leave the world, he said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:” and then gave himself a sacrifice, that he might effect our reconciliation with God. Having risen from the dead, he ascended his throne on high, and sent his proclamation, “the gospel of peace,” through the world. His heralds have spread the joyful news, and it is our privilege to welcome them with the exclamation, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace: that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, thy God reigneth.” Through all the clangor of arms and uproar of battle, this proclamation of peace sounds in our ears. Why, then is it that the war still rages, and that men still imbrue their hands in each other's blood?
Heaven, where God has fixed his throne, is a realm of peace and love; and the great Sovereign has formed the gracious design of extending his peaceful reign over this wretched world which we inhabit: but men oppose this gracious design. In heaven God is the centre of all attraction and the source from which all derive bliss; but on earth men make themselves their own centre, and selfishly gather to themselves all the enjoyments which they can grasp. In this selfishness the wars originate in which men oppose and destroy one another. Were men's hearts right towards God wars would cease, and the peace and bliss of heaven would come down to dwell on earth; and God would reign unopposed below, as he does in his high and holy place. Because men oppose God's gracious design to extend the empire of peace and love, he permits their evil passions to manifest their malignity, in bloody wars and cruel oppressions. That men are at war with one another is terrible; but that they are at war with God is more terrible. Because they fight against him, he leaves them to fight against one another, that they may see the evil of their ways, and turn away from their wickedness. Let us, then, even amidst the roar of cannon and tumult of battle, listen to God's proclamation of peace; and if men will not put an end to the cruel war which they wage against us, let us take hold of God's covenant, and be at peace with him. His peace the
