Christ's death cover thy self wholly with his death wrap thy self wholy in his death and if God would judge thee say Lord I place the death of our Lord Jesus Christ between me and thy Judgment and no other ways will I contend with thee And if he shall say unto thee thou art a sinner say I place the death of our Lord Jesus Christ between me and my sins and if he shall say unto thee that thou deservest Damnation say Lord I put the death of our Lord Jesus Christ between thee and all my sins and I offer his Merits for my own which I should have and have not If he shall say that he is Angry with thee say Lord I place the death of Christ between me and thine Anger O Sinner here is thy relief it is in the Blood of the Covenant it is Christ's death under all Fears Temptations Dispair and Anguish of Soul here is peace even under the accusations of thy own Conscience and Satan's temptations even in Life and at the hour of Death O Blessed Covenant of Peace Who is it that is just a going to God's Tribunal that dares to plead what he hath done or is wrought in him alas all hands will be weak all hearts faint and all felf-confidence will faâ— them This Covenant is therefore all oâ—â— Hope our Peace and all our Salvation and in it there is indeed a Salve for every Sore VSE 1. Sinner take hold of this Covenant and tho thou art an Eunuch i. e. a poor dâ—â— barren and fruitless Soul yet if thou takâ— hold of God's Covenant or canst but geâ— Faith to take hold of Christ God will givâ— thee a Name in his House better than that oâ— Sons and Daughters 2. Saints do you fix your eyes also upoâ— this Covenant to plead the Blood and Merits of Christ in this Covenant Rest alonâ— upon the Lord Jesus and on the Faithfulnesâ— of God in his promises in this Covenant foâ— tho thou knowest nothing of thy self yet thâ—â— art not thereby Justified nor can thy sâ—â— condemn thee if thou art in Christ for thoâ— art perfect in him touching thy Justification before the Throne of God 3. With what comfort then mayst thou 〈◊〉 Believer take the Sacrament as a Token 〈◊〉 the Covenant-blessings Yea thou takest iâ— as a pledge from God that all his wrath 〈◊〉 over in Christ and that Divine Justice is satisfied towards thee in Christ and that all thâ— Sins are for ever pardoned that God is thâ— Father Jesus Christ is thy Saviour and Heaven is thy Inheritance but here I shall Conclude at this time SERMON X. Shewing the Covenant of Peace is a try'd Covenant that it is but one Intire Covenant viz. That the Covenant of Grace and Rededemtion are not Two distinct Covenants as some lately affirm but only one and the same Covenant That t' is a Covenant full of the Strongest consolation and lastly an Everlasting Covenant ISA. Liv. x. Neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee I AM upon the opening the nature of the Covenant of Peace or to shew you what kind of Covenant it is I have passed thro an Induction of Nine Particulars already shall proceed Tenthly It is a Try'd Covenant I. All the faithfull Children of God venturâ— their Souls and their Salvation upon it and never failed any one of them Adam no douâ—â— ventured his Soul and Salvation thereon 〈◊〉 did Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Holy Patriarchs and all thâ— Holy Prophets and the Apostles of Jesus Chrisâ— together with all the Saints both in thâ— times of the Old and New Testament anâ— they all found it having try'd it a Sure Covenant II. Multitudes of Souls departed this Liâ— are already made Perfect in Heaven by thâ— Grace and Blessings thereof they find it tâ— their own unspeakable Joy and Comfort a sum and happy Covenant For it was by the Merits and Righteousness of Jesus Christ or blooâ— of the Everlasting Covenant they are all goâ—â— to Heaven III. Never did any person venture 〈◊〉 Soul upon Jesus Christ by vertue of this Covenant by Believing truly on him but 〈◊〉 found it a Firm and saving Covenant 〈◊〉 how many have try'd and found it so tâ— be IV. Satan that great enemy of Believers and of the Souls of Men hath often tryd 〈◊〉 and endeavoured to shake the hopes of Believers and break this Covenant but hâ— to his shame and confusion sees that he cannoâ— break the bonds thereof Eleventhly It is one intire Covenant i. e. the Covenant that was made with Christ â—rom Eternity is the Covenant of Peace and â—econciliation or the Covenant of Grace â—s well as of Redemption For 1. Was it not made with him as our Coâ—enanting Head and so in him with all Gods â—lect and for them Some of late times would â—ave this Covenant to be a Covenant