First, This peace lieth in the favour and grace of God, so that his anger and 1wrath, because of sin, is wholly removed. For where Gods wrath is upon a man, where his face is set against him, that man hath no peace, Isa 57. 21. There is no peace, saith my God to the wicked. Therefore though wicked men are for a while in carnal jollity, and in much security, crying, Peace, peace to themselves, as 1 Thess. 5. 3. even then destruction shall suddenly surprise them. The very Heathen could say of a wicked man, That though he might be securus, yet he was never tutus: Though he might cast away all care and fear, bidding his soul, as Dives, to take its ease, yet he is never safe; for in the midst of this security, he heareth that dreadful voice, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be taken away. Let then the wicked men tremble and quake like Belshazzar, for they may see, not one, but many hand-writings, not in a wall, but in the word of God, fore-telling them without repentance of their certain damnation. This peace therefore begins first in Heaven, and so descends into a mans heart. God removeth his anger, because of our sins; he is become a gracious and reconciled Father, and hence we have peace. Therefore Rom. 5. 1. it is called, Peace with God; insomuch that if we had peace with all the Potentates of the world; if we had peace with the world, which yet Christs Disciples shall never have, yet this is nothing to peace with God. For how many have ventured to obtain outward peace, as Spira and others, by breaking this peace; and thereupon have plunged themselves into a very Hell? What peace can any in the world give thee, if God cause his anger to break out against thee?
First, This peace lieth in the favour and grace of God, so that his anger and 1wrath, because of sinne, is wholly removed. For where Gods wrath is upon a man, where his face is set against him, that man hath no peace, Isa 57. 21. There is no peace, saith my God to the wicked. Therefore though wicked men are for a while in carnal jollity, and in much security, crying, Peace, peace to themselves, as 1 Thess. 5. 3. even then destruction shall suddenly surprize them. The very Heathen could say of a wicked man, That though he might be securus, yet he was never tutus: Though he might cast away all care and fear, bidding his soul, as Dives, to take its ease, yet he is never safe; for in the midst of this security, he heareth that dreadfull voice, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be taken away. Let then the wicked men tremble and quake like Belshazzar, for they may see, not one, but many hand-writings, not in a wall, but in the word of God, fore-telling them without repentance of their certain damnation. This peace therefore begins first in Heaven, and so descends into a mans heart. God removeth his anger, because of our sins; he is become a gracious and reconciled Father, and hence we have peace. Therefore Rom. 5. 1. it is called, Peace with God; insomuch that if we had peace with all the Potentates of the world; if we had peace with the world, which yet Christs Disciples shall never have, yet this is nothing to peace with God. For how many have ventured to obtain outward peace, as Spira and others, by breaking this peace; and thereupon have plunged themselves into a very Hell? What peace can any in the world give thee, if God cause his anger to break out against thee?
- 1Wherein this peace consisteth.
