V E R, Z. Ephefians,Chap.l. 15 that we fliallbe more then conquerers ; that God will not leave us, nor forfake us. Fourthly and laftly, our Peaceconfidered as abovefaid,doth flow from the gift of the fpirit, which teacheth us in fome manner, to know thefe things which are next above named ; we have not received the fpirit ofthe world, but thefpirit of God, which teachethus to know the things bellowed upon us ; for nothing can workupon the affeEtions, as to makeus feare, jo further then it is known : and we fee thata con- 1 y, Nibitnan pr'teg- nitrrrn aicit vo- demned prifoner, though that hispardon be Pealed, yet is no lef e fubjeCt to feare,then before, till the matter commethto his eare,and he be infal. libly certifiedofit. rrrnta rm. Thus much forthe'grounds, whichare in formmeafure wherefoever true Peace is in any degree. Themore full Peace, commeth from a fur- ther workof Gods grace in us, which repreffeth or vanquifheth for a timeall perturbations, which fpirituall wickedneffes, unbeleefe, unholi- neflè ingenerali, want ofgodly contentation, defects in our conditions, might occafion.For look as untobright clear light more is required,then that theSun fhould be prefent, enlightning the ayre,to wit, that it fhould bein that ftrengthprefent,as to waft and difperfeall darkfome clouds:fo hireto this full peace, it is neceffary that all perturbationsfhould be more fully removed. Thus much for the openingthis benefit. Now the ufe ofthis is, firft to flirre us up toPeek after the true Peace. rro r: Peace is a fweet thing, fo fweet that many a mandoth fo love it, that he will fuffer much wrong rather then to give any way to difquiet. What were all the riches of this Kingdome, what were all the contentments ofour private (late unto us, ifwe wanted this Peace! Ifwe could not eat our meat, but with dangerof having our throats cut before we fhould rife, were thecafe thus, would we not flie from our native Countries, and feek ushabitations where we might live peaceably± That which a wound is in the flefh, that whicha fick diftemper is in our body, that is difquiet and trouble in theminde: Wherefore let us flye by faith to the Prince ofPeace, Chrift Jefus. a We mull flirre up our felvesto be thankfull for this fo excellent a benefit. ShouldGod fuffer the Devil to trouble us with the guilt offin ; fhould he let the power ofit rage and ufurp fo in us, as to inforce us to cry, ô miferable that we are I fhould the Lord fuffer the Devil tohave fuch power as to tempt us with blafphemous fuggeftions, withprovo- cations to felf-murder ; fhould helet fuch difcontented frets dwell inour mindes, which did waft our livers, and make us pine awaywith the an- guifhof them; even in this it were our duties to be thankfúll: how much more when we walkall the day long with inward tranquillity ? Would not any think himfelf faulty,that fhouldnot thankGod for thistemporal peace ofour Kingdome, that we hear not the drum, the trumpet, the clattering ofarmour, but. that thouhaft part in this peace,which maketh thee free from fear ofdeath,hell,the world,all wickedne(l'es; whichma- keththce fleepfecure wherefoever the winde lie, fornone canblow,but to bring thee in profit ; if thou knoweft this peace, howmuchmoreart thoubound tobreak forth intothe praife ofthy molt merciful! God Pfe a, C z Obferve
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