his Spirit we may every one of us supply our part toward the compacting together of all the members, in order that the whole body may be edified in lovem.]
III. To individuals —
[Whatever be the state of the nation in which we live, or of the society in which our lot is cast, we are concerned at least to obtain peace in our own souls, and to preserve it " always by all possible means" What can ever make us happy if our conscience be disquieted with a sense of guilt, and with apprehensions of God's wrath ? Or, " if God have given us quietness, who, or what, can make trouble11?"
As far as respects inward tranquillity of mind, all are agreed in esteeming it the richest blessing, and in desiring to possess it. But the generality of men are lamentably mistaken with respect to the means by which it is to be obtained. Some hope to find it by dissipating all thoughts of the eternal world: some by silencing all the convictions of their conscience : some by abounding in the external duties of religion : and some by " healing their wounds slightly, and saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace0." But true peace can never be obtained but from Jesus, " the Prince of Peace p." He it is that has purchased it for his believing people*3; and that has left it them as his best legacy, saying, " Peace I leave with you ; my peace give I unto you1."
But though this peace is the gift of Christ, we must seek it in the use of means. We must humble ourselves before him for the multitude of our offences ; and turn from our trans- gressions with an unfeigned abhorrence of them. Above all we must view Jesus as making atonement for us, and as reconciling us to God by the blood of his cross. We must renounce all self-righteous methods of appeasing God's anger, or of pacifying the clamours of a guilty conscience. We must trust in Jesus alone ; and in him with our whole hearts s : and when he has " spoken peace to our souls, we must no more return to folly*." Then shall we have that "peace which passeth all understanding," and enjoy it " always," in life, in death, and for ever.
Let nothing then be esteemed painful that may be necessary for the acquiring or preserving of so rich a blessing ; but let us seek it at the Lord's hands, " always and by all means11."]
m Rom. xiv. 19. P^ph. iv. 16. n Job xxxiv. 29.
0 Jer. vi. 14. p Isai. ix. 6. i Col. i. 21, 22.
T John xiv. 27. s Isai. xxvi. 3, 4. * Ps. lxxxv. 8.
u By mortification of sin, Isai. lvii. 19 — 21 ; by fervent prayer, Phil. iv. 6, 7 ; by glorifying God with our substance, Isai. lviii. 7 — 11.