SEPTEMBER 4
" Peace I leave with you." John 14:2 7.
WE know whose words these are. And who was ever so qualified and authorized to speak of peace as he? He is called the Prince of peace. His ministers are the messengers of peace. His word is the gospel of peace. His way is the path of peace. An angel announced peace at his birth ; and he himself bequeathed peace at his death "Peace I leave with you."
For we may consider the words, so to speak, as a part of his last will and testament. Lands, and houses, and goods, and silver, and gold, he had none to leave. But such as he had he disposed of in the form and manner following; that is to say, his soul to God : " Father, into thy hand I commit my spirit." His body to the envy and malice of his enemies, to be buffeted and scoured and crucified. His wearing-apparel to the soldiers, who divided his garments among them, and for his vesture cast lots. His widowed mother to the care of John, who from that hour took her unto his own home. But what had his disciples all this time? Has he forgotten them? No; "Peace I leave with you."
But wliy does he bestow it upon them in a way of legacy? First. to make it the dearer. They would thus prize this boon. It was the remembrance of their dying Lord and Saviour. Any thing left us by a dying friend, if it be only a book or a ring, is esteemed and valued. Secondly, to render it the surer. If it be but a man's testament, yet if it be confirmed, no man can disannul it. But here every thing concurs to establish confidence. The will is written, witnessed, and scaled. And the testator dies ; for a testament is of no force while the testator liveth. And the executor is true and honest, and will see all punctually fulfilled ; this is the Holy Ghost, which is to glorify him by taking of his and showing it unto them.
This bestowment was much more than they deserved. They had always been dull scholars, and sadly repaid the labors he had expended upon them. They had been very defective servants, and only a few hours before had been disputing among themselves which of them should be the greatest. And now, as his sufferings drew near, instead of showing themselves his sympathizing friends, they were all going to forsake him and flee ; yet "loving his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end."
" Happy disciples, to be thus remembered, Honored, and enriched!" you are ready to exclaim. "How we envy you!" But these words were not to be confined to them. They were personally to enjoy the privilege, and they were immediately addressed ; but in receiving this assurance, they stood as the representatives of all his people to the end of time. And you, even you, if you love and follow him, are as much included in the bequeathment as if you were mentioned by name. Witness his following intercession : "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word, that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us : that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one."
RETURN TO
REV. WILLIAM JAY'S MORNING EXERCISES
