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A^AjrtiR SAis At tan nnwivurpotit BioKstoBBf No. 13, Corahtli. v./' /' : VtJ - I •^5. l>.. i!^ 1:.- 71 ' i y. ^ « BIBLIOTHEQUB DE LA VILLB DE MONTREAL COLLECTION GAGNON .<\ 29 I^ornie 158(1-1-20 u ,...''•-» '' DISCOURSE. PSALM 46 : 8,9- Come, behold the works of the jfjori, what desolationt he haih made in the ea-rth. He maketh wars to cea^ unto the end qfthe earth : he Areaketh the bow, and eutteth the spear in sunder; J^Jbwmeth the chari^ in the fire^ ■.-iwMU J. UB present it a period ^f wonders ; I liad almost said, of mirades. Certainly it is a time for fervent admiimtiDn and thaiik;sgiving. Little more than a year ago, and for many years previous, the earth was overwhelmed with a general war, destruc- tion and desolation. Now wars have ceased to the ends of the earth. Two short months ago, most of us were expecting a summer of violent and exaspera- ted warfkre ; and were iti a maainw arming ourselves, to ftght for onr land, our hmnes and our families. Now we are here befcHse the iliOird, to render to Him our thanks for <9ie restoration of peace, and that we can dwell in quiet 'habitations. There i« Indeed a Jremnant of war with a piratical power J and at another time it might appear c(msid- erable, as it may be and is distressful to some of our brethren. But, comparing it with the wars, that have ceased here, and in other parts of the earth, we can scarcely, regard it as an exception from the generiii jj^aci^catioft. Ur^a -yii-^if-- # •J I i BlBLf VlLlI L .« We very naturally think our own times and oup ovvu affairs the most interesting and important. But really I think our own times, the period of the last tv/onty years or more, the most extraordinary, that have passed in the last thousand years ; and the con- clusion not less extraordinary, than the progress. I might have excepted the great Reformation ; but I was speaking of the political state of the world. All this vast commotion and revolution, after its com- mencement, was carried on by one man ; whose fall was as signal as his elevation. The French power was rapidly declining, when he seized the g|overn- ment ; and he almost became tht conqueror of all Eu- rope. Nor could this remote land be exempt from the general struggle. We also were drawn into the war of the world ; and were left alone to finish it with a powerful nation. It is finished ; and, I suppose, we all heartily rejoice in the peace. Let us rejoice in the Lord, and render to Him our humble an4 hearty thanks for this great mercy. Religion, the religion of the Holy Bible, teaehes us ^ devoutly to acknowledge his overruling Providence ill causing wars to cease, and giving peace to nations. , This religion also teaches us to acknowledge his over- ruling Providence even in the scourge of war. We do not impute to Him the wrath and the guilt of man. ' But he can restrain this wrath, or let it rage on and scourge the guilty nations. It is a scourge to the vic- tors, as well as to the vanquished. War may be tru- ly called <'the scourge of uod ;'' and it is one of the severest scourges. He can justly cause the wrath and the wickedness of man to execute his judgments ; and then he can justly punish the instruments, whose 'thought and intent was only to execute their own wicked designs. This doctrine is clearly exemplifi- ed in the scriptural history of the Assyrian and Eiaby- - Ionian empires. . By the occasion and the text, we are led to think of the evils of tcaVf and of the blessings of peace. Thence * • \ \- ■•tJ '^^-'Ji. .♦ _fc.. r. les and ouv ftaiit. But of *he last »n»jy, that w the con- fogress. I ion ; but I orld. All f its com- whose fall 'cli power govern. ofallEu- t from the o the War it with a H»08e, we ■•ejoiee in '4 hearty ftches us >vidence natiqns. Ws over- P. We of man. on and the vie- be tru- of the ith and s;and whose ' own nplifi. nkof lence .1 '■» '. ivill arise reasons for^ratttiu2e to the Almighty Ruler ; and for preserving peace, ** as much as lietn in us^" as much and as long as possible. The blessings of peace consist firstly and chiefly in exemption from the evils and mi8erie3 of war ; and this exemption is most clearly and strongly perceived and felt, when it is recent. I. We n^usty therefore, consider some of the evils, from which we, and mankind, are recently delivered. Think of seven or eight hundred thousands, or a million of men, drawn together to destroy one another, with all their might and sl^ill, and with the most for- cible instruments of destruction. Think of all the men of military age in these United States, or of all the white men of twenty years of age and upward, drawn together for this sanguinary purpose. These vast numbers were engaged not only in one battle, but in many battles through a campaign. These wars were carried on not only mrough one year, but many years, twenty years, as many as twenty of these lat- ter years, In some of these battles, probably^ as ma- ny as sixty or seventy thousands have been killed or wounded. The