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HOw excellent a thing Christi∣an peace is, may appeare from these three grounds. 1 Because in scripture language peace is such a thing as comprehends in it all good things. 2 Because it is a bles∣sing so often promised. 3 A bles∣sing so often prayed for.
1 In scripture language (which is the language of truth) under the name and notion of peace all good things are comprehended and in∣cluded: not only quiet & freedome from trouble, but safety, tranquilli∣ty, health, plenty, prosperity, and whatever else belongs to the good and happines of our lives, yea not only to our outward, but also to our inward happinesse. Hence this was the ordinary forme of sa∣lutation used in ancient times. (Peace be unto you) when they wished and desired all good to their friends and acquaintance. When David sent messengers to Nabal, to procure some supply of needfull provision from him, he directs them to deliver this saluta∣tion to him, Peace be to thee & to thy house, and to all that thou hast. 1 Sam. 24.6. When Amasa who was chief of the Captaines, came with his men to David to assist
him, he speakes in this manner, Peace be to thee and to all thy helpers, 1 Chron. 12, 18. In like manner the angell speakes to Daniel, O thou greatly beloved, peace be unto thee, Dan. 10.19. When our Saviour appeared to his disciples, being pri∣vately assembled together after his resurrection, he thus salutes them, Peace be unto you, Joh. 20.19. and he directs his disciples, that when they came into any house, they should say, peace be to this house. Luke 10.6. By all which appeares that under this word peace, many other blessings are intimated and infolded, which serve to shew the excellency of it. And certainly, the more peaceably and unani∣mously the people of God do asso∣ciate together here on earth, the more nearly it doth resemble the happy condition of the Saints in heaven, where there is not the least discord or disagreement ei∣ther
in judgement or affection: for as in the erecting of Solomons tem∣ple there was no noyse heard ei∣ther of ax or hammer, or other like instrument, but all parts of it were so fitly prepared in the moun∣taines, as they might easily, & rea∣dily be compacted & joyned toge∣ther: so in the heavenly temple the minds of all are so fitly tempered and compacted together, as there is not the least noyse of any dissen∣tion or division. But the excellency of peace will further appeare, if we shall consider how in scripture it is made a principall object of Gods promises, and of his peoples pray∣ers.