The blessed advantages of peace and peace-makers In a sermon preach'd at the Savoy in London upon the fifth of St. Matthew; Ver. IX. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God. By Anthony Horneck, D.D. late preacher at the Savoy. Horneck, Anthony, 1641-1697. 1697 Approx. 57 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 26 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A44512 Wing H2820 ESTC R215358 99827256 99827256 31672 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A44512) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 31672) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1889:17) The blessed advantages of peace and peace-makers In a sermon preach'd at the Savoy in London upon the fifth of St. Matthew; Ver. IX. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God. By Anthony Horneck, D.D. late preacher at the Savoy. Horneck, Anthony, 1641-1697. 48 p. printed for B. Aylmer at the Three Pigeons against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, London : 1697. At foot of title page: Price six pence. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Bible. -- N.T. -- Matthew V, 9 -- Sermons -- Early works to 1800. Sermons, English -- 17th century. 2005-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-03 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-04 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2005-04 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion The Blessed Advantages OF Peace and Peace-makers . IN A SERMON Preach'd at The Savoy in London UPON The Fifth of St. Matthew ; Ver. IX . Blessed are the Peace-makers , for they shall be called the Children of God. By ANTHONY HORNECK , D. D. Late Preacher at the Savoy . LONDON , Printed for B. Aylmer at the Three Pigeons against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill , 1697. Price Six Pence . The Bookseller's ADVERTISEMENT . THE Late Worthy and Pious Doctor Anthony Horneck , the Author of this seasonable Discourse , hath left behind him fairly Writ , many Excellent Sermons upon most Practical Subjects in Divinity , particularly on all our Blessed Saviour's Sermon on the Mount ; contained in the Fifth , Sixth and Seventh Chapters of St. Matthew's Gospel ; having been preached to his Beloved People at the Savoy with great Approbation ; which will be Printed with all convenient Speed by the Consent of his Widow . Fifteen Sermons , being the first Volume , upon part of the said Fifth Chapter ( of which this is one ) is now in the Press . But for the Seasonableness upon the happy Conclusion of the Peace , 't was thought convenient to publish this alone . B. A. St. Matth. Ch. V. Ver. 9. Blessed are the Peace-makers , for they shall be called the Children of God. AS in this divine Sermon of our Saviour , Men and Women are pronounced blessed and happy , with respect to things which the dull sensual World spies no felicity in ; or as here , those are counted happy whom the World counts miserable , and those miserable whom the world counts happy ; so it fares with the persons mention'd in the words before you , and the Blessedness which attends them ; the world , you know , magnifies great Generals , and Soldiers , and Martial Men who can fight well , and are very skilfull in besieging Towns , and in scaling Walls , in bombarding Castles , and surprizing Forts , and defeating Armies , and slaying Men ; and he , that with Saul hath kill'd his thousands , and with David his ten thousands , is cry'd up , and the Bells ring at his entrance into a conquer'd Town , all sing his Praises , Flowers of Rhetorick and Applause are strow'd in his way , publick Intelligences are fill'd with his Commendations ; and who so much talk'd of , as the man who is very expert in making , maintaining , and managing a War. Our blessed Master over-looks all these partial verdicts of the World , and knowing that Nature , and Vice , and Profit , and Honour , Ambition and Lust are enough to inspire a man with Courage and Wisdom to fight , and to cause Disorders and Disturbances among Men , instead of commending Men , who are skilfull in making War , set a peculiar mark of favour on those who are skilfull in making Peace in the words I have read to you , Blessed are the Peace-makers for they shall be called the Children of God. Blessed are the Peace-makers ; what ? All Peace-makers ? Then Turks , and Infidels , Heathens , and Pagans , and the most licentious of Christian Princes do all come into the number of the blessed , and all must be Children of God. For there is no Prince , though never so great a Tyrant , though he hath spilt Blood like Water in his Conquests , though he hath made no more of destroying mens Lives , than Tarquinius did of taking off the heads of Poppies , or Domitian of killing Flies , yet makes Peace sometimes , and tired with the Toyl and Fatigue of the War , concludes a Truce at last with his Enemy ; and what ? Do all these come into the society of the blessed ? To give you light into this affair , I shall enquire , I. Who these Peace-makers are that are pronounced blessed here . II. I shall examine the reasons of the supposition , or the thing supposed and implied here , that those who have an aversion from this Peace-making , cannot be blessed . III. I shall take the blessedness of these Peace-makers into consideration , and shew how , and upon what account they are , and shall be call'd the Children of God. I. Who these Peace-makers are , that are said to be blessed here . The word in the Original is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which as Interpreters observe in Greek Authors signifies and denotes strictly those who make or procure Peace among Persons who disagree , and unite those who are at variance , but in Scripture the expression is of a larger extent , and includes a great deal more than a bare reconciling of Enemies , and the persons here aimed at are as follows . 1. Such as do make Peace with God and with their Consciences . To this purpose is the exhortation , Job XXI . 22. Acquaint now thy self with him , and be at Peace , and great good shall come unto thee : And from this Peace with God , arises that Peace in believing , we read of Rom. XV. 13. Man naturally is at Enmity with God , Rom. V. 10. to be sure , an Enemy of the Cross of Christ , for the Law of the Cross is directly opposite to the Principles and Dictates of sinfull Flesh , Phil. III. 18. and this Enmity still grows greater and greater , as corrupt nature is improved or abused into more corrupt practices , and from hence flows Man's misery . So that to be happy , a Man must be at Peace with God , which is a Maxim so natural , that Heathens do not think themselves safe without appeasing their angry Deities , and this puts them upon offering Sacrifices to them . But this doth not take with the true God , who delights not in burnt-offerings . The Sacrifices of God , which unite the Soul to him , and establish a Peace betwixt God and the Sinner , are a broken and a contrite Heart , and laying aside voluntarily and deliberately , and from a sense of the madness of the attempt , even of resisting and clashing with an Omnipotent Being , those things which God professes and declares his Hatred and Abhorrency of , and a chearfull Compliance with his revealed Will ; and you all know that the things he hates are our sinfull customs , practices and inclinations , for your iniquities have separated betwixt you and your God , and your sins have hid his Face from you , saith God , Isa. LIX . 