battles have been frequent, and numerous, and fierce, and obstinate, and destructive, to an unparalleled degree. Then we must take into the account the mortal diseases of a camp, and the .many sufferings of warfare. I tliink, it has ueen said, . that a quarter part of the armies perish in a year ; and sometimes in these wars the half, qr the greater part. To this shocking account we must add the dreadful distresses, the faniiqe, tl^e rnin of the cpuntries, through which the << overflowing scourge" passes ; cities de- molished, fields, regions laid desolate, and the inhab- itants ruined ; all the works, and arts, and joys, and comforts of man beaten down and trampled in the dust. f * And woe tq the conquered ;" woe. woe, woe to the conquered ; one woe is past, and another and another woe con^eth | The countries, from which the pow- ers of war arR drawn, men, money, provisions, are ■'•-■ ), fi 1 'L \.'^ I oppreiied with burdeniy taxes, exaetionii and eom- mieated diitntsea of the peonle, and of fknilies. Their bread is snatched from the poor, and their liv. ing from those, who were in eoinfortable cirenmstan- ces. Heaty imposts exhaust the resources of life. Multitudes are thrown out of business and subsist, enee. Almost every thing is arrested, but what con- tributes to supply and support the destroyer of men. Fathers, brothers, and ehitdren are torn firom their families, with tiieprobability, that the^ shall nevef see them again. Tne whole land and the people are oppressed, exhausted, wasted, and reduced to various wretchedness. The moral ruin of war is among its most deleterious, poisonous eifects. The moral pesti- lence spreads through the camp, the court, the city, and the country* The great principles of religion, the laws of virtue, the sentiments and the institutions, which are most salutary to mankind, are violated, re- jected and despised. Tice, iniquity and impiety abound. The court, indeed, is already inflscted, and spreads the contagion through the country. These miseries generally proceed from One, or a few men, woiiciiig upon the passions of man)dnd. Those, << who rule over men,'' whose office, and duty it is, to watch and labor for their peace and happiness, these, possessing power, consider the people as made only for their Iber- vice, made to be destroyed at their will, or for their pleasure. They regwrd the life of a man no more, than the life of a beast. No doubt there are exceptions. No doubt there have been rujers, who have studied and labored for this good of the people, Butveiir commonly they have other designs, of their own will, ' 4>r their own pleasure, or their own glory, or their cu- pidity, which thev place in pursuits far distant from the people's happiness, often in those, which produce the people's misery and destruction. Tes, misery and destruction, and iniquity and wickednesf are called honor, and glory, and prosperity 3 and th^ infatuated i ■ ■ people Join in the ctj, and thout in the train find the triumph of their dettroyert. Tea, they are ready coolly and cheerfulW to kill one another for the pleu- ure. or the race of their masten. Theee horriole Beenes have been exhibited on this earth almost eontinually, ever since it has existed. They rise from the v^ickedness of man, or the instiga- tion of the devil, or both together ; and they are the scourges of the wickedness, whence they arise. War is always umust, on one side, or the other, or both. It is evident, tnat if ** the people were all righteous,'^ if the nations and the rulers were all just, there would be no wars. There would be few or no occasions of difference, or dispute ; and, if any shonld arise, they would be easily and equitably settled. ** The wore of righteousness is peace, and the effect of righteous- ness, quietness and assurance forever." Of the uni- versal reign of Christ it is prophesied, <verned bv rs. ^ *ny small rand jug. n»»ou8 to W jU8tictt «n indig. gates of 5'ne, that another ^ound in throw ;e is no stence ; people, nor of a W evert 1 chrig. 8; and Jssion, d and r after oryof have their But Didst >du6 srors What a daik and disibal hiitory of tha world is eom- posed of these incessant wars and ruins t Indeed they compose most of the history of mankind. ' What wo- ful efleets and punishments of human depravity ! This cruel rage has risen in onr day to the greatest height and most enormous dominion^ We rarely meet with any thing equal or similar to this period in the long records of time. The mightiest nations were engaged in mortal conflict. It seemed for a time^ that all the nations were to be subdued and enslaved. The wrath and power of the conqueror were felt by all people^ from the shores of the Atlantiek to the shores of the Red 8ea ; from the Straits, which separate the continents^ to the cold regions of the North Btar. All seemed to fall before him, but an Island begirt with navies. But the moment, when he was ready to seize on universal empire, was the moment, when he began to fall from the height of his poweri ** The