V. 14.— Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. The exhortation implies that there may be difficulty in maintaining peace, men’ s tempers and interest frequently clash, and this produces strife and division, James 4:1. Peace is much enforced both on believers and others in the Word of God. We ought not only to be peaceably disposed ourselves, but to endeavour to promote peace among others. "Blessed,” says our Lord, "are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God,” Matthew 5:9; and His Apostle says, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Romans 12:18; Romans 14:19. A peaceful disposition is intimately connected with success in diffusing the truth. The Apostle tells us the fruit (or seed) of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace, James 3:18. Connected with peace is holiness, or conformity to God. We shall all receive the deeds done in the body, whether they were good or bad. We are all far deficient. In many things we all offend. If we say we are perfect, it only proves us to be perverse. There is a struggle in the mind of every believer, a law in his members warring against the law of his mind, and bringing him into captivity to the law of sin in his members. But he is, through the Spirit, communicated to every believer through Christ to mortify the love of sin, to crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts. Faith purifies the heart, and, although this purification is very partial, yet we are to follow after it, and remember that faith without works is dead being alone; and that it is vain to call Christ “ Lord, Lord,” if we do not the things which He says. We shall all be judged by our works, and therefore we ought to walk, not as fools, but as wise. The nearer we live to God, the more effectually the truth is working in us, the more of it we shall perceive; but if we give place to the devil, if we say, The Lord delayeth His coming, we are in danger of stumbling on the dark mountains. It is true, our acceptance with God is founded solely on the righteousness of Christ, but every man who possesses the hope of the Gospel purifieth himself, even as He is pure. He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.