The Day of Grace, Text (3 of 3)

The Day of Grace · Text (3 of 3)

p. 124Peace within comprehends ordinateneſs in the affections. Our paſſions and affections, being corrupted by ſin, are very tumultuous and unruly; and except theſe are tamed and brought into right order, we ſhall not know peace. Thoſe are ſome of the worſt kind of ſlaves that are enſlaved by their own affections. How is that man hurried, who is under the power of worldly or unclean deſires? His fleſhly and his worldly luſts do ſo take up his time and pains, that they will not permit him to eat, or drink, or ſleep, p. 125and much leſs pray in quiet. How is that heart rent and torn, that is by inordinate love glued to any creature, when of that creature 'tis deprived? Oh the overwhelming ſorrow which follows upon love that is exceſſive! What a rack and torture is anger? What an evil is fear? many times worſe then the evil feared: And ſo I might inſtance in other affections.

If the world be compared to a Stage, and the life of man to a part which he acts upon it, we may truly ſay, that a wicked man doth act, foreign, the part of a Self-puniſher, becauſe by giving way to his corrupt affections, he contributes ſo much to his own diſquiet.

But 'tis the work of the Spirit of God to renew theſe affections; the anger and ſorrow are turned againſt and on ſin, the love and the deſire are towards God: And as here there is no danger of exceſs, ſo there is a certainty of enjoyment: The heart ſits looſe from the world, and the world is not able to diſturb that peace which it hath in God. None are more free from trouble then thoſe that are p. 126moſt maſters of their own affections: And well may the Apoſtle ſay, that the fruit of the Spirit is peace and joy, Gal. 5. 22. ſince he brings our affections into captivity.

5. Peace within comprehends a ceaſing to be our own foes. When are we our own foes? Surely when we ſide with Satan againſt our ſelves, when we cheriſh thoſe luſts that war againſt our own ſouls. The Vipers off-ſpring do eat out the Vipers bowels; and ſinful luſts, in like manner, will deſtroy at laſt thoſe in whom they are bred and foſter'd. Oh let us all be reconciled to our ſelves, and not continue any longer the greateſt acceſſories to our own miſery.

I have ſhewed now what Peace is.

In the ſecond place I am to manifeſt what are the things which belong unto our peace.

'Tis in the Goſpel that theſe things are revealed, which therefore is called the Goſpel of Peace, Rom. 10. 15. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Goſpel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. Herein is contained an Embaſſage of reconciliation: The God p. 127of peace proclaims to the world what an inclination he hath to be a friend and a Saviour to the children of men, and informs them upon what articles a peace ſhall be made and eſtabliſhed between him and them. The Law of Nature is here ſilent; the Heathens by the light of that could never find out the way, how Divine Juſtice may be ſatisfied, and an attonement for ſin made. Nay, the written Law of God ſpeaks not a word concerning it: The Law teacheth our duty, convinceth of tranſgreſſion, thunders out curſes againſt tranſgreſſours, and they would be left under the curſe, if the Goſpel did not tell them how to be redeemed from it, and how Grace, and Mercy, and Peace may be obtained.

There are three things which the Goſpel reveals concerning our peace.

1. Who is the Mediatour or Peace-maker, Jeſus Chriſt.

2. What are the conditions of this Peace.

3. How we may attain to an aſſurance of it.

1. One thing which we muſt know concerning our peace, is, Who is the Mediatour p. 128or Peace-maker between God and men, and he is Chriſt Jeſus, 1 Tim. 2. 5, 6. For there is one God, and one Mediatour between God and men, the Man Chriſt Jeſus, who gave himſelf a ranſom for all, to be teſtified in due time. Here it was that Jeruſalem was ignorant; a cruclfied Meſſiah (though his crucifixion was neceſſary to his making of our peace) they hid their faces from, and diſeſteemed. Chriſt crucified was to the Jews a ſtumbling-block, and to the Greeks fooliſhneſs, but to them that are reconciled and ſaved, he is the power of God, and the wiſdom of God: Hence 'tis, that the Apoſtle reſolves to know nothing beſides him. All things that are revealed in Scripture muſt be known with relation to Chriſt, elſe our knowledge will be uncomfortable and without advantage.

What good will it do us to hear that God is gracious and merciful, unleſs in Chriſt he be reconciled? what good, to be informed of heaven and glory, unleſs Chriſt, who hath the Key of David, do open the door that we may enter? What good, to hear of the Promiſes, unleſs in Chriſt they be Yea and Amen to the glory p. 129of God? Finally, what will it benefit us to hear of the priviledges of the Goſpel, unleſs through Chriſt we are admitted to them? There is an excellency in the knowledge of Chriſt our Peace-maker, in compariſon of which the Apoſtle counted all things but loſs and dung, Phil. 3. 8.

Chriſt Jeſus is our Peace-maker by a threefold means. His Satisfaction, his Interceſſion, and the communication of his benefits.

1. Chriſt Jeſus is our Peace maker by means of his ſatisfaction: For the iniquity of his people was he ſmitten, and the chaſtiſement of their peace was laid upon him: He was ſent on purpoſe to be a propitiation; 1 John 4. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and ſent his Son to be the propitiation for our ſins. Chriſt is ſaid to reconcile both Jews and Gentiles unto God, by the bloud of his Croſs, and to have ſlain the enmity thereby. Corruptible things, as ſilver and gold, were inſufficient, but the bloud of Chriſt was a ſufficient price for our redemption.

We may conceive ſuch a kind of dialogue p. 130as this, between Juſtice, and Chriſt, and Man who hath offended.

1. Divine Juſtice thus begins: Bring forth the Soul which hath ſinned that it may dye: A righteous Law hath been broken, and 'tis but righteous that the curſe ſhould be inflicted: Here are not one, or two, but thouſands of ſins upon record: Now therefore I am reſolved to whet my glittering ſword, and my hand ſhall immediately take hold on vengeance, and I'll make the ſinner know to his coſt, what 'tis to provoke the Lord to jealouſie.

2. Chriſt anſwers; Hold Juſtice, ſtay thy hand! thoſe ſins thou ſpeakeſt of, they are transferred unto another, therefore the Soul muſt not dye that's guilty of them: The debt is great, but I undertake to pay it all; where thou art wronged, it ſhall be put wholly on my account, I am reſolved to be the ſinners Surety, I am content to be made ſin for him, though I knew none, though I never was my ſelf in the leaſt guilty

3. Unto this Juſtice replyes, Then, O thou Son of God, I muſt ſheath my ſword in thy bowels, I muſt wound, and bruiſe, and afflict thee: where ever I find ſin, though p. 131but imputed, I can't for…ear to puniſh it.

4. Chriſt anſwers again; Do Juſtice, ſtrike, and ſpare not; I am willing to be wounded, that the ſinners wounds may be cloſed and cured; I am willing to dye that be may live; I am willing to undergo the curſe, that he may receive the bleſſing, even life for evermore.

5. Upon this the ſinner wonders and cryes out, Oh love that paſſeth knowledge! My Lord, my Saviour! ſince thou haſt given thy life a ranſom for me, I am reſolved to truſt in thee, and to lay the ſtreſs of my ſalvation on thee; I expect and deſire favour and pardon no other way, then by thee, who art both the Price and the Prince of Peace.

