“Peace I Leave with You.” John 14:27.
By Jos. Clarke
It is a characteristic of the Christian religion, that it brings peace, an intelligent, well-grounded peace. It is not the result of self-deception; nor is it caused by blindness of mind, or hardness of heart; but it is the natural condition of a mind which has ceased to make war with its Maker. It has formed an alliance with Jehovah; and angels who never sinned, whisper to him of Heaven. All that exists around him in nature is the creation of God. He seems to see God in all. As the forests wave in obedience to the gentle winds, so do his affections move in obedience to the influences of the Spirit of God. To the wicked there is no peace. His mind is tortured by gloomy forebodings, and present pain. The beauties of nature only seem to remind him of the Eden lost; and fleeting joys leave a sting because pursued with selfish motives. Never for a moment is he wholly at peace, except when forgetful of his responsibility to God. Released from such a state of mind, the converted man feels a joy he never before dreamed of, or realized; And often his joy on this account is very great; so much so as to cause, in those who are strangers to God, wonder and surprise. But if they would but stop a moment, to consider the greatness of the step taken when one leaves the dominion of Satan and treads upon holy ground, they would cease to wonder. It is truly a wonderful peace; a peace passing the comprehension of the man of the world; a peace of heavenly origin. It is a peace never known before, and only known by those upon whom it is conferred.