Sermons on Psalm 119, Sermons · Sermon 179
SERMON CLXXIX.
PSALM CXIX. VER. 165.
Great Peace have they that love thy Law, and nothing shall offend them.
ALL that live in this World, find this life a Warfar, Iob 7. 1. Much more must the godly expect difficulties and conflicts, Psal. 34. 19. Many are the troubles of the Righteous; to the eye of Flesh, no Condition seemeth worse, and more obnoxious to misery, then the Condition of those that serve God; yet in reality none are in a better Estate, what ever happeneth, they are at Peace, built on the corner-stone which God hath layed in Zion, and therefore in all the Commotions and Troubles of the World, they are safe. This is that which David here observeth.
In the former verse, he had told us, that it was his custom to praise God seven times a day, for his righteous judgments; and now he sheweth the reason, namely, from the ordinary course and tenour of these Judgments, or dispensation of his Providence, which was to give peace to them that keep his Law, Great peace, &c.
In these Words you have,
I. A priviledge, great peace have they.
II. The Qualification, that love thy Law.
III. The Effect, nothing shall offend them.
Let me open these Branches, the Priviledge is peace, and that is threefold,
First, External.
Secondly, Internal.
Thirdly, And Eternal.
First, External, in the House, the City or Countrey, and Societies where we Live: in this sence 'tis taken, Psalm 122. 6, 7. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper, that love thee; peace be within thy walls. Now this is not all that is meant here, for this is a common benefit, though often vouchsafed for the sake of them that love God: as Musick cannot be heard alone, though intended but to one person, yet others share with him in the benefit of it: Or if you understand it of his own personal peace, or being at amity with men, they do not always enjoy that, Gods best Children are often forced to be men of Contention, that is passively, they are contended with, and troubled in the world, Ier. 15. 10. And therefore the Apostle saith, Rom. 12. 18. If it be possible, as much as lyeth in you, live peaceably with all men. 'Tis not always to be had, but we should indeavour to live in peace with all men.
Secondly, There is Internal peace, arising either from Justification, Rom. 5. 1, or Sanctification, Isa. 32. 17. The Fruit of Righteousness is peace; or from Contentment with our condition, Phil. 4. 7. By Justification we have peace, when God is reconciled, and made a Friend. By Sanctification we have peace, when we walk evenly with God. And by Contentment we have peace, when our Affections are calmed, and rightly ordered, or set upon more worthy and noble objects. So that we are not troubled at the loss of outward things, these are the ingredients necessary to internal peace, which is (I suppose) principally intended here, inward comfort and contentment of mind.
Thirdly, There is eternal peace, that happy and quiet estate which we shall injoy in heaven, when we are above all desertions, temptations, and the trouble of hostile incursions, when we shall never have frown more from Gods face, when our Sun shall alwayes shine without Cloud, or Night: When our strife is our over, and our Enemies that do infest us now, are all overcome, there is no Satan to tempt us, no Serpent in the upper Paradise, no world to trouble or divert us: For all the wicked are bound hand and foot, and cast into unquenchable fire; there is no flesh to clog us, for all is perfect; this glorious estate is called peace in Scripture, as Rom. 2. 10. God will give Glory, Honour, Peace to every man that worketh Good, to the Iew first, and also to the Gentile, and Rom. 8. 6. To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. By death is meant the Torments of Hell, and by Life and Peace the Joys Heaven. And speaking of the blessedness of those that die in the Lord, he saith, Isa. 59. 2. They shall enter into peace. Now this cannot principally be intended here, for the man of God speaketh of what we have, not of what we hope for; and he speaks of Gods righteous dispensations here in the World, for which he praised him; and therefore 'tis meant of our peace here, but yet it's the sence of peace and happiness we shall have in Heaven, that hath an influence upon the tranquillity of our hearts and minds here.
II. Let me a little explain the qualification, that love thy Law: The Word Law is sometimes taken in a limited sense, for the Decalogue, or moral Law; or else more generally, for the whole doctrine of the Covenant, the whole Tenour of Religion, Law and Gospel: So here, and else-where, as, the Isles shall wait for thy Law, Isa. 42. 4. That is, shall readily receive and imbrace his doctrine. So Dan. 6. 5. We shall not find occasion against this Daniel, unless we find it in the Law of his God. That is, in his Religion. So Psal. 1. 2. But his delight is the Law of the Lord. By the Law of the Lord is meant the whole Word of God; well now 'tis said they love his Law, not only keep it, but love it: A child of God is sometimes described by his faith, sometimes by his hope, or by his fear, but more often by his love: That commanding and swaying Affection, that sets the whole soul a-work, they love thy law; there is Emphasis in that.
