THE BLESSED PEACE-MAKER AND CHRISTIAN RECONCILER Intended for the healing of all unatural and unchristian Divisions in all Relations According to the Purport of that Divine Oracle pronounced by the Prince of PEACE himself Matth. 5. 9. By Claudius Gilbert B. D. Minister of the Gospel at Limrick 2 Thess 3. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zech. 8. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 3. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pax una Triumphis Jnnumeris potior LONDON Printed for Francis Titon and are to be sold at the sign of the three Daggers in Fleet-street 1658. To the Right Honourable Sir Hardress Waller Knight Major General of the Forces in Ireland And to his Vertuous Consort the Lady ELIZABETH WALLER Right Honourable THe subject of this Tract will sufficiently commend it self from its own worth and your acquaintance therewith The plain Garb wherein it doth appear can give no just cause of disparaging it to the judicious friends of Gospel-simplicity There is like to be most of Power and Peace where most of Purity cloathed with plainness The many experiences afforded to you both by the renewed Dispensations of the Lords gracious Providence in all former and latter Revolutions may be revived to further Improvement through the blessing of Heaven on your Honours perusal of these lines The Peace of God is that Signal Mercy which hath through Grace very deeply affected your Hearts and to the promoting whereof you have been many wayes remarkably instrumental in your respective Spheres through the Lords good hand Many Considerations of weight do very much press the Authors spirit which cannot but oblige him to publish his Christian respects due to your Honors as by all other possible demonstrations so by this way of Cordial Expression If my poor labours in this and other parts of Ireland have been blessed in any measure from above to any person such have much cause to acknowledge you both as the singular Means which the Lord employed for the procuring thereof Your industrious Care of this Countries welfare and renewed solicitations on the best account did occasion and hasten my coming over near five year ago Through the same Labour of Love continued and enlarged by you towards the Servants and Service of Christ upon his score divers other Ministers of his besides my self have received good Incouragement in his Work in these and other parts Your Reward is sure with the Lord who is most mindful of the least kindness shew'd to any of his friends He cannot forget the meanest Cup of Water given to the smallest in the Name of a Disciple Among the many choice favors bestowed on your Honors by the Supreme Disposer of all things this is one of a prime Magnitude that he hath given you both such hearty Affections to the friends of Christ as well as to his Peace and Interest The benign Influence of such a gracious Constellation is most obliging in such a season wherein so many malignant Aspects are cast from all parts upon the good Wayes and Servants of God To prove still-fixed and radiant Luminaries when so many others blaze but like Comets and like falling Stars or wandring Meteors is both your Honor and your Happiness Gods people in this place and in other parts cannot but take special notice thereof having so much cause to observe it to be a singular Return from the Throne of Grace to their fervent prayers so constantly renewed on your behalf That you may further reap the Joyful fruits of his Divine seed in being still farther serviceable to his Glory and his peoples Comfort proportionably to all your Eminent Relations and occasions through the supplies of his holy Spirit is the Cordial and incessant Request of him who delights to be and appear Your Honors humbly devoted servant on the best Terms in Gospel-work Claudius Gilbert From my study at Limrick March 23. 1656. The Preface Christian Reader THou hast here the substance of severall Sermons preached in Limrick out of earnest longings after this peoples good If the same prove of any use to thee through the blessing of the Father of Spirits Let him have the praise and let the Author share in thy prayers who finds so much need of help from all hands His Design herein is very Candid his desire Cordial what ever thou mayest think of his matter method or utterance The excellâ—ncy and Necessity of the Theme here handled will make full amends for any defect of Writer or Printer We can but give Hints in such an intended Brevity of those choice Rarities which are richly stored up in the larger Cabinets of others We but point at the Veins of those Golden Mines out of which many learned and godly Pens have often extracted so much precious Treasure It 's probable that in such a large field so plentifully stored the best Reapers may leave some Gleanings for their followers The Lord of the Harvest hath often employed many of his Servants among all Nations in the various successions of his Church to promote his blessed work of Peace by their Pens as by all other due Means When this Tabernacle of the most High God is to be reared up and his Tent to be pitched among the Sons of Men Contribution then is expected and accepted from all Sorts what ever sutably to their severall abilities The Badgers and Rams skins will be welcome from such as bring their heart therewith though they cannot bring Gold and precious stones as some others do The God of this Temple prizes the Widows Mite cast into his Treasury for repairing thereof at a very high Rate He delights to see his Laborers active about this piece of work which is so dear to him and cost him so dear His Children please him best when forward though weak about this study and occupation whereof they receive a special charge from him In such a publick and wofull Incendy as now threatens all things Civil and Sacred every one should bring what water he can get to the quenching of such devouring flames We have all a share in the Publick good and have had a hand in the publick evil It 's good Reason we should be sensible of our personal and Relative sins which have been and are still the diviing Causes of distractingly destructive sorrows The sad experiences of so much mischief occasioned by our own and others Lusts cannot but press ingenuous Christians to utmost endeavours for esficacious redress Sense of Duty in such a Juncture and Turn of Affairs prevailed with me to the publication of the Libertine School'd and Christs Soveraign Antidote against sinfull Errors not long ago The same ground hoth now brought forth these Papers to serve as a whet-stone though dull in it self to the sharpening of all the Lords Friends that their abilities and Opportunities may be improved to the uttermost for Christs Interest in this great Work of his I would not be idle as long as its day nor neglect any advantage afforded of doing God and
also called the last day the great day of the Lord that day known to the Lord. This solemn Day hath two eminent parts also the Morning and the Evening thereof 1. The first part is a cloudy stormy morning like the Reign of David full of Civil and Forraign Wars attended with varieties of troubles and discords A time it s of strong delusions and direfull divisions of wofull defections and renewed provocations from men though of special Illuminations and Salvations from God Secondly The latter part and Evening thereof is like to be of a various Mixture attended with strange Revolutions in the shaking of Nations and overturning of all things untill Christ come into his Right to clear up all and fill his house with Glory In the Evening time it shall be Light when in natural Probabilities all things incline rather towards midnight The Zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall do this that he may be known to be the Prince of Peace both as King of Nations and as King of Saints Then shall the Lord be one and his Name one when he gives them one Heart and one Way that they may serve him with one Lip and shoulder The Lord will thus gradually accomplish all those precious and glorious Promises which have a special Aspect on these latter dayes concerning the Propagation Settlement and Glory of the Kingdom of Christ Should not all this be a wonderfull encouragement to every Christian to have the honor and the happiness of being a faithfull and succesfull Instrument therein The Lord loves to act by men and means though he needs them not and never ties himself to them He bids his people be very active and self-denying in this very season that by restoring health and cure to them he may therewith reveal the abundance of Truth and Peace When Christ is owned and served thus as our Melchizedek our King of Righteousness he will soon appear to be King of Salem a King of Peace and settle his People in his Jerusalem the vision of Peace Thus the very season gives us a strong Invitation to Peace-making that we may be found faithfull Attendants on his Spirit Word and Providence in the diligent use of all fit means through his gracious Help Should not true Patriots learn and improve that famous Wisdom of the men of Issachar who so well understood the times of Gods mercy and what Israel ought to do therein that all their Brethren were at their Command for the advancing of Christs Interest and the common Good A curious search of things and times