companion; truth
must spring out of the earth, and righteousness look down from heaven.
This were the compendious way for public peace, if every man would make
his own peace with God. There are controversies with God, between king,
nobles, and people; and therefore God fomenteth the wars in the kingdoms.
If you would have these ended, make peace with God in Christ, by flying in
unto him, and resting on him; more trusting in God would despatch our
wars; trusting in the arm of flesh continueth them. Always whatever be,
peace or war, here is the business that more concerns you,--your eternal
peace and safety; and, if ye were more careful of this, to save your own
souls, you would help the public more. If you could be once persuaded to
be Christians indeed, we needed not press many duties in reference to the
public; and until you be once persuaded to save yourselves, by flying from
the wrath to come, it is in vain to speak of public duties to you. We do
therefore declare unto you the way of obtaining perfect peace,--peace as a
river; if you will quit all self-confidences, flee from yourselves as your
greatest enemies, and trust your souls unto the promise in Jesus Christ,
and lean all your weight on him, we assure you, your peace shall run
abundantly and perpetually. Whoever trusteth in creatures, in uncertain
riches, in worldly peace, in whatsoever thing besides the only living and
glorious Lord, we persuade him, that his peace shall fail as a brook. All
things in this world shall deal deceitfully with you, as a brook which is
blackish, by reason of ice; what time it waxeth warm, it shall evanish.
You that looked and waited for water in it shall be confounded, because
you hoped, and are ashamed because of your expectation. Job vi. 15, &c.
The summer shall dry up your peace, and what will ye do? But if you pour
out your souls on him, and trust in the fountain of living waters, you
shall not be ashamed, for your peace shall be as a river. The elephant is
said to trust that he can drink out a river; but he is deceived, for he
may drink again,--it runs, and shall run for ever. If any thing would essay
to take your peace from you, it is a vain attempt, for it runs like a
river; it may be shallower and deeper, but it cannot run dry, because of
the living fountain it proceedeth from. There is no other thing can be
made sure; all besides this is uncertain, and this only is worthy to be
made sure; nothing besides this can give you sa