of Reâ—emption and not the Covenant of Grace â—nd Reconciliation but a distinct Covenant â—nd so plead for Two Covenants besides the â—ovenant of Works which we read no where â—f in the Holy Scriptures 2. Was it not wholly of the Free Grace â—f God yea and the highest Act and Deâ—onstration thereof that he was pleas'd to â—nter into that Covenant with his own Son â—s our Surety and Mediator 3. Was not all the good which we receive â—n time promised to us in Christ before the World began See Tit. 1.2 Nay was not all â—race given Foederaly to us in Christ in that Covenant See 2. Tim. 1.9 Who hath savâ—d us and called us not according to our works â—ut according to his own purpose and Grace which â—as given to us in Christ before the World beâ—an 4. Was it not that Covenant that was made â—etwixt the Father and the Son that Christ was made the Mediator and Surety of and Confirmed by his death and did not he unâ—ertake to Die for all Gods Elect when the Fulness of time was come Or was not God in Christ in and by vertue of that Covenant from everlasting a reconciling the World to himself And if so Was not the Covenant made with Christ of Redemption a Covenant of Peace and Reconciliation also Was it not representitively made then for us in Christ and actually made with us by Application and that it might be thus Apply'd to us in time did not Christ engage to see it done for us before time in that Holy Covenant then agreed on 5. Is there any one Promise one Blessing or one Priviledg which we received which was not Primarily granted to Christ for us in that Covenant viz. That our Acceptation should be in Christ that our Justification should be in him and our Sanctification should be in and by him c 6. Was not the Covenant of Redemption made with Christ as a Publick Person a Second Adam And if so was it not made in him with all his Seed Take here what a
is a full Covenant shewed in 10 Things p. 194 to 198. VI. 'T is a seasonable Covenant shewed in 3 Things p. 198. 1. As to the time when provided before Man sinned 2. As to the first revelation of it 3. As to the time of the application of the Balm of it to a Convicted or Wounded Sinner p. 198 199. VII 'T is a sure Covenant shewed in 6 Respects p. 199 200. VIII 'T is a Cov. of Peace p. 201 to 203. SERM. X. IX 'T is a tried Covenant shewed in 4 Respects p. 206. X. It is one intire Covenant largely proving the Covenant of Redemption and Covenant of Grace essentially one and the same Covenant p. 207 to 222. The Covenant of Peace a Covenant of greatest Consolation p. 222. Also an Everlasting Covenant p. 223. SERM. XI Shewing the Gifts Grants and Priviledges in the Covenant to Believers p. 224. 1. God himself given as a Cov. Blessing p. 225. How God comes to be our God negatively shewed in 3 Respects p. 226. Affirmatively p. 227. What an amazing Gift this is shewed in 9 Particulars p. 228 to 236. First The Good in God's Communicable Atbutes given and let out to us p. 229 c. Secondly The Son is given to Believers p. 237 Thirdly The Holy Spirit is given all Grace is given other Priviledges given p. 238 239. SERM. XII Believers are God's People by virtue of the Covenant p. 240 241. 1. In what respects called God's People negatively in 3 respects p. 242 243. In the Affirmative in 7 respects p. 243 c. 2. What kind of People God's Covenant-People are shewed in 11 Partic. p. 246 to 252. 3. What a Blessing it is to be God's People in 12 Particulars p. 255 256. The Application p. 256 257. SERM. XIII This Peace opens a Free Trade to Heaven p. 259. Sin stop'd up or interrupted all Trade betwixt God and Man what this implies shewed p. 259. What meant by a Free Trade shewed in 3 Things p. 260 261. This Spiritual Trade is opened by the Peace made by Christ p. 261. We Trade by or through a River viz. the Spirit this River Christ opened p. 262. This Trade the best Trade shewed in 4 Respects 1. in the respect of the Subject these Merchandises inrich 2. In respect of the things Traded for 3. In respect of the Correspondent we Trade with p. 263 4. In respect of the Terms upon which we Trade p. 264. 1. In respect of the Subject viz the Soul shewed in 7 Things p. 265 c. 2. In respect of the Nature of the Things shewed in 8 Particulars p. 268 c. 5. In respect of Christ we Trade with shewed in 6 Things p. 271 272. 1. Christ makes great Returns p. 272. 2. Sure Returns 3. Quick Returns 4. 