A Body of Practical Divinity

Use. Labour for this blessed Peace, Peace with God and Conscience; Peace with Neighbour Nations is sweet, Pax una Triumphis innumeris melior, the Hebrew Word [Greek or Hebrew] Peace comprehends all Blessings, it is the Glory of a Kingdom; a Princes Crown is more Beautiful when it is hung with the white Lilly of Peace, than when it is set with the Red Roses of a Bloody War: O then how sweet is Peace of Conscience! it is a Bulwark against the Enemy, Phil. 4.7. [Greek or Hebrew] it shall keep you as in a Garrison; you may throw out the Gantlet, and bid defiance to Enemies: It is the Golden Pot and the Manna, it is the first Fruits of Paradise. It is still Music; for want of this a Christian is in continual fear; he doth not take that comfort in Ordinances. Hannah went up to the Feast at Jerusalem, but she wept and did not eat, 1 Sam. 1.7. So a poor dejected Soul goes to an Ordinance, but doth not eat of the Feast; he weeps and doth not eat. He cannot take that comfort in Worldly Blessings, Health, Estate, Relations; he wants that inward Peace which should be as Sauce to sweeten his Comforts. O therefore labour for this blessed Peace, consider the noble and excellent effects of it. First, It gives boldness at the Throne of Grace; Guilt of Conscience clips the Wings of Prayer, it makes the Face Blush, and the Heart: But when a Christian hath some lively apprehensions of God's Love, and the Spirit whispering Peace, then he goes to God with boldness, as a Child to his Father, Psal. 25.1. Unto thee O Lord I lift up my Soul. Time was when ⟨p. 210⟩David's Soul was bowed down, Psal. 38.6. I am bowed down greatly. But now the case is altered, he will lift up his Soul to God in a way of Triumph; whence was this? God had spoken Peace to his Soul, Psal. 26.3. Thy loving Kindness is before mine Eyes. 2. This Divine Peace fires the Heart with Love to Christ; Peace is the result of Pardon; he who hath a Pardon sealed, cannot choose but love his Prince. How endeared is Christ to the Soul! now Christ is precious indeed. O saith the Soul, how sweet is this Rose of Sharon! Hath Christ waded through a Sea of Blood and Wrath to purchase my Peace, hath he not only made Peace, but spoke Peace to me; how should my Heart ascend in a fiery Chariot of Love, how willing should I be to do and suffer for Christ! 3. This Peace quiets the heart in Trouble,