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SERMON I.

LUKE ii. 14.

On earth, peace; good will towards men.

JESUS CHRIST is the Prince of peace, the light of the world, the Saviour of man. Other benefactors have been useful. They have civilized savage tribes; they have extended science and commerce, and established empires. They have founded churches, banished idols from their temples, and extinguished the fire on the altars of human sacrifice. But these benevolent efforts are limited, partial, and transient in their effects. While one side of the globe enjoys the sunshine of science and civilization, the other may be wrapped in darkness and barbarism. Where are the empires, which once promised to be as lasting as their mountains?

The pacific reign of Jesus Christ will be as extensive, as the world, and continue as long, as the sun and moon shall endure. Long ages before the advent of the Messiah, patriarchs rejoiced in his day. Prophets and poets foretold, that the iron age of crimes and

tears was passing away, that the golden era was advancing, when peace would descend from heaven, the lion sport with the lamb, and the child play with the serpent.

Sages admonished their disciples, to wait the coming of a superiour teacher. Historians announced his expected approach. Angels came down from the throne of God, with the news of his birth. The shepherds heard the music of their song, "Peace on earth, and good will towards men."

Doctrine; It is the design of God, by the gospel of Christ, to establish lasting peace through the world.

I. I presume, that God determines to establish universal peace, because he has promised, that the holiness of the gospel shall be universal.

"All flesh shall come and worship before me, saith the Lord." "The Lord shall be king over all the earth." "Upon the bells of the horses shall be holiness to the Lord." Such extensive piety has not been known. This improvement of mankind will be effected by the gospel. "Grace and truth come by Jesus Christ," and "in him shall all the families be blest." The gospel is a system of morals and religion, designed to render men moral and religious. But war annuls the precepts of religion, repeals the statutes of morality, confounds right and wrong. While war prevails, the gospel cannot have its full effect. The gospel requires men to do good. business of war is mischief and damage.

requires men to forgive their enemies.

The very

The gospel
Revenge is

often the chief design of war. The gospel commands men to feed the poor and comfort the afflicted. The

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