'T is a Free Trade without Money p. 275. The Application p. 276. All False Dealers will break and why shewed in 6 Things p. 277. Who are Rich Traders shewed in 9 Things p. 279 280. SERM. XIV A Summary Account of what is requisite to God's being at Peace with Man and Man with God p. 281 c. The Nature of this Peace opened in fourteen Particulars p. 286 to 291. The general Application p. 293. Christ the Covenant or the Sum of the Covenant of Grace shewed in eight Respects p. 293 to 296. How to know we have actual Peace with God shewed in 8 Particular p. 299. 300. A needful Caution about the Elect being Reconciled to God in Christ whilst Sinners p. 300 301. The Blessed State of Believers that possess Peace or are in a State of Peace p. 303 304. The Conclusion THE DISPLAY OF Glorious Grace OR THE Covenant of Peace Opened In Several SERMONS SERMON I. ISA. Liv. x. Latter Part. Neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath Mercy on thee I Have promised some Brethren to Enter upon the Great Subject of Peace Not to Treat of Peace with Men but Peace with GOD not National Peace but Spiritual Peace And that which partly put me upon the Thoughts hereof was To see and hear what Great Joy there is among us in this Nation and in other Kingdoms and States upon account of the Peace lately concluded betwixt the French King and the Confederate Princes I must confess National Peace is a great Blessing when it is given in Mercy and it is sanctified and well improved by those Kingdoms and People that enjoy it But whether the Present Peace may be in Mercy to the Nations or in Judgment I know not Time must discover that Alas What Peace can such expect who continue in Rebellion against the GOD of Heaven and Earth What Peace can such a People expect who are not humbled for those Sins and Abominations which caused the righteous and holy God to bring the Plague of War and Devastations upon them When the Cause is not removed what reason have we to think the Effect will cease GOD may it is true take off one Rod and yet chasten us with another if War and the Pestilence humble us not Famine may be looked for See what God speaks in Levit. 26.21 And if you walk contrary unto me and will not hearken unto me I will bring seven times more Plagues upon you according to your sins and ye shall eat the flesh of your Sons and the flesh of your Daughters shall you eat v. 29. A People may cry Peace Peace when sudden Destruction is just coming upon them I may say of the Nations of the Earth as Jehu said to Joram's Messenger What hast thou to do with Peace What Peace so long as the Whoredoms of thy Mother Jezzabel and her Witchcrafts are so many What Peace can such a Nation or People look for long to continue whilst their horrid Wickedness Prophaneness cursed Oaths Blasphemy Drunkenness Whoredom Pride Treachery Cruelty Cotousness Heresies Superstitions and all manner of abominations abound amongst them know this assuredly God's Anger is not yet turned away but his hand is lifted up still The Seven last Plagues will over a short time be poured forth and whatsoever you may think of the present Peace I fear worser things are near than what the Earth hath seen or felt yet we are not fallen in such an Age as to expect any long time of Peace No No! God hath a fearful Controversie with the Kingdoms of the Earth Babylon must fall and Sion must rise and Jesus Christ shall Reign and Possess his Visible Kingdom And tho Reverend Mr. Beverly in some respect hath acknowledged himself mistaken yet the Church of God is greatly obliged to him for his elaborate Pains in his careful searching out the Mystical Numbers so as to know the time of the end of the Beasts Reign and Tyranny and the passing away of the Second Wo. Moreover I am perswaded he hath out-done all that went before him and may be the World will see in a short space that he was not much mistaken as to the
we say he will perform it He shall bring forth Judgment unto Victory 1. He will according to his Promise and Covenant strengthen our Faith and encrease it 2. Subdue our Iniquities He will subdue our Iniquities thou wilt cast all their Sins into the Depths of the Sea thou wilt perform thy Truth to Jacob. 