more enormous than the fabled giants of old, who piled up the mountains to scale the heavens. While he walks on earth, his head wrapt in clouds, his arms encircle the world. From one hand he hurls all the weapons of destruction; from the other he scatters the seeds of famine, plague, and pestilence. He beholds a country of prosperous husbandmen and merchants; he robs and plunders, and leaves them wretched. He devours an army, and cries, 'give, give.' The sun shines; but no harvest rewards the labourer. The rain falls; but no verdure clothes the ground; the monster has trodden on the fields; his breath has blasted the country."

Yes, my friends, the picture is not so shocking as the hideous original. But, blessed be God, he has promised, that those who plant, shall eat the fruit.' Hence the fury of war is passing away; a brighter day is dawning. "Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished."

IV. I infer that wars will cease, when Christianity, purified, shall become universal; because the Christians, in the first ages of the gospel, refused to bear arms.

They supposed that their religion forbid war. Men, who received their religious opinions from Christ himself, or from his apostles, or their immediate successors, refused to bear arms, or perform any military duty. For about three hundred years, Christians would suffer martyrdom, rather than be seen in a camp with sword or spear.

- Justin and Tatian in the second century, both declare war unlawful, and Satan its author. In the second and third centuries, Tertullian and Alexander strongly condemn the custom of war. Tertullian inquires, “Can a soldier's life be lawful, when Christ has declared, that he who takes the sword shall perish with the sword?" Shall he, who is not to revenge his own wrongs, bring others into chains and imprisonment, torment and death?"

Lactantius, the friend of Constantine, and tutor of his son, says, "It can never be lawful, for a righteous man to go to war, whose warfare is righteousness itself." To these names of renown, in the Christian church, we may add Cyprian, a martyr in A. D. 258, with Ambrose, Archelaus, Chrysostom, Jerome, and Cyril; all of whom were of opinion, that war was unlawful to Christians.

The practice of those early Christians agreed with their principles. In the rebellions against Verus and Severus, which extended from A. D. 170 to 195, the Christians were suspected. Tertullian appealed to the pagan world, and repelled the slander. "You defamed us," saith he; "not a Christian could be found in any of the rebel armies." This fact is worthy of all notice. Those armies constituted nearly half the legions of the Roman empire, stationed in Egypt, Palestine, and Britain. Yet, not a Christian soldier could be found in their ranks.

The writers of those times make a distinction between soldiers and Christians. Clemens calls Christians "the Peaceable," and says, sword nor bow."

They never use

About A. D. 180, Ireneus says, "The famous prophecy, Their swords shall be turned to ploughshares, and their spears to pruning-hooks,' was then fulfilled.” "The Christians have," saith he, "changed their swords and their lances into instruments of peace. They know not how to fight."

Speaking of the same prophecy, Justin says, "This is fulfilled, for we, who, in time past killed one another, do not now fight with our enemies." Accordingly, Celsus, an enemy to Christianity, in the third century, brings this, as a reproach, that Christians would not bear arms for their emperor. He tells them, that if all were of their opinion, the empire would be overrun with barbarians. So do friends and foes unitedly testify that the first Christians would not bear arms.

When Constantine, a warlike prince, professed Christianity, then probably a military life became reputable with Christians. After this we find them in his armies. A dreadful change was produced.* From that period war has prevailed among the professed disciples of Christ. But though from every quarter of the globe we now hear of standing armies, they will be disbanded, and return to their peaceful homes. Though the noise of battle is yet heard, and ramparts of destruction rise in every country, those mounds shall fall; those scenes of death and desolation will be enlivened by the dwellings of domestic felicity, covered with the blossoms of spring, and the harvests of autumn. Though the ocean thunders, her billows rising with blood, those hostile navies shall return to

* See an Essay by Thomas Clarkson.

their ports, to waft the heralds of peace to their appointed stations. "The Lord will bless his people with peace. He maketh wars to cease unto the ends of the earth." "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more."

IMPROVEMENT.

I. Hence we learn the importance of publishing this final result of Christian influence.

This may kindle hope and zeal, to hasten the event. If the gospel be destined to produce universal peace, it ought to be known, that suitable measures may be adopted, to accomplish the object. The interesting fact ought to be proclaimed from the pulpit, from the press, from the senate, and from the throne.

The mighty theme of universal peace may well awaken the most powerful strains of human eloquence, the tongue of the learned, the pen of the ready writer, the songs of angels. When they were permitted to announce the reign of peace, they seized the moment with raptures of bliss. Shall not the angels of the churches, in the same spirit, proclaim peace on earth? Is not this the Gospel? Did not the angels understand the gospel?

II. Does not the subject afford encouragement to multiply Peace Societies.

Peace, and all its blissful effects, must be produced by human exertions. No irresistible charm, no secret incantation, no miraculous voice, will silence the fury of war. No. The blessings of peace must be ob

tained as other blessings are. As science, wealth, or piety are, by persevering effort and self-denial. The day of enthusiasm has gone by. We do not slumber on the couch of the sluggard to procure the favours of heaven; but we go forth to seek them. Vigorous and extensive means will introduce universal peace. These societies are powerful means. They embody a mass of sound principles, facts, and arguments. They may influence public opinion, and break the sword of the conqueror.

III. We learn the importance of electing rulers, who are men of peace.

Rulers are the makers of war and peace. They carry the olive branch to every door; or cover the fields with swords and spears. If the people elect men of peace for rulers, wars must stop. The people do not

declare war; it is never their interest. They do not consent, till they are deluded and infatuated by designing men.

Were all rulers such men as the first Christians, no more blood nor treasure would be wasted; the banner of blood would no more wave over the land; our brethren would no more march to the field of battle.

Warlike rulers are the Achans of their country, the Pandora's box, which fills the world with misery. To revenge some imaginary wrong, to maintain some childish point of honour, to enlarge their territory, to advance their glory, they associate their names with scenes of havoc and carnage. They blow the trumpet; they rouse the passions; they inflame their people with the lust of plunder and revenge, and send them to the field of slaughter and death, to feast the