1 For the first, observe the threatenings in Gods word,1 and ye shall find them made against such asa hate God, and are hated of him. Read the 26. chap. of Levit. and the 28 of Deut. There Gods curses are denounced against the wicked, but his blessings promised to the righteous: read the 91 Psal. where David expressly confirmeth this point, and showeth how they which trust under the shadow of the Almighty, and so have peace with him, are delivered from many troubles. Note the Histories of the Jews under idolatrous and wicked Kings, and under religious and good Kings; God being forsaken by them, brought many calamities upon them: but being loved of these, delivered them from many which their enemies intended against them: Yea, when general judgements were brought upon the Land,c God sent forth one to mark those whom he loved, that they might be spared in the judgement. The reason is clear: for it is sin which causeth the most grievous judgements: Now the Gospel of peace being a means to move God to for give us the sins which we have committed, and to⟨p. 192⟩ move us to forsake our sins, and to seek to please him, it must needs be a means to keep us from many judgements, which otherwise would fall upon us. Besides, it keepeth us from a reprobate sense, (whereunto thed heathen were given, and thee Jews after they had lost their peace with God:) from despair, whereuntof Judas fell; and from hell fire, whichg shall torment wicked men. These of all are the most woeful judgements, and from these doth the Gospel of peace wholly free men.
1 For the first, obserue the threatnings in Gods word,1 and ye shall find them made against such asa hate God, and are hated of him. Reade the 26. chap. of Leuit. and the 28 of Deut. There Gods curses are denounced against the wicked, but his blessings promised to the righteous: reade the 91 Psal. where Dauid expresly confirmeth this point, and sheweth how they which trust vnder the shadow of the Almighty, and so haue peace with him, are deliuered from many troubles. Note the Histories of the Iewes vnderidolatrous and wicked Kings, and vnder religious and good Kings; God being forsaken by them, brought many calamities vpon them: but being loued of these, deliuered them from many which their enemies intended against them: Yea, when generall iudgements were brought vppon the Land,c God sent forth one to marke those whom hee loued, that they might bee spared in the iudgement. The reason is cleare: for it is sinne which causeth the most grieuous iudgements: Now the Gospell of peace being a meanes to mooue God to for giue vs the sinnes which wee haue committed, and to⟨p. 192⟩ moue vs to forsake our sinnes, and to seeke to please him, it must needs be a meanes to keepe vs from many iudgements, which otherwise would fall vpon vs. Besides, it keepeth vs from a reprobate sence, (whereunto thed heathen were giuen, and thee Iewes after they had lost their peace with God:) from despaire, whereuntof Iudas fell; and from hell fire, whichg shall torment wicked men. These of all are the most wofull iudgements, and from these doth the Gospell of peace wholy free men.
- 11 Peace with God keepeth many judgements away.1 Peace with God keepeth many iudgements away.
- a[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- cEzec. 9. 4
- dRom. 1. 28.
- eActs 28. 29.
- fMat. 27. 5.
- gMat. 25. 46.