3. To support and succour us under all Temptations thus he hath promised and he is Faithful therefore will do it 1. Cor. 10.13 No Temptation hath befallen you but such that is common to Men and God is Faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able c. 4. To comfort us in all our Sorrows I will not leave you Comfortless c. 5. To help us under all our Afflictions Reproaches Losses and Persecutions all these are Covenant Blessings and therefore promised to us 6. To enable us to perform acceptably all Holy Duties for without him we can do nothing 7. To make us Fruitful and so to abide unto the end I have chosen you and ordained you that you go and bring forth Fruit and that your Fruit should remain the Righteous shall flourish like a Palm-tree Those that are planted in the House of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts oâ— our God they shall still bring forth Fruit in Old Age they shall be fat and flourishing And all this God hath promised to us by vertue of Christ's undertaking as our Surety for us For the Grace by which all this is done was promised first to Christ he is filled full of Grace as our Head of Influence And he hath engaged to God for us to act and influence us with that Grace which he so received which he doth perform in what measure and manner he pleaseth through or by virtue of that Union we have with him and by the constant communication of fresh Supplies from himself Therefore it is added To shew that the Lord is Vpright and that there is no Vnrighteousness in him Brethren pray consider this well that all Grace and Spiritual Blessing whatsoever which we receive is all promised to us by God the Father and made good to us through Christ's Mediation and Undertakings as our Surety For all the Promises of God in him are Yea and in him Amen unto the Glory of God the Father I say that that Mutual Covenant betwixt God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ makes all Covenant Blessings and Promises sure to us all Promises are from the Father through Christ by the Holy Spirit Christ received the Spirit without measure upon his Covenanting with the Father and he engaged to send the Spirit to be the Almighty Agent to do all things for us for as he purchased the Spirit for us so he hath asked it of the Father and still as our Surety and Advocate he intercedes with the Father for us that we may receive a Gracious Measure thereof I will pray the Father and he will give you another Comforter The Father upon Christ's Suretiship promised to him that his Spirit shall never depart from him nor his Seed As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord My Spirit that is upon thee and my Words which I have put into thy Mouth shall not depart out of thy Mouth nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed nor out of the Mouth of thy Seeds Seed from henceforth and for ever 8. Christ hath engaged to confirm us to the end this he undertook as our Surety it was God's Promise to him He shall see his Seed This was promised to him upon what he was to do and suffer and Christ I say hath engaged as our Surety to confirm us Who shall confirm you to the end God is Faithful by whom ye were called unto the Fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus Christ by vertue of this Covenant was to have many Companions or fellow Heirs of Glory and God's calling us is the first Foundation Act in God of performance of this Covenant with Christ and to us in him The Father is as much bound and obliged to keep us as Christ is because of that Price he hath received for us by Christ which he accepted of in this Covenant of Peace 9. Christ was obliged as our Surety not to lose one of them which the Father gave him And this is the Father's Will that sent me That of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up at the last Day This is as if our Lord should have said The Father's Will and Covenant made with me is That I should not lose one of his Elect. The Father as one observes promised three things to the Son in this Covenant upon what he was to do and suffer 1. His Assistance 2. That he should have a Seed which he should see 3. He promised Eternal Glory to him and to all them in him I. His Assistance The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him the Spirit of Wisdom and Vnderstanding the Spirit of Counsel and Might the Spirit of Knowledge and of the Fear of the Lord. Behold my Servant that I uphold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him Well and what hath Christ engaged to do He shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles A bruised Reed shall he not break and the smoaking Flax shall he not quench he shall bring forth Judgment unto Truth I the Lord have called thee in Righteousness and will uphold thine Hand and will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant of the People for a Light of the Gentiles That is for the Surety of my Covenant To open Blind eyes c. He shall feed in the Strength of the Lord in the Majesty of the Name of the Lord his God Christ was to plead these Promises He shall