John 14:27

Christ being now about to close this exhortation and part of his farewell-Sermon, doth, in this verse point out the sixth argument of consolation; Namely, his peace, as a result of all the rest, which both in its own nature, and donation, differeth far from the worlds peace. And upon this he repeats the exhortation propounded ver. 1. and so goeth on to the conclusion of this part of his discourse. Whence learn, 1. Christs disciples are allowed true peace in all dispensations, to uphold their hearts; So that whatever their outward trouble be, yet they may have peace with God, Rom. 5.1. quiet under all dispensations, and an ordering of outward afflictions, so as they need not marre their peace; for, peace is his allowance here. 2. True peace is Christs peace, as being the purchaser thereof, the object in whom they have it, Chap. 16 33. and he who gifts it; Therefore calls he it, my peace. 3. Christs peace doth not depend upon his bodily presence, but may be continued when he is gone, and is an antidote to supply that want and losse; for, when he is to remove, peace I leave with you, saith he. 4. Whatever be the beleevers unworthiness, or not deserving of peace, yet it may answer all objections, that it is Christs legacy and free gift; for, peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. 5. The excellencie of Christs legacies, and the priviledges enjoyed by his people, ought to be studied as far transcending what they enjoy at their best, who do not come to him; Therefore doth he make the comparison betwixt the worlds peace and his. 6. Christs peace is far different from the peace which is given or enjoyed by the world; for that is, oft-times, in sin, or is but a lethargy of security portending sad trouble, or but (at best) a freedome from outward trouble, when yet thy are at enmity with God: But his peace is solide and true peace. Therefore, saith he, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 7. Christs peace doth also differ from the worlds peace, in the way of giving it: They, ofttimes, give words of peace without reality, but he is real in what he saith; They may wish peace, when they cannot give it, but his peace is real and effectual, Joh. 34.29 They cannot perpetuate any peace they afford or wish, but his peace is firme, and he preserveth his people in it. This also is imported in these words, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 8. The heart-trouble, wherewith Saints are oft-times exercised, is ready to beget many heart-terrours and fears, for the future; for here, heart-trouble and being afraid, go together. 9. Christ may be dealing very comfortably with his people, when yet their perplexities and fears do continue and lye on; for, as at the beginning, ver. 1. so here, after all his sweet discourse, their distemper continueth, their heart is troubled, and it is afraid. 10. As there is no true cure of heart-troubles and fears, but in Christ; So his consolations and peace are sufficient to guard the heart against them all; So that Saints having this allowance, cannot without sin continue in their perplexities; Therefore, after all these consolations, and particularly, that of his peace, he repeats the exhortation, as a duty which they cannot decline, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.