unrevealed to us is forbid and condemned But an industrious studying of Things and Times that we may perform our Duty therein to the promoting of the Lords Promises in compliance with all his Precepts doth become all in this signal season that bear a good will to him and his work Secondly The Work of Reformation is a singular Incitement to this blessed Peace-making The latter dayes are the special Season of this special Work The Gospel Time is eminently called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Time of Reformation the proper Nick and Juncture of time for the perrectification the through redress of all things amiss This latter part thereof challenges this Work of Reformation in a peculiar way as Reformation challenges Peace-making Our solemn Covenants and Engagements so frequently renewed for Reformation before God and Men do press us thereto Our Christian Profession and the very Name of all Christian Churches recovered out of the Egyptian Sodom of Antichristian Romish Pollutions require justly of us further Reformation How much hath been declared by all sorts of Persons to express their Duty and excite each other to Reformation of all things amiss in Church and State in publique and private will stand on Record to Eternity though it be too much forgotten even of the best Peace-making is still a chief part thereof and a chief help thereto Should it not quicken our designs and delights our desires and Labors to the most industrious pursuance of it Is not the absence and estrangement from Peace the great evil of these dayes Are not our discords and disorders the Bane and Poison the sores and diseases the ruin and Pest of all ranks among us Are not our jars and unchrstian Wranglings a continual eye-sore to God and good Men Do not those unnatural Dissents and uncivil Contentions blast our budding hopes of all temporal and spiritual Good threaning destruction to all our Comforts Doth it not concern all to reform such abuses as fast and as far as they can possibly Shall we not be charged as wilfull self-destroyers if we neglect it Will not all Nations cry out justly on us Shall we not be the scorn and mirth of all evil men and devils the sorrow of all good men and Angels Secondly Is not Peace-making as great a furtherance to Reformation Is not this the sure sweet and speedy way to unite our strength and to manage it to the best advantage for good against evil at home and abroad in all Civil and Spiritual Regards Do not sinfull dissents distract our minds disaffect our hearts disable our hands and divide our strength from the Lords great Work Doth it not fare with us when divided asunder as it did with Sciurus his Arrows easily broken one after another Is not an orderly uniting of Gods people as strong and durable a means of preservation in every respect as that Bundle of Arrows which the said Sciurus gave unto his sons to let them understand the good of Peace and the evil of War This Cable-roap thus orderly twisted by united strength is of lasting use if you do but once take it into pieces how weak doth it become Two are better then one and a three-fold Cord is not easily broken said the wise Man by good experience His Kingdom the Throne and the Type of Christ flourished in a triumphant way whilst Princes and people kept close to their God and to each other in all his wayes according to his word As soon and as fast they disjoyned and disordered themselves sin and sorrow increased on them to their total and final destruction Peruse all Records sacred and humane for a further Illustration of this Do not Reformers need all possible help from one another in the cause of Christ and of the Publique Is not their work maligned and opposed by multitudes of enraged enemies both humane and diabolical Are they not weak few and inconsiderable in Comparison of the adverse party Do they not still carry in their bosoms Legions of Traitors of rebellious Lusts that are still plotting and stirring against the Lord Christ and his gracious Work Do they not still find in the midst of them very many back friends and counterfeit Spies as Nehemias time gave sad experience that are still Laboring to weaken and undo them Is not this now the case among all Protestants and all Reformers as in Europe
whom Kings Raign and Princes execute Judgement Righteousness is the Soâ—pier and Basis of his Government So far as his Lieutenants act like him they promote Peace If otherwise they shall die like men and come to account though they be called Gods by Deputation Rulers are the grand wheels that move all the rest either right or wrong They are the Head and the chief Organs of the Body Politick if they be distempered it cannot but fare ill with the whole They are the Loadstones and great Attractives whose Magnetick force draws effectually the hearts heads and hands of all about them They are the Looking-glasses of Court and Country which they most observe in dressing themselves They are as publick Springs that must feed many either with good or evil with the Waters of Siloah or Marahs of Life or of Death 3. Christian Magistrates bear also relation Ecclesiastical to the Church of Christ according as they are real or Nominal professors of his Name therein Their Help is of very considerable use towards Church-peace whilst they observe the Lords Rule about it Though they be not Church-Officers qua Magistrates to Rule in the Church yet are they Officers of Christ to rule for the Churches good Their Power is Cumulative not Privative it is civil not Spiritual it looks after the External not the Internal Man It is to be Ruled by Gods Word not by mans Will it uses civil not spiritual censure and Rewards it aims at Gods honour and mans Good in a godly civil Peace as we have from Scripture sufficiently touched in another Tract Is not Christs Interest the best part of their Work and Interest the finest flower of their Garland the richest Jewel of their Crown Doth not he intrust them by his Providence with his own Power and Authority that they may take most care of that Business which is most dear to him Are not the souls of men incomparably beyond all externals and their eternal state of greatest consequence Are not all Powers ordained of God for terror to every evil work and for Incouragement to every one that doth well Is not the Magistrate appointed to be a Minister of God for mans Good in well doing and an Avenger of every One that doth evil without limitations or exceptions but such as the nature of his Office doth clearly determine by the Light of Reason and Religion Hath not the Lord himself taken care in all Ages to direct excite and strengthen his civil Deputies to this very thing in a special manner Did not he commend such as tended it in proportion still to their care thereof Did he not alwayes brand those Magistrates with Notes of disgrace with heavy threats and stroaks who neglected his work and postposed it to their own and others worldly Concernments Was not the care of Gods House the choice delight of all his Eminent Servants preferred before all and bringing his choice Blessings upon all the rest Was not this the Glory of his Davids and Solomons his Asa's and Jehosaphats his Hezechias and Josias his Zerubbabels and Nehemiahs Did he not honor and reward the very Pagan Princes of the four successive Monarchies so far as they tendered the peace of his Church Hath he not so dealt with the famous Princes of all other Nations to this day Did he not engage his All-sufficiency for the singular advance of his Glory in the later dayes by giving us Kings and Queens for Nursing Fathers and Mothers to his Church Hath not he assured us that all their honour and power shall then yield their best contribution to the procuring and promoting of his peoples Peace on the best account Hath not he promised that when his Spirit shall be most poured out upon all Nations to bring home both Jews and Gentiles to Christ whom they have pierced that they may be saved from all evil by him that then evil spirits and false Prophets shall be turned out and the Rulers of his people shall be most zealous in detecting and punishing them sutably to their deserts Are not those persons most injurous to Princes and people who labour to take off our Noble Governors from honouring and serving of Christ in the greatest Affairs of his peoples welfare Is it not sad that upon mistakes any of Christs friends should be found thereby subservient to the great Design and Interest of sin and Satan Do not all the Titles of Honour bestowed from the Soveraign of Heaven upon Magistrates characterize most eminently their Dignity and Duty in order to the peace and good of his Church Are not such Illustrious Parents most concern'd to tender Gods Family committed to their care Are not such noble Nurses to attend the welfare of such Nurslings as the Lord himself peculiarly owns Are not such choice Stewards to mind their choice charge in a choice manner Should not such excellent Shepherds shew most care of Christs most excellent Flocks Are not such singular Rulers to regulate with singular Industry the Loods chief Work according to his Rule Doth not he afford them Means and Helps answerable thereto Have they not the free disposal of mens persons and estates orderly and legally entrusted with them that they may be fully enabled to provide for