:31him and be at peace, so shall good come unto thee: Peace the summary of all Good shall be thine, if thou so know God, as to injoy free and friendly Converse with him. My Punishment is greater than I can Gen. 4. 13, 14.Gen 4:13Gen 4:14bear, said Cain. And from thy Face shall I be hid. It p. 118seems, that Sin and Lust had not yet so far blotted out the Truth of Man's Happiness, consisting in the injoyment of God; but that some notions and sense of it did abide in so bad a Man as Cain, or at least was restored by the Gospel, as it was revealed in thoseExod. 33. 18.Exod 33:18 early days.

And he (Moses) said, I beseech thee shew me thy Glory. The Lord had signified to his Servant Moses in the verse next foregoing, the special Favour he had for him: Thou hast found Grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. In the contemplation of this, Moses proposes to himself the highest improvements of so great a Favour; and this he pitches on, and no other, as that which includes all other, as that which reached the topmost and highest Point of Man's Blessedness; I beseech thee shew me thy Glory.Ps. 17. 15.Ps 17:15

I will behold thy Face in Righteousness, I shall be satisfied when I shall awake with thy Likeness. Here is all in one Text, the Knowledg and Injoyment of God in a state of Conformity to him, is a satisfying Good.Mat. 5. 8.Matt 5:8

Blessed are the pure in Heart, for they shall see God. I shall add but one more: Beloved, now are 1 Joh. 3. 2.1 John 3:2we the Sons of God, but it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. This is our present Satisfaction, that we know by the Light of the Gospel that the time will come that we shall have a satisfying Vision of God. So far as this great Truth is embraced, there remains no more …i…igants in that great claim. Motions and suggestions may arise in a good and honest Heart, that carry a Contradiction to this blessed Evidence, but they are but as a few Straglers of a routed Army.

p. 119Secondly, The Gospel clearly determines the way to this Blessedness and Satisfaction.

Men may fully and darken its Evidence, by straining their Wits to make it seem to countenance their Sin and Worldly Interests; that licentiousness or loosness that is so dear to them, or that Pride and Vanity of Mind that some Men an… too f…nd of: But if Men would come to the Gospel-Light with good and honest Hearts, and instead of an Industry, to n…rrow their Duty with an Enquiry, how little may we do, and yet be saved? To enquire only with St. Paul; Lord, what wil… thou have me to do? The way to the Injoyment of our chiefest Good would be much more clear, though it may be not all so wide, as some Men must have it, or perish.

What does the Gospel speak more clearly, than Reconciliation to God by Jesus Christ, Justification by his Blood, Sanctificatian by his Spirit unto Obebedience, and that Faith which embraces all these, and goes to God by Christ alone as the Mediator of the new Covenant? No Man comes to the Father Joh. 14. 6.John 14:6but by me: There is one Mediator betwixt God and 1 Tim. 2. 5.1 Tim 2:5Man, the Man Christ Jesus. Being justified by Faith, we have Peace with God through the Blood of his Cross. Faith without Works is dead. Elect through Sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience, and sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ.—Grace and Peace unto you, &c. These things are so easily understood, as were it not for some heavy biass, that Prophecy would pass for performed long since. And an High-Way shall be there, and a Way, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness: The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for Isa. 35. 8.Isa 35:8those, the wayfaring Men, though Fools, shall not err therein.

p. 120Secondly, The Gospel excludes double-mindedness, and directs to the making God our sole ultimate End, and all other things subordinate to him.