2. To be at Peace with God , a man must be at war with his sinfull Inclinations . To live in Peace with these , is to fall out with God , and the longer we maintain Friendship and Familiarity with these , the greater becomes the distance betwixt God and our Souls , the breach is still made wider , till we sin away at last all hopes of Reconciliation ; where the Soul hath any reasonable assurance that God is at Peace with her , there Joy , and Gladness , and Serenity flows naturally into her Bosom , and that is the Peace of Conscience St. Paul speaks of , Rom. XIV . 17. And indeed there are no persons more likely to be successfull in making Peace among Men , than those who first make Peace with God , and with their own Consciences . 2. Such as make it their business to live peaceably in humane Societies , and seek to maintain that Peace , which either Nature , or Religion , or Friendship , or Neighbourhood have settled among Men , with whom we live ; and concerning this sort of Peace-making , St. Paul speaks , Rom. XII . 18. If it be possible , as much as in you lies , live peaceably with all men . To maintain Peace , is part of Peace-making , for this is to make that Peace which is begun , and which we find settled in our hands to continue and flourish ; in a word , to preserve it , and according to the old saying , Non minor est vertus , &c. It is as great a Vertue to preserve the good thing which we have purchas'd , as to purchase it ; and while we behave our selves inoffensively , unblameably , and keep a Conscience void of offence toward God and Man , we take the readiest way to live peaceably . It 's granted , that the most inoffensive Actions , nay even Acts of Duty and Devotion may stir up the wrath and fury of cholerick and prejudiced men , as we see the Apostles by preaching the Gospel , and attempting to reclaim men from their Vices , and telling them their Duty , rais'd all the World against themselves ; but this is not our fault , as long as we give no just occasion to men to quarrel with us , or give no just offence ; while we are ready to do good offices , do by others as we would have others do by us , and in our Discourses and Behaviour observe the rules of Modesty , Decency , Sobriety , and Charity ; if after all , men will speak ill of us , and be angry , because we will not run out with them into excess of riot , as it seems those did St. Peter speaks of , 1 Pet. IV. 4. We have discharged a good Conscience , and may comfort our selves with this , That we have given no just occasion to break the Peace . 3. And here comes in the stricter signification of the word , such as from a sense of Christian Love and Charity endeavour to reconcile disagreeing Persons , and Neighbours , and their fellow Christians that are at variance : And concerning this peace-making , St. Paul gives this grave and serious Admonition , 1 Cor. VI. 5 , 6. I speak to your shame . Is it so , that there is not a wise man among you ? no not one that is able to judge between his Brethren . But Brother goes to Law with Brother . And this must needs be his meaning in that other Exhortation , Rom. XIV . 9. where he bids us follow after the things which make for Peace . And indeed , where there is true Christian Compassion , a man will not only be ready to run to make up differences , when he is entreated , but of his own accord , and before he be entreated , especially , where either Friendship and a long Acquaintance , or some near Relation gives the Invitation . It was barbarous language of Cain , Gen. IV. 9. Am I my Brother's keeper . Such a word must not drop from the Hearts and Mouths of those who are adjured by Bowels of Mercy , not to look every one on his own things , but every man also on the things of his Neighbours , as all Christians are , Phil. II. 4. The common laws of humane societies , require this Peace-making , much more the Laws of Christianity ; and since we are bound to love our Neighbours as our selves , how is it possible to obey that Law , without endeavouring to soder and join the clashing and dis-jointed Members of Christ's mystical body ; in doing so we love our Neighbours as our selves , even in endeavouring to keep others from disagreeing , as we would keep our selves from being at variance with others . How good and how pleasant a thing is it for Brethren to dwell together in Unity ; it is like the precious ointment that ran down from Aaron's head into his Beard , and so on to the skirts of his cloathing , saith the Royal Psalmist , Psal. CXXXIII . 1 , 2. As Christians we are all Brethren , and then it must be our Duty to see the Beauty , Order and Harmony of that brotherly society preserved , which is impossible to be done , without actual and personal endeavours of reconciling those who are at difference , and this argument Moses made use of , when he saw two Israelites striving together , and would have set at one , Why do you wrong one to another , seeing ye are Brethren ? Act. VII . 26. 4. Such as endeavour to make others like themselves , and do instill this Christian Principle of reconciling Persons , that quarrel and live in Enmity , into others . This is still making Peace , when we labour to make others enamour'd with this duty of Peace-making , which is done either by Exhortation or Entreaty , or Representing to others the Nobleness , Excellency , and Profitableness of this peaceable and peace-making Temper . It 's natural for men to endeavour to make others of the same Temper and Principles with ourselves , which is the reason that men of all Persuasions do what they can to make Proselytes . A truly good man cannot forbear saying with St. Paul , I wish that all men were even as my self , 1 Cor. VII . 