Lord Mowed upon him with his wind," and he shrunk un. der the blast. The nations rose upon him> and he re- tired like a hunted lion. They pursued him to hia domain ; " he forgot his eunning ;" he left them be- tween him and his capital ; they seized the seat of his empire, " and he fell like Lucifer," and lay at their mercy. We also have felt the violence of the times. We have been harassed, and shut up, and driven inter war. We know something of the slaughter, and the expense, and the various sufferings. Thousands have fallen ; thousands have been distressed ; thousands have been reduced ; and all have been burdened with heavy taxes, and heavy prices. Money and credit have failed, and a great debt remains. These are ne- cessary and unavoidable evils of war. There have been various successes, some defeats, and some fail- ures of expeditions ; and some signal victories and de- fences. The seamen have maintained their honor, and the honor of their country. Our defenders have done wonders in repelling invasion. But, though they 4 iteve set eraf timet ddne bravely^ they have in etfect gained ndlbing but thi« praise, in ittviraitts the he«tilt territeriefir. B^ii tfa^se^ who w^e oppesea t« the irar on principle, canAo^ reasonably eottriiflain of the fatt> nre of intfttions. The proper liuljeGi of their com- plaint i», that they iivadtta* m, Mwsybave » borderg j B been de- 'heyoMild ^ in jier- ^eotrlddo reat dan- ^* There * far in- » , - quished. If they were right, but impobsiblo to be obr^ ^ tained, we could not perform impossibilities. If. yri^l have done wrong, the wrong was in making the war^^, i rather than in making the peace. We presume, that all prefer the peace to war, with all the disadvantage^ and failures, with which it is charged. r Again it is said, that we have lost several valuabldi^! advantages, which we before quietly possessed. A part of the territory, that we held as our own, is now made questionable, and is actually out of our hands; and some valuable privileges in the fisheries and in commerce, which we held by treaty, are now either refused, or made to depend on the will of the govern, ment, which claims the right to them. This is not denied. But is it not better to sit down with this loss, than to incur a greater? Can we not comfort our- selves with the consideration, that the loss and dam-/ '; age are not so great, as they might have been ? In truth, as these rights originally belonged to the ene. my, and as we had lost our share in them by the war^f^^ we could not recover them, but by force on our part,; or by good will on their part, or by commutation ; nei« ; ther of which, as it appears, was sufficient for the pur-v .: pose. £ But it may be inquired; '< Where is boasting then?" What reason have we for boasting? What great praise and glory can we take to ourselves ? Truly, I shall not pretend to prove the right or the propriety of boasting, or of praising ourselves, or of glorying in ourselves? We have a peace, let us be thankful. Men of the greatest and most real worth are not com. monly the most boastful. The truly great and good Washington, the grand instrument of achieving our Independence, the attracting centre of our Union, was 'fi ill I ;■ M ...^ f-^ u no bM8ier. 8uicJy it Imcqvm «9 to be modest, hum- ble, and thankful. Soiietbi«|^ hnweff^f me majr have gained. We m»j have gaiMd t xperience. We may know by ex- perieice th« flviki of war. We may know, if we will, ^' the thins* tt»«t belong to our peace." We may knon the way* of war, « and the wayi of peaoe," and the wide diflwence. We may learn to avoid the for- mer, and follow the hitor, < *void the for- e th» evil, and S reasons * whereof l^ders, and ^e hear no M war. Vi- ^S nor de. »^n«S8 are f melody.'* '*r gloomy raing fan,, ftoai th« Ineyhave 'c of their •wpraise, ■Now the 'd for the rtiatsare they had 15 long desisted in sad and pining inaction. The eiraer- fal sound of industry begins to be heard in the streets. The merchants are resuming their enterprise, and sending forth their ships to exehange the eonnnoditles •f the various worM. The hardy mariners nmy now find tlieir wonted employ, and peacefully traverse the ocean^ and jotI ally hail aU that thev mee^ without fear of capture. The husbandman raises ** the precious fruits of the earth,'* no longer to feed a devouring and deadly war, but to nonrish the peaceable inhabitants of the land, and to supply an usefiil, enlivening and enriching commerce. All the resources of an exteU' sive people may now be employed to increase the tran- quil arts, and improvements, and enjoyments of civil life and society. There are^ indeed, and there must continue to be great publick demands upon them ; but these, we suppose, will not be augmented by new and increasing demands. The government will be in a great degree disembarrassed, and will find a supply in the returning activity and prosperity of the people ; a prosperity, which may slowly birt sorely return, if wo have learned wbdom by the evils, that we Imve snifored. The