The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-02-19
THE LEGACY.

When Christ was about to leave the
world, He made His will His soul He
committed to His Father, His body He
bequeathed to Joseph, to be decently
inferred, His clothes fell to the soldiers,
His mother He left to the care of John;
but what should He leave His poor
disciples, that had left all for Him ?
Silver and gold He had none; but He
left them that which was infinitely bet
ter, His peace Il leave you, but |
leave My peace with you; l not only
give you title to it, but put you in
possession of it." He did not part in
anger, but in love; for this was His
farewell, Peace | leave with you," as
dying father leaves portions to his
children and this is worthy portion.
Observe, L. The legacy that is here be-
queathed; Peace, My peace" Peace
is put for all good; and Christ has left
US all the needful good, all that is really
and truly good, all the promised, pur-
chased good. Peace is put for recon-
Citation and love; thepeace bequeathed
is peace with God, peace one with
another peace in our own bosoms seems
to be especially meant tranquility Of
mind arising from sense of our iusti-
fcation before God 1t is the counter
part of our pardons, and the composure
of our minds. This Christ calls His
peace, for He is Himself our Peace,
Eph. ii. a. 1t is the peace He pur-
chased for us, and preached to us, and
on which the angels congratulated man
at His birth, Luke ii. a. 9 To whom
this legacy is bequeathed: "To you"
My disciples and followers, that will be
exposed to trouble, and have need of
peace; to you, that are the sons Of
peace, and are qualified to receive it.
This legacy was left to them as the
representatives of the Church to them
and their successors to them and all
true Christians in all ages. 3. In what
manner is it left Not as the world
giveth, give l unto you," That is, l. II
do not compliment you with, Peace be
unto you no, it is not mere formality,
but real blessing" 9 "The peace |
give is of such nature, that the smiles
of the world cannot give it, nor the
frowns of the world take it away
Or. 1.-THE gifts l give to you are not
such as this world gives to its children
and votaries, that it is kind to-" The
worlds gifts concern only the body and
time; Christ's gifts enrich the soul for
eternity; the world gives lying vanities,
and that which will cheat US; Christ
gives substantial blessings, which will
never fail U.s. The world gives and takes;
Christ gives a good part that shall
never be taken away. 4. The peace
which Christ gives is infinitely more
valuable than that which the world
gives. The worlds peace begins in
ignorance, consists with sin, and ends
in endless troubles. Chrst's peace be-
gins in grace, consists with no allowed
sin, and ends at last in everlasting
peace. AS is the difference between a
killing lethargy, and a reviving, refresh
ing sleep, such is the difference between
Christ's peace and the worlds
What use they should make of it &:
Let not your heart be troubled" for
any evils past or present, neither let
it be afraid "of any evil to come. They
that are interested in the covenant of
grace, and entitled to the peace which
Christ gives, ought not to yield to over
whelming griefs or fear. This comes
in here as the conclusion of the whole
matter; He has said, Let not your
heart be troubled" and He repeats it,
as that which He had given sufficient
reason for
MdttheD Hnry.