perfect hatred Sin which was lov'd better then the soul better then salvation the heart by the Spirit is turn'd against it and how earnest are the cries that it may not reign no nor live any longer And Holiness against which there was a very strong though unreasonable antipathy is now hungred and thirsted after there is a tide which runs upwards contrary to the former stream which ran downward The Lord hath those affections which before sin and the world commanded The desart is become as Sharon and in the ruines which corruption hath made there is a Temple for the Spirit of God to dwell in The Day of Grace is the only time to be made new creatures in Now thy earthly heart may be made heavenly thy impure heart cleansed thy mind which was vain carnal enmity against God may be made serious and to approve and subject it self to the Law of God 3. 'T is the work of the Spirit to guide They who are the children of God are lead by him and 't is in the way everlasting that he leads them they are directed into such a path as will certainly bring them to the everlasting enjoyment of the Eternal God Neither doth he only guide but strengthen the Spirit puts might into their inner man and makes them to hold on their way till they come to the blessed end of it We have all like sheep gone astray we have turned every one to his own way Isa 53. 6. But in this Day of Grace the Spirit is near to chalk out a path in which we cannot miss of happiness and to help us over all the stumbling blocks and difficulties which are cast in our way The Spirit doth also comfort as well as strengthen He sheds abroad the sense of the love oâ— God into the heart and such a joy issues from this sense of love that tribulation cannot turn into sorrow 4. Many of them that perish have experience while this Day of Grace continues of the Spirits workings The Spiriâ— doth use a kind of holy violence to hinder them from pulling down vengeance upon themselves Thus he did strive with the old world in the day of their visitation 1 Pet. 3. 18 19 20. Christ was quickned by the Spirit by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison which sometime were disobedient when once the long suffering of God waited in the dayes of Noah This place is wrested and may seem difficult but the meaning is plainly this That Christ was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Ghost by which Holy Ghost accompanying the ministry of the ancient Patriarks he preached unto the impenitent sinners of the old world whose spirits are now imprisoned in hell because â—n their life time they were disobedient â—o the Spirits voice all the while the â—ong suffering of God did wait upon â—hem Thus the Spirit likewise did â—trive with the children of Israel but â—hey rebelled and vexed the holy Spirit of God Isai 63. 10. 'T is not an unusual â—hing for the Spirit to enlighten and aâ—aken the Conscience to clap chains and â—etters upon corruption for a while that â—â— breaks not forth as formerly to conâ—â—rain unto a frequent performance of duty But the Soul hankers after its beloved lusts and vanities grows weary of the Spirits restraint grudges the time and pains which duty takes up and wishes that the Spirit would go away and accordingly the Holy Ghost departs from him However this is true that the Spirit works much and would more were he not resisted That 's the second priviledge of the Day of Grace the presence of the Spirit 3. Another priviledge of the Day of Grace is liberty to come to the Throne of Grace All flesh is now invited to the Hearer of Prayers and their prayers shall be regarded if they no longer regard iniquity 1. The Lord now is near and may bâ— found Isai 55. 6. His merciful nature inclines him to come to the help of them that need it As he is near to give theâ— that grace which they cry for so to givâ— them grace to cry after a right manner We cannot so much as come that wâ— may be help'd unless we are help'd tâ— come The Lord is within hearing oâ— all that call who ever sought him seriâ—usly and sought in vain He is so neaâ— as to hear our very whisper'd supplications and to take notice of the inward groanings of our spirits Psal 38. 9. Lord all my desire is before thee and my groaning is not hid from thee But some may object Doth not the Scripture say that the Lord and his salvation are far from the wicked and therefore wicked ones have no encouragement to come to him Well But if the wicked man doth cry that he may be renewed and that his wickedness both as to the guilt and practise may be put far away from him then the Lord will draw near immediately 2. God is not only in this day of grace willing to be found but he seeks after us John 4. 23. The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him Fervent prayer is delightful musick in his ears Cant. 2. 14. O my Dove that art in the clefts of the rocks in the secret places of the stairs let me see thy counâ—enance let me hear thy voice for sweet is thy voice and thy countenance is comely The Lord is pleased to see us gather about him and to hear us cry for this and that and the other mercy since his mercies are so great a multitude that he hath enough and enough for all Nay the Lord himself doth seek to us and beseech us to be reconciled 2 Cor. 5. 20. And if he intreat us to accept of mercy shall not we speed in our intreaties for the obtaining of it 3. The promise which God hath made may now be pleaded This is the time to lay hold upon his Covenant Lord thou hast promised to blot out iniquity as a cloud oh when shall this cloud be scatter'd that I may walk in the light of thy countenance Thou hast promised a new heart when shall this heart of mine be changed when shall it burn with love to thee and indignation against sin which doth offend thee Lord Thou hast promised to take away the heart of stone and to transform the adamant into flesh oh why am I so hard and stupid why since I have sinned so much should I sorrow so little Again Thou hast promised to make me clean Lord when oh when will it once be Thus may we urge the Promises and he that made them will give us cause to adore his faithfulness The worst of men the chief of sinners may urge the promise of a new heart and of washing from filthiness as long as they seek unto the God of Israel to do this for them Ezek. 36. 37. and are so far wrought upon as to desire to be sanctified
not have any great affection for him But where the Lord turns away his wrath the stream of his love doth run amain The time of our reconcilation and returning is called a time of love And this love is the more to be admired because it finds us in our bloud which makes us deserve loathing it finds no beauty no comeliness at all in us but what it puts upon us The Apostle speaks of rich mercy and great love which the reconciled have an interest in Ephes 2. 4 5. But God who is rich in mercy for the great love wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ by grace ye are saved This love of God is exceeding liberal it sets open his fulness which is so all-sufficient and we may come and take what we need at pleasure And as they who are at peace with God have an interest in his love so this love doth enkindle love in them to him again The unreasonable enmity of their hearts against God is cured the soul lifts up it self to God Psal 25. 1. which before very unreasonably doated upon the world and much more unreasonably upon its own lusts 3. Peace with God implies the establishment of a sure and everlasting Covenant between him and us As the Lord makes this Covenant so he makes over himself in this Covenant He becomes ours and he takes us for his own Ezek. 16 8. Nâ—w when I passed by thee and looked upon thee behold thy time was the time of love and I spread my skirt over thee and covered thy nakedness yea I sware unto thee and entred into Covenant with thee and thou becamest mine This Covenant is styled the Covenant of peace The Lord being once a friend will never become an enemy he will be merciful to the unrighteousness of them that are in Covenant with him and as he hath engaged not to leave and forsake them so he hath promised to put his love and fear into their hearts that they shall not leave and forsake him they are apt to be unstedfast 't is well they have to do with a God that is faithful and changeth not to this is owing their perseverance and their blessedness That 's a sweet place Isai 54. 10. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed but my kindness shall not depart from thee neither the Covenant of my peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Oh that our hearts were but set to study this Covenant of our God! How precious how sutable are the Promises of it We are guilty defiled troubled weak and lost creatures but in this Covenant Pardon the Spirit Peace strengthening Grace and eternal Salvation are made over And he that hath promised can as easily perform as promise Nay Christ hath confirmed this Covenant by his death so that it cannot be altered Our Lord at his death engaged his Father to be a Friend unto all that did or should believe in him and therefore that he will be a sure and never failing Friend may securely be built upon 4. Peace with God implies his taking us into a new and near relation to himself He makes us his Children and surely then we shall abide in his house for ever He not only sayes I will be a God to you but also I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 6. 18. Well may we wonder with the Apostle 1 Joh. 3. 1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! Those who are at peace with God are espoused unto Jesus Christ unto such a Bill of divorce shall never be given And as Christ becomes their Husband and God their Father so they consent to carry it like Children to love and fear the Lord in a child-like manner to follow fully and hard after him they are willing to be faithful unto Christ and to be subject unto his commands which are far from being grievous 5. Peace with God implies freedom of access to him Those who proudly harden themselves in sin the Lord beholds them afar off but he is nigh to those whose peace is made such are invited not only to come but to come with boldness to the Throne of Grace and mercy and grace to help shall not be denied them Heb. 4. ult They may without discouragement approach to God and tell him of their temptations He is ready to succour them they may tell him of their weakness he is ready to strengthen them with might in their inward man they may tell him of the distempers which they are burthen'd with he is ready to heal them they may spread their desires before him he is ready to fulfil the desire of the humble Psal 10. 17. Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear And as the Soul whose peace is made hath freedom of access to God so God hath freedom of access unto the soul When Christ knocks the heart opens when the Spirit moves he doth prevail when God comes to dwell the heart yields it self to be his Temple and habitation and how much hereby is the soul dignified and advanced The sinner is no longer foolishly stubborn he denies the Lord nothing when he requires his heart his desire his love none of these shall be kept back any longer from him 6. Peace with God implies fellowship and communion with him There is a kind of a commonness between God and them that are reconciled to him whatever is in God is theirs because God is not ashamed to be called their God Heb. 11. 16. They have an interest and propriety in his Power and Wisdom and Mercy and fulness and they are sensible of the blessed effects of these and other of the Lords Attributes God having given them himself what will he refuse to communicate He is ever manifesting himself and bestowing those blessings upon them which Aliens never do receive He deals not towards them with a sparing hand the promise runs thus Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it Psal 81. 10. And this is certain that the more open our mouths are the more open will the hand of God be Thus you see what Peace above what Peace with God is In the next place I am to speak of Peace within 'T is natural to man to be his own enemy and tormentor He that was possessed with unclean spirits 't is said no man could bind him no not with chains but he was in the Tombs and Mountains crying and cutting himself with stones Mar. 5. 5. In like manner a child of disobedience in whom the Prince of the power of the Air worketh will not be bound will not be hindred from doing his soul harm those cords of restraint that the Word casts upon him he breaks asunder and casts away he is
when we cherish those lusts that war against our own souls The Vipers off-spring do eat out the Vipers bowels and sinful lusts in like manner will destroy at last those in whom they are bred and foster'd Oh let us all be reconciled to our selves and not continue any longer the greatest accessories to our own misery I have shewed now what Peace is In the second place I am to manifest what are the things which belong unto our peace 'T is in the Gospel that these things are revealed which therefore is called the Gospel of Peace Rom. 10. 15. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things Herein is contained an Embassage of reconciliation The God of peace proclaims to the world what an inclination he hath to be a friend and a Saviour to the children of men and informs them upon what articles a peace shall be made and established between him and them The Law of Nature is here silent the Heathens by the light of that could never find out the way how Divine Justice may be satisfied and an attonement for sin made Nay the written Law of God speaks not a word concerning it The Law teacheth our duty convinceth of transgression thunders out curses against transgressours and they would be left under the curse if the Gospel did not tell them how to be redeemed from it and how Grace and Mercy and Peace may be obtained There are three things which the Gospel reveals concerning our peace 1. Who is the Mediatour or Peace-maker Jesus Christ 2. What are the conditions of this Peace 3. How we may attain to an assurance of it 1. One thing which we must know concerning our peace is Who is the Mediatour or Peace-maker between God and men and he is Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. For there is one God and one Mediatour between God and men the Man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time Here it was that Jerusalem was ignorant a cruclfied Messiah though his crucifixion was necessary to his making of our peace they hid their faces from and disesteemed Christ crucified was to the Jews a stumbling-block and to the Greeks foolishness but to them that are reconciled and saved he is the power of God and the wisdom of God Hence 't is that the Apostle resolves to know nothing besides him All things that are revealed in Scripture must be known with relation to Christ else our knowledge will be uncomfortable and without advantage What good will it do us to hear that God is gracious and merciful unless in Christ he be reconciled what good to be informed of heaven and glory unless Christ who hath the Key of David do open the door that we may enter What good to hear of the Promises unless in Christ they be Yea and Amen to the glory of God Finally what will it benefit us to hear of the priviledges of the Gospel unless through Christ we are admitted to them There is an excellency in the knowledge of Christ our Peace-maker in comparison of which the Apostle counted all things but loss and dung Phil. 3. 8. Christ Jesus is our Peace-maker by a threefold means His Satisfaction his Intercession and the communication of his benefits 1. Christ Jesus is our Peace maker by means of his satisfaction For the iniquity of his people was he smitten and the chastisement of their peace was laid upon him He was sent on purpose to be a propitiation 1 John 4. 10. Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins Christ is said to reconcile both Jews and Gentiles unto God by the bloud of his Cross and to have slain the enmity thereby Corruptible things as silver and gold were insufficient but the bloud of Christ was a sufficient price for our redemption We may conceive such a kind of dialogue as this between Justice and Christ and Man who hath offended 1. Divine Justice thus begins Bring forth the Soul which hath sinned that it may dye A righteous Law hath been broken and 't is but righteous that the curse should be inflicted Here are not one or two but thousands of sins upon record Now therefore I am resolved to whet my glittering sword and my hand shall immediately take hold on vengeance and I 'll make the sinner know to his cost what 't is to provoke the Lord to jealousie 2. Christ answers Hold Justice stay thy hand those sins thou speakest of they are transferred unto another therefore the Soul must not dye that 's guilty of them The debt is great but I undertake to pay it all where thou art wronged it shall be put wholly on my account I am resolved to be the sinners Surety I am content to be made sin for him though I knew none though I never was my self in the least guilty 3. Unto this Justice replyes Then O thou Son of God I must sheath my sword in thy bowels I must wound and bruise and afflict thee where ever I find sin though but imputed I can't forâ—ear to punish it 4. Christ answers again Do Justice strike and spare not I am willing to be wounded that the sinners wounds may be closed and cured I am willing to dye that be may live I am willing to undergo the curse that he may receive the blessing even life for evermore 5. Upon this the sinner wonders and cryes out Oh love that passeth knowledge My Lord my Saviour since thou hast given thy life a ransom for me I am resolved to trust in thee and to lay the stress of my salvation on thee I expect and desire favour and pardon no other way then by thee who art both the Price and the Prince of Peace 2. Christ is our Peace-maker by means of his intercession As his satisfaction is one so his intercession is the other part of his Priestly office He seconds his sufferings by his intercession and we may be confident his intercession will be prevalent because of that love which his Father bears him and because by his sufferings he hath purchased whatever he intercedes for Christ the righteous is our Advocate with the Father 1 John 2. 1. He presents before his Father the compleatness of his satisfaction and how he hath endured the Cross and shame and drank off that whole Cup which his Father put into his hand and fulfilled all righteousness how he did and suffered all that was required of him and all this not for himself but us Whereupon the Father looks upon us with an eye of love he is pacified towards us and as he is Christs God and Father so he is ours too John 20. 17. Go tell my brethren I ascend to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God Christ is our Peace-maker by the communication of his benefits He is made unto us
knows his owner and the Ass his Masters crib but Israel doth not know my people do not consider 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eveâ— thou this is very emphatical As if Christ should have said O thou Jerusalem who hast enjoyed so many means and mercies and hast slighted and abused them all notwithstanding all former folly and unkindness to God to thy self I wish that even thou wouldst at last have open'd thy eyes and ears and become wise unto thy own salvation At least in this thy day That was a day of special visitation God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets in that day spake unto them by his Son And although many Messengers and Servantâ— which were sent had been despised and persecuted to the death by them yet at least the Son should have been reverenced This was their day a time in which they might have been accepted a day in which salvation was brought near to them The things which belong unto thy peace Peace according to the Hebrew phrase does imply all the parts of happâ—ness the principal whereof does certainly lie in being reconciled to and enjoying God But the way of peace and reconciliation namely Justification by faith in Jesus they knew not An humbled Messiah who was to make mens peace by the bloud of his cross Col. 1. 20. they hid their faces from and esteemed him not Being puffed up with their own righteousness and external priviledges and prerogatives they would not submit unto the righteousness of faith which is revealed in the Gospel But now they are hid from thy eyes Christ here sets forth the spiritual judgment which they lay under and likewise removes the scandal and offence which his infirm Disciples might be apt to take because Jerusalem did reject him They had long refused to look unto the Lord that they might be saved and now God sends them the spirit of slumber eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear and hearts that they should never understand This is a very sore and yet usual punishment when men receive the grace of God in vain and are resolved to walk contrary to the light which shines about them The Text does yield several points of Doctrine First Jesus Christ is exceeding full of pity and compassion His weeping here over Jerusalem shews how kindly affectioned he was towards them and is towards others in misery Secondly The Lord does grant unto sinners a day of grace in which pardon and life are proffer'd to them and may be obtained by them If thou hadst known in this thy day Thirdly To know in this day of grace the things which belong to our peace is our great happiness and wisdom If Jerusalem had been so wise her ruine would have been prevented Fourthly When sinners will not see they are smitten many times with spiritual blindness and the things of their peace are in a way of judgment hid from them Fifthly Souls being thus left under darkness their state is wretched and deplorable Our Lord with tears laments this sad condition of Jerusalem Doct. 1. The first Doctrine is this That Jesus Christ is exceeding full of pity and compassion The tears which he shed prove this and if tears will not satisfie a little after you may behold him shedding of his blood This compassion of Christ extends it self to them that perish as well as unto those he saves To them that perish his compassion is seen in four things 1. In causing the Light whereby he is discovered to shine upon them 'T is a mercy that the lost are told of a Saviour that they are informed how sin hath caused their misery and Christ is sufficient to cure it Nay herein 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tender mercy appears that the Day-spring from on high does visit them that sit in darkness which can guide their feet into the way of peace Luke 1. 78 79. They need not say Who shall ascend into heaven to understand the means of fallen mans recovery The word is nigh which can give a sufficient information 'T was the great advantage of the Jews that to them were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3. 1 2. But now those Oracles are pronounced more fully and plainly and to enjoy them is the priviledge of such as in a Land of light have their lot given them It was great mercy towards Capernaum that she was lifted up to Heaven that such words were spoken that such works were done in her and because she improved not the mercy how does our Lord upbraid her 2. Christs compassion towards them that perish is seen in calling and inviting them to come to him The Marriage-feast is prepared and the servants are sent into the high-wayes to invite all to come and partake of it Matth. 22. Wisdom cryeth without she uttereth her voice in the streets she cryeth in the chief places of concourse How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and scorners delight in scorning and fools hate knowledge turn ye at my reproof c. Prov. 1. 20 21 22. And Prov. 9. 