2. Chriſt is our Peace-maker by means of his interceſſion. As his ſatisfaction is one, ſo his interceſſion is the other part of his Prieſtly office. He ſeconds his ſufferings by his interceſſion; and we may be confident his interceſſion will be prevalent, becauſe of that love which his Father bears him, and becauſe by his ſufferings he hath purchaſed whatever he intercedes for. Chriſt the righteous is our p. 132Advocate with the Father, 1 John 2. 1. He preſents before his Father the compleatneſs of his ſatisfaction, and how he hath endured the Croſs and ſhame, and drank off that whole Cup which his Father put into his hand, and fulfilled all righteouſneſs; how he did, and ſuffered all that was required of him, and all this, not for himſelf, but us. Whereupon the Father looks upon us with an eye of love, he is pacified towards us; and as he is Chriſts God and Father, ſo he is ours too: John 20. 17. Go tell my brethren, I aſcend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.

Chriſt is our Peace-maker by the communication of his benefits: He is made unto us wiſdom, and then we ſee the way of reconciliation: He is made unto us righteouſneſs; ſin is no longer imputed, and that quarrel which Juſtice had with us comes to an end: He is made unto us ſanctification, and then the holineſs of God ceaſes to be our enemy, and we no longer hate that holineſs; there is a ſweet agreement between our renewed nature and an holy God, and his holy Law, which he would have us walk according p. 133to. They that are ſanctified in Chriſt Jeſus, love God becauſe of his holineſs, and they love the Word of God upon the ſame ſcore, Pſal. 119. 139, 140. My zeal hath conſumed m…, becauſe mine enemies have forgotten thy words: Thy Word is very pure, therefore thy ſervant loveth it. Finally, Chriſt is made unto us redemption, that's a fourth benefit reckoned up by the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 1. 30. He makes us free indeed, becauſe he frees us from that which is ſlavery indeed, he delivers us from the bondage of corruption, and cauſes us to become the ſervants of God and righteouſneſs, Rom. 6. And now we are reconciled to Gods Soveraignty and Authority, we own him as our Lord, who as he hath right to rule us, ſo 'tis our honour, our advancement, our freedom to be ruled by him.

2. As we muſt know who is our Peace-maker, ſo what are the conditions of our peace.

1. One condition is godly ſorrow: And as the Lord doth grant us peace, ſo he himſelf doth work this and the other conditions of it. If we will be reconciled, we muſt mourn for our offending p. 134and provoking God to be an enemy. The eye of the body can look every way but inward, and ſhall the eye of our mind never look inward neither? Were our hearts but more acquainted with themſelves, they would be more broken and contrite hearts: How deeply is the Law of ſin engraven there? and this Law of ſin forbids whatever the Law of God commands, and commands whatever the Law of God forbids. The moſt venemous creature is not more full of poyſon, then our hearts are full of enmity againſt the Lord, and reprobateneſs to what is good: This corruption of our nature is not a thing which hath layn dormant and idle; no, but as a Fountain perpetually ſends forth water, ſo from the heart proceed evils abundantly, whereby the man is defiled. 'Tis difficult to reckon up the ſins of one day, or of one duty; and how vaſt then is the total ſum of our whole lives abominations? Oh break hard heart for ſhame! who haſt ſo often broken the moſt equal laws, and broken thorow ſo many obligations to obedience. If th… offending God be made light of, this will anger him more then all thy other offences.

p. 1352. Another condition of our Peace is Believing. When the Jaylour was under the ſenſe of Gods anger and wrath, and tortur'd with the fears of damnation, and cry'd out, What ſhall I do to be ſaved? Paul and Silas made this anſwer, Believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt be ſaved, Acts 16. 30, 31. How much is faith preached up in the Goſpel? and unto Chriſt our faith is directed, for 'tis in him that God is well pleaſed, and 'tis through that beloved Son alone, that he will be at peace, and well pleaſed with us: If we expect favour or mercy any other way, but through Jeſus, that very expectation is ſufficient to be an eternal impediment to our obtaining of either. The Lord hath made Faith one great condition of our peace and ſalvation, for two reaſons.

1. Man being thus reconciled and ſaved by believing, all the glory redounds to God alone: Mans boaſting is utterly excluded: The hand of faith is an empty hand, it brings nothing along with it; but it receives Chriſt, and with him, and from him, freely all th…ngs. Faith exalts Chriſt, and abaſes the ſinner, and makes p. 136him ſee, that he is wretched, and miſerable, and poor, and naked, and that to Chriſt he muſt be beholding for every thing, he muſt thank himſelf for nothing.

Man being thus reconciled and ſaved by believing, his peace with God is laſting, his ſalvation ſure, Rom. 4. 16. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end the promiſe might be ſure. Adam was at peace with God when firſt created; but ſince the continuance of his peace depended upon the conſtancy of his obedience, peace and life were ſoon loſt by him. But faith puts our peace and ſalvation in the hands of another, in the hands of Chriſt, he undertakes to be the finiſher of our faith, Heb. 12. 2. He hath promiſed to keep us from falling, and to confirm us to the end, 1 Cor. 1. 8. And the believer reſts upon this word of promiſe, which will never fail him.

That's the ſecond condition of peace, believing.

3. Another condition is; Converſion with the whole heart to God. How often doth the Spirit cry out, Turn and live…? p. 137And though the Lord was bitterly provoked, yet upon his peoples returning, he promiſes to be pacified, Jer. 3. 12. Go and proclaim theſe words towards the North, and ſay, Return thou back-ſliding Iſrael, ſaith the Lord, and I will not cauſe my anger to fall upon you, for I am merciful, ſaith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever. Our returning to him muſt be without delay, without deceit; we muſt not divide our hearts between him and ſin, between him and Mammon, but we muſt conſent to be wholly his, and never to leave him any more; but if through infirmity we do fall, we muſt look unto the Lord to pity, and pardon, and heal, and raiſe us. To turn away from God ſo as not to return, is inconſiſtent with peace. Thus you know theſe things, which are the conditions of your peace; let me add, Happy are ye if ye do them.

3. It concerns us to know, how we may attain to an aſſurance of Peace. The ſoul indeed may be ſafe without this aſſurance, but withall 'twill be diſconſolate. Now 'tis the Spirit who makes this diſcovery: We read, Rom. 14. 17. of peace and joy in the holy Ghoſt. Peace p. 138and joy are the fruits of this bleſſed Comforter. In Scripture the Saints are ſaid to be ſealed by the Spirit unto the day of redemption, Epheſ. 4. 30. And their being thus ſealed, as it denotes their diſtinction from the reſt of the world, their being appropriated unto God, and the value that is put upon them; ſo it ſerves to confirm them in that perſwaſion, That God is theirs, and they are his. There is indeed a privy Seal of his gracious Decree, of which the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 2 Tim. 2. 19. Nevertheleſs the foundation of God ſtandeth ſure, having this ſeal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. But afterwards, when the Spirit works upon us, we are ſealed in a more diſcernable way. Now the work and method of the Spirit in ſealing and bringing thoſe, who are reconciled, unto an aſſurance of peace, I ſhall declare.

1. The Spitit convinces us of ſin and miſery, of our worthleſneſs and weakneſs, and bows our hearts to a ſubmiſſion to the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and draws us to a cloſure with him.

2. The Spirit ſanctifies and cleanſes us from the filthineſs, in which we wallowed, p. 139and cauſes us to yield obedience to the commands of God, Ezek. 36. 27.

3. The Spirit doth more and more ſtir up and increaſe the grace which he he hath wrought, ſo that the actings of faith, and love, and hope, and zeal, are the more ſtrong and ſenſible.

4. The Spirit doth diſcover the truth of theſe graces, letting us ſee, that our hearts do prize Chriſt, and breath after God, and after a greater degree of likeneſs to him, as the Saints in Scripture have done before us.

5. Then peace and joy follows. But here we muſt underſtand, that this peace is twofold. Firſt, more weak, mixed and imperfect. Secondly, more raviſhing, glorious and triumphant.

