May 1

"The Prince of Peace." — Isaiah 9:6.

RECONCILIATION to God is the great blessing proclaimed in the Gospel; this is effected by him whom we shall now consider in

HIS TITLE AS THE PRINCE OF PEACE. Let us advert to four things respecting him which accord with this name.

The disposition he manifests. It is that of peace. His severity was mingled with tenderness; as has been well observed, like the thunder-storm, which, having discharged its bolt at the earth, weeps itself, exhausts itself in a healing shower, which closes the rent it had made; so the pity of Jesus commiserates and pours itself forth over those whom in the same breath he had felt himself called on to rebuke. He who is "the lion of the tribe of Judah," to his enemies, is "the Lamb of God," to his friends. View him from the commencement to the termination of his course of humility, trial, provocation, and sufferings here, and does not every look, word, and act, justify the propriety of the title which distinguishes him as the Prince of Peace? The image of Christ's person is a Lamb; the emblem of his Spirit, a dove; and the character of his kingdom, peace and righteousness.

The work he performed. He came to make peace. Sin has caused war between heaven and earth, and set the creature and the Creator at variance. Peace could not be proclaimed on earth, till sin the cause of war was expiated.

The kingdom he established. It is founded in peace. The most striking images are employed to show the peaceful nature of the empire of grace. The Gospel is a system, which, when it is sincerely believed, and effectually applied to the soul, reconciles men to God and to one another.

The subjects he governs. They are the sons of peace, called into a state of peace, governed by peaceful laws, required to cultivate peaceful tempers, realizing peaceful enjoyments, and bound for a peaceful kingdom.

"Behold the Prince of Peace, The chosen of the Lord."