2 3 4 5 6. we read Wisdom hath killed her beasts she hath mingled her wine and furnished her table she hath sent forth her maidens she cryeth upon the highest places of the City Whoso is simple let him turn in hither as for him that wanteth understanding she saith unto him come eat of my bread and drink of my wine which I have mingled forsake the foolish and live and go in the way of understanding Thus sinners are called after and though dogs yet the same bread which is prepared for the children is proffer'd to them the same inestimable benefits of Christ as pardon peace grace glory are tendred to them which believers have accepted of with the same eye-salve their eyes shall be annointed with the same tried gold they shall be enriched with the same white rayment all their nakedness shall be covered if they will but come and close with Jesus 3. Christs compassion towards them that perish is seen in waiting long that he may be gracious he knocks at the door and he stands knocking there Rev. 3 20. He stands till his head is filled with dew and his locks with the drops of the night He sees how Satan hath admission at his pleasure and unto Mammon at first approach the door is set wide open to receive him but against Christ 't is lock'd and bolted and yet his love and patience overcomes these indignities and he waits still to see if at last sinners will consult their own good and entertain him Christ by his Spirit strives long checking them from sin moving them to duty demonstrating the reasonableness of conversion and obedience the danger of continuance in their provocations Christ does not go away at the first repulse nor curse the Fig-tree for the first years unfruitfulness but he digs about it and dungs it and expects a great while before
death will be thy portion and then Life will be eternally farre from thee 3. This Word doth cleanse those defilements which nothing in the world can do away The Word of God is compared to fire and to an hammer as an hammer it breaks the rocky heart and then as fire it melts the heart and from its dross doth purifie it John 15. 3. Now are ye clean through the Word which I have spoken to you In the Word as in a glass we may behold the abominable filthiness and vile ingratitude that is in sin and also the beauty of holiness is presented to our eye no wonder then if the former be abhorr'd the latter desired Besides the Word holds forth a Promise from the Lord himself to make the sinner clean and that from all filthiness both of the flesh and spirit Ezek. 36. 25. 2 Cor. 7. 1. The Day of Grace is a day of healing now thou mayst be purged and cured of thy spiritual plagues but if this season be neglected thou wilt dye of them 5. This Word doth afford such peace and joy as the creatures cannot yield Corn and Wine and Oyl cannot yield such true comfort Hark to David Psal 119. 111. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my heart In sensual mirth the heart is sad misgives and is unsatisfied but the Word makes the very heart joyful In the Word we may see at present the reconciled face of God the frowns and other signs of anger gone and it speaks plainly of fuller manifestations and infinitely greater pleasures which are reserved for hereafter and the lively hopes of these which are so near as well as sure and glorious may well make the heart to leap for joy 5. This Word is able to build up those who are converted and to bring them safe unto their Country 'T is a means to increase the grace which 't is a means to work As it is the incorruptible seed whereby we are regenerated and begotten again so it is the milk wherewith we grow and thrive in holiness Act. 20. 32. I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified I might add That even those whom the Word doth not savingly change yet it prevails upon many times a great way it brings them near to the Kingdom and 't is their own fault that they miss of it And seeing the Word of God hath such effects that the enjoyment of it is a great priviledge is without controversie 2. Another priviledge of the Day of Grace is the presence of the Spirit The Word and all other Ordinances without the Spirit are but like the carcass without the soul He makes the Word quick and powerful and sharper then a two-edged Sword which also would be found but a dead and inefficacious letter 'T is observed concerning the hotter Climates that when the Sun is up and begins to shine and scorch more vehemently there is also a wind arises to fan and cool the dwellers there else those Regions would be uninhabitable In like manner where the Sun of the Gospel shines there is the wind of the Spirit and these his gales how refreshing how powerful are they The accâ—sses of the Spirit are much to be observed and esteemed without his concurrence no advantage will be reaped by all the means of grace we use If the several operations of the Spirit are consider'd 't will be very evident what a priviledge of the Day of Grace this is to enjoy his presence 1. 'T is the work of the Spirit to convince Though the secure ones of the world had rather be let alone to sleep on and cannot endure to be jogged by conviction yet these convictions are great mercies What the Spirit doth convince the world of our Lord informs us John 16. 8. And when he is come he will reprove or convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment of sin because they believe not on me of righteousness because I go to the Father and ye see me no more of judgment because the Prince of this world is judged The Spirit convinces men of sin he shews the evil in it and the danger of it and among other sins that grand one of unbelief that is to say their rejecting Christ so long and slighting and refusing the remedy he proffers is in a special manner set home upon their hearts to their affliction and humbling He convinces likewise of righteousness as well as of sin He discovers the righteousness of Christ whereby all sin may be covered and this righteousness appears to be compleat and accepted because Christ is gone to his Father Christ undertook by his sufferings to satisfie for our offences and if the satisfaction had not been full he would never have been rid of the curse which sin being imputed to him was laid upon him neither would his righteous Father have suffered him to have sit down in the Throne with him But now since he is gone to his Father and set down in the Throne we may conclude he hath paid the utmost farthing of our debt and through him the Father is ready to shew grace and favour to us And if the conviction and sight of sin cast down the discovery of this righteousness may again revive 'T is a happiness to see our scores since we are shew'd a way how to have them all cross'd were it not for the sight of the one we should never mind the other Again the Spirit doth convince of Judgment By Judgment we may understand the condemnation of the impenitent and unbelieving who though they are convinced of sin continue in sin and though Christ be proffer'd still refuse to embrace him The Prince of this world is judged and condemned and shall these who sin against a remedy which the Devil never did escape No certainly God who spared not the Angels which sinned but cast them down to hell knows how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished 2 Pet. 2 4 9. Or else by Judgment we may understand the Government and Kingdom of Jesus Christ All power is given to him and Judgment committed into his hand Satan the Prince of this world is already cast out and overcome And if he hath spoiled principalities and powers certainly all his foes will be made his footstool Well then it highly concerns all to submit unto the Scepter of Christ since else they will be dash'd in pieces by him And in this Day of Grace Christ is ready to pass by former rebellions if you now will become obedient to him 2. 'T is the work of the Spirit to renew 'T is a difficult matter to change an heart that is so unconceivably wicked as mans is and yet the Spirit doth effect this change he shews his mighty power in causing a vehement love to be turned into a
slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises The Lethurgy of the Conscience is a sore malady when the sinners heart is ever and anon ready to drop asleep notwithstanding all the means which are used to rouze it But though threatenings though judgments will not awaken some that are seized upon by the spirit of slumber yet I 'll tell you what will do it The sight of an angry sin-revenging Judge upon the Tribunal the seeing and feeling of the torments of Hell will awaken them that are most fast asleep in sin What wilt thou sleep upon the pits brink Usually sinners fear least when because of the nearness of evil they have most reason to be afraid 2. How much besides themselves are they whose whole employment is the works of darkness in this day time The Apostle exhorts us to cast off the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light Rom. 13. 12. Light is a kind of armour for the light making a discovery of sins deceitfulness the heart is hereby arm'd against temptation but because most do love their evil deeds therefore they hate the â—ight which doth discover and reprâ—ve them Alas that such bad work as the service of Satan and divers lusts is should have so many hands to it The works of wickedness are rightly termed the works of darkness the actors of them fly the light for when they are seen they cause shame and from God who is light they hinder us allowance of these and fellowship with him are inconsistent moreover unto outer darkness these works have a most certain tendency Now shall a Day of Grace be consumed in sins drudgery This was given as a day of salvation and shall we in it work out our own condemnation Shall it be spent in making sure of Hell and treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath When the Lord doth grant us a day to make our peace shall we give this day to Satan and do nothing but by wicked works more alienate our selves and make the wall of separation higher If the season that was allotted for the obtaining of mercy be abused only to the aggravating of sin and augmenting of misery this will argue you guilty of such a folly and madness as must be confess'd beyond hyperbole 3. What cause is there of thankfulness for such a Day of Grace The Israelitish servants prized the year of Jubilee and much more should we this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acceptable year of the Lord. Liberty and freedom from our spiritual bondage is now offer'd and may be obtain'd if you will not let sin and Satan boar your ears as it were if you say not as most do We love these masters and we will not leave them The greatness of our obligation to thankfulness for this Day of Grace will be further evident if these things are weighed 1. The light doth shine more clearly in this our day then it did of old The ancient Jewish Church enjoyed but the dawning or at most the early morning of this Day of Grace but we the noontide of it many shadows of good things to come they had whereby those things were obscurely represented but we have under the Gospel the substance exhibited and the shadows are flown away Moses the great Prophet of the Jews had a vail upon his face to signifie that his was a more dark dispensation but we all saith the Apostle with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of God are ebanged into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. Christ is now more fully discover'd his sweet offices more explain'd and his precious benefits more gloriously displayed 2. We ought to be thankful that this our day hath so long lasted The Lord long ago might have given us up to a reprobate mind nay fetter'd us in chains of darkness because of our hating knowledge and holding the truth in unrighteousness 'T is a wonder that having sinned so much against the light we have not sinn'd the light away I read that at Joshua's request the Sun stood still in the Firmament and hasted not to go down for an whole day Josh 10. 13. And have not we had experience of the like miracle of Grace Hath not the Sun of Righteousness stopt his course not hasting to go down How long hath Christ stood waiting and still he stands proffering both light and life and light and life shall be given to them that understand the value of such offers 3. Especially we have cause to praise if this Day of Grace hath been effectual and we have been made the children of light and of the day Most even in this Day of Grace are blinded by the God of this world the Gospel is to them an hidden Gospel but if the Lord who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined into our hearts and hath called us out of darkness into his marvelloas light sure we have abundant reason to shew forth his praises 1 Pet. 2. 9. If he had not enlightened our eyes we should have slept the deep of death as well as others Was there not a time when we did not see either our sin or our extream danger Was there not a time when we were as unsensible of the worth of souls and of our need of Jesus as the most careless ones Oh wonderful love that he hath made the difference and distinguished us from others that hath illuminated and converted us when others are suffer'd still to run on blindfold towards ruine 4. Since such a day of Grace is granted the special seasons of it should be improved The whole is precious but some seasons are more golden and to be esteemed at an higher rate 1. The Season of Youth This is the fittest time to sow the seed of Grace that it may bring forth the fruit of life and glory The journey towards the new Jerusalem is long the distance which sin hath set us at from our Creatour is great therefore to be setting forth betimes is a great part of wisdom The Lord doth take it well when in our youthful dayes we make choice of him Samuel Obadiah Josiah Timothy have a commendation given them that they knew and loved and feared God betimes that they abstained from and despised those lusts and vanities with which youth most commonly is ensnared and defiled The time of youth is a time of strength vigour and activity then you will either do much for God or much against him In the service of such a Master as the Lord is how well will your strength be employed Activeness will here become you Early remembrance of God will prevent abundance of sin which might cause bitterness many years after Thou writest bitter things against me sayes Job and causest me to possess the iniquities of my youth Job 15. 26. and it will have great influence to your stedfastness with God all your dayes
continually cutting and wounding his own conscience and if he be not quickly translated out of this estate he will quickly give himself the fatal blow As long as any are enemies to God they are also their own adversaries but when they leave off fighting against God they cease warring against themselves Peace within is very comprehensive several things are therein included 1. Peace within comprehends calmness in the Conscience This calmness follows upon the apprehension and sense of our peace with God and that now he is in his Son reconciled A reproaching Conscience is a fearful companion we cannot fly away from Conscience it is alwayes with us if awakened 't will speak boldly and tell us our own be we never so proud or high in the world and the ear is forced to hear Conscience's accusations when God gives it a command to speak how impossible is it for us to impose silence on it Oh what a storm doth the remembrance of manifold sins with their manifold aggravations raise in the Conscience how amazed is it to see so much guilt and God so much and so justly incensed But when God by his Spirit doth say Soul though sin hath abounded my grace doth superabound thy debts are all paid thy iniquities are all pardoned Then the storm ceases and there follows a great calm Then Conscience layes aside the whip of steel wherewith before it lash'd it self Conscience acquits the sinner because God hath first justified and absolved him Sins which are past are remitted and instead of continuing in sin the heart is changed and is sincerely desirous to have it slain and this godly sincerity Conscience gives testimony to the effect of which is peace and joy 2 Cor. 1. 12. Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience Conscience tells us of our duty and urges us to the performance of it now when Conscience is heeded by us and what we do for God our very hearts are in it Conscience will not condemn but approve us and this will quiet us for sayes the Apostle 1 Job 3. 