the love of the
truth and godliness walking so, as we may insinuate into their hearts some
apprehension of the beauty of religion. Many conceive, if they do good,
all is well--if it be a duty, it matters nothing. But remember that
caution, "Let not then your good be evil spoken of," Rom. xiv. 16. We
would have our eyes upon that too, so to circumstantiate all our duties,
as they may have least offence in them, and be exposed to least obloquy of
men, 1 Pet. ii. 12. "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles,
that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may by your good
works which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

Then, _Thirdly_, Charity follows peace with all men, as much as is
possible, Heb. xii. 14. "If it be possible as much as lieth in you, live
peaceably with all men," Rom. xii. 18. Many spirits are framed for
contention. If peace follow them, they will flee from it. But a
Christian having made peace with God, the sweet fruit of that upon his
spirit is to dispose him to a peaceable and quiet condescendency to
others, and if peace flee from him, to follow after it, not only to
entertain it when it is offered, but to seek it when it is away, and to
pursue it when it runs away. (Psal. xxxiv. 14, which Peter urges upon
Christians, 1 Pet. iii. 8, 9, 10, 11.) "Finally, be ye all of one mind,
having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be
courteous. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but
contrariwise, blessing, knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye
should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days,
let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no
guile. Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue
it." I think, since we obtained the mercy to get a Peace maker between us
and God, we should henceforth count ourselves bound to be peace makers
among men. And truly such have a blessing pronounced upon them, Matt. v.
9. "Blessed are the peace makers." The Prince of peace pronounced it, and
this is the blessedness, "they shall be called the children of God,"
because he is "the God of peace," and to resemble him in these, first in
purity, then in peace, is a character of his image. It is true, peace will
sometimes flee so fast, and so far away, as a Christian cannot follow it
without sin, and that is breach of a higher peace. But charity, when it
cannot live in peace without,