The Christian Legacy, Peace, in Life, Death, and Eternity, 15 Discourses

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836 edition. Excerpt: ... be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Cor. xiii. 11.) Before any Christian family or society can expect to exhibit this character, and enjoy its blessedness, its individual members must be at peace with God and with themselves. Then the general peace of the church will be ensured. When the grace of God has subdued our passions and composed our fears, the elements of discord are neutralized, and though naturally of opposite dispositions, we can walk and converse, labour and rest together, in the harmony of love. Henceforth, instead of regarding any contrariety in each other's sentiments or feelings, as the signal for hostility, we shall consider how we may coalesce, and render the very diversity of our views conducive to our mutual advantage. And in proportion to our individual efforts to preserve this unanimity with Christian brethren, we shall realize the fulfilment of the blessing promised to the church of God. He maketh peace in thy borders, andfilleth theewith the finest of the wheat. (Ps. cxlvii. 14.) Were the church thus at peace within herself, she would have nothing to fear from the violence of "them that are without." The enemies of righteousness will always be enemies to peace. Those who are themselves disobedient to God, will ever be hostile to His servants, and endeavour to destroy their unity and love. Men who aspire only to earthly power, distinction, and prosperity, invariably aim at the destruction of the church when opposed to the object of their ambition. But if we were bound together as one man by the bond of peace, if united in the exercise of steadfast confidence in the Lord, and in mutual peace and love, nothing could by any means harm ourselves, or the church that we compose....