soul, when they would mutiny, this peace of God stills them, and guards the heart of the believer, which is sadly exposed to danger, when without this peace. But the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds, through Jesus Christ.

5. A lasting peace. "Peace," said Jesus, "I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid." How soon is the candle of the wicked put out, and their peace gone; but this peace is everlasting. Though it may run under ground a while, yet it breaks up again, and never sees an end, as streaming from the eternal fountain of peace. It now remains,

V. To confirm the point. Well may we have peace in Christ, though the world should be turned upside down, and all should go unto confusion; for,

1. If we look to him, we may see God reconciled to us in him, Ephes. ii. 15, 16, God testified of him, that in him he was well pleased, namely, with all that were in him. The believer beholding his wounds may say, these have procured my peace, his blood has pacified God's anger against me. What then though the world rage, God is well pleased; though the earth be covered with blackness, heaven is no more lowering. Is not this enough. Paul triumphed here, Rom. viii. 31-39. Though the world proclaim war against me, Christ proclaims God is at peace with me. Two things here, may give a man peace in the midst of trouble. 1. The preciousness, and excellency of this peace with God. What angel or man can tell the worth of it. When it was bought, it cost an infinite price. Souls under apprehensions of wrath know something of its value that it is better than ten thousand worlds. Then no thanks to the Christian, though he digest some petty losses in the world peaceably, while this jewel is in his possession. 2. The durableness of this peace. It is everlasting. Let men rage and devils too, they may take away outward peace, but this they cannot carry away. If an army were coming to burn aud slay all in their way, and you were persuaded that they should destroy nothing of yours but that which is very little worth, might not you have peace; so may the Christian. 2. In Christ we see God upon our side. He is not only reconciled in him, but he is entered into covenant with us. His friends, are our friends, and our enemies are his. This made David fearless in the midst of troubles, Psal. xxiii. and cxxviii. 6. Hence the apostle bids defiance to all who could attack him, Rom. viii. 31. May we not say then, greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world. Here all the attributes of God stream

forth peace to the believer, so that he may sing that song, " Spring up O well, sing ye unto it." Enemies shall not prevail nor escape, for he is just, wise, powerful, and true. Two things here, should be observed. 1. He is a present help, Psalm xlvi. 1. Many a one perishes because help is far off. But be the believer where he will, his help is at hand. He is ever within a cry of him. Yea, he is in him, dwelling in him by his Spirit. 2. He is a powerful help. Men may be near at hand to their friends, and not be able to help them in an evil day; but nothing is too hard for him. He is also a skilful helper. Men may be both near and able, yet for want of skill may spoil the work; but he is wise in heart. The believer may peaceably leave the time, way, and manner of deliverance on him.

3. In Christ we see God in our nature; God made man; Immanuel, God with us. This is a noble subject of meditation, the wonder of angels and saints in glory; an employment which might give us peace in the midst of trouble, if it were no other way, but by driving our thoughts, and powerfully fixing our affections on this admirable object. This gave Stephen peace. But besides, when men as incarnate devils, are terrible to us, we may look on Christ, and there with comfort see God incarnate; see him through the vail of the flesh of Christ. When a wicked man is in tribulation, he is a most miserable creature. Man is terrible to him, and God is terrible to him, because he cannot behold him in a mediator. But it is not so with a believer. May he not then have peace in trouble. Again, as Christ is a man, he has a sympathy with his people, and as God he is able to help them. Yea, in all their afflictions he is afflicted well then may the believer roll all upon him.

4. Christ suffered from the world and overcame it. “I,” said he, "have overcome the world." While he was in it, he had no easy life. His life was a life of tribulation, and at length they nailed him to the cross. Here the believer may find peace. May it not create peace, amidst tribulation in the world, to think that the way of tribulation in the world, was the way by which Christ went through it to his glory. Shall we not follow him courageously and contentedly. Did they treat the master so, and will not the servant be content with his master's entertainmet. Will we follow him grudgingly, who went through so cheerfully. Again, may it not give peace, to think that he suffered to redeem us from the wrath of God. Truly, this will make the gracious soul joyful, to have but an occasion of bearing the wrath of the world for his sake and cause. It must be comfortable, also, to think that the bitter dregs. are taken out of the cup. Afflictions and death are unstinged. There is no poison in the cup, this may well make you quietly drink

it. Your Master bids you ride no ford, but what he went through before you. If the world mock and reproach you, so did it do to him; if it put you to death itself, as traitors and rebels, so did it do to him.

5. The believer may have peace in Christ, in the midst of outward trouble, because he guides all himself, Is. lii. 7. The Lord reigneth, let the earth be glad. Christ has fought through his enemies, and has reached the throne. He sways the mediatory sceptre for the good of the church. Many things here, speak peace to those that are in him, in the worst of times; for Christ as a king is engaged to protect his church and people, Ephes. i. 22. His subjects are the Father's gift to him, of which he is to make account, John xvii. 12. He is their shepherd, Psalm xxiii. 1. Enemies can never be able to make him a king without subjects, a head without a body. The bush burning not consumed, why? God is in the midst of it. He wants neither wisdom, will, nor power to help his people.

Whatsoever they meet with, comes from him. The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son. The most bitter cross comes through his hands to them. God sent Joseph to Egypt. Assyria is but God's rod and axe. Why should believers fear, when Christ lets blood of them. Though he borrow the lance from the enemy, yet it is in a friend's hand. It shall not go one hair-breadth deeper than he sees necessary.

