380 The Bl f do fs of the Peace- makers. S ER M. Fir/i, The charaéer, importing the necef- X V. fary condition or qualification for blef fednefs, the peace - maker. And, Secondly, I 'hall confider the high appel- lation given to the peace-makers, denot- ing both the dignity and happinefs of their Rate, they 'hall be called the chil- dren of God. Firfi, To explain the chara&er of peace- makers, importing that it is a neceffary con- dition and qualification for bleffednefs. Peace, in the Bile of the fcripture, fignifieth a very comprehenfive blef ing from God, even all manner of happinefs. Thus in the falutati- on which our Saviour direfed his apoffles to ufe in the execution of their office, that is, preaching the gofpel, when they went into any houfe, peace be to it, which were the very terms of the ancient Hebrew form; in this falutation, I fay, was contained every thing neceffary to the felicity of men, ac- knowledged to come down from the Father of lights, the author of all perfeé gifts, and fought from his goodnefs. But in a more reftrained and proper fenfe, peace fignifieth the concord of men among themfelves, when free from ftrife and confufion, and the dan- ger of being confumed one of another, on the contrary, their mutual affe tionate good offices,
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