[It is true, that the world at large are not very ready to acknowledge the excellencies of believers, or to allow their claims of relationship to God. But there is something m_ a peaceful spirit, which carries its own evidence along with it, and constrains the beholder to do it homage. St. Paul parti- cularly notices this ; and declares, that he who acts under its influence for the honour of Christ, is both " accepted of God, and approved of men":' We know indeed that the enmity of the human heart against God is such, as to instigate men to persecute even unto death the very persons whom in their consciences they cannot but admire. We therefore do not mean to say that the peace-makers shall meet with no hostility from men ; (for our blessed Lord and his Apostles were all crucified or slain :) but that the proper tendency of their con- duct is, to conciliate the regard of men, and to impress them with the idea, that they are actuated by the grace of God, and honoured with his peculiar favour.
Surely this blessedness is worthy of our pursuit. To be Children of the Most High God is the great object to which we should continually aspire : and to approve ourselves such to others is also most desirable ; because we shall thereby " silence the ignorance of foolish men," and constrain them to " glorify our Father which is in heaven."]
Let me, in conclusion, urge you to seek this blessed character —
[Think how happy you vdll be in the possession of it. " The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace''." It is not possible to engage much in such labours of love, without having our own souls refreshed and comforted with the heavenly employment. The sacred oil which you pour on the heads of others, will regale you with its odours ; and the dews of divine grace, which, through your instrumentality, descend on others, shall enrich and fertilize your own souls ^.
Consider further, how serviceable you will be in your day and generation. As one litigious or contentious person may be the means of producing incalculable evils to the Church and to society ; (for a little fire is sufficient to destroy a whole town^;) so one pious, discreet, and active peace-maker may extinguish flames, which might have spread desolation and misery all around. See an instance of this in Abigail, who, by her seasonable interposition, restrained the wrath of David, and saved the lives of Nabal and all his family s. Thus may you confer blessings on all around you, and heap blessings also on your own heads ^.
'^ Rom. xiv. 18, 19. ^ Jam. iii. 18. <= Ps. cxxxiii. 1 — 3. f Jam. iii, 5. 8 1 Sam. xxv. 18 — 31.
^ 1 Sam. xxv. 32, 33.