They who would have God, and the Happiness which is in his Favour, and yet are as much resolved to have the World, and gratify their Lusts too, create to themselves an inextricable Labyrinth of Contradictions and Troubles. The way of this Blessedness, and that of Sin, never lie together. The way of this Blessedness, and that of the otherwise lawful injoyments of the World, often part. What shall the double-minded Man do? How shall he agree with himself in this case? He cannot be satisfied without both, and both he cannot have. His Affections are set on things above, and things on the Earth also. Will not this cruciate his Soul, tear his Thoughts, Affections and Contentments asunder, and set them together by the Ears about their divided and contrary Interests? Will not that Man go forward and backward, sometime in God's Way, and by and by he breaks over the Hedge? A double-minded Man is unstable Jam. 1. 8.Jas 1:8in all his ways. He aims at God and the World, injoys neither, no nor himself. Where, according to the Gospel-Rule, the Aim is single and sincere for God; all things that tend to that holy and happy End, are in a straight Line, are at an Agreement among themselves; their Way lies together in a happy Concord. The Soul that has but that one principal Mark, may press forward towards it in a peaceful Order. If thine Eye be single, thy whole Body shall be full of Light: But if thine Eye be evil (i. e. double) thine whole Body shall be full of Darkness. Errour and Distraction will possess the Head, where contraries possess the Heart: But clearness of Understanding, p. 121Contentment, and Comfort are the Companions of a Soul sincerely disposed for God, the one and only due End.

I will add one notable Instance of him who came to Christ with a Good Master! What good Thing Mat. 19. 16.Matt 19:16shall I do, that I may have Eternal Life? Here he seems a single-ey'd Man, that aim'd at the one thing necessary, and would spend all the Arrows in his Quiver to hit that Mark: But when all came to all, a latent Love, absolute prevailing Love to the World discovers it self: Sell that thou hast, and give v. 21.to the poor, and come and follow me, was too hard a Bargain, too great a Price for Treasure in Heaven: He parts with Christ and Treasure in Heaven for his Treasures on Earth, yet with so little satisfaction, that it was a sorrowful parting: He went away sorrowful: Whereas, had he had the single Aim of Zacheus, v. 22.he had parted freely with the World, for the Embraces of Christ and Heaven, and rejoyced at so happy a lot.

Thirdly, The Gospel discovers and commends to us all Goodness, Vertue, and necessary Truth, without mixture of Evil or Error.

All Goodness, Vertue and Truth are at peace among themselves. There can be no Discord between one Truth and another, one Vertue and another.

So far as Truth and Goodness have the Dominion, there will be Peace: and so far as the Gospel is understood and embraced, they will be uppermost. It is not so with Error, Ignorance, Vice and Sin; They are at variance among themselves: One Error contrary to another, one Lust contrary to another: And he who serves them, and follows their Conduct with greatest fervor, is like to be the most unhappy Man, p. 122as they separate him farthest from Peace with God▪ and with himself.

Two Titles are ascribed to Christ and his Kingdom; Melchisedec King of Salem. Melchisedec Heb. 7. 1.Heb 7:1which is here put for a proper Name, is a compound Word, and signifies King of Righteousness. If the Hebrew of the Title, King of Salem, had been also retained, it would have been Melech-Salem; and both interpreted, King of Righteousness, and King of Peace. Sure I am Jesus Christ, bears no empty Names or Titles. And these now considered carry this Truth in their Fore-heads; that where Righteousness has the Dominion, Peace will be the blessed Issue; wherever 'tis extended, to without us, or within us, to others, or our selves.

'Tis said, Col. 1. 13. Who hath delivered us from the Power of Darkness, and hath translated us into Col. 1. 13.Col 1:13the Kingdom of his dear Son. The Power of Darkness, which is, either the Devil, or those Lusts by which he prevails, or rather both: 'Tis called a Power; that to which we are translated, a Kingdom: The one being a meer unrighteous Force, that which can plead no Right, or Authority from God, or pure Nature. 'Tis a perfect mischievous Tyranny, full of Error, Confusion, Contradiction and Fear: They who are Slaves to this Tyranny, must needs be alway quarrelling with themselves: But a Kingdom (and a Kingdom of the dear Son of God especially) is a State of Law, Righteousness, Order, Common-good and Tranquillity, and therefore desireable and peaceable.

Fourthly, So far as the Gospel of Peace is embraced, The Ʋnderstanding, Conscience and Will are agreed, and have a peaceful Harmony in the same Subject.

p. 123They are all regulated by that Law, which most effectually and infallibly answer to the righteous Ends of God, his own Glory, and the pure natural, and rational Ends of Man, his consummate Good: This is Peace, pure Peace.

