Observe, 1. With what great confidence and good assurance St. Paul here recommended his own practice and example to his people's imitation: all those things which he had by his doctrine and life commended to them, were to be carefully observed and imitated by them. It is. blessed thing, when. people's eyes are taught by their minister's holiness of life, and their ears by the soundness of his doctrine.

Our people have eyes to see how we walk, as well as ears to hear what we preach; therefore it is. minister's great duty, by strictness and gravity of deportment, to maintain his esteem in the consciences of his people, yet always tempering gravity with. condescending affability. That minister only can go off the stage with honor and comfort, who has left behind him the good seed of sound doctrine, and the good savour of an holy example; that can say with our apostle, The things which you have both heard and seen in me, do.

Observe, 2. The promise annexed to the foregoing precept, These things do, and the God of peace shall be with you.

Where note, 1. Who will be with us: the God of peace: now he that is the God of peace, is the God of power; he that is the God of peace, is the God of patience, who, though he can punish, yet he will pardon the infirmities of his people.

Note, 2. How he will be with us: the heart of God will be with us, and the help and presence of God will be with us, to guide and direct us, to lead and conduct us, to cover and protect us; and, if God be with us, we shall shortly be with him.

Learn hence, That those which obey the gospel, whatsoever or whomsoever they want, shall ever abide in. peaceful and blessed condition: These things do, and the God of peace shall be with you.

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Old Testament