Ans. Some of the godly may not have so full a degree of peace. 1. Through the fury of temptation. The devil, if he can- not destroy us, he will disturb us. Satan disputes against our adoption ; he would make us question the work of grace in our hearts, and so troubles the waters of our peace : Satan is like a subtle cheater, who, if he cannot make a man's title to his land void, yet he will put him to many troublL'- some suits in law. If Satan cannot make us ungodly, he will make us unquiet : vio- lent winds make the sea rough and stormy ; the winds of temptation blowing, disturb peace of spirit, and put the soul into a com- motion.— 2. The godly may not enjoy peace, through mistake and mi.sapprehension ab(mt sin. They find so much corruption, that sure, if there were grace, there would not be such strong working of corruption : whereas this should be so far from dis- couraging Christians, and hindering their peace, that it is an argument for them. Let me ask. Whence is it that you feel sin ? No man can feel sin, but by grace. A wicked man is insensible; lay an hundred weight upon a dead man, he doth not com- plain, but the being sensible of corruption argues a gracious principle, Rom. vii. 21. Again, Whence is it that tiiere is a combat witii sin, but from the life of grace? Gal. V. 17. Dead tilings cannot combat. Whence is it that tlie saints weep for sin ? what are these tears but seeds of faith? The not understanding of this, hinders a Christian's peace. — 3. The godly may not enjoy peace, through remissness in duty ; they lea^e their first love. When Christians abate their fervency, God abates their peace ; if you slacken the strings of a viol, the mu- sic is spoiled, if Christians slack in duty,
Use 1st. Labour for this blessed peace, — - peace with God and conscience. Peace with neighbour-nations is sweet, Pax una tri- nmphis inuineris melior. The Hebrew word schalom, ' peace,' com])rehends all bless- ings, it is the glory of a kingdom ; a prince's crown is more beautiful when it is hung with the white lily of peace, than when it is set with the red roses of a bloody war. O then, how sweet is peace of conscience ! It is a bulwark against the enemy, Phil. iv. 7., it shall keep you as in a garrison ; you may throw out the gauntlet and bid defi- ance to the enemies ; it is the golden pot and the manna; it is the first fruits of j)a- radise. It is still music ; for want of this a Christian is in continual fear, he doth not take that comfort in ordinances. Hannah went up to the feast at Jerusalem, but " she wept and did not eat," 1 Sam. i. 7. So, a poor dejected soul goes to an ordi- nance, but doth not eat of the feast; he weeps and doth not eat. He cannot take that comfort in worldly blessings, health, estate, relations ; he wants that inward peace, which should be a sauce to sweeten his comforts. O therefore labour for this blessed peace ! Consider the noble and ex- cellent effects of it : 1. It gives boldness at the throne of grace ; guilt of conscience clips the wings of prayer,~-it makes the face blush, and the heart faint, — but when a Christian hath some lively apprehensions of God's love, and the Spirit whispering peace, then he goes to God witli boldness, as a child to his fiither, Ps. x.w. 1., " Un- to thee, O Lm-d, I lift up my soul." Time was when David's soul was bowed down, Ps. xxxviii. 6., " I am bowed down great- ly ;" but now the case is altered, he will lift up his soul to God in a way of triumph, whence was this ? God hath spoken peace to his soul, Ps. xxA'i. 3., " Thy loving - kindtiess is before mine eyes." — 2. This di- vine peace fires the heart with love to Christ. Peace is the result of pardon ; he who hath a pardon sealed cainiot choose but love his prince. How endeared is Christ to the soul ! Now Christ is precious in-
OF PEACE.
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