All these Faculties are part of our selves; but where Truth prevails on the Judgement, Conviction moves the Conscience, and stubborn Opposition possesses the Will, how can that Man be at peace with himself? There is certainly the most domestick, intestine, unnatural War that can be imagined: The Judgment directs the Conscience, the Conscience first commands the Will, and upon its Opposition, or Rebellion rather, it discharges all its Artillery against that and the Man himself, whose Will is thus obdurate. Conscience flashes Hell into the Soul like so many Granadoes or Fireballs, breeds the knawing Worm there that never dies, till Conversion; or Conscience tired and fallen asleep, or so often ba…led as to desist from farther Attempts: But if it come to this last, the Condition of that Man is so much the more desperate, and next door to that of a Reprobate. Tell me then in sober sadness, if the Gospel understood, and embraced into the Possession of the whole Soul, is not a blessed Mean to that Peace with our selves, which, next to that with God, is our greatest Concern?

To apply it more particularly: 'Tis hard for them that converse with the Gospel (except Atheism or desperate Hardness of Heart have gotten the ascendant) not to be convinced that there is a God, that God is the God of Peace, that Obedience to the Gospel is the high-way to Peace with God and eternal Life: But if the Will and Affections maintain p. 124the contrary, and rebel against this Light, this Light turns to Fire in the Bosom, it wounds the Soul, and makes those Breaches as let out all its Peace, without which Life it self is not worth continuing. Thou knowest better things than thou dost love or live; every step thou takest Conscience meets thee with a sore Rebuke, and tells thee no Man goes this way and lives. Conscience neither fears nor spares thee.Rom. 1. 18.Rom 1:18 But when once thou bearest a respect, a sincere powerful respect to all the Evangelical Law; and thy Judgment, Conscience and Will are under its Conduct; all of them conspire to a sweet Calm, a holy Serenity under the Shines of God's Countenance, and well-grounded Evidences of the Uprightness of thy Heart, and the Goodness of thy State.

Fifthly, The Gospel obliges us to a Resignation of our Judgments to the Divine Wisdom, and our Wills & Affections to the Divine Will, revealed in the Scriptures.

If the Light of Nature, corrupted by the Fall, was so far benighted, that the World by Wisdom knew not 1 Cor. 1. 21.1 Cor 1:21God; but did as it were feel (or grope) after him, as Men without either Eyes or Light; what certaintyActs 17. 27.Acts 17:27 in matters Divine or Spiritual could be expected from it? How unfruitful, and consequently how unpeaceable would all our Agitations be, in quest of those Truths that most concerned us? Whereas now by the Light of the Gospel, we have the Umpirage of the Divine Wisdom and Veracity. All we have to consider, is duly to understand the true Sense of the written Word, which is the Oracles of God. TherePsal. 119. 99.Ps 119:99 is sufficient in his ipse dixit to determine all Controversies, solve all Difficulties, answer all Objections, fix the Mind upon that Rock of Truth, which is as firm and as stable as its Author.

p. 125And though the right Understanding of the Sense of some Texts of holy Writ hath been a Bone of so much Contention and Mischief in the Church; 'tis not to be imputed to the Obscurity of the Text in momentous Matters at least, such as are necessary to Salvation: But to the Pride and corrupt Interests that Men first espouse, and then cruciate the Scriptures to serve those Lusts, with the Sanction of a Divine Authority. When the Christian World shall become honest, humble, heavenly and peaceable; the Scriptures will not only be better practised, but also much more easily understood, and Men shall see eye to eye their true meaning.

If we consider the resignation of our Will's and Affections to the Divine Will; we shall find it equally contributing to Peace with our selves, with that resignation of our Understandings and Opinions to the Divine Wisdom.

