the meffage of reconciliation, proclaiming .. things; he remaineth indifferent to his "noblest interests?" Is GOD "just and faith"ful to forgive us our fins, and to cleanse us " from all unrighteousness;" and will we not confefs and forsake our fins? GOD forbid! that this should be the temper of any here. Let us be prevailed on to weigh these things seriously; and with all the emotions of holy joy and gladnefs, which become those who are addreffed in the name of the "Prince of Peace," let us receive the declarations of peace: "let us return unto the LORD, that "He may have mercy upon us, and to our "GOD, that He may abundantly pardon.” Lastly, Let our relation to the "Prince of "Peace" be regarded by us as an obligation to follow after peace. The amiable and benevolent person of whom we have now heard, this "Prince of Peace," is our LORD and Saviour. We bear his name: and avow our regards to his character at his table. There 1 John i. 9. Ifaiah lv. 7. 1 we contemplate the attractive virtues of his life and temper, who was "meek and lowly," kind, forbearing, and forgiving; who was courteous, affable, and obliging to all. There we recollect his doctrine, which abounds with leffons of moderation and candour, of forbearance and love, of peace and friendship. There we meditate on his death, that bond of peace between Jews and Gentiles, that great means of "bringing us to GOD," and into a state of reconciliation and favour with heaven. Can we turn our thoughts, my friends, to thefe contemplations, and not forget our anger and refentment? With these scenes before us, our paffions cool. Thefe reflections impress the laws of kindness and peace upon our minds with great force. From the bofoms of his difciples, who was the "Prince of Peace," let all wrath and animosity be banished. Let their converfation be free from ftrife and quarrels. Let their lives pafs on in the exercise of forbearance and love; in the practice of every kind, friendly, and peaceable virtue. Let Chriftians be cautious of embarking in parties, whether religious or civil; and be especially careful not to adopt with vehemence all the interests and designs of them. Let Chriftians watch against thofe little incidents and occurrences in daily life, which inflame the paffions of fome, and spread noise and tumult through their dwellings. "Behold! how ce good and how pleasant it is, for brethren "to dwell together in unity." Let Chriftians, though they must not give up the least part of their duty, though they must break the peace of their own minds, though they must not facrifice truth and virtue to keep peace with mankind, yet be ready to yield in leffer inftances; and do much, and facrifice much, if it can be innocently done, for the fake of peace. In a word, bear upon your minds the laws of peace. Keep before your eyes the example of the "Prince of Peace." Reflect at what expense your Saviour hath fecured the blefsings of peace with God for mankind. Let these confiderations be effectual inducements with you, both in the church, in the world, and in your own families, to study the things Pf. cxxxiii. 1. which make for peace. And then, Christians, rejoice, in the cheering and enlivening promife rejoice, that "the GOD of love and peace "will be with you." Amen, fo may it be! May He look with mercy and favour upon this affembly. May his peace rule in our hearts. And, in our refpective houses, may He give peace. Amen. Z 2 Cor. xiii. II. SERMON XIV. ABRAHAM, A BLESSING. GEN. XII. 2. Thou shalt be a Blessing MONG the characters which history A has transmitted to us with peculiar honour, is that of the patriarch Abraham. It from the testimonies of many anappears cient writers, preserved by Jofephus and Eufebius, that the fame of his wisdom and virtue fpread far and wide among the nations of the earth. He is mentioned by Juftin, as king of Damascus, and the ancestor of Ifrael.* The Arabians, among whom he is celebrated, boast of their descent from him by Ishmael. * Juftin. Hiftoriar. 1. 36. c. 2. Voltaire's Dictionnaire Phi lofophique, Art. Abraham. |