Jeremiah 29:7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray to the LORD for it… I. WHAT ARE THE THINGS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO THE SECURITY AND PROSPERITY, THE TRUE GLORY AND HAPPINESS, OF OUR COUNTRY? 1. The true honour of a nation, like that of the individual, lies in character. 2. The security and prosperity of our nation are inseparably associated with the advancement of religion among the people. II. WHAT ARE THE BEST MEANS FOR SECURING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR COUNTRY'S HIGHEST WELFARE? 1. General diffusion of education. "Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army." 2. Equally essential that the people be virtuous. Knowledge is power, but unsanctified power is power for evil. 3. The general distribution of the Bible — the great instrument for enlightening the conscience and purifying the heart. 4. Preaching the Gospel Our nature is a wreck, a chaos, which the Cross of Christ alone can adjust. 5. Prayer (2 Chronicles 7:13, 14; Psalm 106:23; Exodus 32:10). III. WHAT ARGUMENTS MAY ENFORCE THE DUTIES OF PERSONAL AND COMBINED ACTIVITY IN SEEKING THE HIGHEST GOOD OF OUR LAND? 1. Because our own individual good is intimately connected with its general happiness and prosperity. "For in the peace thereof ye shall have peace." 2. We shall thereby recommend the religion we profess. 3. The work of supplying our land with the preached Gospel, and with religious institutions, is the most important work to which Christians can devote their energies. (Samuel Baker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. |
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