unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 1 Tim. iv. 8.

IMPROVEMENT.

1. If not heirs of the promise, what are we? Heirs of the curse-of that curse which cuts off on every side, and will one day enter into our bowels like water, and like oil into our bones. Heirs of wrath-of that wrath which is inconceivable, both in its nature and effects; under which no one can support himself, and before it no one can stand. Promises or threatenings, salvation or destruction, must be our inevitable portion. There is no neutrality, no middle state; believe and be saved, or believe not and perish.

2. If heirs of the promises, we are interested in all the blessings contained in them, relating both to this world and that which is to come. If the promises are ours, all things are ours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the word, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are ours, and we are Christ's, and Christ is God's. To be heirs of such promises, is more than being heirs to a crown. The promises are God's bonds, and bonds are as good as ready money.

3. If heirs of the promises, we are heirs of God; all that he is and has, that is communicable, is made over to us in a way of covenanted mercy. Hence the triumph of the prophet, in the absence of all created good; and that of the psalmist, in preferring this good to every other. Whom have I in heaven but thee; and there is none on earth that I desire besides thee. Psal. lxxiii. 26. Hab. iii. 16.

4. Being heirs of God, we are also joint heirs with Christ Jesus, to whom the birth-right blessing properly belongs. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hands; he hath appointed him his heir, and made him head over all things to the church. But being united to him by faith, we become interested

in all that he possesses, and he divides the portion among his brethren. He is the first-begotten from the dead, and hath in all things the pre-eminence; but those who believe are admitted to participate his fulness, and to be with him where he is, to behold his glory. They possess the same blessings, though not on the same ground, nor in an equal degree; all he has is given in reward of his obedience, and all we have is merely for his sake, and in virtue of our union with him. The faithful servant shall enter into the joy of his Lord, and share with him the fruit of all his labour. "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my Father honour." John xii. 26.

Some humble christians there are who doubt their interest in the promises, though God hath made them heirs; while others who have no such claim, are ofteħ forward in preferring it. This should lead to self-examination, and a close attention to the holy scriptures. There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. Let not this matter therefore go unconsidered, or remain undecided. Dreadful is his condition, who has no interest in the promises: what has he to support him in poverty, in sickness, and in death? But whatever be the circumstances attending the heirs of promise, however poor in this world, or persecuted and despised, they can rejoice and say with David, The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. Psal. xvi. 6.

SERMON XVII.

HEBREWS xii. 14.

Follow peace with all men.

THE word peace is used very comprehensively in scripture, denoting all manner of happiness. It is more especially used in reference to our reconciliation with God, which is the only foundation of true and solid peace; and being procured by the blood of Christ, he is said to be our Peace, who hath made both one. And being justified by faith, which applies the atoning blood, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.-The term peace also denotes that reconciliation with our own consciences, which is the effect of reconciliation with God. The work of righteousness is peace, and assurance for ever. A man's own conscience is either his best friend, or his worst enemy. As concience smiles or frowns, approves or condemns him, he feels beforehand the torments of hell, or the joys of heaven. This is our rejoicing, even the testimony of our conscience, is the language of such as walk humbly and closely with God. Under the heaviest burdens, such are supported; amidst the greatest sorrows, they may rejoice.

The peace to which we are exhorted, relates to our fellow creatures, and the unity and concord which we are to preserve with them. Some are at variance with all mankind; their hand is against every man, and every man's hand against them. Hateful and hating one another, is the general character of the ungodly. But

things; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.

3. We must endeavour to exercise those graces which have a pacific and uniting. tendency. Of this description are humility, meekness, and love. If in lowliness of mind we learn to esteem others better than ourselves, we shall find but little occasion for strife and contention; and if with meekness and patience we can bear with one another, not avenging ourselves, not returning evil for evil, but forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us; we should soon find that peace would be preserved in our borders, and harmony and love universally prevail. There are some who know not how to deny themselves in any instance, but who are always insisting on what they call their rights, and the attention that is due to them; and if we would follow after peace, we must exercise self-denial on their behalf, and be willing rather to yield our claims and our interests, than to assert and defend them on every occasion. Of the exercise of such virtues it may be said, as Tertullus did of the actions of Felix, By them we enjoy much quietness.

4. As the desire of peace should excite to the exer cise of grace, so also to the faithful discharge of duty. We should do unto others, as we would have others in like circumstances do unto us. This is the golden rule; and a proper attention to it would be productive of the most desirable effects. We should not only, with the apostle, avoid all just occasion of offence, to Jews or Gentiles, or to the church of God; but in our station and calling in life, render ourselves as useful as possible, that, like Mordecai, we may seek the wealth of our people, and speak peace to all our seed. It becomes us to be courteous and condescending in our deportment, neither envious of those in superior circumstances, nor haughty towards others whom providence has placed beneath us. Let us also forget ill services, and requite good ones. Above all, let us mark those who

would sow the seeds of strife and discord, and avoid them, as we would a rock or quicksand, or a house infected with the plague.

5. Let us remember that a mild and peaceable dis-position is one of the greatest ornaments to the Christian character. In this we shall resemble the ever blessed God, who is emphatically stiled the God of peace. Jesus is also called the Prince of peace, and his gospel is the gospel of peace; his followers therefore ought to be men of peace, as it is in this way only they can exemplify the spirit which he possessed, and which he inculcates. Jerusalem, which was compacted together, was the glory of all the earth. It was likewise the honour of primitive believers, that they were of one heart and of one soul; and it is the peculiar felicity of the heavenly world, that no strife or contention, no envyings or confusion, can enter there. Love is the most gratifying of all the passions; peace as well as pleasure is the natural result; and where that is, safety and contentment dwell. If we bite and devour one another, we may expect to be consumed one of another. But if we live in love and peace, the God of love and peace will be with us; and, after a few more rising and setting suns, we may hope to be with him for ever. But we proceed to consider,

II. The extent of the duty: "Follow peace with all men."

Not merely are we to cultivate this disposition with a few, who may be of an amiable temper, but with all men, so far as our intercourse or our influence may extend. The greatest churls, the vilest sinners are not excepted. If they injure us, we must not injure them. If they do not seek peace with us, or if they even prove averse to it, we must nevertheless seek peace and pursue it.

1. We must follow after peace with men of all