III. Here is the Consequent, nothing shall offend them. The Septuagint renders it foreign. They have not scandals, they have their troubles, but no stumbling blocks, 1 Iohn 2. 10. There is no occasion of stumbling in them: There is the same Word used there, which the Septuagint useth here; scandal is either active, or passive, given or taken: That which is taken out of weakness, as young Professors, or out of pride and malice; they interpreted many things in a worse sence, when they know it might be interpreted in a better. Now, nothing shall scandalize them, peace with God prevents the scandals of weakness; and love to the law prevents scandals out of pride and malice: Nothing shall scandalize them, many things are apt to scanlize men, as Gods Judgments, for which David did so often every day, and so solemnly praise God. But they that love his law, and thereby obtained great peace, they will not stumble at Gods dispensations, let them be never so cross to their desires and expectations: Because they have a sure Covenant, that is, a sure rule, and sure promises, they are not scandalized by the miscarriages of men, they can distinguish between the Art and the Artificer, if the Artist fail, the Art is not to be blamed. The reproaches that are cast upon the ways of God, it doth not offend them, for they have found God in that way, others speak evil of; Gold is Gold though cast into the dirt; dogs will bark at the Moon when it shineth brightest; would any man be troubled if a Cripple mock him for going uprightly? shall we leave the ways of God wherein we have found comfort and peace, because others speak against them? He is not offended at this. But that which is meant here is such an offence as turneth them from God, otherwise a good Man may fall and stumble, but not into final Apostacy, and he is usually kept from lesser offences; a child of God may be offended in lesser cases, but not so offended as to fall and break his neck.
But why is it called great Peace, it noteth the excellency of this kind of peace; 'tis not only peace, but great peace, such as is rich and glorious, Phil. 4. 7. A peace that passeth all understanding, or it may note the degree and quantity of it, abundance of peace, as 'tis Psal. 37. 11. and Psal. 72. 7. I speak peace to them that are afar off; or peace like a River, Isaiah 48. 8. or pure peace.
Three points I shall handle,
Doctrine. I. That 'tis the property of Gods Children to love his Law.
Doctrine. II. Those that love the Law, shall have great peace.
Doctrine. III. This blessed peace maketh a man hold on in the way of Obedience, what ever impediments, stumbling blocks, or discouragements, he meets withal.
First Point. That it is the property of Gods Children, not only to keep his law, but to love his Law.
This is often spoken of in this Psalm; now I prove it thus,
Reasons.
I. They love God, and therefore they love his Law; how doth that follow? The Love that passeth between God and us, is not an arbitrary Love of Equals, but the necessary dutiful respect that Inferiours owe to their Superiours, such as Children owe to their Father, Servants to their Master, Subjects to their Prince and Governour. Therefore 'tis not a fellow-like familiarity, but a dutiful submission and subjection to Gods Authority; and therefore if we love God, we will love his Law: 'Tis Gods condescension that he will use us like Friends, in regard of Communion and converse with us, as Abraham was called Gods Friend, Iam. 2. 23. Yet we are but servants, though we are used like Friends, and there is a debt and bond of duty lying upon us, and so if we bear any respect to God, it must be determined by our respect to his Laws, and demonstrated by our obedience to them, not by acts of ordinary courtesie and kindness: This is often spoken of, Iohn 14. 15. If ye love me, keep my Commandements, and 21 verse. He that hath my Commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, Iohn 15. 14. Ye are my Friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. Though none condescendeth to such acts of kindness and friendship, as God in Christ hath done; yet still he standeth upon his soveraignty; if ye love me keep, my Commandments. Gods love to us 'tis indeed a love of bounty, but our love is a love of duty and service. I have not yet done with this Reason, it necessarily follows from the Love of God, though you abstract him from the notion of a Sovereign and Law-giver, and should love him only because of the excellency of his Nature: Now thus I argue, the same reasons that carry us to Love God, do carry us also to love his Law; for he that loveth God, will love any thing of God, where ever he finds it: he will love his Word, he will love his Saints, but chiefly his Word, for that is most to be loved, because that hath most of God in it; the Law is a copy of his Holiness, the tract of God is in the Creatures, there is his vestigium. His Image is in his Saints, they resemble his divine Qualities, but his most lively print and character is upon his Word.