There is indeed no Peace with our selves in any thing short of this Method, and this will reach it infallibly. Experience proves that Children left toProv. 22, 15.Prov 22:15 their own Wills and Appetites, are of all others the most froward and troublesom to others, and themselves also. That Liberty of Will proves the greatest Bondage and Torment. Therefore Parents, in reference to the Childrens Good and Quiet, take it to be not only their Authority, but the genuine Fruit of Parental Love, to subdue their Childrens Wills to an absolute Subjection to their Command; 'till they have their own Reason grown up to some competency to govern themselves.

But when they are risen to a Freedom from parental Tutelage, is all then secure? is there no danger of brutish self-disturbing and self-destroying Passions? p. 126Far otherwise: Nothing more blind, heady, ungovernedJob 11. 12.Job 11:12 than Man left to himself. But suppose that at mature Age he betake himself to a comporting with the Wills of others; this will but increase his Difficulty and Torment. If he pleases one, he shall displease others. One Man wills, another nills the same thing; and 'tis so with Men of equal repute for Wisdom. Ignorance, Conceit, Humour, Custom, Interest, inslave almost all Mankind, and biass them from the true and straight Measures of Truth and Goodness: So that a Man that has any Care of his own Concerns, had need put the question, whether he or they to whose Advice or Authority he commits his Will, betray him not to some greater Evils than meer Inconveniences, from the taint of some one or more of the above-named Biasses? But if he do so, I am in a dream waking, if he increase not his Perplexities, and tempt himself to let loose the Reins of his Fancy, or sit down altogether unconcerned in the matters of God and his Soul, whatever he may do as to the Concerns of this World. But the Will, and Affections resigned to the Will and Conduct of God and the Redeemer, hath all the Security imaginable. There can be no Ignorance in Wisdom it self, nor Design to deceive in Truth and Faithfulness it self. God hath not, nor can have any Ends to serve upon us, for he needs nothing out of himself: Nor can there be any Addition to Perfection. All that God pretends to from us, is his own Glory: and to render him that is, not only most agreable to pure Humanity, and becoming his Creature; but by the Divine Grace is made inseparable from our own Good. And as ill as the Behaviour of faln Man has been towards his God; the Gospel of p. 127Christ hath its whole Design and Tendency written in its Fore-head; Glory to God in the highest, Peace on Earth, good Will towards Men.Luk. 2. 14.Luke 2:14

To conclude, I will appeal to the Experiences of all that have trusted God, so far as to try him by this holy Resignation of their whole Soul to his Wisdom and Will, if they have not found their Peace with themselves, thrive or languish according to their Sincerity in this Resignation.

Sixthly, The Gospel above all things explodes designed Hypocrisy.

The designed Hypocrite aims at deluding others, by Simulation and Dissimulation, i. e. by putting on an appearance of what he is not, and by hiding from others what he really is: Thus his Inside and Outside are at the highest jarr and disagreement. Now as the whole Masque of an Hypocrite is a mere piece of Art and Juggle, an Appearance that ariseth not from inward spontaneous Principles; 'tis matter of continual Pain and Care to maintain and carry on this Imagery: And if it be done so like the Truth and Life, that, as the Disciples of Christ, every one will suspect himself rather than this Judas; yet in the mean time his Heart reproaches him, his Conscience that sees all, and is under no Temptation to Fear or Flattery, casts in his Teeth, that all his painted laboured outside, is but Sham and Illusion. Beside all this, he finds it a hard Task to carry on the Cheat long without discovery; and in the mean time his Guilt puts him in continual Fear, that he is detected, and that others suspect what he knows of himself to be too true. Thus the Hypocrite has no Peace in, no agreement with himself.

p. 128But a sincere, upright and free Soul, which the Gospel so much commends, doth not pace it in Trammels, needs no Paint nor Peruque, may spare all those troublesom Artifices. Let but the renewed Nature, the Love and Fear of God, the living Principles of Grace that are within, have their free course; and the outward Countenance of the Conversation will naturally and easily be formed a Saint, a holy, blameless, lovely, divine thing. The King's Daughter is all glorious within, and her Raiment is of embroidered Ps. 45. 13.Ps 45:13Gold. The outside of a sincere Christian agrees to the inside, but is somewhat the worse of the two. Our Lord Jesus Christ advises, to wash the inside of the Cup or Platter, that the outside may be Mat. 23. 26.Matt 23:26clean also; i. e. cleanse the Spring, and that will cleanse the Stream, make the Stream like it self without more ado: two works are done in one; whereas the Hypocrite cleansing the outside only, acts but the labour in vain, and is still like the garnished Sepulchre, fair without, but the inside full of stench and rottenness.

