And the fruit of righteousness... — Better thus slightly altered: And fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by them that make peace. They “shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Their fruit is hidden in the precious seed, but “the times of refreshing shall come,” and the glorious plant bring forth her flower, and bear the golden fruit for the blessed ones to eat in the fadeless paradise of God. As “whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7) — here is a harvest laid up for the righteous to enjoy for ever; and (comp. Hebrews 12:11) God’s chastening of the truly penitent yields with it a like promise afterwards of “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” — so, in the tender mercy of our Saviour, “they that sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalms 126:6). Thus, in some words which well might mark the close of one whose “quiet spirit slowly passeth by to some more perfect peace” —
“Peace comes at length, though life be full of pain;
Calm in the faith of Christ 1 lay me down;
Pain for His sake is peace, and loss is gain:
For all who bear the cross shall wear the crown.”