curse for us." At his incarnation the angels sung, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men." This is the object contemplated by the gospel ministry; it is the "ministry of reconciliation," "the word of reconciliation." God is solicitous for man's reconciliation, as is evident from the means he employs to effect it. He has not come in person, nor delegated angels to beseech men to be reconciled; but he has entrusted the embassy with his servants, who, in Christ's stead, are endeavouring to carry out the Divine purposes, in reconciling the world to God. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God," 2 Cor. v. 20. The conditions of our reconciliation are taught in his word, explained, and pressed upon our acceptance by the ministers of the gospel, and applied to our hearts by the power of the Holy Ghost. The christian not only enjoys peace with God, but also, This is the result of hav 2. Peace in his conscience. ing obtained peace with God. The works of the flesh, such as hatred, variance, pride, prejudice, wrath, envy, strife, and all uncharitableness must be destroyed before peace of conscience can be realized. The peace of God is a purchased boon, a distinguished gift, a choice blessing, a valuable treasure; its full estimate cannot be fixed, nor can the acutest discrimination fully discover its significance. Obstacles may lie in the way of its attainment, and lengthy struggles and deep sorrow of mind may precede its enjoyment; but when the requisitions of the Saviour are complied with, and the offers of the Divine forgiveness are accepted, "the peace which passeth all understanding" is imparted, and the turbulent spirit becomes tranquillized. It is a peace which the world can neither give nor take away; it allays the alarms of conscience, composes the mind, supplies the wants of the soul in all times of need, and sheds an admirable serenity over all the transactions of life. There is frequently much external discord and public agitation raging around us; controversies, clashing of sentiment, riots and jarrings, and communities convulsed in hurricanes of strife; but the soul of the christian delights to live in the circle of tranquillity, calm and collected, amidst the upheavings and commotions around it. The peace of God sweetens experience, smooths the rugged path to the house appointed for all living, softens the dying pillow, extracts the sting of death, and inspires a blooming hope of a blissful immortality. 3. Peace with men. This is recommended in scripture. "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you live peaceably with all men." There are some persons whose object is to tease, annoy, and destroy the repose of others. They study and devise mischief; they forge and circulate falsehoods, and appear to glory in the sombre art of creating quarrels amongst their neighbours. Such conduct is peevish and sinful; and clearly proves that they are of their "father the devil, for his works they do." The christian, however, is wishful to be at peace with all men; he feels no disposition to sacrifice his religion on the altar of agitation, or relinquish his principles at the shrine of contention. He enjoys, recommends, and promotes peace. "Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them," Ps. cxix. 165. "How great the peace, how blest the joy, Each true believer inly feels! Satan can ne'er the bliss destroy, Which faith in Jesus sweetly yields.” Where genuine religion exists, there will be peace in the family. Peace shall dwell in the tabernacle of the righteous; and what can contribute more to order and personal comfort than peace in the family circle? Nothing can be more desirable than spiritual peace, inasmuch as it not only assuages the perturbation of the mind, but also promotes harmony and conjugal affection towards each other. There is harmony in the revolutions of the planets, whether kindred or remote to each other be the orbits in which they revolve; the law of order prevents collision, and controls them in their respective spheres. So are the members of a family regulated by the "law of the Lord," and influenced by the principles of religion, preserved from contention, discord, and janglings, which often sever the ties of friendship, and alienate the social affections. Isaiah, when describing the sins of the Jews, says: "The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace," chap. lix. viii.;-a declaration applicable to thousands in this kingdom and throughout the world. "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace," Rom. viii. 6. Peace in the church is important and desirable. "Behold," says the psalmist, "how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity," Ps. cxxxiii. 1. If there is not uniformity, there ought to be unity in the church: this is indispensable to her progress and triumphs. If the seeds of strife exist, they must be immediately uprooted, and the elements of contention destroyed; fervent charity should characterize every inhabitant of Zion. We are instructed to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem." Our language should be, "Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee." A spirit of holy peace must be cherished, that we may "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." The apostle Paul was awake to the importance of christian unity when he exhorted the Corinthians to be "perfect, to be of good comfort, to be of one mind, to live in peace;" then said he, "the God of love and peace shall be with you." This fruit of the Spirit was, 1. A legacy the Saviour bequeathed to his sorrowing disciples. Their sorrow arose from what he had said about leaving them: "Because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart." Either by their looks or their expressions, the Saviour discovered indications of grief, but which he endeavoured to remove by informing them that "He was going to prepare a place for them, and would come again, and receive them unto himself; that where he was there they might be also." How soothing his language on the eve of his departure! how dignified and amiable his conduct! and how affectionately he addresses them, that he might recompose their minds and alleviate their distress! "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nether let it be afraid," John xiv. 27. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." But this invaluable blessing, this incomparable legacy, was not designed exclusively for the disciples of Christ, but was intended for his followers in every age and in every nation. That peace which is the fruit of the Spirit is also, 2. The christian's solace amidst toil and sufferings. "These things have I spoken unto you," saith the Saviour, "that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world," John xvi. 33. Many in former times were unwavering in their adherence to religion, with prospects the most gloomy, and in the face of sufferings the most appalling. Supported by Divine peace, they have patiently endured the severest privations, and met death in divers forms, with remarkable composure of mind. It has sustained and cheered them when wandering in deserts, when climbing mountains, reclining in dens, cowering in caves, arrayed in sheepskins, afflicted, destitute, and homeless. When the stream of persecution has risen high and overflowed its ordinary channels, and swept with mighty force over the country, many devoted saints have stood like rocks in the rushing torrent. What was the testimony of Job when deprived of his possessions, and while enduring heavy bodily afflictions? It appears to be this: Although the Sabeans may drive away my five hundred yoke of oxen, and slay my servants with the sword; fire may fall from heaven and consume my seven thousand sheep; the Chaldeans may take possession of my three thousand camels; the winds of the wilderness may smite the house and bury my children in the ruins thereof; the hand of God may afflict my frail body, and death shake his quiver in my face; my possessions taken from me, my children dead, my health friends have deserted me; yet, gone, and my supported by the peace of God, my language shall be, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Peace, like an anchor holds the spirit in delightful tranquillity while the vessel in which it is enshrined is rocked on the bosom of the storm. "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." "The troubled conscience knows thy voice, Thy cheerful words awake our joys: 3. It is the christian's pledge of future happiness. |