7. I mean with respect to the good things the Grace of God hath infused into him : And as no man can be sincerely good , without endeavouring to unite , and reconcile his disagreeing Neighbours , so that Goodness will farther prompt him to bespeak those of his Acquaintance in St. Paul's language , Brethren , be followers together of me , and mark them that walk so , as you have us for ensamples , Philip. III. 17. And from hence it will be an easie matter to give a just answer to the Objection I proposed at first ; whether all Peace-makers are indifferently concerned in the blessedness of the Text ; It 's plain from hence , that not every one that makes Peace either by force , or of necessity , or for profit and interest , or being tired with a long and tedious War. Not every one of these comes into the number of those blessed men . All the four Qualifications I have mentioned are requisite to entitle a man to this happiness ; making Peace with God , and our Consciences , living peaceably , and from a sense of Christian Love and Charity , endeavouring to reconcile disagreeing Neighbours , and instilling this reconciling Principle into others . And having thus laid down the true Characters of these Peace-makers , whereby you may examine your selves , let 's go on , and , II. Enquire into the reasons of the supposition , or that which is implied here , that those who have an aversion from this Peace-making , cannot be blessed or happy . The reasons are , 1. Selfishness is plainly predominant in such persons , and that 's no good character of bliss , so far from it , that the Apostle reckons it among the Plagues of the last days , 1 Tim. III. 1 , 2. This know also , that in the last days perillous times shall come , for men shall be lovers of themselves . It 's true , to love our selves is a natural principle , but to love our selves so as not to be concerned for the good of others , is a sinfull self-love , which renders us contemptible to God , and despicable to rational men . He that matters not whether his Neighbours fight or agree , whether they live in love or wrath , and sees a fire kindled in their Breasts , a fire lighted by the Flames of Hell , a fire which breaks forth , and threatens to lay their Consciences wast , and doth not offer his helping hand to quench it , hath a Soul base and low , a poor pitifull Spirit , guilty enough to suffer in Hell , but alienated from that life which must give him a title to Heaven . 2. He that doth not make Peace with God or with his own Conscience , and cares not for it , robs himself of the greatest comfort ; and surely that man can never be happy . To be at Peace with God , is to be at Peace with our Judge , with him who hath the same power over us , that the Potter hath over his Clay , and is able to destroy both Soul and Body into Hell ; with him whose voice breaks the Cedars , divides the Flames of Fire , shakes the Wilderness , and makes the Mountains tremble , and who hath a Prison to tame men in , a Prison from whence there is no coming out till they have paid the uttermost Farthing . To be at Peace with this Almighty and Sovereign Being , must needs be a mighty satisfaction to the Soul that knows what God is , and looks beyond this world : To enjoy his Friendship , to be sure of his Favour , to be secured of his good will , this establishes the Soul , and gives her courage in the time of the greatest Danger . He that is indifferent , whether he be at Peace with God or not , not to mention that he is a Sot and a Fool , and understands not his true interest , he deprives himself of that which ought to be the greatest stay and staff of his life , and therefore whatever his outward Conveniencies , and Accommodations may be , he is unhappy . 3. He that doth not or will not live peaceably with his Neighbours , I need not tell you that he is unhappy , for he himself finds by sad experience , that he is so . The Disorders and Tumults he finds within , the uneasiness of his condition , the danger he is in from without , and the vexation and discontent he runs into are sufficient Items that he is as far from being happy , as he is from being wise : His lusts war within his members , as St. James speaks , Jam. IV. 1. His Soul is like the troubled Sea , when it cannot rest , Isa. LVII . 20. He is no kin to God , for he is the God of Peace , Rom. XVI . 20. No kin to Angels , for they rejoyce in Peace on Earth , Luk. II. 14. No kin to good men , for they seek Peace and ensue it , 1 Pet. III. 11. If he be related to any thing , it is to the Prince of Darkness , who delights in wrath and envy , Rev. XII . 17. 4. Such men are no Children of God , and therefore cannot be blessed ; that 's the argument of the Text , Blessed are the Peace-makers , for they shall be called the Children of God ; therefore those that have an aversion from this Peace-making are not blessed , because no Children of God ; surely no Children of God , when so much of that Spirit reigns in them , which rules in the Children of Disobedience : He particularly that seeks not to be at Peace , or to live peaceably with his Neighbour , most certainly doth not love his Brother , and he that loves him not , is by the Holy Ghost in Scripture put into the number of strange Children , for so we read , 1 Joh. III. 10. Herein the Children of God are manifest , and the Children of the Devil : he that works not righteousness is not of God , neither he that loves not his Brother . Not to love our Brother , and to hate him in Scripture are equivalent , different expressions for the same sin ; and if any man say , I am in the light , and hate his Brother , he is in darkness , and walks in darkness , and knows not whither he goes , because the darkness hath blinded his Eyes , 1 Joh. II. 11. So that true Blessedness lies altogether in the opposite temper , viz. the Peace-makers , and of these it is that it 's said , They shall be called the Children of God ; and how , and upon what account they shall be called the Children of God , is the III. And last particular , I am to speak to . And here I must premise , that in Scripture Language , to be called so , is very often as much as to be so ; And thou Child shalt be called the Prophet of the most High , i. e. thou shalt be a Prophet , Luk. I. 76. and after the same manner , That holy thing which shall be born of thee , shall be called the Son of God , i. e. shall be the Son of God ; so Matth. I. 23. They shall call his name Emanuel , i. e. he shall be so , God with us , God and Man. And after this stile , you are to understand the Phrase of the Text , They shall be called the Children of God , i. e. they are and shall be so . Children of God! Why ? What great blessedness is there in this title , beyond what other men enjoy ? Are not Princes and great Men , who are commonly none of the best , called the Children of God , Psal. LXXXII . 6. and is not God the Father of all mankind ? It is very true , but still there is a very great difference between Children and Children . All rational creatures , both Men and Angels , are God's Children , as they are the works of his hands , and with this respect , even Devils come into that number , because they owe their Being to an Omnipotent God. Princes and great Men particularly are the Children of God upon the account of Power and Grandure , and Authority God communicates to them , but for all these respects , they may be everlastingly miserable . To be a Child of God by Regeneration , to be born again , to be born of God , to be begotten again through a lively hope , by the Word and Spirit , this is it that makes the title truly comfortable , and such Children are the Peace-makers commended here . To be a Child of God in this sense , is more , and a greater honour , than to be related to all the greatest Princes in the World. For , 1. Such Children of God have higher marks of favour set upon them . They enjoy the Blessings of God's left hand in common with the rest , but besides these , they have Blessings of the right hand heap'd upon them . Besides the Preservation , Protection , Provision for their bodies , and common Deliverances from dangers , they participate of with the greater number , their Souls are visited by very magnificent Guests ; For if any man love me he will keep my words , and my Father will love him , and we will come unto him , and make our abode with him , saith our Saviour , Joh. XIV . 