1. There is a peace more weak, mixed and imperfect, which is for our ſupport and encouragement, and this is common with believers, when they ſtir up themſelves, and ſeek the Lord with their whole deſire, as they did, 2 Chron. 15. 15. Seldom is a duty performed with our heart and might, but ſome degree of peace and ſatisfaction follows, the Spirit giving ſome intimation, and raiſing a ſecret p. 140hope, that God through Chriſt doth accept of us. Oh who would not labour ſince there is ſuch peace and reſt attends it?

2. There is a peace more raviſhing, glorious, and triumphing. How brightly doth the light of Gods countenance then ſhine upon us! How ſweet is that love, the ſenſe of which the Spirit ſheds abroad in the heart! Rom. 5. 5. What confidence have we then in God! How do we admire the richneſs of his grace! how low are we in our own eyes, being aſtoniſhed that ſuch vile creatures ſhould be ſo advanced! How do we then deſpiſe the worlds delights, and the pleaſures of ſin! How forward are we to obey, and to walk in all Ordinances blameleſs! How undaunted at danger, and at death, which will but increaſe our pleaſures, ſending us much nearer to the Lord, then here we are capable of approaching! Thus 'tis by the Spirit that peace is ſpoken to us; and if we would attain to this peace, we muſt heed the Spirits counſels, we muſt readily cloſe with his motions, we muſt gladly accept of his help and aſſiſtance, we muſt give up our ſelves unto his guidance.

p. 141In the third place follow the reaſons of the Doctrine.

Why, to know the things of our peace is our great happineſs and wiſdom.

The reaſons are theſe.

1. Becauſe a true knowledge of theſe things will be practical and induſtrious; It will very much affect the heart, and quicken diligence, in ſeeking peace before it be too late: A right underſtanding of it, will hinder a buſineſs of ſuch eternal conſequence, from being any longer neglected by us.

2. Becauſe of the evil which unavoidably follows, if of the things which concern our peace we are ignorant. The ignorant ſoul is wretchedly careleſs, it matters not whether God be a friend or foe, …s if his loving kindneſs were not to be …alued; as if his wrath were not to be …eared; and at laſt, the ſoul miſſes of mer…y, which it doth not regard, and falls …uddenly and irrecoverably into the pit …f deſtruction, which it dreams not of, …or endeavours to prevent.

Now follows the Application.

p. 142USE I. Of Inſtruction. There are two great leſſons which we may learn from this Doctrine.

1. One leſſon is this, That believers are the wiſeſt and happieſt ſouls, for the things of their peace are underſtood by them. Thoſe things which are hid from the prudent of the world are unto theſe diſcover'd: I know they are accounted children a… babes by the carnally minded, but in the end they will be found to have had … all others the greateſt foreſight, the faitheſt reach, the trueſt underſtanding: Matth. 11. 25, 26. At that time Jeſus anſwered and ſaid, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, becauſe thou h… hid theſe things from the wiſe and pr… dent, and haſt revealed them unto babes even ſo Father, for ſo it ſeemed good in th… ſight.

Peace is a thing which all ſeek after but moſt are miſtaken in judging wha… is peace, and are wofully deceived in th… way to it: Only the believer hits righ… for he is lead by a Guide that leads onl… into truth.

'Tis indeed found by experience, tha… p. 143endeavours are uſed to blind and deceive the believer himſelf; but he is too wiſe to be put off with peace and happineſs only in ſhew.

Many things do proffer peace to him.

1. Pleaſures do uſe this charming language. What is it, O man, which thou ſeekeſt for? Is it quiet and ſatisfaction? … taſte the ſweetneſs which gratifying thy ſenſes will afford: Is it not fine … g…ter in ſilk and ſilver bravely? to be …lothed in purple and fine linnen, and to preſumptuouſly and deliciouſly every day? Who are more free from care and trouble, …en thoſe who chaunt to the ſound of the …ol, who drink wine in bowls, who eat limbs out of the flock, and calves out of …e midſt of the ſtall, and after lay them down upon beds of Ivory, and ſtretch themſelves upon their couches? Come, come, away with needleſs ſcruples, indulge unto thy appetite, pleaſe thy ſenſes, whatever thy eys deſire withhold not from them, and quench thy longing flame in Dalilah's …braces.

Unto this the believing ſoul replyes: Death is climbing up at the windows, the Judge ſtandeth before the door, Eternity is p. 144juſt at hand; and, O all ye ſenſual pleaſures, can you laſt any longer then a ſhort ſeaſon? Where is the Glutton that fared deliciouſly, that had as much as heart could wiſh? Is he not tormented in the flames? Oh deceitful pleaſures, which cheat men of eternal joys, and drill them along to endleſs torments!

2. Wealth and worldly greatneſs do alſo make big offers: Wouldſt thou, O Man, have peace? then ſeek a great eſtate, joyn houſe to houſe, and field to field, let thy coffers be cram'd with ſilver and gold, endeavour to be ſomebody in the world: Doeſt thou not know how many eyes, how much reſpect riches and honour will draw after thee? Let this be thy aim, to live i… plenty and eſteem, and to leave a name behind thee.

Unto this alſo the believing ſoul anſwers: To expect peace and contentation from worldly abundance, is as abſurd, as t… hope to ſleep quietly in a bed of thorns. Who ever attained to greater earthly glory then Solomon? whoſe treaſures did ever more abound? yet he himſelf diſgraces a… his own wealth and honour, by calling them, Vanity and vexation of ſpirit.

p. 1453. At laſt the Lord calls to the Believer, and thus ſpeaks to him: Is it happineſs, O man, which thou art ſearching after? Look unto me, who am the God of love and peace: The creatures have but empty breaſts, are but broken ciſterus; but I have ſtore of living waters to quench thy thirſt, and ſatisfie thy longing: Sin is the diſturber of thy peace, therefore let ſin be caſt away with hatred, and trouble, that ever thou didſt give it entertainment. Come, come to me without delay, I will be to thee a God, I will be all unto thee; thou ſhalt never lack as long as I am all-ſufficient.

Hereupon the ſoul yields: Thou art my haven, O my God; till I am arrived at thee I am in a ſtorm, and every moment in langer to be caſt away; in thee only, through thy Son, I can have peace; oh therefore let me be glew'd to thee, that nothing may cauſe a ſeparation! well may the believing ſoul return unto its reſt, ſince God is his, and the peace which is made ſhall never quite be broken.

2. Another leſſon which we may learn is this, The wretchedneſs of the ungodly, for there is no peace to them; Iſai. 57. 21. There is no peace, ſaith my God, unto the p. 146wicked. And the more wicked, the leſs peace, and the longer you continue wicked, the leſs hopes that ever there will be any. I grant indeed, that 'tis ordinary for wicked ones to cry peace to themſelves, but this falſe and imaginary peace is as bad, nay worſe, then none at all.

1. The peace of the wicked is founded upon ignorance; they know not what cauſe they have to fear and be troubled, the ſins which they commit, the God whom they every hour provoke, and the vengeance unto which they are liable, is not in all their thoughts: Theſe things they are willingly ignorant of, 2 Pet. 3. 5.

2. This peace of the wicked, many times 'tis the conſequent of judicial hardneſs; their eyes are ſhut, their conſciences are caſt into a dead ſleep, and are become paſt feeling; no wonder if they enjoy a kind of quiet.

3. This peace of the wicked is a great hindrance to their obtaining of true peace: while they imagine their ſtate is good and ſafe enough, they will not ſeek to have it alter'd; by means of this the ſtrong man armed doth keep the houſe in more quiet and ſecure poſſeſſion.

p. 1474. This peace of the wicked is but of very ſhort continuance; 'tis chaſed away like a pleaſant dream or night viſion, and the ſucceeding wo and trouble will be the more intollerable, becauſe unlookt for it will come upon them.

