Thomas Manton · 41 of 60
A Practical Commentary, or an Exposition with Notes on the Epistle of James. · Chapter III. · Part 7
Obs. 4. From that them that make peace. That true lovers of peace are and must be also lovers of . Peace without righteousness is but a sordid compliance; righteousness without peace is but a rough austerity. They are not true friends to peace that can enhaunt with wicked men, digest violations of God's law, truth, and worship, because ease is good, and go on with a sleepy and careless silence; can violate truth, debase it; stupidly bear with errors without witnessing against them. These, whilst they seek to knit with men, they disjoin themselves from God; and whilst they would make up a strife with others, they make a greater between God and their own souls. So, on the other side, they are not true friends to righteousness that have no care of making peace. Hypocrites carry on all things with a blind and brawling violence. It is true God's children cannot choose but speak warmly; but I intend those that care not what ruptures they make, how they disadvantage the cause of religion, so as they may discharge or disgorge their rage and passion: John xiii. 35, `By this shall ye know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another., As to men, that is the badge or note; sons of God are not usually sons of the coal. Oh! that we could learn this holy art of coupling righteousness with peace, that we could reprove with faithfulness, and yet bear with ; that we might not do the office of an executioner, but a chirurgeon. Be zealous, and yet with temperateness and moderation. But of this before.
Obs. 5. That a righteous peaceableness is blessed with here, and glory hereafter. This verse is a promise, as well as a direction. This is our comfort against all the difficulties and inconveniences that holy and peaceable endeavours meet with in the world; your reward is with God, you have a pledge of it in your own souls; while strifes lessen grace in others, you grow and thrive and; you shall reap in glory.
