um, whatever it be, Christ hath stamped a new quality on
it; it cometh through his hand, and so, if it be not good in itself, yet
it is good in the use, and in his appointment, Rom. viii. 21. If it be not
good, yet it worketh together for our good; it contributeth to our good,
because it is in his skilful hand, who can bring good out of evil, peace
out of trouble. O that ye were persuaded to be Christians indeed, to love
his law, and trust in him. Great peace have all such. This were more to
you than peace in the world; your peace should be as a river, for
abundance and perpetuity; no drought could dry it up; it should run in
time as a large river, and when time is done, it would embosom itself in
eternity, in that ocean of eternal peace and joy which the saints are
drowned in above; other men's peace is but like a brook that dries up in
summer.

Sermon XIII.

Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind
is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee."

Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My
peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that
he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace
above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have
trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall
make trouble no trouble. You must lay your accounts to have such a life as
the forerunner had; but withal, as he hath left us his trouble, so hath he
left us his peace; the trouble will have an end, but the joy can no man
take from you. We have this sure promise to rest upon, in behalf of the
church, peace shall be in Israel; a peace that the world knoweth not, and
so cannot assault it, or take it away. O that ye would hearken to this
word, that ye would trust in the Lord, and stay upon your God, then should
your peace be as a river, Isa. xlviii. 18. There is nothing more desired
in time of trouble than peace; but all peace is not better than war: some
necessary war is better than evil-grounded peace. The kingdoms have been
long in pain, labouring to bring forth a safe and well-grounded peace.
But, alas! we have been in pain and brought forth wind; when we looked for
peace, no good came, and for healing, behold trouble. But how shall we
arrive at our desired haven? Certainly, if peace be well-grounded, it must
have truth for its foundation, and righteousness for its