A peace the wicked have, but 'tis without ground, and worſe then none: True peace what have they to do with, as long as the wickedneſſes, which are practiſed, delighted in, and pleaded for, are ſo many?

1. The ungodly have no peace in life. The Lord is their enemy, he hates them, is angry with them, walks contrary to them. Hark how he proclaims war, Ezek. 5. 8. Therefore thus ſaith the Lord God, Behold, I even am againſt thee, and I will execute judgments in the midſt of thee. And as the Apoſtle ſayes, If God be for us, who can be againſt us? So the words may be inverted, If God be againſt us, what doth it ſignifie who is for us?

2. Much leſs have the ungodly any peace at death. The end of the perfect and upright is peace; but the tranſgreſſours ſhall be deſtroyed together, the end of the wicked p. 148ſhall be cut off, Pſal. 37. 37, 38 Then their hopes will prove a Spiders web, their confidence as the giving up of the ghoſt. Perhaps when the ſnares of death are upon them, the pains of hell may get hold of them, Conſcience may be affrighted, and they may be like wild Bulls in a net, full of the fury of the Lord, and the rebuke of God: But if they dye ſtupid, there is the leſs hope; if there are no bands in their death, 'tis the more certain they will be bound immediately after, and thrown into the lake of fire.

3. The Judge will not find the ungodly in peace: No, no, they were not diligent or deſirous to be cleanſed from their ſpots and filthineſs. How many ſins unrepented of will accompany them to the Tribunal? which will prove them enemies to God, and which with a lowd united voice will cry for vengeance upon them.

4. And will they find any peace in hell into which with a curſe they muſt depart? Can there be any eaſe, any reſt taken in thoſe devouring flames? How many things will the damned have to trouble p. 149them? All the wrath of God ſtirr'd up againſt them: The glory of his power manifeſting it ſelf in their deſtruction: The reflections of Conſcience upon the proffers of peace and life, which were once made, but madly, ſottiſhly deſpiſed, and which ſhould never, never be made more: Oh how will they be troubled, and bowed down, and mourn, and wail, and weep eternally!

USE II. Of Exhortation to the Lords Enemies. O that you would be perſwaded unto peace! Many arguments I may fill my mouth with, to prevail with you to be reconciled.

1. Do but conſider ſeriouſly, what kind of enemy the Lord is, and that conſideration will make you afraid, that he ſhould be your enemy any longer.

1. You cannot fly from his reach. Though you exalt your ſelves as the Eagle, though you ſet your neſt among the Stars, yet from thence the Lord can bring you down, Obad. 4. Though you ſhould go down to the bottom of the Sea, and p. 150hide your ſelves at the earths centre, yet there his hand can take you. If you imagine that any refuge can ſecure you from God, that refuge will be found a lye, and will deceive you. The Lord does fill both heaven and earth, nay the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him, how then is it poſſible any ſhould fly from him?

2. You cannot reſiſt his power. Far ſtronger creatures then you, were not able to withſtand the God of heaven: The Dragon fought and his Angels, but how eaſily were they overcome? After that Jehu had ſlain Joram and Ahaziah, the Kings of Iſrael and Judah, we read that the Elders of Samaria were exceedingly afraid, and ſaid, behold two Kings ſtood not before him, how then ſhall we ſtand? 2 Kings 10. 4: So may I ſay, Behold the Angels that excel in ſtrength, ſtood not before the Lord, he caſt them, when they ſinned, into chains, which they can never break aſunder; And how then ſhall man be able to ſtand, who dwelleth in a houſe of clay, whoſe foundation is in the duſt, and who is cruſhed before the moth? Sinner! God will certainly be too hard for thee, thou canſt p. 151no more reſiſt his power, then a feather can bear up againſt a whirlwind, or dried ſtubble defend it ſelf from the fierceſt …ame.

3. You cannot bear his indignation. How doth David faint and cry out, when a little of Gods anger was ſtirred up againſt him? Remove thy ſtroak away from me, I am conſumed by the blow of thy hand, Pſal. 39. 10. And if a little be ſo intollerable, what will the whole weight be? The Prophet brings in the unſenſible creatures, as if they had ſenſe, fearing and quaking, when the Lord doth ſhew his wrath, Nehem. 1. 5, 6. The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burnt at his preſence, yea, the world and all that dwell therein; who can ſtand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceneſs of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. Surely that heart is worſe then rocky, which doth not tremble before him.

4. He can engage all the creatures againſt you. He is the Maker and alſo the great Commander of the Hoſt of Heaven and Earth. The Angels are ready p. 152preſs'd for his ſervice, and to do his will; all the Devils are at his beck, and forward to be the Executioners, when he hath paſs'd an angry ſentence: The Thunder and the Lightning ſay unto him, Here we are: The ſtormy Wind doth fulfill his words: Nay, the ſmalleſt and moſt inconſiderable creatures he can render dreadful, and tame the proudeſt by them. And ſince he is Jehova Exercituum, the Lord of ſuch Armies, Oh do not enter into battel with him.

5. He hath acceſs unto your very ſpirits, and can wound and fill your ſouls with horrour. When the Lord impreſſed his anger upon the heart of Judas, how reſtleſs was he? though a covetous man, he flings away his ſilver, that would not eaſe him; his life is a burthen, and with his own hands he puts an end to it. A wounded ſpirit who can bear? and wounds there the Lord can give you.

6. His power will reach his enemies in the next world: Nay, then his hand will be heavieſt of all; God will lay on load upon his adverſaries, and not in the leaſt ſpare them: His patience will then be at an end, his goodneſs totally and eternally p. 153withdrawn; and how low then will his vengeance weigh them down? Such an enemy the Lord is, and this is one argument to perſwade you to peace.

2. Be mindful of the dependance you have upon him. In him you live, and move, and have your being, and if he ſhould withdraw his viſitation, your life would preſently conclude and vaniſh: And is it ſafe, or a wiſe part in you, to provoke that God to be your enemy, in whoſe hand your breath is, and who can take it out of your noſtrils when he pleaſeth? He can looſe the ſilver cord, he can break the golden bowl, and require your ſouls at your hands, without giving you an hours or a minutes warning. Whoſoever you fall out with, methinks you ſhould get and keep in with God, for 'tis his patience and mercy which keeps you out of the grave and hell; of both which, by reaſon of ſin, you are in great danger.

3. The condeſcenſion and ſtooping of God is admirably great, in beſeeching ſuch as you to be reconciled: And ſhall he intreat in vain? Shall the malefactour be beſeeched to accept of a pardon, and refuſe p. 154it? That is a text that ſhould work upon the moſt refractory, 2 Cor. 5. 20. Now then we are Embaſſadours for Chriſt, as though God did beſeech you by us, we pray you, in Chriſt's ſtead, be ye reconciled to God. What is it come to this, doth God beſeech, and Chriſt pray, that we, who are ſo mean and ſo vile, would be friends, and ſhall we continue rebels? O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord! for the impenitent, then the earth or ſtones, are much more ſtupid. To ſlight the proffer of mercy, and to diſobey the command to come for it, is both a fault and a folly inexcuſable; but to be deaf to intreaties, is worſt of all; this; goes neareſt unto God, when his condeſcenſion and kindneſs is diſregarded and abuſed, and upon this abuſe the greater contempt, and anger, and hatred muſt needs follow.

4. Conſider what kind of friend the Lord is. I might be large in deſcribing his excellencies, which they who are acquainted with him ſee and admire. Three things at preſent I ſhall mention.