The Image of God in his Saints, is obscured by their infirmities; but the Law of God is perfect, there is no blemish there, this is the fairest copy and draught of his Holiness. Nay once more, in this Argument abstract the consideration of his authority and the perfection of his Being, yet our obligations to God as our Benefactor will inforce this love to his Word, and make it sweet to us; because 'tis the Letter of our Friend and Benefactor, and the signification of his Will, to whom we owe Life, and Breath, and all things: And therefore though the Law did not deserve to be loved for its own sake, yet it should be sweet for his sake from whom it cometh; he hath evidenced much love to us, as we are Creatures; but much more love in Christ, as we are sinners; and it should be acceptable to us, upon his account. Love and Gratitude will constrain us to do his Will, and regard his Commands, 3 Cor. 5. 14. If we have any sence of our great obligations to him, it must needs be so.
II. Gods Children find such an excellency in his Law, that they must needs Love it. As 'tis,
1. A plain, clear Word, that doth fully discover the Will of God, and not leave duty to our own uncertain guesses; it puts duty into a plain stated course, how we may come to be blessed for ever more, Psal. 119. 105. Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path: Light is pleasant, but darkness is uncomfortable. When Aristotle was asked why all men do love the Light, his answer was, That was the question of a blind man, sence discovereth sufficiently why we should Love the Light: Certainly, If you ask why men do not love the Word of God, 'tis because the God of this World hath blinded their Eyes, 2 Cor. 4. 4.
2. 'Tis a good Word, because 'tis suited to our necessities, so we read Heb. 6. 5. If so be ye have tasted the good Word. Is food good when a man is hungry? Is drink good when a man is thirsty? Then the Word of God is good, for it suiteth with the necessities of our Souls, as these things do with our Bodies, 1 Tim. 1. 15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Iesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. The Gospel is a Doctrine fitted for hungry Consciences; if our inward senses were not benummed, and we were not so Christ-glutted and Gospel-glutted as we are; Oh how precious would these tenders of Grace be to our Souls!
3. 'Tis a pure Word; so David gives the reason in the 140 verse of this Psalm, Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it. Hypocrites will now and then relish the comforts of the Gospel, be affected with the Word, because it speaketh such good things to poor sinners; but Gods Children love the Word, for its Purity and Holiness. It meeteth with every sin, and directeth them to every Duty necessary, for the enjoyment of the Blessed God; 'tis not Comfort only must draw our love, but Holiness. This argueth the life and power of Grace, when we would not have the Law of God less strict and holy, then it is: but love it for this very reason, because 'tis pure, strict, and holy. You would not think a beggar loves you, because he liketh your Almes, but he is loth to stay with you for your service, and live under the orderly Government of your Family. Most mens love to the Word is such, they delight in the Comforts of it as an Almes, but they hate the Duty of it, as a task: they had rather let the Duties of it alone, if it could be without danger, and forbear them, if they durst: Oh but when your hearts consent to the purity of the Law, and you would chuse that Life which it points out unto you, rather than any life in the World, or the most absolute freedom, that the heart of Man can imagine, so that you love your Master the more because he hath appointed you such work; this is true Affection to God, and his Word: You had rather live in Holiness than Sin, if you had your freest choice; 'tis a sign then you love Holiness, for Holiness sake; and admire that in the Word, which is most worthy its strictness.
