We learn, for another thing, from these verses, hoiJb useless it is to expect universal peace cmd harm<myfrom the preaching of the Oo&pel, The disciples, like most JeDrs of their day, were prohably expecting Messiah's king- dom immediately to appear. They thought the time was at hand when the wolf would lie down with the lamb, and men would not hurt or destroy any more. (Isaiah xi. 9.) Our Lord saw what was in their hearts, and checked their untimely expectations with a istriking saying, — " Suppose ye that I am come to send peace on earth ? I tell you. Nay, but rather division."
There is something at first sight very startling in this saying. It seems hard to reconcile it with the sobg of angels, which spoke of "peace on earth " as the coinpanion of Christ's Gospel. (Lukeii. 14.) Yet startling as the say- ing soimds, it 18 one which facts have proved to be literally true. Peace is undoubtedly the result of the Gospel wherever it is believed and received. But wherever there are hearers of the Gt)spel who are hardened, impenitent, and determined to have their sins> the very message of peace becomes the cause of division. They that are after the flesh will hate those that are after the Spirit. They that are resolved to live for the world will always be evil affected towards those that are resolved to serve Christ. We may lament this state of things, but we cannot prevent it. Grace and nature can no more amalgamate than oil and water. So long as men are disagreed upon first principles in reUgion, there can be no real cordiality between them. So long as some men are converted and some are unconverted, there can be no true peace.
98 BXPOSTtORT THOUGHTS.
Let US beware of unscriptaral expectations. If we expect to see people of one heart and one mind, before they are converted, we shall continually be disappointed. Thousands of well-meaning persons now-a-days are con- tinually crying out for more."unity" among Christians. To attain this they are ready to sacrifice almost anything, and to throw overboard even sound doctrine, if, by so doing, they can secure peace. Such people wotdd do well to remember that even gold may be bought too dear, and that peace is useless if purchased at the expense of truth. Surely they have forgotten the words of Christ, " I came not to send peace, but division."
Let us never be moved by those who charge the Gospel with being the cause of strife and divisions upon earth. Such men only show their ignorance when they talk in this way. It is not the Gospel which is to blame, but the corrupt heart of man. It is not God's glorious remedy which is in fault, but the diseased nature of Adam's race, which, like a self-willed child, refuses the medicine provided for its cure. So long as some men and women will not repent and believe, and some will, there must needs be division. To be surprised at it is the height of folly. The very existence of division is one proof of Christ's foresight, and of the truth of Christianity.
Let us thank God that a time is coming when there shall be no more divisions on earth, but all shall be of one mind. That time shall be when Jesus, the Prince of Peace, comes again in person, and puts down every enemy under His feet. When Satan is bound, when the wicked are separated from the rightecrus, and cast down