Who the peacemakers are
From this we may easily learn in how wide a sense the term peacemakers is to be understood. In its literal meaning it means those lovers of God and man who utterly detest and abhor all strife and debate, all variance and contention, and accordingly work 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 has broken out, from spreading any further. They try to calm the stormy spirits of people, to quiet their turbulent passions, to soften the minds of contending parties, and if possible to reconcile them to each other. They use every innocent means, and employ all their strength, all the talents God has given them, both to preserve peace where it is and to restore it where it is not. It is the joy of their heart to promote, to confirm, to increase mutual good will among people, but more especially among the children of God, however distinguished by things of smaller importance, so that, as they have all one Lord, one faith, as they are all called in one hope of their calling, they may all walk worthy of the calling with which they are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).
But in the full extent of the word, a peacemaker is one who, as he has opportunity, does good to all people (Galatians 6:10), one who, being filled with the love of God and of all mankind, cannot confine the expressions of it to his own family, or friends, or acquaintances, or party, or to those of his own opinions, no, nor to those who share the same precious faith, but steps over all these narrow bounds so that he may do good to every person, so that he may in some way show his love to neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies. He does good to them all as he has opportunity, that is, on every possible occasion, redeeming the time for that purpose, buying up every opportunity, improving every hour, losing no moment in which he may benefit another. He does good not of one particular kind, but good in general, in every possible way, using in this all his talents of every kind, all his powers and faculties of body and soul, all his fortune, his influence, his reputation, desiring only that when his Lord comes he may say, Well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21).
1771 text
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.
4. But in the full extent of the word, a peace-maker is one, that as he hath opportunity, doth good unto all men: one that being filled with the love of God and of all mankind, cannot confine the expressions of it to his own family, or friends, or acquaintance, or party: or to those of his own opinions; no, nor those who are partakers of like precious faith: but steps over all these narrow bounds, that he may do good to every man: that he may some way or other manifest his love to neighbours and strangers, friends and enemies. He doth good to them all, as he hath opportunity, that is on every possible occasion; redeeming the time, in order thereto, buying up every opportunity, improving every hour, losing no moment wherein he may profit another. He does good, not of one particular kind, but good in general: in every possible way, employing herein all his talents of every kind; all his powers and faculties of body and soul; all his fortune, his interest, his reputation; desiring only, that when his Lord cometh he may say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 23 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:8-12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.