4. 'Tis a Sublime Word; Verse 129. Thy testimonies are wonderful, therefore doth my soul keep them. Here are excellent Truths, glorious Mysteries; fit to exercise the sharpest Wits in the World; a Study, fitter for Angels than Men; 1 Pet. 1. 12. I do not speak this to stir up Curiosity, which is a Moral Itch, a lust of the Mind, and nothing more opposite to true Love, than Lust; but to raise men to a due Esteem of the Scriptures, which they are wont to contemn for their simplicity and plainnes; 'tis full of high Mysteries, though it may be read with profit by simple People, or any who desire knowledge. Sensual men that are drowned in Worldly Delights, only look to the Comfort of the Animal Life, and value all things as that is gratified; but those that look to the Spiritual Life, and the ennobling of their Souls, they will find the only Sublime Wisdom in the Word of God: Deut. 4. 6. Keep these statutes, and do them: for this is your wisdom, and understanding in the sight of the Nations, which shall hear all these Statutes, and say, Surely this great Nation, is a wise and understanding people. What pitiful Notions had the Philosophers, and the wisest of the Heathen, concerning God, and Angels, and Providence, and the Creation of the World, and the Souls of men, and the happiness of the other World, and the way to attain it? When the Heathen came to be first acquainted with the Iews, they wondered at their Wisdom and Skill: these things would beget admiration in us, if we did meditate on them, and contented not our selves with a slight and customary Rehearsal of them, here are deep Misteries to exercise the greatest Wits, and therefore consider them more.
5. 'Tis a sure Word; Psal. 19. 7. The testimonies of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple. These Directions may be safely relyed upon, and will not disappoint us; for they are not the guesses of deceived men, nor the Collections only of the most observing and wisest Men; or the result of their Infallible experiences, but Inspiration of the Infallible God: and therefore a sensible heart, that knoweth what 'tis to live in a troublesome World, and hath been exercised with Doubts, knoweth the Comfort of a sure Rule and sure Promises; Oh what a Comfort is this in the midst of the uncertainties of the present Life.
III. Reason. There is no keeping the Law, without loving the Law; there is a keeping the Commandments by way of Defence, and by way of Obedience; a keeping of them by way of Preservation, when we will not suffer them to be violated or wrested from us by others; and a keeping of them by way of Observation, when we are mindful of them, are careful to observe them our selves: This latter is the meaning of the Scripture notion of keeping the Law. Now this cannot be without Love, nothing can hold the heart to it but love; what bonds will you cast upon your selves! but if a Temptation come, you will break them all, as Sampson did the Cords wherewith he was bound. 'Tis not your Promises, Vows, Covenants, Resolutions; not your former Experiences of Comfort, when put to no Tryal, all is nothing to love. To Evidence this to you, three things are needful; Labour, Valour, and Self-denial.
1. To keep the Commandments is a Laborious thing, and requireth great Diligence; now Love is that disposition that maketh us Laborious and Diligent. If any thing keep a man to his work, 'tis love: Labour and Love are often put together, Heb. 6. 10. God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love. 1 Thes. 1. 3. Your work of faith, and labour of love. 'Tis not a sloathful and idle Affection but will make a man take any pains, and endure any toil; nescit amor molimina, love never sindeth Difficulties: The reason why they object Difficulties, is, because they love not. The Church of Ephesus, when she lost her first love, she left her first Works. Rev. 2. 4. Our Lord Jesus when he had work for Peter to do, Gageth his heart upon this Point; Ioh. 21. 15. Simon Peter, lovest thou me? feed my sheep; feed my lambes: No man can endure the Toil of the Ministry, and the many Troubles and Difficulties he meeteth with in the discharge of it, without love to Christ: 'tis love sets all the wheels in the Soul a going.
2. To keep the Commandments, requireth Spirit and Courage; not only the labour of an Ox, but the Animosity and Courage of a Lion: for we are not only to work, but Fight and Contend for our Duty against the Enemies of our Salvation. Now the most Valorous and Couragious Affection, is Love; a Cowardly Lover is a Monster, one that hath all Liver, and no Heart. The Poets in their Fictions, ascribe the Valor of the person whom they would represent as Noble and Heroical, to the strength of their Love: Certainly the Heroick Acts of the Martyrs came all from love. Others will not be at the charge of keeping the Commandments of God, that lye cross to their profits and pleasures; but love will cause us to do the Will of God, whatever it cost us: Yea, 'tis loth to serve God with that which cost nothing; Cant. 8. 6, 7. Love is as strong as death, many waters cannot quench love; Death conquereth the stoutest, but cannot conquer love; They loved not their lives to the death, Rev. 12. 11. The waters of Affliction cannot quench it, no Threatnings, no Promises can quench it. Love will not be bribed from Christ, nor frighted from Christ; you will be assaulted on both sides, with Hopes and Fears, but nothing shall fright or allure the Soul from Christ.