20. Beloved if our heart condemn us not then have we confidence towards God 2. Peace within comprehends satisfaction in the heart Solomon while making trial what sufficiency was in the things under the Sun was far from peace within vanity was the fruit of all his labour and his spirit is so far from being satisfied that 't was filled with vexation But when God doth give himself to us whom our hearts must then needs look upon as a proportionable happiness as a sufficient portion oh then we are come to our centre and are at rest When the Soul ceases to tire and weary it self in pursuing after the creatures and is fixed upon God who is a Sun a Shield an exceeding great Reward who is the God of all grace and calls us to eternal glory who cannot only satiate our desires but do exceedingly above our desires and thoughts according to that power which worketh in us Ephes 3. 20. Then then our peace abounds and passes all understanding The heart is exceedingly pleased with its choice having made choice of God it would not exchange conditions with the greatest graceless ones in the whole world It must be acknowledg'd indeed that in this life only the back parts of the Lord Jehovah are seen and little of him in comparison is to be enjoyed Yet this is certain that Gods little is much more then the worlds all The enjoyment of the Lord in part affords more peace and satisfaction by ten thousand degrees then the creatures are capable of yielding and that satisfaction how much is it heightned by the assured hopes that at last we shall be fully satisfied 3. Peace within comprehends an agreement in our wills to the will of God 'T is but reason that since Gods will is so high so holy so good our wills should stoop and submit and we cannot have peace but in that submission The carnal mind is enmity against God and refuses to be subject to the Law and Word of God Nay by that very Law the corrupted heart is irritated and provoked 't is the more forward to sin because forbidden to transgress He was not unacquainted with mans nature who said Nitimur in vetitum semper cupimusque negata We are very prone to do that which is forbidden and to desire what is denied us And while the heart is thus irritated by the Law alas the sinner is like the troubled sea when it cannot rest Sin taking occasion by the commandment doth work all manner of concupiscence Rom. 7. 8. But now what peace is there when our hearts are reconciled to our duty when we do not quarrel at but love the Law and wish oh that our wayes were directed to keep it How can there be peace within unless there be some sutableness between our spirits and Gods Word and Ordinances unless what was before look'd upon without cause as a burthen and weariness be now esteem'd as a priviledge and advantage Peace within comprehends ordinateness in the affections Our passions and affections being corrupted by sin are very tumultuous and unruly and except these are tamed and brought into right order we shall not know peace Those are some of the worst kind of slaves that are enslaved by their own affections How is that man hurried who is under the power of worldly or unclean desires His fleshly and his worldly lusts do so take up his time and pains that they will not permit him to eat or drink or sleep and much less pray in quiet How is that heart rent and torn that is by inordinate love glued to any creature when of that creature 't is deprived Oh the overwhelming sorrow which follows upon love that is excessive What a rack and torture is anger What an evil is fear many times worse then the evil feared And so I might instance in other affections If the world be compared to a Stage and the life of man to a part which he acts upon it we may truly say that a wicked man doth act 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the part of a Self-punisher because by giving way to his corrupt affections he contributes so much to his own disquiet But 't is the work of the Spirit of God to renew these affections the anger and sorrow are turned against and on sin the love and the desire are towards God And as here there is no danger of excess so there is a certainty of enjoyment The heart sits loose from the world and the world is not able to disturb that peace which it hath in God None are more free from trouble then those that are most masters of their own affections And well may the Apostle say that the fruit of the Spirit is peace and joy Gal. 5. 22. since he brings our affections into captivity 5. Peace within comprehends a ceasing to be our own foes When are we our own foes Surely when we side with Satan against our selves
God doth draw us to himself by his own strength we shall never close with him but still continue at a distance and enmity Your neck is so much like an iron sinew that a less strength then that of God is insufficient to bow it to his yoak Desire therefore that this arm may be revealed whereby your naturally stubborn spirits may be made tractable and obedient 6. Resolve to cover and keep nothing whereby the Lord hath been provoked He that covereth his sins shall not prosper And as sin which is the cause of war must be forsaken so you must leave the tents of Rebels you must shake off your acquaintance with them that are the Lords profess'd enemies and become companions of those that fear him USE III. Of Advice to those whose peace is made Endeavour after an assurance of it Be restless while it may be question'd whether God be your friend or whether he be your foe His favour is a thing of so great value of such sweetness and will have so great an influence as that it better deserves to be ensured then those things of the world uncertainty about which doth so much torture the worldly minded Here I shall first Lay down some signs of that peace which is true Secondly Some arguments to perswade believers to endeavour after an assurance of peace The Signs are these 1. True peace follows after contrition and trouble for sin Thou art at peace but wast thou ever troubled if not 't were well if thy peace were gone and trouble in the room of it Thou art troubled at thy temporal losses and when thy expectation from the creatures is frustrated affliction also is troublesom and acknowledg'd an evil but were thine eyes open to see the evil of sin was thy heart ever troubled for it If guilt be made light of if future punishment be not thought on nor feared if thou art unsensible that sin is a plague and 't is not noysom to thee if thy offending of God be the smallest matter of a thousand as long as thou feelest nothing of his hand certainly thou wast never broken and so thy peace is not thy priviledg but thy punishment Christ was annointed to bind up the broken-hearted and to comfort thâ—se who first have mourned Isai 61. 1. and those who have true rest given them were first weary and heavy laden 2. True peace is the fruit of the lips Isai 57. 9. I create the fruit of the lips peace peace to him that is far off and to him that is near Peace is called the fruit of the lips partly because 't is obtained by prayer partly because 't is grounded upon the Gospel which is preached to us Where true peace is there hath been a crying and lifting up the voice for it Oh what importunities have been used that the Lord would cease to be an adversary what wrestlings for his favour and friendship This peace hath been valued above all the world and the soul hath been contented to do any thing to be any thing so it may be at peace with God True peace is likewise grounded upon the word 't is a peace not of our own but of the Lords speaking Psal 85. 8. I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak peace to his people and to his Saints but let them not turn again to folly And when he speaks peace who then can make trouble The word discovers the marks and characters of such as are indeed reconciled unto God and become his children that they prize the Lord Jesus above all 1 Pet. 2. 7. that they hunger and thirst after holiness and righteousness Matth. 