A particular ddrefi to Thing Perfons. 263 fufion, and the danger of being confumed S E R M, one of another ; on the contrary, their mu- IX. tuai affectionate good offices contribute to "'P.-4 the common fafety, and yield them united fatisfation. No one who refledeth at all, can help feeing how necefhary this is to the happinefs of mankind, in their prefent in- digence. We could not live with any tole- rable degree of comfort feparately, much lefs in utter univerfal enmity. But the gra- cious common parent of mankind hath pre- vented them with focial affe &ions, whereby they are inclined to afiift each other for the advantage of all. It is therefore evident, that to promote peace as far as it is in our power, is, to obey the law of our nature, and to pur- fue the ends of our being ; the ends which our gracious Creator intended in the fituation wherein he bath placed us. And revealed religion urgeth this upon us as well as the dilates of our own reafon. Our Saviour pronounceth the peace - makers bleffed ; fir they are the children of God; they imitate his glorious benignity, and are intitled to his approbation, and to his paternal care ; the principle from which they ad is the heft and moil praife - worthy, it is charity, the love of mankind, and a hearty zeal for the public good. Let me obferve one thing for S4 the
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