1. God is ſuch a friend, whoſe love is tranſcendent. That ſweet name (which p. 155is as an oyntment poured forth) he calls himſelf by, The God of love and peace, 2 Cor. 13. 11. Nay, he is ſtiled foreign, Love in the abſtract, 1 John 4. 8. He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love. Whatever returns of love we make, thoſe returns fall infinitely ſhort of the love of God from whence they come. Indeed it is as poſſible to equal him in ſtrength, in wiſdom, or any other of his perfections, as to equal him in love. Oh let this love of God be as a loadſtone to draw yours, and as a whetſtone to ſharpen it.

2. God is ſuch a friend, whoſe fulneſs can never be exhauſted. The Sun, although it hath ſhined ever ſince the Creation, yet 'tis as full of light as ever it was. And though the Lord hath ſupplyed the wants of all them, whom he hath made his friends from the beginning, yet his ſtock and ſtore is not at all diminiſhed; His wiſdom is never poſed in their greateſt difficulties; when believers know not what to do, and their eyes are unto him, he knows what to do for them: His power can raiſe them out of the loweſt deep; his all-ſufficiency can give p. 156to the uttermoſt of their deſires, nay exceedingly more then it hath entred into their hearts to deſire or conceive: Who in his wits would not leave a vain world, and deceitful luſts, to come to ſuch a friend as God hath alwayes ſhewed himſelf to be?

3. God is ſuch a friend, as will laſt when all other friends fail. He is the Lord who changes not: He can as ſoon ceaſe to be, as ceaſe to be faithful; and the faithfulneſs of God towards his friends, will make them alſo faithful; he will not turn away from them, and he will hold them faſt that they ſhall not depart from him. The Lord is moſt conſtant; the Ordinances of the Sun, and Moon, and Stars are not ſo immutable as the Promiſes he hath made. Men of low degree are vanity, men of high degree are a lye, Pſal. 62. 9. But God is true: Wealth may take wings and fly away, proſperity may vaniſh ſo as to be forgotten, fleſh and heart may fail, but the Lord will be a friend and a portion for ever. Oh conſent to be reconciled, ſince ſuch a friend hereby will be gained.

5. Conſider, If God be at peace with p. 157you, he will ſhield you from all other adverſaries; he will wreſt thoſe weapons out of your own hands, whereby you endeavoured your own deſtruction; he will give a deaths wound to ſin, that it ſhall not be your death. And though the world, and the God of the world, fight againſt you, they ſhall not be able to prevail: Nay, their very enmity ſhall befriend you, and God will turn to good what they do mean for evil. 'Tis admirable to conſider, how the adverſaries of the Lords people, though they have the intenſion of enemies, yet are forced to act like friends, and do a kindneſs unto Saints by thoſe means, whereby they thought to have injured and deſtroyed them. Juſt as Joſeph's brethren, when they would hinder his promotion, ſold their brother into Egypt, where he arrived to that honour, which being foretold was the matter of their envy.

6. Gods late diſpenſations, in a way of judgment, do call upon you aloud to ſue for peace. He hath diſplayed his Flag of Defiance, and the Motto of it hath been, Peſte, Ferro, & Flamma, By Plague, and Sword, and Fire; By all theſe the Lord p. 158hath been fighting with us and our ſins, and rebelling againſt him is the ground of the quarrel. The Sword was drawn, which devoured fleſh, and dyed red the Sea with bloud. The Quiver was opened, and out flew the Arrows of the Peſtilence; and what ſlaughter did thoſe Arrows make? Heaps upon heaps the Deſtroyer kill'd, many thouſand went down to the Chambers of Death. We were ready to conclude, when the Plague was over, that God had done with us, but we were miſtaken: A Fire was kindled in his wrath, which the ſtrongeſt, the ſtatelieſt buildings could not ſtand againſt: How did the flames roar? what havock did they make? In three dayes ſpace, London was no more like it ſelf, then the dead bones, which have lay'n in the grave for ſeveral years, are like unto the man, when he was alive, and in his greateſt ſtrength and beauty.

When theſe effects of his diſpleaſure are look'd upon with a conſiderate eye, who can doubt that God was angry? and how little hath been done to appeaſe his wrath? 'Tis high time to beg for mercy, and to abandon whatever is a bar p. 159in Mercy's way. Oh that London, oh that England, would know the things that belong to their peace! We are not brought ſo low but we may be brought lower, if we provoke the Lord to continue ſtill an enemy.

7. Conſider, as yet there is a poſſibility of being reconciled to God: His Arms are open and ſtretched forth, if you will but caſt your ſelves into them: If the moſt wicked will but forſake their wayes and thoughts, and return to the Lord, he will have mercy upon them; and though ſin hath abounded, he will abundantly pardon, Iſai. 55. 7. Oh what would the damned give, that mercy were but poſſible to be obtained? 'Tis great mercy that you have not ſinn'd your ſelves beyond the reach of mercy: But if the favour of God and peace with him be neglected, how quickly may you be concluded under ſin and wrath, and your ſalvation become as impoſſible, as is the ſalvation of thoſe who are in Hell?

I hope by this time your ears will be readily open to hearken to ſome Directions, how you may have your peace with God made.

p. 160The Directions are theſe.

1. Be ſenſible of, and bewail that enmity which is between God and you. You have unnaturally rebelled and riſen up againſt your Father that made you. Thoſe members which he formed, you have yielded as weapons of unrighteouſneſs; thoſe powers which he hath indued your ſouls with, you have employed ſinfully: You have diſhonoured him in your bodies and ſpirits, whereas you ſhould have glorified him in both. You are unjuſtly and unreaſonably the Lords enemies; what hath he done to deſerve your hatred? for which of his kindneſſes do you fight againſt him? But the Lord is juſtly an enemy to you, becauſe your tranſgreſſions againſt him have been ſo many and ſo mighty. That you ſhould have hearts alienated from ſuch a God, ſo holy and gracious, and to whom you owe all that you are and have, it ſhould make your hearts break and melt within you; and that you have engaged this God againſt you, ſhould be eſteemed an evil and a bitter thing, Jer. 2. 19.

2. Let your cryes be ſtrong for peace: Reſolve never to give over, till he whom p. 161you have provoked to be your enemy, is become your friend. If you would have an intereſt in the favour of God, that favour muſt be intreated, and that with your whole heart: Pſal. 119. 58. I intreated thy favour with my whole heart; be merciful to me according unto thy word. The condemned priſoner at the bar, if there be hopes of ſpeeding, how doth he implore the Judges mercy? The beggar, who is ready to ſtarve for hunger, how doth he make a noiſe, Bread, bread, for the Lords ſake, bread! And you have more cauſe to cry for peace with God; for if you live and dye enemies, you are everlaſtingly undone. And to hearten you to prayer, let that Scripture be conſider'd, Pſal. 86. 5. For thou Lord art good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

3. The mediation of Jeſus Chriſt muſt be uſed. The Apoſtle tells us, That Chriſt came and preached to them which were far off, and to them which were nigh, Epheſ. 2. 12. that is, both to the Jews and Gentiles: And that peace which he preached, by his bloud he purchaſed The bloud of Chriſt hath a voice, which p. 162voice is loud, and peace is the thing which his bloud cryes for. You muſt expect peace no other way but by the bloud of the Croſs. Believe that this bloud of Chriſt, the eternal Son of God, is ſufficient to make an atonement for your ſin; and being encouraged by the proffers and promiſes which he hath made in the Goſpel, be ſure to truſt in him, to be your Advocate with the Father, and he will not fail to mediate your peace; who ever believed on him and was confounded? Chriſt is ſtyled the Prince of Peace, Iſai. 9. 6. which ſhews that he hath an uncontroulable power to make peace, when, and for whom he pleaſes.

