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I. PEACE WITH THE CREATURES.

1. Sin has caused enmity between man and the creatures.

2. Peace with God brings peace with the creatures.

3. Covenant mercy is excellent mercy indeed. Two things observable in mercies coming by covenant. They are more sweet. They are more firm.

4. If it is such a blessed thing for God to make a covenant with the beasts for us, what a mercy is it then for God to make a covenant with our souls.

5. Is it a mercy for God to make a covenant with the beasts for His people? then what a mercy it is for Him to make a covenant with His Son for His people.

II. DELIVERANCE FROM THE HOSTILITY OF ADVERSARIES.

1. It is a great mercy to have the bow and the sword broken. It is a part of the covenant that God makes with His people, to take away the instruments of hostility.

2. Peace is a most amiable thing, and lovely in all our eyes, every man desires it, and God promises it to His people in many places as a most special fruit of His love. The shining of God's face appears in the giving of peace to a nation.

3. Peace is a sweet mercy, therefore it is a pity that it should be abused, and not improved.

4. Peace is sweet, therefore not to be falsified.

5. Peace is a great blessing, therefore it is a pity not to endeavour by every means to attain it. Cursed be that war which has not peace for its end.

6. Peace is a great blessing from God, but we must take heed we buy it not too dear. And you buy peace too dear, if you sell truth for it: if you betray those who have been most active for the public good. if, through desire of peace, you subject yourselves to tyranny or slavery.

7. Peace is God's peculiar work; we may treat about peace, but until God is pleased to permit it, it will not ensue,

8. Thorough reformation is the way to procure peace.

III. THE EFFECTS OF THIS PEACE. "I will make them to lie down safely."

1. God's peace alone brings safety.

2. "To lie down safely" is God's own gift to His people.It is an additional blessing to having the sword and bow broken.

(Jeremiah Burroughs.)

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KJV: And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.

WEB: In that day I will make a covenant for them with the animals of the field, and with the birds of the sky, and with the creeping things of the ground. I will break the bow, the sword, and the battle out of the land, and will make them lie down safely.