all Church-Necessaries Doth the Church of Christ stand in less need now of such assistance then in former Ages Are not our distempers increasing on us so desperately that our condition must needs prove woful if our great Physitians do neglect our cure Are not Church-Officers sundry wayes disabled and frequently disturbed by various Obstructions from accomplishing it Are not their Heads their hearts and their hands so distracted by our Discords and Disorders that they themselves need very much help as well as their people Are not multitudes of seducing and seduced Ones professed enemies to the Church and Ministry of Christ scornfully rejecting and abusing them Who shall deal with them if Rulers do not What if primitive Churches subsisted long without the Magistrates Help So did Moses Elâ—jah and Christ subsist long without bodily food by extraordinary support and supplies from above Will that infer the neglect of any means for soul or body appointed and afforded from God in the course and ordinary road of his Providence What if some Magistrates abuse their Power against their proper Dignity and Duty shall any conclude against the right use thereof What if God hath provided spiritual Ordinances to be used spiritually in his Church for their spiritual good in order to his Glory by his spiritual Officers according to his spiritual Rule which he blesses as spiritual weapons sufficient in their kind to attain his ends shall that exclude the Rulers political help which God requires and promises directs and blesses by his Spirit Word and Providence The Lord needs no help from any creature he will build his house maugre all neglects and oppositions from Earth and from Hell in due time and order That any are called
Charter of our Blessedness Grace and Peace coming from the Father descend likewise from our Lord Jesus Christ He is our Peace in the very abstract both Efficiently and Meritoriously Subjectively and Objectively Originally and Completively by whom the Father speaks and gives Peace still 3. God the holy Ghost is the Author of our Peace also that gives life and strength thereto Peace is the fruit of that divine Spirit who speaks and acts still from the Father and from the Son He shall take of mine said Christ and declare it to you All that the Father hath is mine He is the Spirit of Unity and Order that composes mens spirits to the receiving and promoting of Peace in all the waies he appoints and blesses that the Unity of the Spirit may be kept still in the Bond of Peace Thus the Blessedness of Peace is rationally drawn from the blessed God Reason 2. The next ground is drawn from the Nature of Peace which abundantly demonstrates its blessedness Doth it not consist in an harmonious composure of Things accommodating all their motions to their proper ends in conformity to the Lords will is not such an agreement most pleasant and beautiful most honourable and profitable How excellently appears such a Symmetrie in all things Natural and Artificial how much more in things moral spiritual and divine Unity and Order are the choice ingredients of this Peace the chief materials and integrals thereof and are not these of singular worth indeed the former affords subsistence and strength the latter regulates and improves all in all due motions is not such a correspondence between God and man a most happy thing How blessed is the match that joins earth to heaven and the creature to the Creator Is not the calm seâ—â—â—ity of our souls a singular blessing is not the sociable conjunction of men in the pleasant waies of true Wisdom an eminent Mercy all that excellency which may be found in good things below and above is used often in Scripture Dialect to set out the Nature of this singular Peace This melodious Tuning of Persons and Things cannot but afford a most blessed Musick to judicious ears Peace is truly that eminent good wherein center all other kind of good Platonicians speak of a ravishing melody resulting from the Heavens orderly motions which would fill men with admiration were their ears but tuned thereto Peace is the marvellous consent of heaven and earth the choice result of their United Orderly positions and products That anima mundi and universal Intelligence mentioned by Philosophers doth in a sober sense illustrate the Nature of this Peace which in subordination to Divine Providence composes the creatures into their proper station and disposes of all in regular motions This Symmetry is the perfection of every Fabrick Spiritual and Political giving due proportion to the whole and parts in their well-ordered Union and Communion it is in reality vinculum universi that keeps the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Reason 3. The blessed adjuncts thereof demonstrate the same in an ample manner â—ruth and Righteousness Grace and Mercy Joy and Bliss are the choice companions and Attendants thereof Truth and Peace are the blessed twins that lovingly embrace each other in the Kingdom of Christ When he gives an abstract of his gracious All-sufficiency engaged to hâ—s people on Covenant-terms he reveals to them the abundance of Truth and Peace The summe of mans duty challenged by Gods Mercy is the Love of Truth and Peace This is the divine compass whereby a Christian is to steer his course towards true Blâ—â—â—edness Truth conforms all Beings to the divine understanding and Peace squares their Workings to the divine Will for such ends as his Truth declares to them They are aptly represented by a pair of compasses centred by Truth and moved about by Peace The girdle of Truth is buckled with Peace This golden chain leads all things to God from whom they came by a transcendent way of circulation Righteousness is as dear a Sister to Peace yea as a Mother and a tender Nurse thereto They come down together from the God of Heaven to bless the earth with all desireable good Righteousness indeed is the eldest sister yet inseparably attended with Peace Righteousness gives to God and man their due Peace looks to the orderly preserving thereof When the Lord Jesus appears to men as King of Righteousness he acts also as the King of Peace The work of Righteousness and the effect thereof in his Kingdom of Nature and Grace is assured Peace and lasting quiet The experience of all Persons and Places hath ever found this made good by the righteous God As far as Righteousness did ever extend in Morals or Spirituals so far hath Peace been extended also The Roman and Grecian States for many hundreds of years were made sensible of this The righteous God loves Righteousness his countenance doth behold the upright to bless them with all the blessings of Peace Grace and Mercy bear likewise as dear and near a Relation to Peace and Jointly to Bliss They are coupled together by the hand of heaven in the salutes and valâ—dictions sent to Gods people by the Prophets and Apostles Gods favouring Grace towards them and his renewing Grace in planted in them have still Peace for a blessed Associate They are Imparted and multiplied together as their choise Portion Often is Mercy subjoined to that Grace to denote the undeserved favour of the Lord shewed to his people in misery Thus Grace and Peace Grace Mercy and Peace go hand in hand to excite direct and enable Gods people to every duty in each relation Joy and Blessing do accompany Peace on the same account when the Lord speaks Peace to his he bestows on them the Blessings of Peace Thus the Peace of God which 〈◊〉 all understanding fils them with comfort through the Spirit of Christ Being justified by faith we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God This Peace of God keeps them as with a Garrison in the sense and comfort of his love to bring forth the fruits of his Spirit Internal Peace begets the like rejoycing in God because the love of God is shed abroad in their heart External peace with men brings an answerable measure of Joy and blessing Thus the Churches having Peace were edified and walking in the fear of the Lord in the comfort of the holy Ghost were multiplied The Application of this Point may be improved By way of Information 1. See hence the sinfulness of Sin It is sin alone that is a desperate Enemy to Peace and irreconciliable Before sin came in all things were in a perfect Peace So far as sin is removed so far is there Peace and no farther It was the sin of Angels that broke their Peace irreparably It was Adams sin that brought confusion on