23. God governs them by his Spirit , and feeds them like a Shepherd , gathers the lambs into his arms , carries them in his bosom , and gently leads those that are with young , Isa. XL. 11. They are made partakers of the divine nature , love what God loves , hate what he hates , desire what he desires , and aim at the same end God himself aims at , to wit , the Glory of God , blessed for evermore . 2. To such Children of God belong the Promises of the everlasting Covenant ; and there is no condemnation in them . They are deliver'd from the wrath to come , and Christ intercedes for them in Heaven . For them the balm of Gilead flows , and when their Souls are sick , Physick is administred to them from the Clouds . They are wash'd , they are justify'd , they are sanctify'd , and shall at last be glorify'd . To such power is given to tread on Serpents , and upon all the powers of darkness : For their sakes God spares whole Nations . To go no farther than our own : All sober men believe we are ripe for God to put in the Sickle of Vengeance . The Atheism , Prosaneness and Hypocrisie , the dull Formality we are sunk into under the greatest encouragements , together with other crying Sins , which are among us , are enough to make a rational man wonder , that the Viols of the wrath of God are not yet poured out upon us , but it 's for the Children of God's sake , who are among us , that we are spared thus long ; for their sakes it is that God brings the strangest things about , and though they are try'd often by affliction , yet the Fire that proves them , doth only cleanse , not crush the Frame . To protect them , God sends his own Guard , a Troop of Angels to surround their persons and habitations ; and if so , the blessedness of such must infinitely exceed the happiness of those , who are called Children of God , upon the account either of their Creation , or Power and Authority . But to come closer to the words , the Peace-makers are in a very special manner the Children of God , if you consider them either with respect to this life , or with regard to that to come , for to both these states , as I have told you often , does the recompences mentioned in these Beatitudes relate . As to this present life . 1. They are Children of God , because they are like him . They express his Nature in their own : For God is the God of Peace , Philip. IV. 9. His Divine Essence is the true Pattern of Peace and Order . The ever-blessed Trinity is the grand Exemplar of Concord and Unity . It 's God that makes Peace within thy Borders , saith David , Psal. CXLVII . 14. He speaks Peace to his people , Ps. LXXXV . 8. He creates Peace , Isa. LVII . 19. And calls to Peace , 1 Cor. VII . 15. And is the Author of Peace , 1 Cor. XIV . 33. And is the Lord of Peace , 2 Thess. III. 16. The peaceable , and such as are of a peaceable Temper , resemble this God of Peace ; He lives in them : There is a great similitude betwixt that inexhausted Spring , and these little Rivulets ; a great Conformity betwixt these Copies , and that Original . The features and lineaments of Peace , that appear upon their Souls , discover that they are the Children of God. 2. They are the adopted Children of God in Christ Jesus . Christ is the true , natural , and only begotten Son of God. The peaceable , and such as are of a peace-making Temper , tread in the Steps of Christ , imitate his peaceable Nature , and upon that Account are admitted to the Honour of his Filiation , and Son-ship . The Spirit of Peace , which dwelt in Christ Jesus , dwells in them , Col. III. 15. Christ is the Prince of Peace , so he is call'd , Isa. IX . 6. Nay he is our Peace , who made both one , and pull'd down the middle Wall of Partition between us , having abolish'd in his Flesh , the Enmity , even the Law of Commandments , contain'd in Ordinances , making in himself of twain , one new Man , so making Peace , Eph. II. 14 , 15. And he came and preach'd Peace to them that were a far off , and to them who are nigh , vers . 17. He is the great Peace-maker , who made Peace betwixt Heaven and Earth , which makes the Angels sing at his Nativity ; Glory be to God on high , and on Earth Peace , Luk. II. 14 , Nor doth Christ's Saying , Matth. X. 34. Think not that I am come to send Peace upon Earth , I am not come to send Peace , but a Sword. I am come to set a Man at variance against his Father , and the Daughter against the Mother , &c. I say , this Oracle doth not at all invalidate , or weaken the Character , or Title given him , which is Prince of Peace ; for in so saying , he only describes the natural Events and Consequences of his Gospel . 1. When a Man is truly converted to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ , there is immediately infused into him a mighty hatred and indignation against sin , and vice , where-ever he meets with it , though it be in a Father , or Mother , or Brethren , or Sisters . To find it in such Relations , doth not make him like it the better , nor can all their persuasions make him have any good opinion of it ; and therefore if the Father be carnal and wicked , he will hate his Son for being so holy and precise , and keeping such a stir about Religion ; or if the Father be good , and the Son naught , the Son will be either secretly , or openly angry with his Father , for having so strait-lac'd a Conscience . Hence arise quarrels and dissensions , which are not the natural Effects of the Gospel , but of Men's vitious humours , which hate to be controll'd by the Gospel ; and hither must be referr'd the Persecutions that befell the Primitive Believers , when they would not offer incense to the Heathen Gods , whereupon they were imprison'd , harrass'd , persecuted with Fire and Sword. The Son rose against his Father , if he were a Christian , and the Daughter did her best to throw the believing Mother into the Fire , and the nearest Relations became mortal Enemies one to another ; not that Christianity made the Christians hate their Heathen Relations , but it made the Heathen Relations hate their Christian Kindred . 