cry unto me Thou art my Father my God and the Rock of my Salvation II. God promised him a Seed 1. A Numerous Seed As the Dew of the Morning in abundance upon the Flowers and Plants fear not for I am with thee I will bring thy Seed from the East and gather thee from the West I will say to the North Give up and to the South Keep not back Bring my Sons from afar and my Daughters from the Ends of the Earth 2. A Perpetual Seed or a Seed that shall endure for ever His Seed will I make to endure for ever and his Throne as the Days of Heaven My Covenant will I not break c. III. The Father promised him great Glory and an Eternal Kingdom Ask of me I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession behold my Servant he shall deal prudently he shall be exalted and extolled and made very high I will divide him a Portion with the Great and he shall divide the Spoil
so Good yea so Precious so Sweet in his Love and Favour that I am not able to express it as if he should say Therefore pray taste your selves and then by experience you will find it to be as I say Solomon also found by experience this was the best Trade Wisdom is better than Gold and to get Vnderstanding rather to be chosen than Silver Yea better than Rubies all things that may be desired are not to be compared to it Solomon had the experience of all other Things he had Riches in abundance Honours beyond all Men on Earth and Pleasures of all sorts and such Wisdom also which no meer Man ever attained to yet he cries out Vanity of Vanity all things are Vanity Doubtless God might let him try the Nature of all Worldly good or whatsoever the Heart of Man could desire that by him all Men might know even by his Experience the emptiness and vanity of them no Man ever decry'd the Vanity of all things under the Sun more than he did And in the close of all by that experience he had how doth he commend Spiritual Things or the Merchandise of Wisdom i e. the Love and Favour of God in Christ or our Lord Jesus Christ himself whom he sets forth under the Name of Wisdom Moreover Moses chose rather to Trade in these rich and rare Commodities than in all the Treasures and Glories of Egypt or of Pharaoh's Court nay he esteemed the Reproaches of Christ greater Riches or much better than all the Riches and Treasures of Egypt or all the Pleasures of Sin for a Season Also you may take Paul's Experiences on this account What says he But what things were Gain to me those things I counted Loss for Christ yea doubtless I account all things but loss for the excellency of the Knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but Dung that I may win Christ. In his Judgment all things in comparison of Christ were but as Dung or Dogs-meat O! that every Soul that hears me this Day would but endeavour to play such a Game as Paul did or get such Experiences as he had 5. By this Trade also the Soul is inriched with all the Promises of God precious Promises exceeding great and precious Promises Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promises Whereby that is through the Knowledge of God in Christ That by these ye may be Partakers of the Divine Nature Those Promises by which we partake of the Nature or Image of God must needs greatly inrich the Soul it is by and through them we attain to an Impress of the Divine Nature or Divine Qualities and Dispositions as Knowledge Righteousness Mercy Goodness Holiness c. They are full Promises suitable Promises suited to every Condition and seasonable Promises and also sure and certain Promises 6. Because this Trade inriches both the Soul and Body too they that drive this Trade in a right manner shall have their vile Body changed and made in likeness to Christ's Glorious Body and be Crowned with Glory for evermore 7. This Trade through Faith in Jesus Christ gives the Soul full Satisfaction it fills it with Joy and Comfort for as hereby we come to have a likeness to God so also to have Communion with God and Jesus Christ it is therefore a most sweet and honourable Calling it makes us happy while we live and happy at Death also Thus in respect of the Subject these Merchandises do inrich it appears it is the best Trade in all the Earth Secondly This will further appear by considering of the Nature of the things about which the Soul Spiritually Trades I. They are Things of great Worth Riches or of an Inestimable Value This appears 1. In respect of the great Price by which they were bought which was the Blood of Jesus Christ they cost an Infinite Sum of rich Treasure 1 Pet. 1.18 19. Who would not highly