5. 6. that they love and fear and are desirous to follow their Father Ephes 5. 1. And the Spirit by the Word doth work these gracious qualities and inclinations in our hearts and discovers that he hath wrought them and so we come to conclude that we are indeed reconciled 3. True peace is joyned with the spiritual combat The Spirit lusts against the flesh in all those who are reconciled unto God There is a war with sin where-ever there is a peace with God If any of our lusts which are both the Lords enemies and our own too are winked at and provision is made for them that they may be fulfilled we plainly shew we are still alienated from him But if the remainders of corruption if that evil which is present with us be our burthen and makes us cry out O wretched as we are Rom. 7. 24. and we would esteem it one of the greatest happinesses to be eased of that sin that dwells in us this shews evidently that with our minds we serve the Law of God that we are in Christ Jesus and there is no condemnation to us Rom. 7. 25. and 8. 1. I grant that in a wicked man there may be a combat between his will and his conscience Conscience may check and reproach him for what his will hath a strong propension towards But the combat between the flesh and Spirit is another thing Here the very heart and will is renewed holiness is longed after sin not only because of its guilt but because of its filth a burthen and the heart is desirous that conscience were more awakened that it might exercise greater power and cause a greater restraint from what is evil whereas the desire of unrenewed ones is that conscience when troubled may be husht asleep that so sin may be committed without any remorse 4. True peace is inconsistent with careless walking A Child of God who hath attained unto peace if he grows loose and begins to live at random presently his peace withers and conscience grudges and is unsatisfied especially if temptation to sin that hath more of presumption doth prevail Canst thou omit thy duty canst thou be proud and peevish canst thou be excessive in thy recreations canst thou be unwatchful over thy heart and words and wayes and yet thy peace not at all abate Assure thy self thy peace is but a meer delusion The quicknings of the Spirit may be without the comforts but never the comforts without the quicknings If thou grievest the Spirit by thy lukewarmness and formality to withdraw his assistance and to leave thee under deadness and thy peace still remains that peace is not the Spirits fruit but thy own hearts presumption Thus of the signs of peace Now follows the arguments to perswade unto endeavours after assurance that your peace is made 1. Assurance of peace will inflame your hearts with love How will the fire kindle and your hearts burn within you when you perceive that you even you in particular have an interest in that love which passes knowledge that God hath had thoughts of kindness and mercy towards you before the foundation of the world was laid and that as his love is from everlasting so to everlasting it will endure 1 John 4. 19. We love him sayes the Apostle because he first loved us And this manifestation
sin and misery of our worthlesness and weakness and bows our hearts to a submission to the righteousness of Christ and draws us to a closure with him 2. The Spirit sanctifies and cleanses us from the filthiness in which we wallowed and causes us to yield obedience to the commands of God Ezek. 36. 27. 3. The Spirit doth more and more stir up and increase the grace which he he hath wrought so that the actings of faith and love and hope and zeal are the more strong and sensible 4. The Spirit doth discover the truth of these graces letting us see that our hearts do prize Christ and breath after God and after a greater degree of likeness to him as the Saints in Scripture have done before us 5. Then peace and joy follows But here we must understand that this peace is twofold First more weak mixed and imperfect Secondly more ravishing glorious and triumphant 1. There is a peace more weak mixed and imperfect which is for our support and encouragement and this is common with believers when they stir up themselves and seek the Lord with their whole desire as they did 2 Chron. 15. 15. Seldom is a duty performed with our heart and might but some degree of peace and satisfaction follows the Spirit giving some intimation and raising a secret hope that God through Christ doth accept of us Oh who would not labour since there is such peace and rest attends it 2. There is a peace more ravishing glorious and triumphing How brightly doth the light of Gods countenance then shine upon us How sweet is that love the sense of which the Spirit sheds abroad in the heart Rom. 5. 5. What confidence have we then in God! How do we admire the richness of his grace how low are we in our own eyes being astonished that such vile creatures should be so advanced How do we then despise the worlds delights and the pleasures of sin How forward are we to obey and to walk in all Ordinances blameless How undaunted at danger and at death which will but increase our pleasures sending us much nearer to the Lord then here we are capable of approaching Thus 't is by the Spirit that peace is spoken to us and if we would attain to this peace we must heed the Spirits counsels we must readily close with his motions we must gladly accept of his help and assistance we must give up our selves unto his guidance In the third place follow the reasons of the Doctrine Why to know the things of our peace is our great happiness and wisdom The reasons are these 1. Because a true knowledge of these things will be practical and industrious It will very much affect the heart and quicken diligence in seeking peace before it be too late A right understanding of it will hinder a business of such eternal consequence from being any longer neglected by us 2. Because of the evil which unavoidably follows if of the things which concern our peace we are ignorant The ignorant soul is wretchedly careless it matters not whether God be a friend or foe â—s if his loving kindness were not to be â—alued as if his wrath were not to be â—eared and at last the soul misses of merâ—y which it doth not regard and falls â—uddenly and irrecoverably into the pit â—f destruction which it dreams not of â—or endeavours to prevent Now follows the Application USE I. Of Instruction There are two great lessons which we may learn from this Doctrine 1. One lesson is this That believers are the wisest and happiest souls for the things of their peace are understood by them Those things which are hid from the prudent of the world are unto these discover'd I know they are accounted children aâ—â— babes by the carnally minded but in the end they will be found to have had â—â— all others the greatest foresight the faithest reach the truest understanding Matth. 11. 