For the first. The Scripture tells us, James 3. 17. The wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable. Such an expression, did it not come from an Apostle, would be scorned by many profane Atheistical spirits amongst us; yea they would accuse James himself, if they dared, for a Puritan, for speaking thus. The Scripture frequently joins Peace 1and truth, peace and holiness, peace and righteousness, grace and peace together: We must be sure so to seek peace, as we must seek the God of peace, the Gospel of peace: That were a fearful peace that should make war between the God of peace and us, or deprive us of the Gospel of peace. Let us not dis-join or disorder the Angels Doxology, Glory be to God on ⟨p. 56⟩high, peace on earth, good will towards men: So peace on earth, as glory may be to God on high, and the good will, the [Greek or Hebrew] of this our God towards us. Placet ista distributio, says Bernard, this distribution pleaseth me well, that God should have glory, & we have peace. Oh that this Angelical distribution of glory & peace might please us all! The truth is, peace is sweet, and those which are thought enemies to it, pray a hundred times more to the God of peace, for peace, then those who plead so much for it. Peace is to be purchased at any rate, but with the loss of Truth; if this be the price of it, we buy it too dear. We use to say, We may buy gold too dear; It would be a hard bargain if the glory of God, if the liberty of his Ordinances, that now we have an opportunity to enjoy, if the most religious party in the Kingdom should be now sacrificed for a supposed peace, which upon such terms certainly will not hold long: This would make God our enemy, not only because his glory, truth, & Saints are dear unto him, but because those who are most religious, have stuck most to the Parliament; they have ventured their estates, their lives, their children, their servants for the safety of King, Kingdom and Parl. Never was Parl. so engaged to any party in England, as they are engaged to these now: Therefore it were the most horrible injustice that ever was in the world, if the Parl. should leave them, yea sacrifice them to their adversaries, only to provide for a false uncertain, dishonourable peace for themselves and others. It cannot be imagined that such a thought could enter into them;
For the first. The Scripture tels us, James 3. 17. The wisdome that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable. Such an expression, did it not come from an Apostle, would be scorned by many profane Atheisticall spirits amongst us; yea they would accuse James himselfe, if they dared, for a Puritan, for speaking thus. The Scripture frequently joynes Peace 1and truth, peace and holinesse, peace and righteousnesse, grace and peace together: We must be sure so to seek peace, as we must seek the God of peace, the Gospel of peace: That were a fearfull peace that should make war between the God of peace and us, or deprive us of the Gospel of peace. Let us not dis-joyn or disorder the Angels Doxologie, Glory be to God on ⟨p. 56⟩high, peace on earth, good will towards men: So peace on earth, as glory may be to God on high, and the good will, the 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 of this our God towards us. Placet ista distributio, sayes Bernard, this distribution pleaseth me wel, that God should have glory, & we have peace. Oh that this Angelical distribution of glory & peace might please us all! The truth is, peace is sweet, and those which are thought enemies to it, pray a hundred times more to the God of peace, for peace, then those who plead so much for it. Peace is to be purchased at any rate, but with the losse of Truth; if this be the price of it, we buy it too deare. We use to say, We may buy gold too deare; It would be a hard bargaine if the glory of God, if the liberty of his Ordinances, that now we have an opportunity to enjoy, if the most religious party in the Kingdome should be now sacrificed for a supposed peace, which upon such terms certainly will not hold long: This would make God our enemie, not only because his glory, truth, & Saints are dear unto him, but because those who are most religious, have stuck most to the Parliament; they have ventured their estates, their lives, their children, their servants for the safety of King, Kingdome and Parl. Never was Parl. so engaged to any party in England, as they are engaged to these now: Therefore it were the most horrible injustice that ever was in the world, if the Parl. should leave them, yea sacrifice them to their adversaries, only to provide for a false uncertain, dishonourable peace for themselves and others. It cannot be imagined that such a thought could enter into them;
- 1Isay 38. 9. Heb. 12. 14. Rom. 14. 17. Rom. 1. 7.
