removed farther and farther from the living God, the word of promise was entrusted to the children of Israel only, partly veiled in allegories, symbols, and shadows, partly sent to them by the prophets, until the eternal 'Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth,' John i. 14. The word of the old covenant was fulfilled to the children of Israel by the sending of the Son of God; and when the new covenant was concluded by the sacrifice of himself, the word of reconciliation was extended to us also. This is the word which is now preached among us and which Cornelius longed to hear.

The Apostle clearly shows the meaning and object of this word, by the expression, preaching peace by Jesus Christ. Peace! What a beautiful word! It signifies the assembling together of all that is true, and good, and joyful. For this reason, Israel in ancient times, and in the present day their descendants, make use of the expression, Peace be unto you!' when they salute each other, or wish each other joy. But what is peace? Since sin and death have entered the world, and every where spread their direful dominion, so that no man escapes, peace has disappeared from the earth, and in its place disquietude has entered. In the circumstances of our first parents when they fell, we behold a picture of the restless and disquieted state of the whole human race. Instead of looking joyfully towards the God of love, who had created them in his own image, and now like a father drew near to them; -fear and terror, as for a consuming fire, overpowered them, and they sought to escape and to hide themselves

from his presence. Instead of the child-like innocence with which they formerly acknowledged and loved their Creator, living in blessed fellowship with him, they now experienced the condemnation of their own hearts; the original simplicity and harmony of their natures were destroyed, and discord arose between body and soul, so that they warred against each other. On looking back after their expulsion from Paradise, they beheld the cherubim, with the flaming sword, instead of their lost Eden ;—before them was death and decay; and a prophetic spirit could discern, in the midst of the plains covered with thorns and thistles, labor and toil, sickness and pain, groaning and suffering.

Internal disquietude cannot fail to show itself outwardly, hence arose discord and hatred to each other, selfishness, envy, hatred and malice. Abel's blood cried for vengeance against the restless and fugitive murderer of his brother.

What a melancholy picture! Alas! It is the condition of the sinful human race, the picture of earth, and of its histories. How can peace exist where sin, the progeny of darkness, has its dwelling, and where man, having broken his connection with God, the spring of all light and life, has changed his original nature, and is at variance both with his Creator and himself. When we look above us, to the eternal dwelling place of light, and then to our own insignificant existence, or observe the vain objects and pursuits, the sighs and longings of men, and then direct our gaze to the future-to death and the grave-judg

ment and eternity !—what terrible testimony have we that Adam has broken the covenant and lost the peace of God!

Happily for us, we both can and shall regain this peace for he, the God of peace, and the Father of all grace, has promised it to all, through Jesus Christ, whether they be Jews or Gentiles. The Old Testament contains the preliminaries and preparations for this bond of peace. Noah saw its sure testimony in the dove's olive branch, and afterwards, in the rainbow stretching peacefully amidst the clouds of heaven over the lately convulsed and deluged world. Abraham longed to see the day of the Lord, and did see it and rejoiced, and the salvation that was to come illuminated also the dying bed of the aged Israel. In what beautiful colors do the prophets paint the promised joyful future, particularly Isaiah, the Evangelist of the old covenant! In order to ratify this bond of peace, a mighty manifestation of grace, on the part of God, was necessary, which should so far surpass the ideas and comprehension of men, as heaven is higher than the earth; namely, the incarnation of the living God, the sending of the only Son of the Father. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself! He sent his Son that we might become his children, for so hath he loved the world! In speaking of this word of God, Peter writes,' Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you;' the angels also desired to look into those things; and when they appeared to the sons of Adam, they celebrated them with

their

song's of praise, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'

In what does this peace consist? The Apostle Paul answers this question very beautifully, when he says, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.' God is the author of the covenant of peace, the God that makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, on the just and on the unjust; and the mediator of this covenant is Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save sinners. It is as plain and obvious as the sun in the heavens, and shines upon us in the same manner without any agency on our part. As we enjoy light and warmth by means of the sun-beams which connect us with the luminous orb above; so we receive the grace and favor of our God and Savior by means of faith, the heart-felt and spiritual link between us and our Creator.

Through faith we enter into an entirely new relation with the world, with the law, and with God; and a godly life dawns in our souls, by the efficacy of the Holy Spirit. While we become more and more conscious of our innate depravity, we receive at the same time, the certainty of the forgiveness of our sins, the pledge and seal of our Divine inheritance, and the confident assurance that we are the children of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.' As this peace of God is far above our comprehension, and passeth all understanding, so it trans

cends all human language, is the root and spring of all happiness, for peace of conscience is indissolubly connected with it; our heart no longer condemns us, and we have the blessed assurance that whatsoever we ask from God, we shall obtain. We have perpetual access to his mercy-seat, and when, through our own weakness, guilt, or faithlessness, our spiritual alliance with him is disturbed, we have only to approach him with confidence, acknowledging our sin, to receive anew from him mercy and forgiveness. He is greater than our hearts, and if we sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins.' He only says to us, lovest thou me?' and is ready to unite us to himself more closely than ever, in the covenant that we have broken.

6

This peace includes peace with all men; for how could envy and hatred, anger and bitterness, dwell in a heart which knows how much has been given it, and how much has been pardoned? In reference to this our Lord says, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you,' Matt. v. 44. Stephen obeyed this injunction; when his enemies gnashing their teeth, ran upon him with one accord and stoned him, he said, 'Lord lay not this sin to their charge.' They could not disturb the heaven which was within him, for he who is in peace with God, is in peace with all his creatures.

We no longer enjoy the garden of Eden upon earth, we must remain pilgrims and strangers during our whole life, live in perpetual conflict, and pass our days