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which seems to be the peace that is chiefly, though not only, intended in this text.

SECT. 2. FURTHER EXCELLENCIES OF THE PEACE OF GOD.

That you may be induced with all diligence and earnestness to seek after this blessed peace, and may better perceive that this peace of God, for worth and use, passes all understanding, take these reasons in particular.

First, That must needs be an excellent peace which God will please to take into his holy title, calling himself the God of peace, Heb. xiii. 20, calling Christ the Prince of peace, Isa. ix. 6.

Secondly, That peace must needs be of infinite value, passing all understanding, for which Christ gave himself; paying the price of his own most precious blood for it, 1 Peter i. 18, 19.

Thirdly, This peace cannot but pass all understanding, because the cause from whence it comes, namely, Christ's love, Eph. iii. 18, 19, and the effect which it works, namely, joy in the Holy Ghost, 1 Peter i. 8, do, as the apostles affirm, pass knowledge, and are unspeakable.

Fourthly, This peace was that first congratulation, wherewith the holy angels saluted the church, at Christ's birth, giving her joy in her new-born husband and Saviour, Luke ii. 10, 11, 14. And it was that special legacy which Christ Jesus did bequeath to his church, leaving that as the best token of his love to it, a little before his death: saying, My peace I leave with you, John xiv. 27.

Fifthly, This peace is one of the principal parts of the kingdom of God, which consists, as the apostle says, of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom. xiv. 17.

Sixthly, By as much as the evils and mischiefs that come to a man by having God to be his enemy, which draws upon him God's wrath, justice, power, and all God's creatures to be against him: and by as much