He overrules enemies. He has a bridle on their jaws, and the remainder of their wrath he will restrain. He has a negative vote on them. "Who is he that saith and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?" The devil cannot enter swine, without his permission. They cannot put one drop more into his people's cup than he allows, Rev. ii. 10. Hence, when enemies are consulting the ruin of his church, God is said to laugh, Psal. ii. He makes the devil's servants run his errands. The Philistines' kine bring home the ark. Joseph must be exalted. His envious brethren must post him on to it. The gospel must go through the world, and therefore persecutors must scatter the preachers. Many a time the church rises, just when enemies are laying on the gravestone, as it was when the service dook was pressed upon us. Jesus must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. Behold the assurance of it, Psalm cx. 1. Never weapon prospered against his people. day will come, they shall all stand on the field as conquerors, and share of his throne.

The

In him they have divine promises suited to any case in which they can be. These are the silken cords let down from heaven, by which the believer may well venture to be drawn through a sea of blood, 2 VOL. IV.

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Peter i. 4, Psalm cxix. 49. The word of a general will animate soldiers, and Christ's promise may well animate his people. What are you afraid of? Is it of your own weakness, which may make you sin and yield to the temptation, that may make you shrink, and leap back from the cross. Mind his promise, Isaiah xl. 30, 31; 2 Cor. xii. 9. Are you afraid of the apostacy? Truly they who are built on the sand shall fall, but not those who are built on a rock, Matth. xxi. 18; 2 Tim. ii. 18, 19. Will a man who can prevent it, suffer a limb to be drawn from him, though it be very weak? No, surely; John x. 27-29. Are you afraid of his forsaking you? Fear it not; Heb. xiii. 5; Isaiah xliii. 2. Is he with you, then he shall be with you. Mark David's reasoning, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and staff they comfort me. Why did he take thee by the hand, if he thought ever to forsake thee on any emergency. He knew all your faults from eternity. Do you fear that he intends evil to you. Perhaps you think that it is your untenderness, barrenness, or the like, that is like to raise the storm. God will have your sin to find you out. Be it so; yet consider that all things shall work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. In the evening it shall be light. Let the web of Providence be once woven out, and though there be many black threads in it, it shall appear a goodly mixture.

In him we may have whatever is necessary for through bearing in an evil day. He is able and willing to bear our expences, why then should we be disturbed at the sight of the journey. There is light to be had in him. He is the light of the world. No case so perplexed, but he can resolve it, Micah vii. 7-9. He is the counsellor, one whose advice is ready in time of need. There is strength in him. He is the storehouse of the Christian's strength, open at all times, but especially in time of trouble, 2 Tim. iv. 16, 17. He is the friend best known in adversity.

Lastly, Consider the Scriptures hold out Christ as one in whom peace is to be enjoyed, and that is confirmed by the experience of the saints. He is the Saviour both for temporal and eternal salvation. The ark was a type of Christ, the sanctuary, the cities of refuge, Isa. viii. 14; Heb. vi. 18; Isa. xxxii. 2. The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous flee unto it and are safe. He is the peace; they that are in him dwell in peace, Mic. v. Psal. vi. 2-4. He has chambers of protection for his own, into which he invites them to enter, Isa. xxvi. 20; Psal. xxvii. 5.

USE 1. Of information.

5;

1. Here see the superlative excellence of Jesus Christ. To recom

mend him to your souls, may we not say, "Who is like unto thee, O Lord?" and conclude, that all the things that may be desired, are not to be compared to him. Such days may come, as that we can have no peace in the world. Our means may fail us, our own wisdom can find no outgate, no comfort in friends and relations; nay, but in the worst of times, in Christ we may have peace.

2. See here Christ's all-sufficiency. If we may have peace in him when we can have it no where else, then he can be to us instead of all, better than all, and is commensurable to the desires of the soul. Nothing can be wanting in him, in whom alone the soul may rejoice when striped naked of all comforts.

3. The mystery of a Christian's life in tribulation. Many have taken joyfully the spoiling of their goods; have gone to death as to their marriage. What! were they stupied, and without natural affection? No, they had peace in him. They had meat to eat, which the world knew not of.

4. The best furniture for an evil day is faith in Christ, uniting us to him. Would you know how to be safe, prepare an ark; flee to the Lord Jesus, and then you may defy the world, devil, death and hell.

USE 2. Of exhortation.

1. To you that are out of Christ. O come to Christ, that in him you may have peace in a time of trouble. Here is a sanctuary opened to you. Consider,

1. While you are out of Christ, tribulation may turn you out of a profession too, as it did the stony ground hearers; and dreadful is the case of apostates, they pierce themselves through with many sorrows. Tribulation will discover your naughtiness, John xv. 2-6.

2. Turn you what way you will, the Lord will wind a yoke of tribulation about your neck. When national judgments come, you must lay your account with a share of them, Matth. iii. 10; Amos ix. 9, 10. Your trouble will be very heavy, because the curse of God will be in it, and because you will get it all to bear. The Lord is not with you, you are alone as Saul was. O it is sad to have darkness covering both the face of the earth and heavens. Death is coming, and then the Lord shall trouble you. Your false peace will then be at an end. No peace with God, but through

Christ.

2. To the godly that are in Christ, we would say, labour ye to be in such a frame, as that you may have the actual enjoyment of that peace which you may have in Christ in tribulation. That you may attain it, take these advices,