so in America Take but a Survey of the parts of the world most whereof is shared among Heathens Mahometans and Jews See how much of the rest Popery bewitches how many Abyssins Coptits Armenians Georgians Maronits Greeks and Russians stand still engaged to sad Ignorance and gross Superstition though nothing so bad as the Romanists in Africa Europe and Asia How few remain for the Protestant Name yet how many of those very few are sadly divided from God and from each other How numerous are Satans Ingeners and the Jesuited Crue with the various swarms of Friers Monks Priests and Hermits under new disguises in the midst of us as of other Protestants to divide and destroy Do not Germany Poland and Swedland Denmark Holland France and Switzerland testifie it by wofull Tokens Should not we sympathize and unite with them on all rational Grounds of Piety and true Policy Is not their Interest twisted with our own in Christs Interest Are not the Papists now combining in all parts to root out if they can both our Profession and its Professors Have they not kept their late fourty Hours fasting Devotion and their Jubilees and Convocations which are frequently renewed to that end Are we still asleep in the midst of storms Do not their horrid plots so oft revived in our own Bowels sound a loud alarum to every Conscience Shall we still contend till an Enemy come and seize upon all How can we act in Reformation-work unless we mind Peace-making in earnest Hearken to Christs voice calling upon all by the Apostles Pen If there be therefore any Consolation in Christ if any Comfort of Love if any fellowship of the Spirit if any Bowels and Mercies fulfill ye my Joy that ye be like-minded having the same Love being of one accord of one mind Let nothing be done through strife or vain Glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better then themselves Look not every man to his own things but every man also to the things of others Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Doth not he intreat us as he did the Corinthians by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing that there be no division among you but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same Judgement Doth he not press the most cogent Arguments upon us still as he did upon the Ephesians from the Nature and Honor of God from the state and condition of his people from the personal Relation and Benefit of every member thereof sufficient to prevail on the most savage among wild Indians and raging Cannibals did the Lord but afford so much favour to them Shall we still resist such Invitations Intreaties Offers Expostulations Waitings Forbearance Mercies Judgements Warnings Directions and Encouragements from the God of Peace If any do so let them thank themselves for those dreadfull evils that will speedily and surely follow Let all then be throughly perswaded to this grand Duty of true Peace-making in each branch thereof 1. Make your Peace with God instantly effectually Review our former Instructions about it sent unto you from thr Prince of Peace Delay not dissemble not dispute not with him Sinners of all sorts consider your case how sinfull wofull know your unworthyness and insufficiency feel it at you heart bewail it to him open your sores cry loud after him lie at his feet hearken to his Word attend his Spirit neglect none of his wayes embrace his Offers look up to Jesus Christ get acquaintance on conjugal terms make no reservation yield up all to him that your Peace with him may be made sure of In the use of all means trust on him alone 2. Labor also for Peace of Conscience in the right Method The former must precede and help you to this being well improved Ye that have owned Christ thus fiducially for Saviour and Lord by Contract of marriage look still to the cleansing of your own conscience that it may reflect comfortably on you from the Irradiation of his Holy Spirit Walk we in the light as he is in the Light that we may know the things given us of God keep we close to him in every Ordinance in every Providence shunning all sin in doing all good through his gracious Help 3. Attend also Peace Ecclesiastical as the Lord gives ability and opportunity Each of us in our place should do our utmost under Christ our Head for the good of the whole and every member Our duty is fully cleared out and strongly pressed to as by Christ himself so by all his Apostles we learn of them the particulars belonging to us in all homage due to our Soveraign our husband and Master our Lord and King That must direct us in our peaceable care of his whole Body to cherish and honor support and supply it with all Sympathy and due supplications answerable to that Relation we bear to each part and the Church it self Thus every one walking orderly in that Spiritual Calling is bid and bound to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace in the family and Kingdom of Christ 4. Political Peace is carefully likewise to be minded in the Civil State by a due observance of all Superiors and Inferiors therein Our Municipal Laws are the Bounds and Bonds that limit and order manage and maintain it in their due Execution The Laws of Brittain are justly commended among the Learned for their Excellency being the Cream of the best Laws that the best Wisdom of the old Brittains and Gauls extracted out of their own and Ancestors experience King Lucius the first Christian Prince refined them further by due comparing of them with the Scriptures the Roman Government added thereto the flower of their Imperial Laws which had epitomized the Wisdom of Greekish Customs as the Greeks had learned of the Phoenicians and Aegyptians and both from the Hebrews and their sacred Writings set forth with an Italian dress in their twelve Tables further sublimed by successive Governors The Saxons following them brought in the choise of their German Constitutions and the Normans after superadded what their Mothet Norwey and their Nurse France had afforded them All these incorporated into an English frame by their successive Wittagen-Motes and State Conventions made up by the common Laws whereunto have been joyned all the Statute Laws since the solemn Title of Parliament given to such Conventions of State till this day Besides these peculiar to England there are also some proper to Ireland suited to the complexion of this Country by the Wisdom of former and later Rulers which all do yield special Instructions for the due making of a Civil Peace When Magistrates supreme and subordinate give up themselves thus to regulate and execute all such good Orders in subordination to Divine Statutes this Work goes on a main Inferiors also have their share herein in a due observance
of the said good Laws sutably to their several Capacities whether in the whole Common-wealth or in particular Corporations and Societies thereof 5. Peace Oeconomical is also to be made in every Family and looked after according to each particular Relation and station therein Conjugally between man and wife Parentally between Parents and Children Despotically between Masters and Servants This blessed work is to be attended that all Offices of Duty and Love may be seasonably and effectually performed therein sutably to the Lords Will made known to his Word Quest But what is to be done about these various Kinds of Peace Answ In each of them there are two main Essentials of singular Import to be accordingly minded still Unity and Order 1. Unity is the great Principle that must knit into one the different parts of every Society God alone is one pure entire Being one perfect Infinite unchangeable eternal Act. Creatures are finite compounded Beings whose parts require Union towards Communion Rational Beings as men and Angels must look first to their Relative Union unto God the Soveraign Being and Source of all Beings that they may not want Peace with him and in themselves Closing with him and keeping close to him are then mainly to be attended in and through Christ who must uphold the Elect Angels and recover his Elect among men Among all natural Things unity is still the great Peace-maker This makes the sweet Harmony in the Body when every part is joyned to each other by fit Ligaments that the whole may be kept in Peace under its Head Thus also in things artificial as in Musick Building and all Compositions Union effects that due agreement of many into one in a fit way of Correspondency whence a sutable Peace Thus with all Societies it is whether Spiritual Political or Oeconomical There must be Union for due Communion answerable to their several constitutions Their Being and strength support and life depend hereupon So far as any departs from Unity he departs from Peace Therefore did the Philosophers account the number of 2 accursed because it was the first dividing Number The Church of Christ is such a Body as needs this most peculiarly whether considered as invisible and more mystical or as visible and more Political 1. The Church invisible mystical consists of all the Elect of God effectually called being Coetus vocatorum part whereof is triumphant in Glory part militant in Grace The Lords Spirit cements them into one under Christ their Head thence are they said to be one Spirit being glued to the Lord as the Original elegantly phrases it As by faith regenerate persons are united to Christ so by Love are they knit to his Body Peace is thus made and kept when we cordially love every Christian bearing his Image upon his account with a singular constant efficacious Love without partiality self-respects or Hypocrisie When we no sooner perceive that aliquid Christi as Calvin was wont to phrase it that resemblance of Christ though it seems never so small and a minimum quod sic but our affections are endeared to such an Object by gracious Sympathy we appear united to Christ himself being thus knit to the members of his Body This unfained Love of the Brethren with a pure fervent heart so much commended and urged by Peter John and other Apostles as by Christ himself is the great Peace-maker Therefore are we bid to love the Brother-hood and love as Brethren not in word and Tongue but in deed and in truth to testifie our spiritual Resurrection from a sinfull death into