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…

Fifthly, Faith is the hand to receive and embrace this peace; by believing we come to have this heavenly tranquillity. Those that are strangers to this life of faith, are also strangers to this life of peace. Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. It's faith that prepareth the way for peace, Isai. 26. 3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee in perfect peace, peace; peace, as in the original, full and universal peace. But how shall he thus be kept? By trusting and staying his mind on God. So Isai. 27. 5. God there inviteth men to believe, which is emphatically called, a laying hold upon God, Let him take hold on me, that he may make peace with me, and he shall make peace with me. Take hold, as we do upon a man that is turning away from us, and seemeth to be offended with us; but we lay hold on him, entreating him to look upon us. This doth faith; and therefore by it we are said to have boldness. Oh then acquaint thy self more with this life of faith! If you see a tree wither in all its branches and boughs, it is because it dieth at the root: So if you see a Christian abating in his peace, in his joy, in his consolations, it is because faith is weak within. This is the breast that gives suck (as it were) to all the serenity we enjoy.

Fifthly, Faith is the hand to receive and imbrace this peace; by believing we come to have this heavenly tranquillity. Those that are strangers to this life of faith, are also strangers to this life of peace. Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. It's faith that prepareth the way for peace, Isai. 26. 3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee in perfect peace, peace; peace, as in the original, full and universal peace. But how shall he thus be kept? By trusting and staying his mind on God. So Isai. 27. 5. God there inviteth men to believe, which is emphatically called, a laying hold upon God, Let him take hold on me, that he may make peace with me, and he shall make peace with me. Take hold, as we do upon a man that is turning away from us, and seemeth to be offended with us; but we lay hold on him, intreating him to look upon us. This doth faith; and therefore by it we are said to have boldness. Oh then acquaint thy self more with this life of faith! If you see a tree wither in all its branches and boughs, it is because it dieth at the root: So if you see a Christian abating in his peace, in his joy, in his consolations, it is because faith is weak within. This is the breast that gives suck (as it were) to all the serenity we enjoy.