In the next place, how aptly these blessings are suited1 ⟨p. 71⟩among themselves; first mercy, then peace, and then love; mercy doth not differ much from that which is called grace in Pauls Epistles, only grace doth more respect the bounty of God, as mercy doth our want and need: By mercy then is meant the favour and good-will of God to miserable creatures; and peace signifieth all blessings inward and outward, as the fruits and effects of that favour and good-will; more especially calmness and serenity of Conscience, or a secure enjoying of the love of God, which is the top of spiritual prosperity: And then love sometimes signifieth Gods love to us; here I should rather take it for our love to God, and to the Brethren for Gods sake: So that mercy is the rise and spring of all, peace is the effect and fruit, and love is the return. He beginneth with mercy, for that is the fountain and beginning of all the good things which we enjoy; higher then love and mercy we cannot go, for Gods Love is the reason of it self, Deut. 7. 7, 8. Rom. 9. 15. Isai. 45. 15. and we can deserve nothing at Gods hands but wrath and misery, and therefore we should still honour Mercy, and set the Crown upon Mercy's head (as further anon;) that which you give to Merit, you take from Mercy. Now the next thing is peace; mark the order still; without mercy and grace there can be no true peace: Isai. 57. 21. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked; they say, Peace, peace, but my God doth not say so. Christ left his peace with his own Disciples, John 14. 27. and not as worldly and external peace is left, in the happiness of which both good and bad are concerned; that is general, but this is proper, confined within the Conscience of him that enjoyeth it, and given to the godly: 'Tis the Lords method to pour in first the oil of grace, and then the oil of gladness: Alas, the peace of a wicked man 'tis but a frisk, or fit of joy, whilst Conscience, Gods watchman is napping; stolen waters and bread eaten in secret, Prov. 9. 17. The way to true peace is to apply your selves to God for mercy, to be accepted in Christ, to be renewed according to the Image of Christ; otherwise sin and guilt will create fears and troubles. Again, the last thing is love; great privileges require answerable duty; Mercy and peace need another ⟨p. 72⟩grace, and that's love:
In the next place, how aptly these blessings are suited1 ⟨p. 71⟩among themselves; first mercy, then peace, and then love; mercy doth not differ much from that which is called grace in Pauls Epistles, only grace doth more respect the bounty of God, as mercy doth our want and need: By mercy then is meant the favour and good-will of God to miserable creatures; and peace signifieth all blessings inward and outward, as the fruits and effects of that favour and good-will; more especially calmness and serenity of Conscience, or a secure enjoying of the love of God, which is the top of spiritual prosperity: And then love sometimes signifieth Gods love to us; here I should rather take it for our love to God, and to the Brethren for Gods sake: So that mercy is the rise and spring of all, peace is the effect and fruit, and love is the return. He beginneth with mercy, for that is the fountain and beginning of all the good things which we enjoy; higher then love and mercy we cannot go, for Gods Love is the reason of it self, Deut. 7. 7, 8. Rom. 9. 15. Isai. 45. 15. and we can deserve nothing at Gods hands but wrath and misery, and therefore we should still honour Mercy, and set the Crown upon Mercy's head (as further anon;) that which you give to Merit, you take from Mercy. Now the next thing is peace; mark the order still; without mercy and grace there can be no true peace: Isai. 57. 21. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked; they say, Peace, peace, but my God doth not say so. Christ left his peace with his own Disciples, John 14. 27. and not as worldly and external peace is left, in the happiness of which both good and bad are concerned; that is general, but this is proper, confined within the Conscience of him that enjoyeth it, and given to the godly: 'Tis the Lords method to pour in first the oyl of grace, and then the oyl of gladness: Alas, the peace of a wicked man 'tis but a frisk, or fit of joy, whilest Conscience, Gods watchman is naping; stoln waters and bread eaten in secret, Prov. 9. 17. The way to true peace is to apply your selves to God for mercy, to be accepted in Christ, to be renewed according to the Image of Christ; otherwise sin and guilt will create fears and troubles. Again, the last thing is love; great priviledges require answerable duty; Mercy and peace need another
- 1Observat. 5.