the life of Grace by the Spirit of Christ incorporating of us unto himself Nothing should keep us from this blessed Union either in others or our selves If they be poor and weak under corruptions and various distempers yet we should own them by this endearing love because they are his and our fellow-members We despise not the members of our Bodies when infirm and diseased but pitty and tender them the more What though they be distant by place or Opinion Interest or Affection from us Yea though they seem to be opposite and set against us that should not estrange our heart from them Calvin would still express his endeared respects to Luther as to an eminent servant of Jesus Christ though he was too much and often abused by his violent Spirit and blind zeal We should not be overcome of evil but still labor to overcome evil with good Though others corruptions cannot suffer them to be so free and frequent with us or hearty to us yet the Grace of God in us should own whatever is of his Grace in them really and actively This Unity of the Spirit should thus be efficaciously kept in the Bond of Peace among all the members of Christs Body mystical 2. The Church of Christ is considerable as a Body Political and visible The many controversies about it we heartily wave wishing that all others might do the like still for the Peace thereof It admits also of a double respect whence its denomination of Catholick or Universal and Particular 1. Whether the Church Catholick be totum integrale or universale we dispute not what is granted of all sober Christians about the same we would and should still improve towards Peace-making There are general Rules of Faith and Order wherein all Christian Societies do agree together though they dissent in the particular Applications or Explications thereof So far should all Christians labor to unite and to own each other for Peace and Communion Doth not our professed Belief of the Holy Catholick Church and Communion of Saints engage direct and excite us thereto Though we cannot bring all others to our particular Judgement and Practice supposed by us to be most Scriptural yet are we not bound to labor for the utmost degree of Christian Communion wiih all the Churches of Christ in the World as far as may be possibly attained Are not those things wherein we agree with all Societies sound in the main sufficient to unite us so far and to make us to own each other in the wayes of Christ Will not this be of singular help through the blessing of Heaven to further Ecclesiastical Peace by the healing of our unchristian Divisions Have we not wrangled too long already Is it not possible to find out some Expedients that may unite us in the wayes of Peace Are we not tired yet with our sinfully wofull Contentions Can judicious Christians willingly still keep their distances and differences Will not such Fractions Luxations and Convulsions prove bitterness in the latter end If we do not strive to yield one to the other we are like to break all We shall never meet without mutual condescensions The Ministers of Christ are especially concerned in this great work Be we heartily humbled for our former evils opposing this Thing so dear to Christ and of such import to his Interest Labor we more for such Christian Associations
which may gradually unite our Hearts and Hands till our Minds may be further united sutably to the Precepts and Promises of the Soveraign Peace-maker We read of two Springs in Palaestina near the famous Castle of Machaerus one whereof is extreamly hot and sweet the other as excessively cold and bitter Whilst they run at distance they are little usefull and much offensive but their uniting makes a Soveraign Bath for internal and external distempers The choise Composure of those medicinal waters gives name to the pleasant streams of Callichoc in their further progress What a mercy were it if the excess of our prejudiced Spirits that have been hitherto so pernicious might be thus harmoniously corrected into a sweet and saving compliance Such a blessed correspondency would then be of singular advantage towards the great Business of this Generation Some have been too hot and others too cold some appear too mild and others too bitter Labor we to better one another by Christian readiness to receive and give the right hand of fellowship for mutual Assistance Two eyes may discern the Truth better then one Two hands may help and heal one another Two legs are still mutually serviceable Have not divers Persons and Societies found the Benefit of some attempts this way in several Counties and Parts of these Nations Do not forraign Ministers and Churches reap the many Emoluments thereof Let each of us â—ay most blame on our selves for what hath been amiss and be more industrious to avoid those rocks that so many have often split on Beware we must of those corruptions that will still be obstructing Gods Work Pride and self love Jealousies and Prejudices pre-engagements and all other Lets must be removed The many causes of our distempers must be taken away to perfect the cure Self-denyal and all other Graces must be very active towards Peace-making in the Catholick Church Could all Christians meet together in one as the Primitive Church did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it were most desireable But seeing their increase hath occasioned distinction of Churches they should all labor to unite still to the utmost degree and to maximum quod sic The many Shephards and Flocks of Christ may be thereby a mutual comfort and Help This greatt Family may live in one House though not in one Room This great Garden may have many Beds dressed variously This Kingdom of Christ may unite many Corporations into one entire Body though diversified in Circumstantials This great Army of the Lord of Hoasts this Mahanaim may compose many Soldiers into Union under their General though otherwise variously distinguished What we get by strife and by our distance will never quit cost Whilst we walk together as far we may Christ will meet and walk with us also according to his Word to lead us further into his wayes of Peace Secondly The Church Political visible as considerable in each particular Congregation cals for Unity towards Peace-making The various debates about this also we meddle not with and would rejoyce to see all such unhappy differences Scripturally composed by a judicious Moderation Enough is granted by wise Christians to help every one unto Peace-making in all the Churches of the Saints That all such Christians who live near one another should join together as far as they can for Divine Worship is unanimously owned It should not be any slight matter should keep them from it Christs Sheep should not be as scattered Lambs wandring in the wilds and among the rocks but unite sociably for their own safety guidance and helpfulness Though Stones and Timber be of some use when standing alone yet is it not much better to have them knit together into a Fabrick for Beauty strength and usefulness An Arch Building closely cemented by united force is made serviceable to singular uses carrying with it a singular comliness Strength and Grace united increase wonderfully in vigorousness How efficacious prove the Sun-beams though weak if dispersed when united into a Burning-glass How infirm deform and unserviceable are the members of any Body when dislocated broken or luxated by inward distempers or outward accidents What pitty is it that any Christian should neglect his Duty and hinder his own good by needless scruples or inconsiderable doubts Wo to him that is alone saith Solomon upon good reason Such loose Christians are still exposed to Foxes and Wolves Deceits and Snares Security and self-conceitedness yea to all kind of evil Satanical Spirits and Instruments prevail easily with solitary Persons Man is a sociable Creature saith the Philosopher much more the Christian Many Duties of Christianity cannot be performed without Christian Communion whereto we are so frequently directed and quickened There can be no Communion without some coupling and uniting Bond to knit and cement those Things and Persons that were sundred before The consent of rational creatures is the Bond of Union that glues them together whether virtually oâ— actually implicitly or explicitly In Baptism Christians were virtually by a Parental consent given up to the Lord and united to his people When they grow up to years of discretion is it not expedient they should solemnly ratifie the same in an explicite actual manner as they intend to enjoy the priviledge and perform the Duty of belonging to Christs family and Kingdom However this expression be made whether by discourse writing or otherwise is it not needfull in these times of so much distraction and revolt The expediency thereof hath been cleared by sundry learned Pens The Churches of Christ in all ages and places have had some way for their adult members to testifie their homage to Christ in their proper stations As Providence disposes of mens abode are they not bound to own Gods people and close with them there in the best manner that may be most usesul and satisfactory Should not a Christian be alwayes ready to give an Account or Reason of his hope to any that ask him much more to Church Guides as there is occasion Doth not a Christians Baptismal Covenant engage him to use all possible means conducing to Peace-making in the Church Is not Union towards Communion a special help thereto How can he pretend to the universal Church that regard snot the particular Church where Providence hath cast his abode Is it the mark of a friend of Christ to neglect or slight Communion with his people If there be doubts or offences either given or taken about persons or things there is a due course appointed of Christ to give and receive satisfaction meet All inded are obliged to keep themselves pure and Purify themselves whether personally or Ecclesiastically but this duty doth not intrench on others that obliges all Christians to use all diligence for Christian Union and Communion All Church-Officers are indeed peculiarly concerned to look to their charge yet doth not that absolve any private Christian from attending the duty of his place and making