2. This Christ speaks with relation to those Carnal and Hypocritical Professours of his Religion , who in After-ages pusht on by Pride and by the Devil under a pretence of Zeal for his Honour and Glory , would kill , butcher , burn , massacre thousands of their Brethren , who retain'd the Substantials of Christianity , only differ'd from them in things which Carnality , and Pomp , and Superstition , and Ambition to regulate the Church by the Court of Princes , should add to the ancient Faith deliver'd unto the Saints , and of this we have seen very sad instances : But still , these are only accidental Effects of Men's Pride and Passions , not the natural Products of the Design and Tendency of the Gospel ; so that notwithstanding all these quarrels and dissensions ill Men raise about the Gospel , Christ is still the Prince of Peace , and the Peaceable , and such as are of a peace-making Temper , are upon that account his Brethren , for he is not ashamed to call them Brethren , Heb. II. 11. and therefore the Children of God. As to the Life to come . These Peace-makers shall be , and shall be treated like darling Children of God. This St. John assures us of , 1 John III. 2. Beloved , now are we the Sons of God , and it doth not yet appear what we shall be , but we know , that when we shall appear we shall be like him . Like him ! How ? Like him in Eternal Glory and Honour , and Splendour . They were like Christ in their peace-making Temper here , and they shall be like him in a glorious Immortality . Their Father which is in Heaven will let Men and Angels see , that they are his Children , that they are so not in Name only , but in Deed. He will give the unbelieving World a visible Demonstration , that they are so in the last Day , in the great Day of Account ; he will place them at Christ's Right-hand , and the Men that would not believe and repent , shall behold how dear they are to him ; for the great Redeemer shall carry them up into his Father's Kingdom : If Sons then Heirs , Heirs of God , and joint Heirs with Christ , saith the Apostle , Rom. VIII . 17. Christ as Man , and Mediator , became Heir of his Father's Royalty , and Power ; so shall they in the right of adopted Children . As Christ ascended into Heaven so shall they ; as Christ was exalted so shall they ; as Christ was enthron'd so shall they ; as Christ was advanced from a low Estate to the highest Dignity so shall they ; as Christ lives for ever so shall they ; as Christ cannot be hurt by the second Death no more shall they ; as Christ had power given him over the Nations , over Hell and Devils , so shall they reign over all their Enemies ; as Christ shall judge the World , and the Apostate Angels so shall they ; being Fellow-Sons , Fellow-Heirs , they all share in his Authority and Grandeur : It 's true , all this must be believed , for it is not seen yet ; but who can forbear to believe it , when we have the Word of the living God for it ? In a word , They shall be Possessours of Heaven and Earth ; for not only their Father , but their Elder Brother is so . Crowns and Diadems are preparing for them ; Crowns which fade not away , Crowns which the Moth cannot corrupt , nor Thieves break through and steal ; Crowns made of Beams of Eternal Light ; Crowns which not only adorn their Heads , but fill their Faces with incomparable Beauty ; Crowns such as Angels wear ; Crowns which cannot be viewed , cannot be thought of , without Eternal Admiration . Inferences . 1. It is easie to guess what Tempers and Actions are contrary , and directly opposite to the admirable Qualification recommended , and commanded in the Text. Peace being either publick or private , and the publick either Political , or Ecclesiastical , either of Church or State ; whoever they be that wilfully pusht on by Pride or Passion , or some worldly carnal Design , without a just , lawfull , or warrantable cause , disorder or disturb that Peace , cannot be true Disciples of Christ , because they have an Aversion from that peaceable , peace-keeping , and peace-making Temper , which Christ with all the pathetick Adjurations imaginabe hath enjoyn'd his Followers . I shall not here reflect on secular Estates and Princes , who either begin or maintain an unjust War , either to enrich themselves by the Spoils of their Neighbours , or to advance their own Glory , or to enlarge their Empire and Dominion ; for the very Light of Nature confutes these Practices , and he that is but a Novice in Religion , may see nothing is more contrary to the Design of the Gospel . However , I cannot but spend some considerations on the sad Divisions and Quarrels that are among those who call themselves Christians upon the account of Religion . I wonder not to see Mahometans and Jews scandaliz'd at these Divisions , the Jews especially , when they read such lofty Promises of the Peace and Unity of the Church that was to be under the Messiah , as Isa. II. 4. They shall beat their Spears into Plough-shares , and their Swords into Pruning-hooks . Nation shall not lift up Sword against Nation , neither shall they learn War any more ; and Isa. XI . 6. The Wolf shall dwell with the Lamb , and the Leopard lie down with the Kid , and the Calf , and the young Lion , and the Fatling together , and a little Child shall lead them . Though these Prophecies have been in a great measure fulfill'd , not only in the Apostles times , when the Jews and Gentiles , who were mortal Enemies before united into one Church under their common Head Christ Jesus ; but afterward when the Empire became Christian , and the Heathen Powers , who had most violently persecuted the Christians , submitted to the Gospel , and embraced those whom they had burnt before ; and though these Prophecies may moreover be said to be exactly fulfilled , partly with respect to the Design and Tendency of the Christian Religion , the design and intent of Christ's Laws being to make Men peaceable , and partly with respect to the signal change that 's actually wrought upon those who are truly , not only in profession , and outwardly , but inwardly too , converted to the Faith of Christ ; for upon this Conversion their former Hatred and Enmity to others is laid aside , and they are all for Peace and Concord ; though I say these Prophecies are actually accomplish'd in despite of all the Sects , that profess Christ's Religion ; yet the Jews , a dull , hard , inconsiderate sort of People , and who are guided much by their Senses ; seeing the everlasting quarrels that are among Christians , and how one party persecutes and abuses the other , and upon what slight occasions they quarrel and fall out , and break Peace and Communion one with another ; I wonder not to see them offended at these doings , and harden'd in their Unbelief ; for not to mention the Divisions , Heresies and Schisms in the ancient Church , at this day the Eastern Churches stand divided against the Western ; the Western is broke into several Parties ; the Church of Rome against the Protestants , and the Protestants against the Church of Rome , and the Protestants are divided among themselves . In these Divisions the Church of Rome erects her head , and pretends she is the only true and Catholick Church , because they are united among themselves . But to shew the weakness of this boasting : 1. At this rate every particular Church must be the Catholick Church , because the Members of every particular Church are united among themselves . So in the Church of England , her Members and Pastors all subscribing to the Articles of her Communion , and professing the same Doctrine , Ceremonies and Worship , whether they be in Europe , or Africa , or Asia , or America ; and there is no particular Church , that 's constituted by any publick Authority , but may boast of this Unity . 