3. To keep the Commandments, there needeth much Self-denial and Submission, that he may have an heart to stoop to the least intimation of the Will of God, though it be against your own will, and against your own carnal sense and Inclination and Interest. A man can never keep the Commandments, till he thus deny himself; therefore the World wondereth what's the Reason that men do so submit against their humour and Interest. And say, If this be to be Vile, I will be more Vile; as Holy David said: nothing can do this but love. When a man loveth you, you have the Keys of his Heart, you can open and shut it when you please. Sampson like a Child submitted to Dalilah, because of his love to her. So Gen. 34. Hamer and Sechem submitted to any Terms, to be Circumcised, because of the delight the young man had to Dinah; the Father loved the Son, and the Son loveth Dinah; and therefore both submitted to that hateful… painful Ceremony. Iacobs service for Rachel seemed but a few years, because of his love to her; Gen. 29. 20. So if we love the Law of God, we will submit to the Duties of it, against the hair and bent of our hearts.
Use. I. Is Examination.
1. Do we receive the Truth of God in the love thereof? Do we imbrace the offers of Jesus Christ, heartily? Acts 2. 41. They received the word gladly. Do you keep up your relish of the Gospel? Delight to hear of Christ, to read of Christ, to meditate of Christ, and the Doctrine of Salvation? not one part, but all? Psal. 1. 2. His delight is in the law of God; the whole Law. Ungodly men will catch at Promises, seem to shew a love to these; but Grudge at the Mandatory part of the Word. Do you delight when 'tis pressed upon you, when you are warned of your Danger? know most of your Duty, and the way how to attain your blessedness? Do you love it most, when you feel the Tragical effects of it? as the Apostle saith, the Commandment came, and sin revived, and I …d.
2. Do you heartily take Christs Yoke upon you, and frame your selves to practise what he hath required of you? They that love the Law, cannot rest in meer speculations, and be careless in the Duties required of them; love cannot be hidden, but it will break forth into action; if it be in your hearts, it will break out in your lives: Psal. 40. 8. The law of God is in my heart: You will make Conscience of Duty, 1 Ioh. 2. 4. Love is found to be solid and real, when we are tender of Christs Laws; in vain else do we talk of the new Birth, of the Work of Grace, or having an Interest in Christ, and the like, unless we keep his Law.
3. Do you practise it willingly, and without Grudging? 1 Ioh. 5. 3. His Commandments are not grievous: they that love the law, will not count the Work tedious. God doth not look to the Work; Praying, Hearing, strict observing his Ordinances, or Lords Day; but minds the Will for the Deed, not the Deed for the Will; whether Willingly or Unwillingly. God dealeth with us as rational Creatures: if your Ox draw your Plough, and your Ass carry his Burden, you care not much whether it be done willingly or unwillingly: but God dealeth with us as obliged, and looketh that love should constrain us, and influence our actions; and God dealeth with us as renewed Creatures, that have a suitableness to their Work; Heb. 8. 10. Psal. 40. 2. When rather from him, than with him, he delights greatly in Gods Commandments; Psal. 112. 1. Delights to know, believe, and obey Gods Word; and God expects it from us, because of the pleasures that do accompany well-doing: Prov. 3. 17. The speculation of a worthy Truth affects the Mind, but Practice doth more; as more intimately acquainted with it.
Use. II. It shews,
1. How far they are from the Temper of Gods People, that dispute away Duties rather than practise them; Cavil at their Work, rather than readily accept it.
2. They do not love the law, that are alwayes full of Excuses, and pretend occasions to neglect the service of God, excuses are always a sign of a naughty heart; the sinners non vacat, is indeed non placet; Luk. 14. 18. They all began to make excuses. If we did not want a heart, we should not want an occasion to manifest our respects to God.
