1. Where this peace of God is, it will wonderfully compose and settle the soul. This is the genuine, and immediate consequent of Gods peace in the soul; it putteth the whole soul into an excellent harmony. There are not those waves and tumults, those divisions and distractions of soul, which many times do greatly perplex the godly: Do we not see an universal want of this peace generally amongst believers? Whence arise those troubles, those concussions of soul? Why doest thou need so often to chide and rebuke thy self, saying, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou so disquieted within thee? Do not all these things arise, because thy heart is not at rest and quietness within thee? The Heathens speak much of their Socrates, because he was noted to be always; Eodem vultu, of the same countenance; if this were true, it did not arise from this Christian peace, but from some Stoical, or other Philosophical principles, which did speak much to this tranquillity of mind, but yet pleased themselves with the shadow, never enjoying the substance. David doth notably express the effects of this peace, Psal. 48. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep, because thou Lord alone makest me dwell in safety. Likewise Psal. 23. we have a large description of a serene and pacified mind without any dividing cares of soul. As also Psal. 112. 3. his Heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Thus this peace of God keeps all quiet, and subdueth all troublesome insurrections, and motions of soul. Hence Colos. 3. 15. Phil. 4. 17. this peace of God is ⟨p. 115⟩said to rule in our hearts, and to keep our hearts, as an Army, Garrison, a Strong-hold, so that none dare make any opposition, or resistance. Thus doth the peace of God, it is of such sovereign dominion in our hearts, that it keeps down unbelief, and all unruly passions of soul. Do not then be a Magor-missabib to thy own self, when God calleth thee to peace, do not thou set all at variance, and discord within thy self.
1. Where this peace of God is, it will wonderfully compose and settle the soul. This is the genuine, and immediate consequent of Gods peace in the soul; it putteth the whole soul into an excellent harmony. There are not those waves and tumults, those divisions and distractions of soul, which many times do greatly perplex the godly: Do we not see an universal want of this peace generally amongst believers? Whence arise those troubles, those concussions of soul? Why doest thou need so often to chide and rebuke thy self, saying, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou so disquieted within thee? Do not all these things arise, because thy heart is not at rest and quietness within thee? The Heathens speak much of their Socrates, because he was noted to be alwayes; Eodem vultu, of the same countenance; if this were true, it did not arise from this Christian peace, but from some Stoical, or other Philosophical principles, which did speak much to this tranquillity of mind, but yet pleased themselves with the shadow, never enjoying the substance. David doth notably express the effects of this peace, Psal. 48. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep, because thou Lord alone makest me dwell in safety. Likewise Psal. 23. we have a large description of a serene and pacified mind without any dividing cares of soul. As also Psal. 112. 3. his Heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Thus this peace of God keeps all quiet, and subdueth all troublesome insurrections, and motions of soul. Hence Colos. 3. 15. Phil. 4. 17. this peace of God is ⟨p. 115⟩said to rule in our hearts, and to keep our hearts, as an Army, Garison, a Strong-hold, so that none dare make any opposition, or resistance. Thus doth the peace of God, it is of such sovereign dominion in our hearts, that it keeps down unbelief, and all unruly passions of soul. Doe not then be a Magor-missabib to thy own self, when God calleth thee to peace, doe not thou set all at variance, and discord within thy self.