4. Let the deſign of God in the Goſpel be conſider'd as matter of encouragement: which deſign is to reconcile the world unto himſelf, 2 Cor. 5 19. God is in Chriſt reconciling the world unto himſelf, not imputing their treſpaſſes to them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. One great thing which keeps …en off from God, is an unbelieving fear, that … is averſ… from peace, rather forward to take veng…an… upon the ſinner, then p. 163ready to forgive his ſin. But have they, who entertain ſuch fears, ever look'd into the Goſpel? If the Lord were ſo forward to kill and deſtroy, why hath he provided a City of refuge? why did he refuſe to ſpare his Son? why doth he proclaim himſelf a God abundant in loving kindneſs, goodneſs and truth, who hath mercy for thouſands, and forgives iniquity, tranſgreſſion and ſin? The more firmly you are perſwaded of his kindneſs and compaſſions, the ſooner you will yield to him.

5. Lay hold upon the Lords own ſtrength, if you would have your peace made. Conſult the forecited place, Iſai. 27. 5. Or let him take hold of my ſtrength, that he may make peace with me, and he ſhall make peace with me. Though by the ſtrength of the Lord, we may underſtand Chriſt Jeſus, who is called, the Power of God, and the Wiſdom of God, 1 Cor. 1. 24. Yet I rather think the Holy Ghoſt doth intimate to us in that place, that unleſs God doth draw us to himſelf by his own ſtrength, we ſhall never cloſe with him, but ſtill continue at a diſtance and enmity. Your neck is ſo much like an iron p. 164ſinew, that a leſs ſtrength then that of God is inſufficient to bow it to his yoak. Deſire therefore, that this arm may be revealed, whereby your naturally ſtubborn ſpirits may be made tractable and obedient.

6. Reſolve to cover and keep nothing, whereby the Lord hath been provoked. He that covereth his ſins ſhall not proſper. And as ſin, which is the cauſe of war, muſt be forſaken, ſo you muſt leave the tents of Rebels; you muſt ſhake off your acquaintance with them that are the Lords profeſs'd enemies, and become companions of thoſe that fear him.

USE III. Of Advice, to thoſe whoſe peace is made.

Endeavour after an aſſurance of it. Be reſtleſs, while it may be queſtion'd, whether God be your friend, or whether he be your foe? His favour is a thing of ſo great value, of ſuch ſweetneſs, and will have ſo great an influence, as that it better deſerves to be enſured then thoſe things of the world, uncertainty about which doth ſo much torture the worldly minded.

p. 165Here I ſhall, firſt, Lay down ſome ſigns of that peace which is true. Secondly, Some arguments to perſwade believers to endeavour after an aſſurance of peace.

The Signs are theſe.

1. True peace follows after contrition and trouble for ſin. Thou art at peace; but waſt thou ever troubled? if not, 'twere well if thy peace were gone, and trouble in the room of it. Thou art troubled at thy temporal loſſes, and when thy expectation from the creatures is fruſtrated; affliction alſo is troubleſom, and acknowledg'd an evil, but were thine eyes open to ſee the evil of ſin? was thy heart ever troubled for it? If guilt be made light of, if future puniſhment be not thought on, nor feared, if thou art unſenſible that ſin is a plague, and 'tis not noyſom to thee, if thy offending of God be the ſmalleſt matter of a thouſand, as long as thou feeleſt nothing of his hand, certainly thou waſt never broken, and ſo thy peace is not thy priviledg, but thy puniſhment. Chriſt was annointed to bind up the broken-hearted, and to comfort th…ſe who firſt have mourned, Iſai. 61. 1. and thoſe who have true reſt p. 166given them, were firſt weary and heavy laden.

2. True peace is the fruit of the lips. Iſai. 57. 9. I create the fruit of the lips, peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near. Peace is called the fruit of the lips, partly becauſe 'tis obtained by prayer, partly becauſe 'tis grounded upon the Goſpel which is preached to us: Where true peace is, there hath been a crying and lifting up the voice for it. Oh what importunities have been uſed, that the Lord would ceaſe to be an adverſary? what wreſtlings for his favour and friendſhip? This peace hath been valued above all the world, and the ſoul hath been contented to do any thing, to be any thing, ſo it may be at peace with God.

True peace is likewiſe grounded upon the word; 'tis a peace not of our own, but of the Lords ſpeaking, Pſal. 85. 8. I will hear what God the Lord will ſpeak, for he will ſpeak peace to his people, and to his Saints, but let them not turn again to folly. And when he ſpeaks peace, who then can make trouble? The word diſcovers the marks and characters of ſuch p. 167as are indeed reconciled unto God, and become his children; that they prize the Lord Jeſus above all, 1 Pet. 2. 7. that they hunger and thirſt after holineſs and righteouſneſs, Matth. 5. 6. that they love and fear, and are deſirous to follow their Father, Epheſ. 5. 1. And the Spirit by the Word doth work theſe gracious qualities and inclinations in our hearts, and diſcovers that he hath wrought them; and ſo we come to conclude that we are indeed reconciled.

3. True peace is joyned with the ſpiritual combat. The Spirit luſts againſt the fleſh in all thoſe who are reconciled unto God. There is a war with ſin whereever there is a peace with God. If any of our luſts, which are both the Lords enemies and our own too, are winked at, and proviſion is made for them that they may be fulfilled, we plainly ſhew we are ſtill alienated from him. But if the remainders of corruption, if that evil which is preſent with us, be our burthen, and makes us cry out, O wretched as we are; Rom. 7. 24. and we would eſteem it one of the greateſt happineſſes, to be eaſed of that ſin that dwells in us, this p. 168ſhews evidently, that with our minds we ſerve the Law of God, that we are in Chriſt Jeſus, and there is no condemnation to us, Rom. 7. 25. and 8. 1.

I grant, that in a wicked man there may be a combat between his will and his conſcience: Conſcience may check and reproach him, for what his will hath a ſtrong propenſion towards. But the combat between the fleſh and Spirit is another thing: Here the very heart and will is renewed, holineſs is longed after, ſin, not only becauſe of its guilt, but becauſe of its filth, a burthen; and the heart is deſirous that conſcience were more awakened, that it might exerciſe greater power, and cauſe a greater reſtraint from what is evil; whereas the deſire of unrenewed ones is, that conſcience, when troubled, may be huſht aſleep, that ſo ſin may be committed without any remorſe.

4. True peace is inconſiſtent with careleſs walking. A Child of God, who hath attained unto peace, if he grows looſe, and begins to live at random, preſently his peace withers, and conſcience grudges and is unſatisfied, eſpecially if temptation p. 169to ſin, that hath more of preſumption, doth prevail. Canſt thou omit thy duty? canſt thou be proud and peeviſh? canſt thou be exceſſive in thy recreations? canſt thou be unwatchful over thy heart, and words, and wayes, and yet thy peace not at all abate? Aſſure thy ſelf thy peace is but a meer deluſion.

The quicknings of the Spirit may be without the comforts, but never the comforts without the quicknings. If thou grieveſt the Spirit by thy lukewarmneſs and formality to withdraw his aſſiſtance, and to leave thee under deadneſs, and thy peace ſtill remains, that peace is not the Spirits fruit, but thy own hearts preſumption.

Thus of the ſigns of peace.

Now follows the arguments to perſwade unto endeavours after aſſurance that your peace is made,

1. Aſſurance of peace will inflame your hearts with love. How will the fire kindle, and your hearts burn within you, when you perceive, that you, even you in particular, have an intereſt in that love which paſſes knowledge? that God hath had thoughts of kindneſs and mercy towards p. 170you, before the foundation of the world was laid, and that as his love is from everlaſting, ſo to everlaſting it will endure? 1 John 4. 19. We love him, ſayes the Apoſtle, becauſe he firſt loved us. And this manifeſtation and ſenſe of the love of God will have the greater influence, becauſe it uſually finds us in ſorrow, doubting whether ever favour will be extended towards ſuch as we, fearing we are caſt-awayes. Now when in this doleful darkneſs the light of Gods countenance is lifted up, and he ſhews his reconciled face, oh how do our affections work towards him! The Prodigal, who came home with a ſad and doubtful mind, when he found himſelf in his Fathers armes, when he ſaw tha… ſo long abſence and great exorbitancies had not extinguiſh'd his Fathers love, ſurely the workings of his love towards his Father again were beyond expreſſion.

