R .14. epheflans, Chap.z. 187 Now followeth the proof; [Far he is ourpeace : ] He bath taken a- way all enmity, and madeus one with God and our felves ; he is the Author of our peace: Therefore we have this fet down, that Cnrift is our peace, that is, the Author of peace; the abftract put for the con crete, as wifdom, tomake us wife. Secondly, this is proved by the effect, and manner ofworking the effeú, [He hath made both one:] Themanner ofworking, by taking away that which hindred peace, fet down in three phrafes, all figni- fying one thing, though different, in regard of divers confederations. The end of this is fet down, in regardof men, and in regardof God. Now then herein we will confider of this : r. That Chrift is the Author ofpeace. 2. The branches of ir. 3. Objedions againft it. 4. The ufes of ir. Obferve firft, Chrif lefrrs is the t4uthor ofall ourpeace : All true peace cometh by Chrift ; fo it was foretold by the Prophets : called the Princeof peace, Ifa.9.6. The true Selamon, in whom that is onely accomplifhed,even abundanceofeternall peace, Zach.9.io. Thebow of batted /haft bebroken, andhe'ball peak peace unto the heathen : The Angels fing, Peace on earth, when Chrift entreth, Lac. 2.14. For better underftanding, we arc to know wherein this peace ftandeth; and that is in two things : T. In reftoring the amity and friendfhipwhich we had in creation, but loft by the fall. 2. In vanquifhing thofeenemies which had takenus captive, and wrongfully detained us. We rauft take with us the conffdera- rion of our eftate in our felves, oppofite to this peace we finde in Chrift. Men confidered in themfelves, are 'till waging a five- fold war : T. WithGod; for, Rom. 5.1o. We were enemies to God, Coloff i.io. fo that we neither are , nor can be fubjeet to the Law of righteouf- nefl'e : As thus we are towards God, fo his wrath is kindled a- gainft us. 2. We are at war with theAngels; breakingpeacewith the Crea- tour, we canhave no truce with the creature. 3. There is a war twixt us and the creature , for that is ready to minifter to the Lord ofhoafts, and to take revenge of us, as in our felvesconfdered. As he that lofeth the favour of the Lord and Ma- fter, lofeth alfo the love of the true and truftyfervant; fo we, having brought upon our felves the difpleafure of Almighty God, all crea- tures are ready 'preft upon the will of God, to confpire our deftrufion. 4. Man is at war with man, wolves one to another. 5. Man is at war with himfelf, having accufing and excufing thoughts, by which hee is in bimfelf rent afunder, Romans a. 15. C c 2 Now `Doer. Chrift the Authorof our peace. Wherein this peaceflandcth 1. 2. Fivefold war, as of our fclves.
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