Gospel reconciliation, or, Christ's trumpet of peace to the world

7

Lastly, He that is at Peace with God, doth set a mighty high esteem upon that peace, he will not easily part with it, he will not easily lose it, that is the Bird in the bosom that he desires to keep singing, whatsoever becomes of him, so long as he can keep that Bird singing in his breast, he thinks himself well enough, though he should meet with never so many difficulties, and hardships in the ways of God. One that hath got this peace with God knows how to prise it, for the truth is, ordinarily, it is gotten with a great deal of difficulty, it cost them somewhat, and it cost Jesus Christ somewhat before they could get it. Hast thou got peace with God? if it be of the right stamp, know, it cost thee dear, and it cost Jesus Christ dear, and surely now thou hast it, it will be dear likewise to thy soul: So that if Sin should present it self to thee, and go about to withdraw thy heart from God unto that which is evil, this will be the very thought of thy heart (though perhaps there may be pleasure and profit in the way which sin presents to thee) this will be the very thought of thy heart, Will it not hinder my peace with God? If there be the least suspicion of that, away with it saith the soul, I will not buy the pleasure, or the profit of sin at so dear a rate. It saith unto sin as the Fig Tree, and Olive Tree, said unto the other Trees when they would come and persuade them to rule over them. Shall I lose my sweetness saith the Fig Tree, and my fatness saith the Olive Tree, to come and be King over you? So saith the heart that is reconciled unto God, when sin, and the world presents themselves ⟨p. 49⟩to it, shall I lose my sweetness, and my fatness? shall I lose that blessed quietude that is between God and me, to come, and close with you? O, God forbid, surely, I will never buy the sweet of Sin at such a dear rate. It is true indeed, the men of the world who have a false peace, will venture that peace upon any light occasion. If a man have a Jewel that is but a false Jewel, such a thing as a Bristol stone is, that it may be is not worth two pence, he will not be much careful of it. But if he have a Jewel that is a true Diamond or that is a right Pearl, he will not venture that upon a little matter. The Peace that most men have, is a counterfeit false Peace and they will soon venture it upon any terms. These men that can so readily yield to the Temptations of sin;