People If it be possible as far as in you lies have Peace with all men this is a Gospel precept obliging us all Only be we sure that it be a good Peace a Peace in Good not an evil Peace a Peace in evil Brethren Live in Peace fare-well be perfect be of good Comfort be of one mind live in Peace and the God of Love and Peace shall be with you This is Pauls Valediction left with Gods Children who are dignified with this Property of blessed Peace-making That is the next point to be considered of Proposition 3. Peace-making is the dignifying Property of Gods Children This Conclusion is considerable in its Deduction and Explication Confirmation and Demonstration towards Application 1. It s Deduction is cleared by viewing the Context Scope and Connexion of the words and sence parts and whole Having set down the Blessedness of Peace and Peace-making he subjoins the Characters of such persons whom God blesses in such a Work They shall be called the Children of God saith Christ they shall be known and distinguished thereby as a man is properly dignified and discerned by his name this shall appear to be the Dignity and property of Gods Children Thus the whole Text is a Divine Enthymeme a contracted Syllogism the first part whereof affords the Consecution and this latter Branch holds forth the Proposition from which as from its Cause by an Apodeictical ratiocination à priori the particle For deduces the said conclusion Gods Children cannot but be Peace-makers and blessed therein Secondly For Explication the genuine Import of this Scripture-dialect is to be minded 1. To be called in the language of Heaven is as much as to be and appear such God cals a Thing by Constitution and Designation by making and appointing it to what that name denotes thus he cals his Children to be Peace-makers he enables and ordains them thereto Man is said to call by Dignification and distinguishing Appropriation acknowledging and discerning it to be thus truly and eminently Thus Peace-making is such a proper Dignity and a dignifying Property of Gods Children that they shall be known and discerned thereby as a Person of Honor is by his Name and Title of Dignity 2. The phrase of Gods Children is variously significant in Scripture First Generally by vertue of an immediate production thus the Angels are called the Sons of God and Adam also bears the Title of Gods Son Secondly More specially by supernatural Regeneration and Spiritual Adoption thus true Converts made new Creatures born of the Spirit by receiving Christ receive the dignifying Power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to become the children of God Thirdly Professedly by federal Relation in a visible Ecclesiastical Dignification thus all Church members whether Infant or Adult are called Gods Children though many of them apostatize afterwards from that professed Adoption Thus the Jewish Posterity were called Gods Children all Church-members in Galatia are so dignified thus the Childen of the Kingdom are they called who are cast out at last Fourthly Most especially by eternal Generation thus God the Son the personal Word is the Son of God Fifthly By a transcendent Generation so Christ as the Son of Man with respect to his humanity being conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary was born the Son of God the child of the most High Sixthly This Title is sometimes given by vertue of an eminent function thus Magistrates are called the Children of the most high as they are also on the same account sirnamed Gods by a providential Call to that Office wherein they act as the Lords Deputies The second and third Acception of this express are proper to the Subject in hand and sometimes the sixth The gracious Children of God are eminently discerned by this property which is their Dignity so far as it is visible so far appear they to be Gods Children especially if they be Magistrates Both their Honor and their Happiness flourish wonderfully in the blessed performance of this signal Duty 3. For Confirmation hereof you have the harmony of all Records Divine and Humane subscribed unto by the constant Experience of all men in all places Gods Children have been still remarkably discerned by this singular Work Scripture by such illustrious Actings of the Lords Worthies testifies it most eminently The whole Series of sacred History speaks it aloud In such a multitnde of famous Witnesses a few hints may serve in the name of all That glorious Type of Christ well known by the Title of Melchisedek is as famously dignified with that of King of Salem the City of Peace â—he Apostle presses this notable parallel attended with divers others that the Glory of Gods only Son might be the more observably admired in this dignifying Property of his singular Predecessor Christ himself appeared to be the Son of God most eminently by this very thing He came personally to become our Peace to purchase and procure restore and preserve promote and improve all Peace for us in and through himself His glorious Office called him peculiarly thereto for which he was proportionably qualified by the Fathers Spirit His Sacerdotal his Prophetical his regal Function tended all to Peace and are still conversant about it to Eternity His whole progress from deepest humbling to the highest degree of exalting concurred thereto All his eminent Types and fore-runners were faithfully employed to that end The successive Priests of Aarons Linage pointing at his Priest-hood and holding it forth by ceremonial Rites to believing eyes made this work of his their proper business and dignifying charge for his Honor and his peoples good The many Prophets whom his Spirit sent and qualified from one Age to another still preached Peace in him and by him whom they did represent The famous Princes in their Generations that governed his People were his choise vicegerents upon this very score All those Instruments whom the Lord made use of in bringing his People into the Canaan of Peace and Rest out of Egypt through so many changes to settle them there in their Spiritual and Civil Liberties under his Government acted to the same purpose The whole Contexture of his Providence from Adam to Christ holds forth as much in all the various transactions of it Each passage also of the New Testament whether Historical Doctrinal or Prophetical points at this dignifying property What was said and done more figuratively under the old Testament about this subject is herein more Evangelically as with a Sun-beam expressed to us The Peace of Christs Kingdom so much celebrated by David Solomon Moses and Esay as by all his other Prophets is gloriously expressed and gradually fulfilled in this last Period which began at his first personal coming incoatively and will be perfected by his second coming consummatively The 45. and 72. Psalm the Song of Solomon with the 31 32 33 60 61 65. of Esâ—ias the 31 32 33. of Jeremy the latter end of
Ezechiel the 2 3 7 11 12. of Daniel with the many glorious Prophesies of all other Scriptures bespangle this Truth as eminently as the Firmament is bespangled with starrie constellations In each in all of them are marvellously set out the Subjects and Matter the Ground and Rule the End and Effects of this blessed Peace about which all the children of God are still illustriously imployed Ever since Christs return to his Glory to improve and apply the fruits of his blessed Impetration in order to Peace his people have been taught by his Spirit Word and Providence to attend with care this honourable Work under him for him in conformity to him Sacred volumes are as full of this as the Sun of Light Christ often minds all his D sciples that their peaceable Unity and Order should be their Badge still of their being his before God and Men. What they learned of him they were as careful to practice and communicate on all occasions in order to Peace Numerous Instances might soon be named were it needfull in so clear a case Their Christian forbearance of many lawfull things when not expedient and patient bearing with weak Believers both Jews and Gentles in many ceremonial and other matters testified then their studious Labor towards this choise Work Humane Histories of all parts and ages give a further Attestation hereto What singular Peace-makers appeared in the Eastern and in the Western Churches untill the setting up the Romish Antichrist that grand Peace-breaker we may read at large in Ecclesiastical