In the next place, to give a few directions to maintain this peace actually and continually every day.
1. To walk with God, and to keep our daily peace with God, it requires a great deal of watchfulness over our thoughts, — for he is a Spirit, over our words and actions. A¥atchfulness is the preserver of peace. Where there is a great distance between two that are at peace, it is not kept without acknow- ledgment of that distance, and without watchfulness. It is not here as it is in a peace that is between two kings that are co-ordinate with one another ; but it is a peace between the King of heaven and rebels that are taken to be subjects ; therefore we must walk in humble, low terms. ' Humble thyself, and walk with thy God,' 1 Pet. v. G. Wo must watch over our carriage, that we do not ' grieve the Spirit of God ;' for then, however the first peace established in conversion should be never taken away, yet God interdicts our comfort. We cannot daily enjoy our daily peace without watchfulness. But God sutlers our knowledge, and our former illumination, to lash our conscience, and to be more miserable in our * That is, ' uudervaluing.' — G.
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inward man, than a carnal man that never had sight of goodness. Oh the misery of a man that is fallen into ill terms with God, that had peace before ! Of all men such a man hath most horror till he have made his peace again. Watchfulness will prevent this.
2. And because it is a difficult thing to maintain terms of peace with God, in regard of our indisposition, we fall into breaches with God daily ; therefore we should often renew our covenants and. jnnjwses every day.
And if we have fallen into any sin, let us make use of our great peace- maker, Christ, who is in heaven to make peace between God and us. Let us desire God, for his sake, to be reconciled unto us, ' for God is, in Christ, reconciling us unto him,' 2 Cor. v". 19, still. The fruit of Christ's death remains still. Let us desire him to testify it unto us by his Holy Spirit.
3. And take that direction of the apostle, in Philip, iv. 6, when we find any trouble in the world, not to trouble ourselves over much. ' In nothing be careful,' &c. No. Shall we cast away all care ? Cast your care upon God ; let your requests be made known to God with thanks- giving ; let your prayers be made to God ; and let him have his tribute of thanksgiving for what you have received already. What then ? ' The peace of God, that passeth all understanding, shall keep and preserve your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus,' Philip, iv. 7. Perhaps we shall not have what we pray for, when we have made our requests known to God. If we have not that we pray for presently, yet we shall have the ' peace of God, that passeth all understanding,' [which] shall * keep our hearts and minds.' Therefore, when any thing troubles us, let us consider there is peace made between God and us, and put up our requests in the name of Christ, and we shall find that peace that passeth understanding.
4. Again, If we would maintain this peace, let us be alway doing some- what that is good and jjleasing to God. In the same chapter, Philip, iv. 8, * Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,' &c., ' think of these things ;' and what then ? ' The God of peace shall be with you.' The peace of God and the God of peace shall be with you. There must be a thinking of whatsoever is good. The thoughts must be exercised that way, and there must be a practice of what we think of. This is one means to maintain this peace with God. The very heathen had this reward of God, I mean in this life, that when they did good to their country, and one to another, they had content of conscience, they had a peace suitable. For in this world there is a suitable pleasure of conscience and contentment upon everything that is good. God rewards it in this world. For as the heat followeth the fire alway — naturally it cannot be without heat — so the thinking and prac- tising of that which is good, especially when it iS joined with some opposi- tion of corrupt nature, when the light of nature is above the corruption of nature. If a man be a pagan, he shall have this reward in this world, a kind of inward peace ;. for we see how comfortably they speak sometimes upon some notable performance for their country (/). Now, the God of peace will be with us much more when we have laid the foundation of our peace aright, in the mercy of God in Christ, besides what is reserved, heaven and happiness. In this world we shall find the peace of God in the doing that which is good.
As for those that live in the church, and are not yet in the state of grace, that have lived wicked lives, let them consider that yet the day of grace continues, as yet the sceptre of mercy is held forth in the ministr}'- ; there is a day of jubilee for them to return from their former captivity. Let