2. Aſſurance of peace will fill you with joy and wonder. You will admire to ſee how the caſe is altered with you, a while ago you were ſtrangers, now friends and favourites; a while ago you had not obtained mercy, but now you p. 171have obtained mercy; a while ago dead in ſin, but now you have attained to the firſt reſurrection, and ſo are ſome of thoſe happy ones, over whom the ſecond death hath no power; a while ago the children of wrath, and ſons of death, now adopted the children of God, and the heirs of glory! Well may your hearts rejoyce, and your joy no man taketh from you. This joy is not like that of the carnal and ungodly, 'tis built upon a ſurer foundation, affliction cannot damp it, and the thoughts of death and judgment, which quite ſpoil the mirth of the wicked, will but highten and increaſe it, it being an earneſt of that fulneſs of joy, which after diſſolution will be entred into.

3. Aſſurance of peace will mightily engage you unto thankfulneſs. This is one reaſon certainly, why David is called a man after the heart of God, becauſe he was ſo much in praiſe. And aſſurance will make you abound in thankſgiving. Unbelieving doubts and fears cauſe us to be poſſeſſed with a dumb devil, ſo that though our receipts are vaſt, our returns are ſmall: We miſconſtrue mercies, and p. 172ſay, they are common to hypocrites, and that they are given in anger to us, and will ſerve only to increaſe both our ſin and puniſhment. But when we know that our peace is made, we ſhall alſo know our intereſt in thoſe bleſſings which are peculiar to Gods choſen ones; and as for outward mercies, they will be very much ſweetned, becauſe coming not only from the hand, but from the heart of God; and hereupon we ſhall be the more forward to offer the ſacrifice of praiſe to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name, Heb. 13. 15.

4. Aſſurance of peace will quicken you to duty, and make you ſtedfaſt in obedience. With what forwardneſs will you pray, when you know you ſhall be heard? with what willingneſs will you engage in other Ordinances, when you know that God will meet with you in them? When you attend upon the miniſtry of the Word, the Lord himſelf hath engaged to be your inſtructer; when you come to the table, he will certainly make you welcome, and will be, not only the inviter, but the feaſt likewiſe. Your expectations p. 173may be juſtly raiſed, and you ſhall not be aſhamed of them. What encouragement doth this afford? Add alſo, when you know that you are reconciled to God, and have had a ſight and taſte how good and gracious he is, you will cleave to him with the fuller purpoſe of heart; you will find ſo much ſweetneſs in him, that all the delights of ſin and the world, which Satan doth ſo much magnifie in his temptations, will be but cheap and mean in compariſon.

5. Aſſurance of peace will ſet you above the fears of affliction and of death: Then you will be able to make application of that ſupporting truth unto your ſelves, That all chaſtiſements are from love, …d tend unto your holineſs and profit, …eb. 12. 6, 10. and this will keep you from fainting and diſmayedneſs of Spirit. Nay, death it ſelf will rather be deſired then feared, when you know it will admit you into the Lords preſence, from whom, while in the body, you are abſent, when you know, that as ſoon as this earthly houſe of your tabernacle ſhall be diſſolved, you ſhall have a building of God, …n houſe not made with hands, eternal in …he heavens, 2 Cor. 5. 1.

p. 174USE IV. Of Direction, how peace may be kept and maintained.

1. Let not your hearts be lifted up with pride after the Lord hath manifeſted himſelf to you. Pride is a great enemy to peace. God revives and comforts the ſpirit of the humble, and the heart of the contrite ones, Iſai. 57. 15. Thoſe who obſerve the workings of their own ſouls, ſhall find, after Gods manifeſting himſelf, that pride is commonly one of the firſt ſins which aſſaults them. The Apoſtle, after the abundance of revelations, was in great danger of being exalted above meaſure; therefore the meſſenger of Satan is ſent to buffet him, that this ſelf-exalting might be prevented. Oh do not think highly of your ſelves, do not cenſure and undervalue others; the more low you are in your own eyes, your joy and peace will be the more abiding.

2. Be watchful even againſt little ſins: Theſe will dead the heart, and grieve the Spirit, cauſing him to ſuſpend his p. 175ſweet influences, and make way for greater. Little ſins have their peculiar aggravations. How inexcuſable are we when we ſtand with God about a ſmall matter, and refuſe to do a little for him? Miſpence of a little time, a little exceſs in uſing of the creatures, a little frothineſs of mind, the ſmaller ſtirrings of pride and paſſion, and ſuch like, which are more commonly to be found in profeſſors; you muſt beware of, elſe theſe leſſer ſins, to your coſt and ſorrow, will be found great enough, to interrupt and break your peace.

3. Eſpecially take heed of groſs tranſgreſſions which waſte the Conſcience. When David would needs feed upon forbidden pleaſures, he loſt his peace, and the joy of Gods ſalvation, Pſal. 51. Groſſer falls do break the bones, and raiſe a new ſtorm in the Conſcience, where before a calm was. By theſe you will not only cauſe the Lords enemies to reproach religion, but alſo your own hearts to reproach you. Oh therefore cry, Ʋphold me continually with thy free Spirit, and keep back thy ſervant from preſumptuous ſins.

p. 1764. Do the work of the Lord diligently. God doth moſt conſtantly manifeſt himſelf to thoſe, who moſt conſtantly ſeek and ſearch for him with their whole heart, Jer. 29. 13. Never offer unto God a ſacrifice, but let it have ſound inwards. The Pſalmiſt tells us, That the Lords countenance doth behold the upright, Pſal. 11. ult. When we are ſincere, and ſerve him with our whole ſoul, then he ſhews his face, and in his looks we may read his love, and through Chriſt his accepting of us.

5. Let your deſign in begging the continuance of peace be this, that hereby you may be encouraged to do more for God, and to cleave the cloſer to him. Aim at his glory as well as your own ſatisfaction in this matter. Lord! I deſire a continued aſſurance of thy love, but 'tis that I may love thee more, and be more zealous for thine honour, and labour in thy work with greater life and vigour.

6. Let it be your dayly practiſe to walk with God. Be not religious only by fits, this argues an heart much diſtempered.

p. 177Here I ſhall give a directory how to walk every day.

1. When your eyes are firſt open, lift them up to God, let your hearts be well ſeaſoned with holy thoughts and affections; they will be in the better frame all the day:

2. Allot ſome time for ſecret prayer and ſearching of the Scripture, twice every day at leaſt: And ſervants, which are not maſters of their own time, if they cannot ſo conveniently pray at one time, ſhould be ſure to catch hold of another opportunity.

3. Let not meditation be omitted. One quarter of an hour, at leaſt, in thinking upon ſome truth, the hearing or reading of which hath a little moved you, or which doth moſt concern you, may be well ſpared.

4. Be ſerious in family duties, walk in in the houſe with a perfect heart, and conſcienciouſly do the duties of your places and relations, becauſe the word ſtands much upon theſe, and hereby Religion is adorned.

5. Accuſtom your ſelves to thoughts of God, and let your deſires be frequently p. 178aſcending towards him.

6. In worldly buſineſs, remember Conſcience is to be kept void of offence; take heed of injuſtice, defrauding, overreaching.