3. It shews how far they are from the Temper of Gods People, that are easily discouraged with difficulties; love will make us break thorough all, 2 Cor. 5. 14. Love hath a constraining force, counts nothing too dear to be parted with for Gods sake; they that are weary of well-doing, they are out of their Element: as they in Malachy enquired, When will the Sabbath be over? They that brought but a sorry Lamb, cryed out, Oh what a weariness! Again, they that love the law, are not troubled about the strictness of the law, but the unsuitableness of their own hearts: Gods Children are grieved for that weariness and uncomfortableness they find in Gods service; Glad of any inlargement of Heart; Lust is grievous, but not the Commandement. Rom. 7. 24. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me (not from the law, but) from the body of this death? But others, when the Truth shineth round about them, they receive it not in the love thereof.
Doctrine. II. Those that love the law shall have great peace: let me prove this,
First, They shall have Peace.
Secondly, Great Peace.
First, They shall have Peace.
I. Because the God of Peace is their God, they are assured of his love and favourable Acceptance; tranquillus deus tranquillat omnia; If God be with us, who can be against us? If he smileth on us, 'tis enough, though all the World should be against us; for 'tis Gods Wrath that maketh us Miserable, and Gods love that maketh us Happy.
II. Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of Peace, is their Saviour; Isa. 9. 6. He hath made Articles of Peace between God the Father, and Us; and drawn them into a Covenant of Grace, called the Covenant of his Peace, Isa. 54. 10. And this founded upon his Bloud, which is the price given to purchase our Peace, and to set all things at rights between God and Us. Col. 1. 20. Isa. 53. 5. Having made Peace between God and Us: No less would serve the turn, compleatly to satisfie the Justice of God for our wrong, and to purchase his Favour for us.
III. The Spirit who is a Spirit of Peace, Gal. 5. 22. 'tis one of his fruits; he worketh it in us as a Sanctifier, and as a Comforter.
1. As a Spirit of Sanctification, he doth dispossess Satan, and subdueth that Rebellious Disposition that is naturally in us against God, and maketh us accept the offer of Friendship and Reconciliation with God; and to yield up our selves servants to righteousness, unto holiness; and then accordingly to walk, as People that are at amity with God.
(1.) Your first Resignation in Faith and Repentance, is a ground of Peace, and wrought in us by the Spirit; Rom. 15. 13. Now the God of peace fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Together with our Faith, and in and by our Faith, the Holy Ghost worketh this Joy and Peace: When we come to sue out our Pardon in his Name, to receive the Attonement, and to resign up our selves to Gods use, then is the Foundation laid; Give the hand to the Lord, 2 Chron. 30. 8.
(2.) This Peace is confirmed by holy walking in the Spirit, or perfecting Holiness through the power of the Holy Ghost; Gal. 6. 16. As many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them. Ier. 6. 16. Ask for the good old way, and walk therein, and you shall find peace to your souls. Keep close to God, and you will have peace; otherwise not. Peace with God and thine own Conscience, is a very tender thing; you had need be chary of it: if you grieve the Spirit, you will find it to your bitter Cost; when sinful dispositions are indulged and nourished, our peace is beclouded, and hangeth on uncertain terms.
2. As a Comforter, whose office it is to give us a sense of Gods Love, and to help Conscience to judge of our state and actions; The Spirit representeth God as a Father, and sheweth us what things are given us of God, and dissipateth and scattereth all the black thoughts that are in the Soul; Isa. 57. 19. I create the fruit of the lips to be peace. Peace is a Sovereign Plaister, God maketh it stick, and then all the World cannot deprive them of this peace. Creation and Annihilation belong to the same power, the World can never give, nor take; 'tis Gods work, and he will maintain it.
Secondly, It shall be great Peace, as to the Nature and Degree of it; as was before explained.
1. For the Nature of it; 'tis not an ordinary peace, but of an higher Nature; Ioh. 14. 27. My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your hearts be troubled. Wherein doth it differ from the Worlds peace? The Worlds peace is oftentimes in sin, a concord in Evil, a Lethargy, portending sadder Troubles; but this is an holy peace, Prov. 3. 17. That's a crasy peace, that is soon broken and distorted, depending on the uncertainty of present affaires and the mutable Affections of men, the more secure they are, the sadder trouble at hand: but this is an everlasting peace, which we have now in the way, and shall have in death, and then for ever. The Worlds peace is outward, 'tis but at best a freedom from outward troubles, when they are at enmity with God; but this is a peace with God himself: Prov. 16. 7. The Worlds peace pleaseth the outward man, but this is a solid Soul-satisfying peace, a peace that guardeth Heart and Mind; Phil. 4. 7.
