An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

This word Peace among the Hebrews, comes from a root signifying, to be whole and sound, because by Peace they did mean all good and prosperity, as by War, the Hebrew word coming from a root, signifying to eat and devour, they meant all misery and destruction. And among the Hebrews this was their ordinary salutation and greeting, Peace be to you, intending thereby all prosperity and happiness: And so some expound it here by Peace, understanding a prosperous and successful proceeding of all their affairs: But though this is not to be excluded; yet we take Peace in the same sphere with Grace; and as that did relate chiefly to spiritual things, so also must this Peace in the Text.

This word Peace among the Hebrews, comes from a root signifying, to be whole and sound, because by Peace they did mean all good and prosperity, as by Warre, the Hebrew word coming from a root, signifying to eat and devour, they meant all misery and destruction. And among the Hebrews this was their ordinary salutation and greeting, Peace be to you, intending thereby all prosperity and happiness: And so some expound it here by Peace, understanding a prosperous and successefull proceeding of all their affairs: But though this is not to be excluded; yet we take Peace in the same sphere with Grace; and as that did relate chiefly to spiritual things, so also must this Peace in the Text.

By it therefore is meant, the fruit of Gods grace and favour, viz. a quiet, serene, and calm, joyful frame of soul arising from the sense of Gods peace through Christ, whereby we walk comfortably, boldly, and not daunted under sin, afflictions, or death it self. A most blessed and choice mercy it is, putting a believer into an Heaven, while he is on this earth, his heart keeping (as it were) a perpetual Sabbath and rest within. So that whensoever the godly find diffidence, fears, disquietness, perplexities, troubles and dejections of soul; all this ariseth because this peace doth not prevail, and keep all under in our hearts. This [Greek or Hebrew], this Peace and tranquillity of spirit, some philosophers, especially the Stoics, did greatly aim at, and accounted it the chiefest good; but being ignorant of Christ and faith in him, they took the shadow of it for the substance. Observe,