_and an oath for confirmation is to them the end of all strife_. 11. But the great lesson which our blessed Lord inculcates here, and which he illustrates by this example, is, that God is in all things, and that we are to see the Creator in the glass of every creature; that we should use and look upon nothing as separate from God, which indeed is a kind of practical atheism; but with a true magnificence of thought, survey heaven and earth and all that is therein, as contained by God in the hollow of his hand, who by his intimate presence holds them all in being, who pervades and actuates the whole created frame, and is, in a true sense, the soul of the universe. II. 1. Thus far our Lord has been more directly employed, in teaching the religion of the heart. He has shewn, what Christians are to be. He proceeds to shew, what they are to do also: how inward holiness is to exert itself, in our outward conversation. _Blessed_, saith he, _are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of_ God. 2. _The peace-makers_: The word in the original is οἱ εἰρηνοποιοί· It is well known that εἰρήνη in the sacred writings, implies all manner of good; every blessing that relates either to the soul or the body, to time or eternity. Accordingly when St. _Paul_ in the titles of his epistles, wishes _grace and peace_ to the _Romans_ or the _Corinthians_, it is as if he had said, “As a fruit of the free, undeserved love and favour of God, may you enjoy all blessings, spiritual and temporal, all the good things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 3. Hence we may easily learn, in how wide a sense, the term, _peace-makers_ is to be understood. In its literal meaning it implies, those lovers of God and man, who utterly detest and abhor all strife and debate, all variance and contention: and accordingly labour with all their might, either to prevent this fire of hell from being kindled, or when it is kindled, from breaking out, or when it is broke out, from spreading any farther. They endeavour to calm the stormy spirits of men, to quiet their turbulent passions, to soften the minds of contending parties, and, if possible, reconcile them to each other. They use all innocent arts, and employ all their strength, all the talents which God has given them, as well to preserve peace, where it is, as to restore it, where it is not. It is the joy of their heart, to promote, to confirm, to increase mutual good-will among men: but more especially among the children of God, however distinguished by things of smaller importance; that as they have all _one_ Lord, _one faith_; as they _are_ all _called in one hope of their calling_, so they may all _walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called: with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace_.