2. For the degree, 'tis many times in a great Measure injoyed; it may be more or less, as our Interest in Gods favour is more, or lessened in us: and 'tis not perfect in this Life: There may be Clouds and Interruptions; but as our holiness increaseth, so doth our peac… a little holiness, a little peace: but they that love thy law, have great Peace.
Obj. How have Gods Children great Peace? None seem more troubled and harrassed with outward Afflictions, nor walk more Mournfully then they do.
Ans. 'Tis true, this Peace doth not exclude Trouble from carnal men in the World; they may have little outward Peace, yet they shall have as much of that as God seeth good for them; Iob 5. 23, 24. but inward peace, which is peculiar to them: They have God for their Friend, are quieted with a true sense and apprehension of his love and favour to them. 'Tis true as to this inward peace, Gods Children may sometimes be without it; they that love the Law, have a greater sense of sin than others. Wicked men swallow sins without remorse; but they are very apprehensive of displeasing God. But we must distinguish between the time of settling this peace, and when 'tis settled▪ for a Time they may walk sadly, their peace is not grown up, light is sown for the Righteous; many times they sow in Tears, but reap in Joy: sometimes their love to the Law is intermitted, so their peace may be interrupted: But their worst condition, is better then a carnal mans best: as the darkest cloudy day, is brighter then the brightest night; there is some comfort and staying upon God in the worst Condition.
Use. I. Let us from hence see the sad condition of carnal Men, this Clause [love thy law] is exclusive, and confineth it to one sort of men. The unjustified, the unsanctified want this Peace; God saith of them, they should not enter into my Rest; Psal. 95. 11. The Rest is begun in this Life, in Reconciliation with God and Peace of Conscience, and perfected in an Everlasting Refreshment in that to come. Their sins are not pardoned, and therefore continually Fear; they have often refused Gods peace, and therefore cannot injoy comfort with any security, nor bear Troubles with any patience and quiet of Mind, nor come into Gods presence with any cheerfulness, nor wait for eternal Rest with any certain hope: There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Isa. 48. 22. Psal. 57. 20, 21. 'Tis not allowed to wicked men, nor vouchsafed to them; 'tis true, they may have a peace, but 'tis either in sin, or from sin; they do not mind the condition of their Souls, a blind presumption that meerly cometh from Gods forbearance, or Worldly Happiness in Prosperity. Carnal Men seem to be in as great quietness as the Children of God; as the deep Sea in a Calm, which seemeth to be as quiet as other waters, until a storm and tempest doth arise, then troubled, and cannot rest:
Use. II. To perswade us to love the Law of God by this Argument, because we shall have great peace; for the Promise is made to this love.
But you will say, How must we shew love to the Law of God, that we may obtain this Effect?
I Answer; Practice the Duties it calleth for in order to peace.
1. Accept the Articles of peace, that are proclaimed between God and Mankind in and through Christ. Eph. 2. 17. There is peace preached, not only to them that are afar off, but to them that are nigh; there is not only a price paid, but an offer made: Imbrace it, lay hold upon it by Faith, God is in good earnest with you. 2 Cor. 5. 20. Oh love this good Word, 'tis the gladest tydings that ever sounded in the ears of lost sinners: Now is your time, agree with your Adversary while he is in the way, before you be cast into Prison; Luk. 12. 58. If you lose this opportunity, and do not imbrace the offered friendship, God will be exceeding Angry; Heb. 2. 3. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? 2 Chron. 30. 8. Therefore give the hand to the Lord.
2. Perform the duty of Thankfulness which God requires; Matth. 11. 29. Peace is the Fruit of Sanctification, as well as Justification; 'tis not to be found elsewhere: Isa. 32. 17.
3. Be much in Communion with God, and trading with Heaven; Acquaint thy self with God, Iob 22. 21.
4. Be tender of your peace, when 'tis once settled; of doing any thing that may cause War between God and the Soul: Psal. 58. 8. Take heed of venturing your peace for the Vanities of the World, those sinful and foolish Courses which will lay you open to Gods Wrath and Displeasure. Psal. 37. 11. The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of Peace.