7. Let not the world, when it flows into your hands, inſinuate it ſelf into your hearts.

8. Study to excell in thoſe things which may make Religion amiable in the eyes of the world, as meekneſs, humility, contentedneſs with your condition, charitableneſs, quietneſs, refuſing to backbite and defame any.

9. Be vigilant againſt the ſin which doth moſt eaſily beſet you, the ſin of your conſtitution, the ſin of your calling, the ſin which heretofore did bear the greateſt ſway in you.

10. Reſiſt temptation at the firſt appearing of it; ſtart back from Satans baits, as one would do who is ready to tread upon a Serpent.

11. Let not Chriſtian liberty degenerate into carnal licentiouſneſs, uſe not liberty for an occaſion to the fleſh; remember you are the Diſciples of the crucified Jeſus, and ſo in your walking there muſt p. 179be not an enmity, but a ſutableneſs to his Croſs.

12. Bad company abſtain from, and be not intimate with lukewarm profeſſours; when neceſſitated to be with them, be jealous over your ſelves; never ſinfully comply with, but rather reprove them.

13. Deſign to get ground upon ſome ſin or other every day; every day let ſome progreſs be made in the work of mortification.

14. Obſerve providences, and get the good of them; let loſſes and croſſes wean you from the world, let afflictions imbitter ſin, and let mercies indear the Father of them.

15. Reſt not in Ordinances, but conſider you muſt be reckoned with how you have improved them; If in theſe you neither meet with God, nor miſs him, 'tis a bad ſign.

16. Keep a watch before the door of your lips; oaths, falſhood, vanity, filthineſs, your communication muſt be free from. Be alſo ſwift to hear, and ſlow to ſpeak, for in multitude of words there wanteth not ſin.

p. 18017. If you fall, lye not where you are fallen, cry immediately for pardon and healing; let the wound, while green, be cured before it feſter.

18. Have daily recourſe to Chriſt, to cover the ſins of daily incurſion; you have as much need of daily pardon, as you have of dayly bread.

19. Live as Strangers and Pilgrims; look upon the World as your Inn, and Heaven as your Home, and act as within view of Death, and Judgment, and Eternity.

20. At evening reflect how you have ſpent the day. An Heathen of old gave this notable advice,

foreign,

foreign.

foreign.

Which may be thus Engliſhed.

Never let ſleep, which ſenſes tyes,

At any night cloſe up thine eyes,

Before the actions of the day

Thou thrice and ſeriouſly doeſt weigh;

Where have I ſinn'd? what have I done?

What duty have I let alone?

p. 181If you would walk after this manner, how perfect might your peace be? and how much might your paſſage be ſweetned through this vale of tears?

I have done with the third Doctrine: I ſhall be very brief in the two which remain.

Doct. 4. The fourth Doctrine is this, That when ſinners will not ſee, they are ſmitten many times with ſpiritual blindneſs, and the things of their peace are in a way of judgment hid from them.

The Lord hides the things of their peace from them ſeveral wayes.

1. He cauſes his Spirit to withdraw: 'Tis the Spirits work to enlighten dark underſtandings; but if the Spirit be gone, how great muſt the darkneſs be?

2. The Lord gives men up to the perverſe reaſonings and counſels of their own hearts; and then a thouſand abſurdities will, by the carnal mind, be imagined in the doctrine which is according to godlineſs; and how burthenſome will the practiſe of godlineſs be made to appear?

p. 1823. The Lord permits Satan to blind them; and by his means their hatred of light, and of the works of light, is very much augmented; and hereupon, either more abominable prophaneneſs, or ſtrong deluſions follow.

4. The Lord in his providence cauſes ſeveral things to happen, which ſinners ſtumble at, and by which they are more confirmed in their prejudices againſt the Word, and in their infidelity. The righteous are ſuffer'd ſometimes to fall into ſin, and many times into great diſtreſs: The wicked often proſper in the world, and live and dye in a falſe peace: And upon this the ungodly are more darkned and hardned.

5. In all this the Lord acts as a Judge, and intends to puniſh their refuſing to be enlightned, and yet he is not the Author of ſin: He is light, 1 John 1. 5. and no darkneſs can come from him. All ignorance and miſtake is from corrupted nature, being wrought upon by the Prince of darkneſs.

Neither is the juſtice of God to be quarrelled at for dealing thus with them that reject illumination.

p. 1831. The merit of their ſin is great. Neſcire eſt ignorantis, nolle ſcire eſt ſuperbiae; there is abundance of pride in them that are unwilling to be informed, and a great love to evil deeds, and alſo mighty ingratitude, for light is a very great priviledge.

2. This puniſhment is very ſutable; What more equal, then that thoſe, who would not be enlightned by the Spirit of the Lord, and directed into the paths of peace, ſhould be ſuffered to be beguiled by Satan and their own ſpirits, and ſo be miſguided and loſt for ever?

Ʋſe 1. Take heed of ſinning againſt the light, for fear it be put out in obſcurity. The clearer the light ſhines, the more it aggravates the works of darkneſs. Let not the luſts of your hearts be cheriſhed and fulfilled, leſt the light of your heads be hereby extinguiſhed.

Ʋſe 2. Do not unwarrantably ſurmiſe, that the things of your peace are in judgment hid from you. All blindneſs is not judicial. If thou wouldſt fain know the will of God and do it, God upon thy asking will give wiſdom liberally without upbraiding, Jam. 1. He p. 184will not fail by his Spirit to inſtruct thee, who hath made thee thus willing to be inſtructed.

Doct. 5. The laſt Doctrine follows, When ſouls are left under darkneſs, their ſtate is wretched and deplorable.

Conſider, with ſuch

1. God is extreamly angry. When he puniſheth ſin with ſin he is moſt of all diſpleaſed; and truly he cannot puniſh it with a worſe evil then it ſelf is. In temporal judgments, 'tis to be hoped, the Lord aims at our reformation and amendment; but when he gives up any to blindneſs of mind, and a reprobate ſenſe, 'tis a ſign his love and mercy have done with them. As by the Spirit of God believers are ſealed up to the day of redemption, ſo by the ſpirit of flumber the unbelievers are ſealed up to the day of deſtruction.

2. With ſuch Satan doth what he pleaſes; he leads them along, and how little do they perceive whither they are going? how do means make them worſe? how bold are they in ſin? how quickly are they like to fill up the meaſure of p. 185their iniquity, and grow rotten ripe for vengeance? and when that vengeance overtakes them, then they will weep over themſelves, as Chriſt doth over Jeruſalem, and too late lament their own miſery, when 'twill be impoſſible to have it removed.

Ʋſe 1. Earneſtly intreat, that this may never be yours, which was the puniſhment of Jeruſalem: And if you would not lye under the like plague, you muſt not be guilty of the like ſin, namely, rejecting Chriſt, and the Goſpel of peace.

Ʋſe 2. Pitty thoſe who tread in Jeruſalems ſteps, and provoke the Lord to cloſe their eyes; tell them of their danger, which they themſelves do not perceive; awaken them out of their Lethargie, if it be poſſible, before it become paſt remedy.

Ʋſe 3. If the Lord, when others are blinded, is become both light and ſalvation to any of you, break out into praiſe. The light is marvellous which you are called to, and marvellous ſhould be your joy. You have that eye-ſalve, with which few eyes are annointed, you have that Spirit which the world doth not receive. p. 186You were born blind as well as others, but a miracle of grace hath been wrought upon you; the vail is taken off, and you ſee the Lord, and your intereſt in him, how ſhould all that is within you bleſs him? This preſent light, wherewith you are viſited, is, as it were the dawning of the day of glory, and a certain forerunner of the light that's everlaſting.

THE END.