25 26. At that time Jesus answered and said I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hâ—â— hid these things from the wise and prâ—dent and hast revealed them unto babes even so Father for so it seemed good in thâ— sight Peace is a thing which all seek after but most are mistaken in judging whaâ— is peace and are wofully deceived in thâ— way to it Only the believer hits righâ— for he is lead by a Guide that leads onlâ— into truth 'T is indeed found by experience thaâ— endeavours are used to blind and deceive the believer himself but he is too wise to be put off with peace and happiness only in shew Many things do proffer peace to him 1. Pleasures do use this charming language What is it O man which thou seekest for Is it quiet and satisfaction 〈…〉 taste the sweetness which gratifying thy senses will afford Is it not fine â— gâ—â—â—ter in silk and silver bravely to be â—lothed in purple and fine linnen and to presumptuously and deliciously every day Who are more free from care and trouble â—â—en those who chaunt to the sound of the â—â—ol who drink wine in bowls who eat limbs out of the flock and calves out of â—â—e midst of the stall and after lay them down upon beds of Ivory and stretch themselves upon their couches Come come away with needless scruples indulge unto thy appetite please thy senses whatever thy eys desire withhold not from them and quench thy longing flame in Dalilah's â—â—braces Unto this the believing soul replyes Death is climbing up at the windows the Judge standeth before the door Eternity is just at hand and O all ye sensual pleasures can you last any longer then a short season Where is the Glutton that fared deliciously that had as much as heart could wish Is he not tormented in the flames Oh deceitful pleasures which cheat men of eternal joys and drill them along to endless torments 2. Wealth and worldly greatness do also make big offers Wouldst thou O Man have peace then seek a great estate joyn house to house and field to field let thy coffers be cram'd with silver and gold endeavour to be somebody in the world Doest thou not know how many eyes how much respect riches and honour will draw after thee Let this be thy aim to live iâ— plenty and esteem and to leave a name behind thee Unto this also the believing soul answers To expect peace and contentation from worldly abundance is as absurd as tâ— hope to sleep quietly in a bed of thorns Who ever attained to greater earthly glory then Solomon whose treasures did ever more abound yet he himself disgraces aâ—â— his own wealth and honour by calling them Vanity and vexation of spirit 3. At last the Lord calls to the Believer and thus speaks to him Is it happiness O man which thou art searching after Look unto me who am the God of love and peace The creatures have but empty breasts are but broken cisterus but I have store of living waters to quench
thy thirst and satisfie thy longing Sin is the disturber of thy peace therefore let sin be cast away with hatred and trouble that ever thou didst give it entertainment Come come to me without delay I will be to thee a God I will be all unto thee thou shalt never lack as long as I am all-sufficient Hereupon the soul yields Thou art my haven O my God till I am arrived at thee I am in a storm and every moment in langer to be cast away in thee only through thy Son I can have peace oh therefore let me be glew'd to thee that nothing may cause a separation well may the believing soul return unto its rest since God is his and the peace which is made shall never quite be broken 2. Another lesson which we may learn is this The wretchedness of the ungodly for there is no peace to them Isai 57. 21. There is no peace saith my God unto the wicked And the more wicked the less peace and the longer you continue wicked the less hopes that ever there will be any I grant indeed that 't is ordinary for wicked ones to cry peace to themselves but this false and imaginary peace is as bad nay worse then none at all 1. The peace of the wicked is founded upon ignorance they know not what cause they have to fear and be troubled the sins which they commit the God whom they every hour provoke and the vengeance unto which they are liable is not in all their thoughts These things they are willingly ignorant of 2 Pet. 3. 5. 2. This peace of the wicked many times 't is the consequent of judicial hardness their eyes are shut their consciences are cast into a dead sleep and are become past feeling no wonder if they enjoy a kind of quiet 3. This peace of the wicked is a great hindrance to their obtaining of true peace while they imagine their state is good and safe enough they will not seek to have it alter'd by means of this the strong man armed doth keep the house in more quiet and secure possession 4. This peace of the wicked is but of very short continuance 't is chased away like a pleasant dream or night vision and the succeeding wo and trouble will be the more intollerable because unlookt for it will come upon them A peace the wicked have but 't is without ground and worse then none True peace what have they to do with as long as the wickednesses which are practised delighted in and pleaded for are so many 1. The ungodly have no peace in life The Lord is their enemy he hates them is angry with them walks contrary to them Hark how he proclaims war Ezek. 5. 8. Therefore thus saith the Lord God Behold I even am against thee and I will execute judgments in the midst of thee And as the Apostle sayes If God be for us who can be against us So the words may be inverted If God be against us what doth it signifie who is for us 2. Much less have the ungodly any peace at death The end of the perfect and upright is peace but the transgressours shall be destroyed together the end of the wicked shall be cut off Psal 37. 37 38 Then their hopes will prove a Spiders web their confidence as the giving up of the ghost Perhaps when the snares of death are upon them the pains of hell may get hold of them Conscience may be affrighted and they may be like wild Bulls in a net full of the fury of the Lord and the rebuke of God But if they dye stupid there is the less hope if there are no bands in their death 't is the more certain they will be bound immediately after and thrown into the lake of fire 3. The Judge will not find the ungodly in peace No no they were not diligent or desirous to be cleansed from their spots and filthiness How many sins unrepented of will accompany them to the Tribunal which will prove them enemies to God and which with a lowd united voice will cry for vengeance upon them 4. And will they find any peace in hell into which with a curse they must depart Can there be any ease any rest taken in those devouring flames How many things will the damned have to trouble them All the wrath of God stirr'd up against them The glory of his power manifesting it self in their destruction The reflections of Conscience upon the proffers of peace and life which were once made but madly sottishly despised and which should never never be made more Oh how will they be troubled and bowed down and mourn and wail and weep eternally USE II. Of Exhortation to the Lords Enemies O that you would be perswaded unto peace Many arguments I may fill my mouth with to prevail with you to be reconciled 1. Do but consider seriously what kind of enemy the Lord is and that consideration will make you afraid that he should be your enemy any longer 1. You cannot fly from his reach Though you exalt your selves as the Eagle though you set your nest among the Stars yet from thence the Lord can bring you down Obad. 4. Though you should go down to the bottom of the Sea and hide your selves at the earths centre yet there his hand can take you If you imagine that any refuge can secure you from God that refuge will be found a lye and will deceive you The Lord does fill both heaven and earth nay the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him how then is it possible any should fly from him 2. You cannot resist his power Far stronger creatures then you were not able to withstand the God of heaven The Dragon fought and his Angels but how easily were they overcome After that Jehu had slain Joram and Ahaziah the Kings of Israel and Judah we read that the Elders of Samaria were exceedingly afraid and said behold two Kings stood not before him how then shall we stand 2 Kings 10. 4 So may I say Behold the Angels that excel in strength stood not before the Lord he cast them when they sinned into chains which they can never break asunder And how then shall man be able to stand who dwelleth in a house of clay whose foundation is in the dust and who is crushed before the moth Sinner God will certainly be too hard for thee thou canst no more resist his power then a feather can bear up against a whirlwind or dried stubble defend it self from the fiercest â—ame 3. You cannot bear his indignation How doth David faint and cry out when a little of Gods anger was stirred up against him Remove thy stroak away from me I am consumed by the blow of thy hand Psal 39. 10. And if a little be so intollerable what will the whole weight be The Prophet brings in the unsensible creatures as if they had sense fearing and quaking when the Lord doth shew his wrath Nehem. 1. 5 6. The mountains