DISCOURSE II. DELIVERED AT OXFORD, SEPTEMBER 13, 1798, AT THE CONSE CRATION OF THE OLIVE BRANCH LODGE. LUKE II. 14. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE AND GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN.” THE Angelic hofts, bringing “good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people," defcended to earth from their spheres of celeftial glory to announce the arrival of the long expected Meffiah; "the defire of all nations." They came as the retinue of the Heavenly Prince, to honor his miffion, and congratulate mankind on his advent. Tranfported with the happy profpects which were now opening to the view of the world, they pronounced "peace on earth and good will towards men," to be the defign and legitimate fruits of this new difpenfation. The words of our text form the choral song with which they celebrated an event so glorious to God, so aufpicious to man; exprefs the matter, as well as ground and reason of their acclamations of joy; and fupply a fit topic of discourse before an inftitution which breathes the fame fentiment, and co-operates with the fame plans of benevolence and peace. In commenting upon them, we shall confider how they are indicative of the defign and effect of the Chriftian Religion; and then apply them to the purposes of the prefent affembling, by fhewing how expreffive they are of the pacific and benevolent difpofition of Free Mafonry. LET us, firft, examine the peaceful genius and tendency of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION. THE many prophecies, in the Old Teftament, which relate to the Meffiah, and intimate the design and foretel the effect of his miffion, uniformly speak of him as coming to reftore peace on earth, and to promote the best temporal and spiritual interefts of mankind. They give him the title of "the Prince of peace."*. They declare, that " of the increase of his government and peace • Ifaiah ix. 6. there fhall be no end."* They describe the genius and aufpicious influence of that dominion which he will exercise, (after the oriental manner) by a beautiful affemblage of exquifite and expreffive imagery; comparing its effects in reconciling the most hoftile, and reforming and taming the most favage difpofitions, to a foftening of brutal natures; to "the wolf and the leopard, no. longer fierce, lying down with the lamb and the kid; the calf and the young lion led in the fame peaceful band, and that by a little child; the heifer and the fhe bear feeding together, and lodging their young, of whom they used to be so jealous, in the fame place; and all the ferpent kind becoming fo harmless that the fucking child may fafely put his hand on the bafilifk's den, and play on the hole of the afpic." Finally, it was promifed that the Meffiah fhould come to publish peace, and to establish with mankind " the covenant of peace."|| * Ifai. ix. 7. ↑ Ifai. xi. 6—9. "The Greek and Latin Poets have painted their Golden Age in very beautiful colors, but the exquifite imagery of Isaiah stands unequalled and inimitable." SMITH'S Summary View of the Prophets, page 39- Ifai. lii. 7. Nahum i. 15. by exciting every virtue, and cherishing every difpofition conducive to the mutual interefts, and conciliatory of the mutual regards of mankind. ONE great object of christianity is to open the heart, improve the focial affections, and render man benevolently difpofed towards all his fellow beings; to promote the most friendly intercourfe and kind offices; to establish human fociety in peace and good order; and to contribute to the fecurity, comfort, and true enjoyment of this life, as well as to lead men to eternal happiness and glory beyond the grave. The fyftem itself is univerfal benevolence and philanthropy. Its pacific nature and amicable tendency will clearly appear, if we examine its general ftructure, or confider the spirit of its laws. It recommends an affectionate temper and demeanor, repreffes ill will and injuries of every kind and degree, and forbids every act by which the peace or enjoyment of our neighbor may be interrupted. "Follow peace with all men ;"*" if it be poffible, as much as lieth in you live peaceably with all *Heb. xii. 14. men ;* “ have peace one with another;† ftudy the things which make for peace;" are familiar and frequent injunctions, are leffons which perpetually recur in the writings of the New Testament. By enjoining it upon us to do unto others as we would they should do unto us, it regulates the practice of all the known focial duties; prescribes the proportion and ascertains the measure of juftice, mercy, or benevolence which we ought to mete out to others upon all occafions, and makes even the principle of self-love the most effectual means of pointing out and prompting us to acts of honefty, humanity, and juftice. By bidding us love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who despitefully use us, and pray for those who perfecute us, it reftrains the resentful paffions, prevents retaliation and revenge, and leads to reconciliation and peace. So that in this religion there is nothing hoftile to the peace of fociety, or the happinefs of mankind : But, on the contrary, all its • Rom. xii. 18. † Mark ix. 50. Rom. xiv. 19. |