2. Consider what a dreadful enemy you have, whilst you have only that peace that the world can give, you have God for your enemy, the great and dreadful God, that will certainly be avenged of his enemies; it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and reserveth wrath for his enemies." Nahum, i. 2. Ye would tremble to fall into the hand of a cruel enemy, and much more into the hand of God, whom you have justly provoked to be your enemy, what cannot he do, he hath prepared instruments of death; yea, "Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; and the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it." Isa. xxx. 33. Oh, consider what God is, and what a state and condition every sinner is in that is an enemy to God, and it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God; if you were ready to fall into the hands of a cruel nation, oh, what fear would there be ! what care and endeavor to escape it; God is not cruel, but he is a just, revenging God. 3. Consider, how willing God is to be at peace; see how the Lord expresses himself,-"Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me, and he shall make peace with me." Isa. xxvii. 5. Many a poor soul questions whether God be willing; they think it is in vain for them to go about to make peace with God; why do you say so? you hear the Lord here by the prophet say, if he will make peace he shall make peace; the question therefore is not whether God be willing to be at peace with you, but whether you be willing to be at peace with him; the Lord hath given his Son to make peace, and sends the word of reconciliation. "Now then we are ainbassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. v. 20. Oh, what evident demonstrations are there, that God is willing to be at peace with poor sinners; would God ever have given his Son, and the Son have given himself, if he had not been willing to be at peace? surely no; and also as was before alleged, he hath sent ambassadors to beseech and intreat you to be reconciled; our peace and all good is ready in Christ, but here is the misery, that we will not be at peace; Christ complains, you will not come to me that ye may have life, who is it that is now at peace with God, that was not once in the same estate with yourselves, therefore you may be at peace, only delay not, but as Christ advises, agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him; if you delay you will die in your sins, therefore if ever you intend to make your peace with God at all, do it now, really, speedily, and without delay. 4. Lastly; lay down your enmity; if rebels will be at peace with their king, they must lay down their weapons. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isa. lv. 7-9. There is joy in heaven at the conversion of a sinner, if you would but come in and accept of peace, there is a way of peace for that sinner that hath lived in the peace of the world all this while, if you will turn from all your sins unto God, and submit to the government of the Lord Jesus. 2. Exhortation. To such as have received this great and wonderful gift of Christ, this our blessed peace; oh, prize it highly, be exceeding thankful for it, and labor by all means to cherish, preserve, and increase the assurance thereof; think what a singular mercy it is to be at peace with God by Jesus Christ, how unspeakable and full of glory it is; this peace is a continual peace. "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." Rom. v. 2. This I say, that those that have this peace, should labor so to walk, as that they may persevere in it, and to this end consider what the Psalmist speaks. "I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak peace unto his people, and to bis saints: but let them not turn again to folly." Ps. lxxxv. 8. Have a care you break not your peace, remember David's broken bones, beware of sin, and see that you walk humbly before God; you have sin and corruption, and you may meet with temptations. Satan is your enemy, and he cannot abide you should have this peace, therefore be watchful, and be humble. "For thus saith the high and lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isa. lvii. 15. These are the souls that shall have peace, but take heed of an evil and unbelieving heart, in departing from the living God; take heed you dote not upon the peace of the world, and grow secure by it. 3. Exhortation. Make use of this peace, as it is intended by Christ; let not your heart be troubled. "They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people, from henceforth even for ever." Ps. cxxv. 1, 2. "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." Ps. xxvii. 1-3. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea." Ps. xlvi. 1, 2. Why should such a soul fear for any evil tidings? ye have that peace that the gates of hell shall never prevail against. Oh, show your peace by your boldness in God, by your glorying in tribulation; do you meet with outward losses? what need that trouble you when you have such a God as you have. Do you meet with painful afflictions? you may well bear them patiently, so long as the soul enjoys Christ's peace. Do you meet with ill neighbors, or disquiet in your families? all these are but light afflictions, not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed ;-nay, doth death look you in the face? you may triumph over it, for the sting of death is taken away thanks be to God that hath given us the victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord; and therefore let the peace of God guard your hearts against whatever you may meet withal: If you consider the reasons of the point. 1. The glorious excellency of this peace. 2. That it is the gift and purchase of Christ, and kept in his hand. 3. Because this peace doth not only set the soul free from fear of wrath, but takes away the poison and venom of sin, and also the sting of death and hell is taken away. 4. Because all troubles and dangers shall not hurt this peace, but all shall work together to the furtherance of their everlasting peace, which peace will guard your hearts against all evil whatsoever; you have but to be quiet; therefore let nothing dismay or disquiet the hearts of those that Christ hath given this peace unto, whatever you hear of in the world; we hear of many troubles and disquiets abroad in the world, and the cause of God suffers much, we should lay it to heart, but not to be troubled, disquieted, or dismayed in the sorest troubles; in a word, Faint not, for we look not at things present, which are temporary, but at things to come, which are eternal. THE NECESSITY OF THE POURING OUT OF THE SPIRIT FROM ON HIGH UPON A SINNING APOSTATIZING PEOPLE, SET UNDER JUDGMENT, IN ORDER TO THEIR MERCIFUL DELIVERANCE AND SALVATION. AS IT WAS DELIVERED IN PART, UPON 21. 9. 1678. BEING A GENERAL FAST THROUGHOUT THE UNITED COLONIES OF N. E. BY WILLIAM ADAMS, PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN DEDHAM. "And when he was come near, he beheld the city and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." Luke xix. 41, 42. "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. And verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." Luke xiii. 35. "O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Sion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad." Psalm xiv. 7. BOSTON: PRINTED BY JOHN FOSTER, FOR WILLIAM AVERY, NEAR THE SIGN |