2. It is not a bare Union of Men that makes a Church a true Church , but that Union must have Truth for its Foundation ; else you know , Thieves , and Robbers , and High-way-men , and Pyrates , and Buccaneers , because they agree among themselves , might lay claim to this Title , and the most perverse Hereticks , because they agree in certain points , might say they are the true Church , and Heathens and Pagans , because they agree in Superstition , and in believing a Multitude of Gods , might bid fair for this character . However , 3. The Unity the Church of Rome boasts of , is only a pretence ; for all the World knows the mighty differences that are within her own Bosom , of the Scotists and Thomists , of the Franciscans and Dominicans , of the Jansenists and Jesuits , who stick not to call one another Hereticks ; not to mention the late Divisions betwixt the Disciples of Molinos , and their Opponents ; and were it not for fear of Fire , and Prisons , and the Inquisition , some of these would break out into open War against their Adversaries and Competitors . Nay , 4. There is no Christian Church that hath been more guilty of breaking the Peace of Christendom , than the Church of Rome ; and because several Churches would not satisfie or gratifie her Ambition , would not put their Necks under her Yoke , nor believe the falsest and idlest thing in the World , her Supremacy and Infallibility , she hath boldly separated her self from their Communion ; this was the reason why she separated from the Eastern Churches , and by this insolence she hath forced the Protestant Churches from her Communion , and not he that is forced away , but he that forces is the Schismatick . And indeed , that which justifies the Protestant Churches separation from her , or breaking Peace and Communion with her , is 1. Because she would impose that upon the Consciences of Men , which Christ and his Apostles never imposed . 2. Because she hath turned the Spiritual Worship of the Gospel , into carnal and mechanical Devotion , and introduced innumerable Superstitions , which have no foundation in the Word of God , and would have them believ'd as firmly as the Gospel it self . 3. Because she hath brought in a Worship , which with all the favourable Interpretations imaginable , cannot be excused from Idolatry ; even the Worship of dead Men and Women , of the Bread in the Eucharist , of Images and Pictures , and Reliques , &c. contrary to the Design of the Gospel . 4. Because , though she hath been often entreated , admonished , and exhorted to reform these Abuses , for some hundred Years together , yet she is obstinate , and instead of reforming , hath harden'd her self in them , and thinks to hector Men by her Power and Authority into a Belief of that , which cannot be defended with solid Arguments . 5. Because rejecting the Supreme Authority of the Scriptures , which are the sole Rule of Faith , she hath made her pretended Head , and such Councils as he shall call , or approve of , the sole Dictators , and Expositors , of the Doctrine of Christ , requiring blind Obedience to their Decisions , contrary , not only to the Word of God , but to the Sense of all true Antiquity : So that there can be no peace , I mean no Peace of Communion with Rome ; for though we are commanded to live peaceably with all Men , yet we are withall to have a due regard to Truth , Eph. IV. 15. Nor must Peace be bought at so dear a Rate , as to comply with Men in their Sins and Errours , which is the Reason why Peace and Holiness are join'd together in that known Exhortation of the Apostle . Follow peace with all men , and Holiness , without which no man shall see the Lord , Heb. XII . 14. Indeed an external Peace we are to maintain with all Mankind , but this differs much from Peace of Communion in Divine Worship and Sacraments . The Divisions among Protestant Churches are to be deplored so much the more , because the Points they differ in are inconsiderable , and might easily be composed , if Men had but peaceable Tempers , and were resolved to lay aside Interest , and carnal Respects , and Punctilio's of Honour , and Credit , &c. for they all agree in Fundamentals , all are satisfied that the Church of Rome hath notoriously deviated from the simplicity of the Gospel ; and the matters in difference , are things in which Salvation is not concerned . And upon that account their labours deserve great Commendations , who heretofore , and very lately have endeavour'd to reconcile the Protestant Churches into a perfect Union : A blessed Work. Blessed are the Peace-makers , that endeavour to make Peace among the jarring Members of Christ's Body ; and though they may fail of Success , yet they shall not lose their Reward . In the mean while those who widen , or heighten these differences , and incite the respective Parties to hatred , and wrath , and animosities one against another , to be sure are no Children of the God of Peace , and had need at least before they die , make publick Satisfaction for the dreadfull Effects , their Heats and Passions do produce . But as this Peace among Protestant Churches is very much to be wish'd and pray'd for , so I despair to see so glorious a Work take effect , except the differing Parties would resolve to stand to the Rules following . 1. That the respective Parties which agree in the chief Points of Religion do not make any of those Points they differ in , fundamental , as if the Fortune of Religion depended upon it , or as if those different Points were so many different Religions . 2. That the differing Parties do not damn one another for those differences , there being nothing that hath done Religion more hurt , than Men's damning one another for things , which Christ and his Apostles have affixed no Damnation to . 3. That notwithstanding the little differences that are among them , they make one Church , and endeavour after the Welfare and Prosperity of it , and join together in publick Prayer , and in the Sacrament of the Eucharist , which is the Badge and Symbol of Fraternity , and Amity . 4. That one Party be not presently jealous , and suspicious of the other , as if the opinion which one Party espouses were embraced , or maintain'd in a Humour , or for worldly Ends , but that they charitably believe , it 's Conscience , that puts them upon it , at least , till either the Party espousing that opinion confesses , that Conscience is not at the bottom of it , or that it appear by undeniable Evidences , that a worldly or sinister design is the foundation of it . 5. That the differing Parties do not multiply the controversies , which are amongst them , make them neither more numerous nor greater than really they are , and that they do not interpret an accidental unwary expression , that may drop from the Pen , or Mouth of one party , as a new controversie . 6. That one party do not charge the other with consequences , which they do not own , nor with Doctrines and Positions , which they detest from their hearts . 