Records Lucius and Constantine Brittans princely Lights and all their Successors whose name is eternized for their piety and Heroick Actings manifested this in a peculiar manner The Primitive Fathers those worthy Champions of Christs Interest were eminently imployed about this witness their excellent Memorials It was the man of sin who began by time to quarrel with the rest and by renewed Schisms and Apostacies formed that Embryo of Roman Papacy into a compleat Son of Perdition Faithful Endeavours fot the Peace of God were continually used by divers of his servants in the several parts of Asia and Africa especially of Europe against such Antichristian discords and disorders as learned Mornay Vsher and many more have abundantly cleared Though in that stormy hour of Temptation and Defection they suffered much in their witness-bearing for so many years of the Beasts prevalency yet did they still defend the cause of Truth and Peace and make good their ground to the very last breath Since it pleased Heaven to smile again on earth in the beginning of the Reformation carried on through the regions of Europe Gods Children have been labouring daily to this very season for Peace in Gods way The more eminent that Protestants have been in the Magistracy or Ministry in Brittain and France Germany and Holland Swedeland and Denmark for the cause of Christ the more studious have they been of his Peace All their Conflicts with the man of sin and with the sin of man have been on Peace-account so far as they owned God to be their Father We may appeal to our experience besides the Monuments of every Nation Object Doth not the contrary seem to be true What else means the bloody contests and bitter discords both of the former and of latter dayes among Gods professed People Answ 1. Many profess to be Gods Children that are in heart the Devils Children Though many be externally called yet but few appear to be chosen by embracing Christs effectual Call It s no wonder that carnal Hypocrites prove contentious seeing they carry still so much of the Serpents seed whose Antipathy is still desperate against the womans seed No marvel if such weeds prejudice the Lords ground and all his good plants Such disguised Foxes Wolves under sheeps clothing will shew their teeth and bite when they see their time Such Malignant humors being mixed among the good in the body Political and Ecclesiastical as in the natural may lie couchant for a time till they gather to a head ripened for mischief 2. In Gods own Children there remains much corruption still even in the best though not in all alike which occasions so many breaches of Peace in every respect Paul himself found cause to complain heavily of his jarring lusts indisposing every faculty to this choise Duty The seventh to the Romans sets forth a lively Anatomy of his heart for a Looking-glass to the best Christians to behold their state in David himself the man after Gods own heart gives the like account of his condition and bewrayed it by his woful relapse for a warning to all The best Gardens retain still some weeds Canaanites will remain and scattered Tories after a Conquest Our best state below is still militant both internally and externally Sin and Self will still be plotting with Satan against the Peace of God and Man Mens lust are sturdy strong and numerous secret and subtile vigilant active opposing each other in opposing Peace insatiable are they and irreconciliable full of malice envy and revenge having as much of Hell as earth can receive So far as they remain though but languishing of a deadly consumption they will still shew implacable enmity to Peace and all favour to jar and disorder 3. Christians even the best are often mistaken about their Duty towards Peace and good Much ignorance and infirmity still do attend them It s not easie but very difficult to observe the right middle that avoids both sinfull extteams Error is still a notorious Cheat and leger de maein cogging his dice and shufling his cards with dextrous methods to abuse the simple Many of Gods people are often ensnared and engaged into a party opposite to Peace before they be aware Such a pre-possession begets a prejudice against others and makes them often to suspect each other for meer Hypocrites especially in such a spring as this wherein such weeds abound every where The path-way to Peace is uncouth and obscure very frequently being much untrod and disregarded The means leading to Peace are often costly troublesome and harsh whereas the high-road to discord and disorder is a broad way crouded with multitudes and of easie charges for any Travellor promising fair what ever it performs 4. Satan is still a desperate Enemy to the Children of God and to their peace His part is still acted craftily and industriously with all the powers and policies of Hell He will be sure to stand at Joshua's Elbow to discover his filthy Garments and to accuse him both to God and man He ceases not to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Accuser of the Brethren day and night charging them to themselves and others so to hinder their peace He observes warily what darling sins they are most subject to fits all his Baits to their dispositions conditions and occasions in order thereto Many Reproaches upon the ways of Peace doth he often cast by his Ingineers as so many thorns
Breaches increasing from small beginnings and embittering Brethren against each other about things very disputable and dubious How much is Gods work retarded and his glorious Name abused by his childrens discords and disorders How contrary are such ungodly jars to the Being and Will Attributes and concernments of that great God whose Children we still profess to be If Peace-makers shall be called Gods Children What Opprobrious Title shall they not deserve and bear who are still known to act as notorious Peace-breakers Corollar Secondly It yields a Confutation of divers Erroneous mistakes about Profession and Peace Too many account it their Duty to maintain and promote every thing they conceive to be Truth though at the costs of Peace in a disorderly and dividing way But how far is this from the Duty and Dignity of a child of God no Truth indeed is to be renounced or opposed but there are varieties of Truths and of Seasons to prosess the same There is much Prudence and Care required still about it We often mistake Truth for Error and Error for Truth We often wrong Truth by our â—ll handling thereof The Spirits of the Prophets said the Apostle are subject to the Prophets They who are taught and led by the Spirit of Truth are so far judicious and orderly in the peaceable expressions thereof The Wine of Truth being given too hot in a wrangling manner or unseasonable time doth much hurt instead of good It endangers the burning and casting of men into feavorish heat and contentious distempers In indifferent matters in Circumstantials we should speak nothing but the Truth but we are not bound to speak all the Truth at once There were many things which Christ and his Apostles forbore to tell others because they were not able to bear them Many are like infirm Patients whose head and stomack will bear but little and must be wisely dealt with Christians soon exceed in quantity quality in order and season about such matters A man must in many cases have his Faith to himself so as not to disturb others by his making a stir about it The Spirit indeed leads his People into all Truths substantially needfull for their Knowledge and Practice but he doth it gradually orderly peaceably and sutably according to their various conditions In cases of moment Profession is needfull so far as it may promote Gods Honor and mans good but when it crosses and endangers both then is a child of God called to a Peaceable silence Truth is too precious to be cast away upon such as cannot and will not entertain it well Holy things should not be abused in a swinish or dogged manner either in the giving or receiving thereof Frowardness and janglings among our Children we cannot abide God takes little pleasure to see his Children to wrangle and divide under pretence of doing their Duty Vse 2. This Point serves also for Admonition The Children of Men are by the Lords own Dichotomy divided into two Ranks some he cals the Children of this world others the Children of God 1. The Children of this World should be hence effectually dealt with for their contrariety to this dignifying property of Gods Children Such as are strangers and enemies unto Peace-making shew little Interest in God and little acquaintance with him Where worldly lusts do reign and domineer they prove still sad Lords of mis-rule very many wayes This is the case of all unregenerate Ones most are still sound to slight and disown to reject and oppose that God in effect whom they seem to own for their God in Profession Their corrupt Nature is further still corrupted by sinfull Custom habituating them to a further degree of Putrefaction both in their Intellectuals and Morals There is a great Latitude in this sinfull State though all agree in opposition to God and his Peace Some do it more grosly and prophanâ—ly others more closly and cunningly Who ever thou art who livest under the Love and Power of any sin thou shewst thy self to be no child of God Why dost thou pretend to the Dignity