account of Things bought with such a Price and part with all things for them as Paul did The Merchant-Man sold all he had and bought the Pearl of great Price The Redemption of the Soul is precious c. That which is most costly is commonly most preferred My Brethren Jesus Christ did not over-buy them he never repented that he laid down so great a Price to purchase them for us O costly Ware saith one O dear bought Goods For which the Pearl of great Price went Will you not value those things highly which the Son of God bought with his own Heart's Blood 2. They are Heavenly Things Heavenly Riches What are the Nature of all Earthly Things to Heavenly Things Alas God gives the Things of this World to his Enemies to such that hate him What said Luther of all the Turkish Empire It was but a Crust that God casts to a Dog Brethren we shall never fully know the Worth and Nature of Heavenly Things till we come to Heaven 3. They are Incorruptible Things and Things that Thieves can't steal and Things that corrupt not perish not they are not the worse for keeping their Nature changes not all other things perish in the using and as our Lord shews Moth and Rust corrupteth them But God is unchangable and Christ is the same Yesterday to Day and for ever The Word of God is incorruptible which liveth and abideth for ever 4. They are Vnsearchable Riches no finding out perfectly either the Quality or Quantity of this vast Mine of rich Treasure To me who am less than the least of all Saints is this Grace given That I should Preach among the Gentiles the Vnsearchable Riches of Christ What are the Spanish Gold Mines or the Riches of Mexico or Potosi to Christ's Riches Mines of Gold may be exhausted or such that have those Mines may be poor as the Spaniard is Brethren Millions of Millions live upon Christ yet his Treasure is full the Riches of Christ are permanent abiding Riches With me are durable Riches and Righteousness 5. The Riches procured by this Covenant in this Trade are not only Soul-satisfying but also Soul-fatening Riches Eat that which is good and let your Soul delight it self in fatness These were those Riches that satisfied Divine Justice and appeased Divine Wrath and that quiets a guilty and wounded Conscience they fill the Soul faten the Soul They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy House and thou shalt make them drink of the Rivers of thy Pleasures They shall be fat and flourishing c. 6. They are certain Riches the Riches of this World are called Vncertain Riches they make themselves Wings and fly away Besides they will not avail in the Day of Wrath they will stand in no stead then nor any ways profit the Wretched Sinner at Death nor in the Judgment Day But Godliness is profitable for all things
II. A seasonable Covenant in respect of the Revelation or Manifestation of it even just as Adam had sinned and when Divine Justice was ready to lift up his direful Ax of Divine Vengeance How seasonable is it for a poor condemned Criminal to hear of a Pardon just when he is brought to the place of Execution and the Halter is put about his Neck or the Ax lifted up to Cut off his Head III. It is a seasonable Covenant in respect to the application of the blessings thereof to a poor Sinner 1. 'T is by the Spirit applyed when the sinner sees he is Condemned being under the sense of Sin Wrath and Condemnation beholding himself just dropping into Hell then this Covenant is opened and the blessing of free Justification and Pardon is applied 2. When the Soul and Conscience of a sinner is wounded and his wounds bleed then is the Balm of the Covenant applied to heal him 3. When the Sinner sees he is pursued by the Avenger of Blood and sees no way to escape then his Eyes are opened and he is directed to fly to the City of refuge the way being made plain and easie and the Holy Spirit directs the Soul to Christ and crys Refuge Refuge 4. When the Sinner sees he is so sick that he can't live even then the Physician provided in the Covenant comes immediately and pours in his Oyl and Wine When I passed by and saw thee polluted in thy Blood I said unto thee live Ye I sware unto thee and entred into Covenant with thee saith the Lord and thou becamest mine Eighthly It is a Sure Covenant Ordered in all things and sure Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your Souls shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David I. It is a sure Covenant because it is made with such a Surety as Jesus Christ is it is not made primarily with us but with Christ for us and with us in him