MINIMPT- 3 84 The Blevednefs of the Peace - makers. S E R M. virtuous affection may be juftly reckoned a. XIV. mong the beft enjoyments in life, and a great fecurity to every one's particular inte- refl. When mankind encreafed to that de- gree, which they did in a very little time, that they muff divide into feparate families, the fame reafons in proportion obliged them to enter into larger affociations, and to form civil governments, to the fupport of which every feveral houle and every fingle perfon were to contribute according to their ability, as in return they were to have the benefit of protection in the peaceable enjoyment of their private rights. The bleßïngs of peace in thefe focieties need not be defcribed ; every one fenfibly feeleth the happinefs which arifeth from an eafy and quiet Rate of things, when the proper offices of rulers and fubjects are interchangeably performed with impartial juftice and fidelity, when a nation is free from oppreffion, and from rebellion, tumult and fedition, when every man fitteth fafely under his vine, and his fig -tree, and there is none to make him afraid, as the prophet fpeaketh, that is, every one hath the com- fortable ufe of his property, and poffeffes undifturbed the fruit of his own labour. Again, as the earth is now filled with inha- bitants, too numerous to be under one civil government,
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