whilst thou dost not manifest the property of his Child Thy worldly lusts whether Pride or Passion Envy or Avarice Ignorance or Unbelief Self-love or Formality Laziness or Wantonness or any such other bearing sway over thee so cherished of thee against thy Allegiance to thy Soveraign wofully bewrayes thy estrangedness from him Whilst thou dost disown his Nature his Charge and Interest dost thou not disown to be his Child Whilst thou ownest a contrary Nature Charge and Interest in a worldly way dost thou not proclaim thy self an Enemy Is not this a piece of egregious folly to deceive thy self in mocking that God who searches thy heart and will not be mocked Is it not attended with woful misery bringing upon thee the dreadful wrath of an abused God Thy Peace with sin with self and Satan maintains still hostile War against God Thy nursing up of his enemies in thy own bosome speaks out sadly thy ungodliness What will it avail to be called Christian whilst thou renouncest that gracious nature and that holy Charge which should still act thee to the utmost to the advance of his Interest Doth he not disclaim such degenerate Children who love and serve any Creature or sin to his disgrace and before his face Are not such in effect as the Children of the Aethiopians to him Whilst thou embracest any thing in Equality with him or Superiority above him or Contrariety to him How canst thou own thy self to be his Child If all Creatures be not accounted loss and dung in comparison of him he is not thy God If thy love to Creatures and thy use thereof be not subordinate moderate and seasonable according to the Rules of his Grace and Peace its rebellion and Adultery of the very worst kind That very thing which thou art wedded to and keepest Peace with against thy duty challenged from thee by thy Soveraign that is thy Idol which God will famish That Dagon shall be sure to fall before his Ark brought in by an insulting Triumph to be its Prisoner If thou art for God and for his Peace so far only as may serve thy Turn and promote thy End God will serve his turn and promote his End on thee with a vengeance If his Name be used as a cloak to thy Lusts as a stalking horse to thy base designs that jealous God will smoak against thee and vendicate his name with a witness What hast thou to do thus to prophane his Name by thy sinfull mouth whilst thou hatest to be reformed Why mockest thou him as the wretched Jews with a Hail King whilst thy heart and hands are betraying and abusing of him Will thy Peace with sin and thy War with God dignifie thee with the Property of a child of God Shouldst thou not be what thou doest profess or profess what thou art 2. The children of God should be hence also
your profuse lavishing of all he had bestowed on you Is it not best for you to close with Christs terms for a sure Peace between God and you that you may be advanced in his house and Kingdom among his children to the dignifying property of blessed Peace-makers in every Relation Is there any thing in his Articles of Peace to be stuck at on any consideration Is there any Mercy in his Al-sufficiency that you may not receive in your conjugal entertaining of him Is there any Duty required of you that is not most just and Rational equal and beneficial Is there any Lust in your heart or Life that deserves not to be wholly crucified being so poisonous and so desperate an Enemy to all Good Is there any creature to be compared with or preferred before Christ Is there any part of your Religious self that can in the least satisfie Gods justice avert his wrath or merit his favour Is there any Good Divine or Humane that attends not his Peace Is there any Evil from God or the Creature that accompanies not that sinfull Peace which opposes and undermines Gods Peace Be then perswaded utterly to break with Sin with Self and Satan that you may conclude with God in Christ through his Holy Spirit according to the Tenure of his Gracious Covenant Accept of him so as to resign up your whole self to him freely and fully surely and singularly As he engages for Mercy on his part be engaged also for Duty on your part that his Gracious Covenant may be compleated by such a cordial Reciprocation Receive by Faith what his Spirit gives that you may through his Help return in Duty what you receive in Mercy Improve his Promises to obey his Precepts Yield your heart to him to mend it for you that you may mend your wayes towards him Be you wholly His that you may know him to be wholly ours Let your Peace with him in the Court of Heaven be so well ratified by mutual consent that your Peace within may be thence evidenced by due Reflections in your own conscience through the Irradiations of his renewing Spirit in that Christal Glass washed in his Blood and purified from its defilements Thence attend that noble work of Peace both in Spiritual and Civil Relations which will characterize your Nature and Name among the Children of the God of Peace 2. The Friends of Peace should hence be exhorted to make good their Dignity and Duty as becomes the Sons of the most High Hath any of you concluded Peace with God in Christ by his Spirit upon Gospel-terms Have you thence enjoyed a pacified conscience through the purging Vertue of his Blood and Grace effectually applyed to your Soul by his Spirits saving Operations in his Word and Providence Have you learned in the School of Christ what that good Peace imports in each Society and condition of Men which is such a Blessing and so blesses all those children of God who make it their Business to be Peace-makers Do not all these Bonds twisted by the Lords hand oblige you strongly to attend this Work to the very utmost that you may act therein from him and like him for him and through him Are not the Vows of our Grand Peace-maker upon all His in a special manner engaging his children to demonstrate their Relation to him by the most effectual Improvement of such a Dignifying Property Be we then hence stirred up in earnest to make this our Business and to follow it with all prudent Zeal through the supplies of his Holy Spirit in each Relation and Occasion whether in the Church State or Family The Doors of Gods Sanctuary were made of Olive-Wood the choise Embleme of Peace Le ts believe and pray wait and labor in all fit means appointed of God gill those blessed Gates be opened unto us that the righteous Nation which keeps the Truth may enter thereby into the Rest and Glory of Christs Kingdom Let our Dignity quicken us to Duty and our Duty lead us to Dignity Observe we hence how to carry it towards all Friends Strangers and Enemies 1. Towards Friends in all Expressions of unfained Love and hearty compliance so far as Gods Honour their Good and our Duty will prescribe to us Let all the Friends of Christ be counted and used as our best Friends though some of them may be found weak sickly and froward should not our carriage and mind towards them answer the Lords mind and carriage according to his Word Turks and Jews Heathens and Papists labour to agree shall not Christians agree as far as they can Where Christs Image appears though but small and in a homely dress should it not be owned and cherished among his children What evil we see or suspect in others let it cause us to reflect on our selves and judge our selves for the seed and spawn of the like in us Should not we pitty and bewail their case labouring to help them as becomes the fellow-members of Christs own Body Family and Kingdom Should not those Divine Exhortations so frequently and abundantly pressed on all Christians in his sacred Word prevail mightily with us Should we not study practically with utmost Industry that more excellent way of Christian Love so highly commended so largely described in 1 Cor. 13. chapter throughout in Eph. 4. Phil. 2. Rom. 14. 1 Cor. 14. Gal. 6. Col. 4. 1 Thess 4. 2 Thess 3. c. as likewise in all the Epistles of James and Peter of John and Jude Was not this the great charge which Christ left with his Disciples in his last Sermons so full of his heart whilst he was pouring forth his tenderest Bowels in his loving and lovely expressions so copiously inculcated on them Did not he ratifie the same by the choicest Token of Divine Love in giving up himself to that bitter Passion and accursed death that he might be our Peace and commend Peace to us in the most efficacions manner that Heaven could afford Did not he give us the Seals of his Covenant and all the Blessings and the Means thereof to knit all His into One in himself that they might be orderly preserved in One by the effectual working of the measure of every part to the edifying of the whole in Love Should not we be moved by such an Interest so much concerning our own Advantage in the concernments of Christ and of his people Le ts then study the things that make for Peace wherein we may edifie one another Mind we that Axiom which the Light of Nature discovered to Pagans and the Light of Grace explains unto Christians Concordiâ res parvae crescunt discordiâ maximae dilabuntur the smallest matters flourish thrivingly watered by Concord the greatest things waste miserably blasted by Discord Suppose that we meet with sower crabbed Spirits that slight and oppose the wayes of Peace which we would promote do not we find more cause of caution care and information for compliance usque