The path-way to peace. Or, The only assured and most certain means, whereby to heal the sores, make up the breaches, remove the fears, prevent the ruine, reconcile the differences, and put a finall end to the manifold divisions of this famous (though now much distracted) kingdom. By that faithfull and painfull preacher of Gods Word, Thomas Gardener, late pastor of St Maries in Sandwich. It is ordered this thirteenth day of February, 1642. by the committee of the House of Commons in Parliament concerning printing, that this book, intituled, The path-way to peace, be printed. John White.:

The second Point.

THe manner how the Lord doth make our very enemies at peace with us.* 1.1 This he bringeth to passe divers wayes:

1. By altering and changing their affections (for he turneth mens hearts as the rivers of water, which way it pleaseth him) and working in them an admiration of his hidden ones. Thus Pharaoh King of Aegypt wondered at the wisedom of Joseph, and his gift in the interpretation of dreams. So was David admired of Achish King of Gath, an Heathen, as if he had been an Angel of God. This effect was most illustrious in the Officers which were sent by the Scribes and Pharisees to appre∣hend Christ, and went to seek him for that very purpose; but when they came and heard him preaching to the people, they either forgot their errand, or willingly disobeyed the com∣mand of their masters, and fell into admiration of our Savi∣our, saying, Never man spake like this man.* 1.2

2. By converting their wicked hearts, to become godly Saints: for JEHOVAH, by the power of his Word, can change the savage Leopard, into an harmlesse Kid; and the ravening Wolf, into an innocent Lamb. Thus persecuting Saul,* 1.3 who breathed out nothing but threatnings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, was made a true convert, and a preach∣ing Paul. And thus the Jaylour, who once imprisoned, stocked, and whipped Paul and Silas,* 1.4 was converted to the faith, and became a friend to those whom formerly be hated, washing their stripes, and setting meat before them.

3. By a divine terrour which the Lord striketh into the hearts of their enemies.* 1.5 Thus the Lord dealt with the fury of La∣ban, when he and his company pursued after Jacob, in all probability, intending to offer violence unto him, he charged him that he should not so much as speak ought but good unto Jacob. This terrour was wrought in Jeroboam,* 1.6 by withering of his arm miraculously, when he intended evill against the man of God, who spake to him in the Word of the Lord, and thereby Jeroboam was constrained to receive him courteously.

* 1.74. By destroying them, that their irreconciliable hatred may pe∣rish with their lives, if their heart be so hard that it will not be

made pliable to his will. Thus dealt the Lord with Senacherih, and his Host,* 1.8 when they encamped against his people, he slew him by his own sons, and of his Army 185000 men by an Angel. Thus doth the Lord with the enemies of his Church, when they will needs band themselves against his anoynted Ones.* 1.9 Let them associate themselves, they shall be broken in pieces; let them gird themselves, they shall be broken in pieces, saith the Lord by his Prophet.

5. By working (as we say) against the hair, when by permitting of the wicked to be at enmity with us,* 1.10 he procures our peace and prosperity. Satan was at enmity with man-kinde, and the Lord permitted him to do his worst: He thought to bring everlast∣ing contempt upon all man-kinde,* 1.11 through Adams fall, but God made it an occasion of the greater exaltation of his Church. God suffered the AEgyptians to afflict his people; but the more they were afflicted,* 1.12 the more they multiplied. Balaams curse was turned into a blessing. The hatred of Josephs bre∣thren, turned to his greatest advancement. Thus all things conspire for the welfare of Gods beloved ones. Thus of the manner how the Lord maketh our very enemies to be at peace with us.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Lord makes our ene∣mies at peace with us, by changing their affections. Prov 21 1. Gen. 41.38.39. 1 Sam. 29.6.9.
• * 1.2

  John 7 46 Converting them. Isa. 11.5, 6.
• * 1.3

  Acts 9.1.6.
• * 1.4

  Acts 16.24 33, 34.
• * 1.5

  Striking terror into their hearts. Gen 31.24.
• * 1.6

  1 Kings 13 48
• * 1.7

  Destroying them.
• * 1.8

  2 Kin. 19 35 37
• * 1.9

  Isa. 8.9.
• * 1.10

  Suffering them to do their worst.
• * 1.11

  Rom. 5.15.
• * 1.12

  Exod. 1.12. Deut. 23 5. Gen. 50.20. Rom. 8.28.