September 9 — On being Peace-makers

Consider, first, the words of the seventh beatitude: "Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall he called the children of God. God’s own abode is in eternal peace; and the heavenly Jerusalem is the vision and enjoyment of an undisturbed, everlasting peace. They, therefore, that truly love peace, and, as much as lies in them, both keep it in themselves, and with all others, and contribute all they can to make peace among such as are at variance with one another, and to bring all their neighbours to be at peace with God, are entitled to this beatitude, and to the glorious character of children of God. O, how amiable is this spirit of peace! How blessed are its fruits! It is the paradise of the soul; it makes a kind of a heaven upon earth. O, may this peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep both our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Phn lip iii. 7.

Consider, secondly, the different ways there are of being peaces makers with relation to our neighbours, with relation to ourselves, and with relation to God. It is a blessed thing to bring our neighbours to peace, and mutual charity; as it is an abomination in the sight of God to sow discord anong brethren, Prov. vi. 19. It is a more blessed thing to make peace at home in our own souls, by suppressing the rebellious disorders of our passions, by bringing the flesh under subjection to the spirit, the inferior part of the soul to the superior, and the superior to God. It is the most blessed thing of all, to bring both ourselves, and as many others as we can, to a constant and perfect peace with God; that he may reign without control in all our souls; that his kingdom may be perfectly established within us, that his holy will, his holy law, his grace, and his peace may live in us and with us for ever. O happy peace, indeed, that unites us hereto God by grace and hereafter in eternal glory.

Consider, thirdly, the reward promised in this beatitude to the peace-makers; — they shall he called the children of God. O reflect, my soul, what a dignity here is, to be children of so great a king even the Ring that made heaven and earth. Behold what manner of charity, saith St. John (I John, iii. ,) the Father has bestowed upon us, that wc should be called and should he the sons of God, Sons of God even now, by his grace, bearing a resemblance with his true Son, (who is styled in scripture the prince of peace) and as such in a particular manner loved, cherished, and protected by him here as a parent; and hereafter to be admitted to a more perfect likeness, union, and, as it were, transformation into him, according to that of the same apostle, (v, 2,)Dearly beloved, we are now the sons of God; and it hath not yet appeared what we shall be. We know that when we shall appear, we shall be like unto him; because we shall see him as he is. O Christians, what blessings, both for time and eternity, are prepared for the lovers and promoters of peace 1

Conclude, my soul, to endeavour to be always a friend and a child of peace, and the peace of God shall always rest upon thee, (Luke X. 6,) and never leave thee till it bring thee to the regiem of everlasting peace.