SECT. V.

The Gospel furnishes us with a sufficiency to maintain our Peace with God. This it doth three ways:

First; It furnishes us with a Covenant of Peace with God, whose Terms are the sincere Obedience of Faith. If fallen Man had been set upon his Legs again, and every Individual made a Candidate for his own Perfection in fulfilling the Law of Works: But, he not continuing in all things that are written in the Law to fulfil it, must have fallen under the Curse; his Market had been but little amended. Our security p. 129of our first Parent, in whose standing or falling He and all his Posterity were concerned; was more likely to ingage his Perseverance than our Concern only for our single selves.

But the Gospel hath provided better things for us: For though we are defective in our Duty, subject to many Infirmities, ever and anon making false Steps, yet while our Eyes are single, our Aims sincere to please God in all things, God is pleased with us, our Peace is kept with him, His Countenance beholds Ps. 11. 7.Ps 11:7the upright.

Secondly; In case of wilful, known Transgressions, which the Psalmist calls the presumptuous Sin, the great Transgression, which indeed lays our Peace a bleeding; True Evangelical Repentance renewes the Soul to its Integrity in it self, and its Peace with God. If we confess our Sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our Sins, and to cleanse us from all 1 John 1. 9.1 John 1:9Ʋnrighteousness. God's Justice to Christ's Purchase, and his Faithfulness to his own Promise oblige him to Forgiveness, and all is Peace again between him and us. No sooner David said, I have sinned, but Nathan by commission from God and in his Name answered; The Lord hath also put away 2 Sam. 15. 13.2 Sam 15:13thy Sin. And that every true Penitent shall meet with the same relief; the Psalmist gives us his own experience, with what hope others ought to raise from thence. I acknowledged my Sin unto thee, and mine Iniquity have I not hid; I said I will confess Psal. 32. 5, 6.Ps 32:5Ps 32:6my Transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the Iniquity of my Sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly, pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: Surely in the Floods of great Waters, they shall not come nigh unto him. Blessed p. 130Terms of maintaining Peace with God! That no sooner Repentance has gone so far as a real Purpose, but God will meet the humbled Soul with an answer of Peace.

This was not the manner of the Law of Works: for there was no place for Repentance: Its Severity rendred the first Fault to be Death without Remedy.

Thirdly; The Interest in the Son of God, as our Advocate at his Right Hand.

This blessed God-man is ascended and seated a Lieger and Stationary at the Right Hand of his Father, for this very end; There he everliveth to make Intercession for us. Indeed the Gospel with all its Priviledges, leaves us in this World to a Necessity of such a Friend in the Court of Heaven: But such a faithful and effectual Friend he is, that an upright Soul may live at Hearts ease in this World, for all it needs fear of a breach with God. If any Man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ 1 Joh. 2. 1.1 John 2:1the righteous.

This blessed Advocate is concerned in the execution of that Office, principally for three things: First, to obtain assisting Grace, that we may not fall into Sin. Secondly, Restoring Grace, that we may be recovered out of the Snare of the Devil. Thirdly, Pardoning Grace, that we may have the same Smiles of God's Face, the same delightful Converse with him, and the same plentiful Communications from him.

All that has been said (though short, exceeding short of what is real Truth, revealed Truth in this matter) may be abundantly sufficient to confirm that great Gospel-truth. That there is sufficient Furniture p. 131in the Gospel, to maintain our Peace in our Christian Course against all Encounters. That which remains will be to consider, what this Doctrine teaches, and obliges to the belief and practise of.