the sure mercies of David That is our Lord Jesus Christ he is the true Antitipical David Sure because they are Mercies granted to us thro' Christ's suretiship and when a Sinner is brought into the bands of the Covenant God is said to make this Covenant with him i. e. he actually entering then thro' Christ into Covenant with God but our standing then in it is upon the account of Christ's Covenant with the Father for us II. It is a Sure Covenant because it stands upon the absolute purpose and unchangeable Decree and Councel of God My Mercy will I keep with him and my Covenant shall stand fast with him My Covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my mouth Hence the absolute Decrees of God are compared to mountains of Brass Zach. 6.1 Denoting how unmovable stedy and unchangable his Councels are nay Tho' the Mountains should depart and the Hills be removed yet saith the Lord my loving kindness shall not depart from thee neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed c. All Covenant-Mercys are according to God's Eternal purpose which be purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord The Covenant stands not only as the act of God's Eternal Wisdom but as his Eternal Decree and Purpose before all Worlds III. The Covenant of Peace is sure because it is confirmed by the witness of the Holy Ghost 1. The Spirit of God was a witness to the Covenant when it was made 2. Moreover it was confirmed in the promulgation of it by the Holy Ghost by wonderfull Miracles for what served all those Miracles more clearly for than to confirm the Authority of the Mediator and the verity and stability of the Gospel Covenant IV. Furthermore The Covenant was as you heard confirmed by the Blood of Jesus Christ therefore it is a sure Covenant V. The Covenant is sure because it is confirmed by the Promise and Oath of God Once have I sworn by my Holiness that I will not lye to David his Seed shall endure for ever and his Throne as the Sun before me This is as the waters of Noah unto me for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the Earth so have I sworn that I will not be wrath with thee nor rebuke thee compared with Heb. 6.13 16 17 18. VI. It is a Sure Covenant to all Gods Elect because the Execution of it is put into Christ's own hands he is the Executioner of his own Will and Testament for tho Christ was dead yet he is alive I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive forevermore Christ sees his last Will and Testament fully executed by his Spirit Ninethly It is a Covenant of Peace this is the Name that is given to it in my Text which also shews it is of an excellent and precious nature I. 'T is a Covenant of Peace with God God is hereby reconciled to us and we to him and that for ever II. Hereby we come also to have peace in our own Souls or peace of Conscience nor indeed can we ever have true peace any other ways For can your repentance give you peace of Conscience Can Tears of Blood apease Divine Wrath or satisfy Divine Justice Can Reformation of life give you Peace or your inherent Sanctification or pious and religious duties Do you fetch your peace from thence If you do your peace will be turned into trouble and anguish of Spirit or can your lively and spiritual Frame give you true and lasting peace I affirm 't is a false peace that is simply grounded on a lively and Spiritual Frame or disposition of Heart for there can be no true peace of Conscience but by Jesus Christ thro' the Blood of the everlasting Covenant He is our peace c. He will speak peace to his People Not as the World giveth give I unto you Dare a Man plead his Faith or good Duties to Justifie him and so from thence fetch his peace and comfort alas What unrighteousness cleaves to our righteousness what doubtings attend our Faith and what wandrings of heart attend us in our best Duties nay may we not find some Hypocrisie in us also tho in the main we are sincere our peace is only had in Christ. III. 'T is only by the peace made by Christ as is revealed in this Covenant that a poor wounded disparing and distressed Soul comes to have peace I once cited a passage out of Dr. Owen being pious Anselem's directions to a poor tempted Soul on a Death-Bed let me repeat it here once again Minister Dost thou believe thou canst not be saved but by the Death of Christ. ' Sick-man Yes I do so believe Minister Then let it be said unto thee go and whilest thy Soul abideth in thee and put all thy confidence in Christ's death alone place thy trust in no other thing commit thy self wholly to