7. That each party defending , or proving their opinion do it with great modesty , without provoking or exasperating , or approbrious Language , and revilings , or bitter reflections on the other . 8. That of these differing parties none do vye with the other , except it be in living up to the Precepts of the Gospel , particularly those of patience , long-suffering and charity . These rules I apprehend to be the foundation of Peace and Concord of Protestant Churches , that differ in points of no great concernment ; and were these Maxims once put in practice , the particular controversies might soon be compromised . To this purpose is that saying of the Apostle : Nevertheless , whereto we have already attained , let 's walk by the same rule , let 's mind the same things ; and if any be otherwise minded , God will even reveal that unto you , Phil. III. 15 , 16. But however , II. If we cannot mend the Publick , let 's endeavour to reform particular Persons . It is a sad sight to see Christians divided among themselves , but it is as dismal a spectacle to see so many of us at war with God. This I know will hardly be believed by the guilty , and because they do not blaspheme God , or do not trouble their heads much about God , or Religion , they know nothing to the contrary but that they are at peace with God , and that they and God are very good Friends . This is true stupidity , and were the stupidity invincible as it is in Beasts , such Men would be safe , safe as the wild Ass , or the Dromedary in the Wilderness , safe I say from the Danger of God's Wrath. But this cannot be the case of any of you , that live in a Country where the Gospel is preach'd , where you are told , that not to love God , is to hate him ; and that not to delight in his ways , is to incurr his displeasure ; that to live in those sins , which exclude from the Kingdom of Heaven , is to bid defiance to him ; that to be neglectfull of his Will , is to wage war with him ; that to slight the admonitions , and entreaties of his Messengers , is to be at enmity with him ; and that to mind the World more than his Service , or to seek to please Men more than him , is to provoke him to anger . And hath not this been the temper , and is not this the complexion of many of you ? How many years have some of you born Arms against God ? Your wilfull sins are the Weapons whereby you fight against him ; and though like the Giants in the Fable , you do not heap Mountain upon Mountain to pull him out of his Throne ; yet by espousing that life , which is odious to him , you affront his Sovereignty , and by living contrary to the Gospel , you despise and dishonour him who hath the greatest right to command you . And is it not high time to make peace with him ? If God be not at peace with you here , he will never be at peace with you hereafter . What peace while the Whoredoms of thy Mother Jezabel , and her Witchcrafts are so many ? said Jehu , 2 Kings IX . 22. So here , what peace can there be betwixt God and you , while you continue in that pride and vanity , and intemperance , and other sins , against which the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven ? Do you think you are at peace with God , because you thrive and prosper in the World ? Do not the wickedest of Men do so , and is that an Argument that God is their Friend ? Will you make his patience a sign of his being reconciled to you , when it is only a motive to a reconciliation ? There is no peace , saith my God , unto the wicked , Isa. LVII . 20. Let them be never so potent , never so rich , never so wealthy , their impiety takes away all peace betwixt God and them . He hath declared so much , and will not you believe him ? Will you give no credit to his word , till with Dives you lift up your Eyes in Hell , and see that God is not your friend ? If you do thrive and prosper in the World , cannot those Blessings move you to be at peace with him ? Do you believe he is kind to you , and shall his kindness provoke you to be his Enemies ? Nothing can settle a peace betwixt God and you , till you change your lives , and make conscience of your ways , and abhorr that which is evil , and cleave to that which is good . Then indeed were your sins as crimson they shall be as wool , were they of a scarlet Dye , they shall be as white as snow ; but till then , your sin , like that of Judah , is written with a pen of Iron , and with the point of a Diamond , as it is said , Jer. XVII . 1. and you do as good as say to God with those Desperadoes , in Job , Chap. XXI . 14. Depart from us , we desire not the knowledge of thy ways . Till then you can never be at peace with your own consciences , carnal security you may have , but peace of conscience is another thing , for this can never be at rest , while it hath reason to believe God frowns upon it ; but being sure of the light of his loving kindness , a Man walks in Paradise , and dwells in the Garden of God. But , III. When Christ in the Text professes and declares how pleasing and acceptable a peaceable , and peace-making Temper is to God ; would not one think that every one that believes the Gospel , should be ambitious of those qualifications , which God not only approves of , but promises to reward with the highest Honour and Dignity ? Yes , did Men love God indeed and in truth , they would not only be glad to know what is pleasing to him , but even run to do it , as good natured Children that observe their Father's temper , and endeavour to gain his love by a deportment and behaviour they know he delights in . Peace among men God delights in , peace among Christians especially ; to whom he hath vouchsafed a higher dispensation . Among these , no noise , no clamour , no railing , no quarrelling , no Swords , no Cannon should be heard ; these profess themselves Disciples of Christ Jesus , the Prince of Peace ; and there is no command that is more strictly , or more frequently injoin'd , than that of Peace . This they are to pursue , to follow , and to endeavour after by all possible lawfull means . This is their livery , and the very mark whereby they are to be distinguish'd , even their peaceable Behaviour . This is the Salt which is to keep them sweet , as Christ calls it , Mark IX . 