difappointed, by the folicitation, the variety, and the emptiness of its objects.

But it will be faid, that fame and glory, fure, if nothing elfe, will amply afford this peace. And, indeed, if any worldly Charmi

could footh and lull the foul into this sweet Elyfium, it must be the fense of this high prerogative of humanity. And it will be owned, that as the other advantages tend to contract and narrow the mind, fo Glory as naturally dilates and enlarges it; and, by that means, prepares and fits it for the reception of this foft felicity: For all perturbations arife from the uneafy narrowing the mind by felfifioness.

Yet if we confider how worldly fame and glory are commonly acquired, we shall find, that there are fome circumftances attending it, which muft for ever keep peace a Stranger, or at least a very precarious Guest.

Eloquence, Civil Policy, and Military Honours, are the three great entrances to Glory. Yet how oft is the one employed in defence of falfhood and wrong; the other in the arts of circumvention; and the third amidst the horrors of unjust conqueft? But thefe

matters

matters are beft left to every man's particular meditation.

On the whole, we see what a delufion it is, which the world prefents unto us, when it pretends to give us that greatest blefling here below, inward peace.

But as empty, and as trifling as the prefent is, even under its best form, it becomes still more worthlefs by the caprice and injuftice of the Giver.

For thefe advantages, by which peace is fuppofed to be obtained, the world distributes with fuch injustice, with fo little regard to true merit, that we generally find them fhared (indeed not equally) by the worthiefs and by the deferving. Nor is there lefs caprice and inconftancy in the continuance of the world's favours: which, as it often gives without defert, as often refumes and takes away without caufe. So that, even though peace of mind were indeed dependant on its fmiles, the poffeffion of this peace would be the most precarious of all things.

The Sages of Antiquity, who made the moft diligent enquiry after this peace, were Cc 4 forced

forced at laft to confefs this fupreme bleffing of humanity was not to be found without the aid of fome Celestial Guide.

At that juncture, when the Guide was feen to be moft wanted, he was fent by our Almighty Father, with all the heavenly attributes of Grace and Peace; who, having compleated his ordained Miniftry, to prepare his followers for the reception of this gift, and to direct them how to preferve and improve it, when it was bestowed, left them with the divine farewell of my text: Peace I leave with you: my Peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

This peace confifts in a full and pleafing consciousness of pardon and reftoration to God's favour, through the blood of his Son, on our fincere repentance.

The immediate Giver of this Peace is the Holy Spirit. Hence, in reference to the myfterious conveyance, and the fupernatural fruits of the Gift, it is called a peace that paffeth all underflanding. That is, fuch a peace as humanity is not able to procure for itself; or to preferve when procured, without the affifting grace of God's Holy Spirit.

And

And now we may be able to fee the immenfe difference there is between this peace, and that which the world pretends to give, both in its nature and duration.

The Paffions and Appetites are the deadly bane to all tranquillity of mind: and these, this peace totally fubdues, by fubmitting our will to the will of God. In the mean time, our full affurance of favour with him our fupreme good, fills up the great void of the mind; which now enjoys, and is greatly affected with nothing but its own conscious content, tranquillity, and joy.

Again, this folid bleffing is given, not as the world pretends to give its wretched Counterfeits; that is, capriciously, unjustly, or precariously.

As this Peace dwells only in the mind purified by the love of God and Man, and hatred of iniquity; fo, while the mind con_ tinues in that ftate, its peace is as lafting and folid as the foundations of the earth.

And whatever cafual pollution the good man may contract by prefumption, negligence, or commerce with an evil World, which may abate or diforder inward-peace;

For

For this, the Gracious Giver has contrived an inftant and efficacious remedy, fincere repentance: by which all the breaches in our peace are repaired, and the heavenly tranquillity of mind restored to its full vigour, through the mediation of our blessed Lord and Redeemer ;-to whom, with the Father and Holy Spirit, be all glory for

evermore.

Iniquity