394 The BleJednefs of the Peace - makers. S E R M. focieties called churches, the former of our XIV. fpirits within us bath endued us with pub- lick as well as private affections. The pro- per object of benevolence is every individual of mankind ; but the idea of a fyftem is a very natural one, and collective bodies of men are the objects of a praife worthy affec- tion. Now, peace properly belongeth to them (though every fingle member feeleth the benefit of it) for it is the amiable refult of mutual good -will common to all. A hearty difpofition to ferve the feveral civil publicks of which they were members, hath been always thought a moft commendable quality in men, celebrated by the name of patriotifm: But our Lord Jefus Chrift bath fixed the neareft and moft endearing rela- tion that can be between his followers, mak- ing them children of the fame family, and members of the fame body, whence arifeth the ítricteft obligation to ferve the the in te- reft of the whole, and to promote its peace. The allufion to the natural body and its members, as reprefenting the intimate union of chriftians, and the part which every one ought to act voluntarily and of choice for the fafety and peace of the whole, and all their fellow chriftians; like the functions which the members of the natural body perform for the
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