10. But you all know , how contrary to this character the generality of Men live , upon the least provocation they break the Peace , and all friendship is renounced ; especially where they have a Purse to maintain the dispute ; many a Man that was humble and peaceable before , when poor ; no sooner doth he find his Purse swell , but his Temper alters ; and now if his Neighbour doth displease him , though there be no malice in the case , presently he talks high , and big , and he cares as little for his Neighbour , as his Neighbour doth for him . This is the humour of the Age , and instead of repenting of their heats , and divisions , they justify their contentions , and oppose the reasons of flesh and blood , and the circumstances of their birth and quality , of their honour and grandeur , to the laws of that Saviour , by whose Blood they say , they are redeemed . Strange Christians these that will be so , in despight of Christ , though they have nothing of the character in them . And let us but consider what trifles they are Men quarrel about , and how frivolous the things for which they break forth into flame , and fury , and break the Peace which they should maintain and keep , things , which a Philosopher would put by with a smile , and a wise Man think below himself to take notice of . But what shall we say ? Till men come to stand in awe of the Gospel , more than of the laws of the Land , and the threatnings and punishments of the Magistrate , thus it will be , and when opportunity serves will be carried away with the stream of their passions , and sinfull inclinations ; and upon such I cannot hope to do any good , though the Arguments were never so convincing , or powerfull . But if there be any here , as I hope there are several , that look upon this peaceable , and peace-making Temper as their duty , are perswaded that they are in danger of God's displeasure , if they want this qualification , and are concern'd about it , and desire to be inform'd of the way and method they are to take , how to compass it ; to such I shall recommend these following Directions . 1. Be injurious to no man , wrong no man , defraud no man , oppress no man , speak evil of no man. This is the way to make peace , and to keep peace . It 's the wrong that men apprehend is done to them by another , that causes quarrels and dissensions . Remove the cause , and you remove the effect , a remedy prescribed by the Apostle , in order to a quiet and peaceable Life , Tit. III. 2. 2. Love to do good . This strangely obliges , and wins , and charms , and moves even our Enemies to be at peace with us , and makes People desirous to live in friendship with us , and not only so , but hereby we weaken our quarrelsome disposition , and become more tractable , and gentle , and heap coals of fire upon the heads of our Enemies , i. e. melt them by kindness into a better nature , Rom. XII . 20. 3. Watch against selfishness , and covetousness , for it's greediness after profit , and an over fondness of our temporal Interest , that puts us into heats , if we are crost in it . Moderation in our desires after these outward things composes the mind , quiets the passions , and keeps the blood from boiling over . The Apostle therefore very much insists upon this Vertue , 1 Tim. VI. and Phil. IV. 5. 4. Believe not every ill thing that is said of you , for we see daily how little credit is to be given to reports . A too easie belief of ill things said of us , is an instigation to break the peace , to harbour hatred , and secret grudges , and tempts to strangeness of behaviour , to revenge , to moroseness , and watching opportunities to be even with the supposed offendour ; charity believes the best , 1 Cor. XIII . 7. 5. Be not ashamed to confess your faults , when it 's evident you are in the wrong ; an obstinate defence of a fault , is apt to make Persons , who take notice of it , angry and furious , because it argues a very ill temper of mind ; whereas an ingenuous acknowledgment of our errours , reconciles and prevails with Persons of ingenuity to be friends with us , and that 's the reason why St. James is so earnest for it , James V. 16. 6. Bear with infirmities in others , with such particularly , which appear to be invincible . I do not say , bear with wilfull sins , and habits of vice and folly , but with failings and imperfections , which cannot well be remedied ; either when the understandings of your Neighbours are shallow , or not so quick as yours , or when their Wisdom and Sagacity doth not reach so far as yours , and this according to the Command of the Holy Ghost , Rom. XIV . 1. 7. For peace sake be content to recede sometimes from your own right : Where two parties are stiff , and neither will yield , or abate any thing of their demands , the quarrel must needs continue . But concessions and relinquishing part of our right prepares for peace , and so did the Father of the faithfull , to prevent dissensions betwixt him and Lot ; though upon the account of seniority , it belong'd to him to determine where he should pitch his Tent , yet he leaves it to Lot to chuse , which part of the Country he would go to , Gen. XIII . 8 , 9. 8. In order to promote peace in Families , David's method must be taken , Ps. CI. 6. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithfull of the Land. One great means to promote , and preserve the publick Peace of the Nation , is to do our own business , to be followers of that which is good , to do our own duty , and not to speak evil of dignities ; for it is written , Thou shalt not speak evil of the Rulers of thy People . Consider after all how your Interest is bound up with this peaceable , and peace-making Temper ; for as Christ says of a Kingdom divided against it self , that it cannot stand ; so if by quarrels , and clamours , and dissensions , you divide the Society you live in , you undermine your own ease and happiness . To this purpose Solomon , Prov. XVII . 1. Better is a dry morsel , and quietness therewith , than an house full of sacrifices with strife . Besides , by this you avoid innumerable sins , such as ill language , odious names , envy , hatred , malice , and revengefull sins , and desires , and engaging other Men in sin with you , and doing mischief to men , &c. But is not the Title in the Text , given to the peaceable , and peace-making Christian , enough to make you endeavour to attain to this Character ? What ? Children of God ? And do you feel no desire to be so ? Did you ever seriously examine the privileges which attend the Children of God , and are these no motives to you to come into the number ? Suppose the Children of God are not much regarded here , but is there not a time coming , when they shall be honoured before the whole World ? Is there not a life to come , which shall manifest their Dignity , and their Glory ? The Peace of Heaven shall fall to their share : Do not you reflect sometimes on that Peace , which the Children of the everlasting Kingdom shall enjoy ? Or is that Peace so inconsiderable , that it deserves no consideration ? What is the future felicity , but perfect Peace , everlasting Peace , uninterrupted Peace ? The peaceable Christian shall feel it , feed upon it , possess it , live upon it , peace with God , peace with the Prince of Peace , Christ Jesus , peace with all the Angels of God , peace with all the Spirits of Men made perfect . No war shall disturb it , no tumult discompose it , no sedition annoy it , no rebellion disfigure it . The God of Peace shall live in him , and he in the God of Peace ; God will tell him that he is his friend , and one with him , and that no Men , no Devils shall pluck him out of his hands . There Rivers of Peace shall flow upon him , Rivers where no Wind doth blow , no Storms do come , no Tempests rise , no Hurricanes molest . I conclude with St. Paul's Obtestation , Colos. III. 15. And let the Peace of God rule in your hearts , to the which also ye are called in one body : and be ye thankfull . Amen . FINIS .