contemplative mind delights to view a people freed from the struggles and tlw ravages of war ^ and flourishing in the works and enjoyments of peace and prosperity. Religion rejoices in the peace and hap^ piness of man, and in seeing an end to so many mis- eries and bitter fruits of sin. The fruit of reli^on is peace and benevolence. << The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace." The Oos^l is emphatieally styled the 6ospel of Peace. Beligion mourns, when the hostile passions reign. She mourns over the sins and the ruins of man. But then is the time, when she hat least influence to save them. Amidst the din of arms and the tumults of the people^ they hear not her re- claiming voice ; they regard not her benign persuasion : they are occupied with tne passing and pressing events^ they partake of the temper and spirit of the times; and in such times immorality and irreligion abound. But, \ m ■; \ m wheu we arc settled down in peaceful and tranquil life^ may it not be hoped, that we may be led to serious re- flection, to a solemn consideration of the judgments and the mercies of the Lord, to attend to that religion^ which is the firmest security of peace, which brings us peace with Gkid, and is the chief good, the best hope, and the strongest bond of man and of human society? Looking abroad to other nations, we behold, what wonders are wrought in the earths The naticms, which were lately and long engaged in the most terrible wars^ are now enjoying an universal repose; and their Chiefs are assembled in a grand Congress, to effect a general pacification. Seldom or' never, I believe, has such a scene been exhibited on the face of the earths Rarely has there been so great a change so suddenly produced. The conqueror is fallen, and the world is at rest. The Providence of the Lord is << made man- ifest" in these mighty operations. . What a happy and glorious change is wrought in the condition of so many nations, of so many millions of people. Glorious I deem it, << not to destroy men's lives, but to save them;" not to render them wretched, but to render them happy < If they are not all completely happy, yet they are happy comparatively with their former condition. The nations were repeatedly torn up from their founda- tions, and dashed tf^ther, and broken to pieces, in tremendous conflicts. We should account it a' most happy and glorious change in the policy of the world, if the nations could be settled and preserved in peace, and justice, and friendly relations : And to observe justice on all sides would infallibly preserve the peace of all. We had hoped, that this most wise and hap- py policy would be the study and the consequence of the present assembly of Sovereigns and their minis- ters ; that their long experience of the miseries of war and the crimes of ambition would persuade them to study to preserve the peace for a long time ; to infix principles of justice in tlieir own minds ; to establish the nations with equity and with generosity ; and, if ^sSsmSSbi-j P^ *o serious re- *he best hope, ^umaii society? » behold, wh^t °*"<«>s, which t terrible wars, ®» and their :„^'i«^«. has ■^ o*^ the earth. fo suddenly the world is 'made man- * nappy and nofso^^^^ Glorious I save them,-'' fhemhappy, et they are dition. The e«r founda- 'Pjece8,in »«aino8t the world, *w peace, to observe the peace and hap. quehce of eif minis. 69 of War them to ; to infix establish ! and, if ; ^ _ , jf ^ possible, to form some general system for adjusting disputes amicably without resorting to arms. We had hoped, that the magoattimity, which was admir- ed in Alexander, would have beeii consummated, and would have crowned him with excellent glory, in this grand negociation. We had fondly hoped, that this surprising revolution might be the dawn of a brighter day, might introdace a new and happier order of things, to the afflicted world. We had even connect- ed these views and hopes with the extensive exertions, that are made to diffuse the Word of truth, the Gii>9- pel of peace and salvation. But we fear, that they are still men, and kings, selfish, ambitious, avaricious, con- tending, perhaps fighting again, to divide the spoil, or to seize the prey. But we have no certain information. ^ We would still enjoy the pleasing hope, while we I may, that their past sufferings, or the sufferings of their people, and some sense of equity, of mercy, and of awful duty, may restrain their passions, and dis- pose them to follow counsels of reason and modera- tion, of universal and durable peace. O ye Rulers of the people, ye Leaders and Com- manders of the people, ye, who are set up on high, to be the Pastors atid Guardians of the peo{^le ; behold the woes and the horrors of war, < And the admiration of mankind. We conclude with two heads of Improvement, that have been proposed. V 1. We have great reasons fbr gratitude to the Al- inighty Ruler. It is not without his will and his prov- idence, that peace has visited our shores. I\ i» the visitation of his mercy. He has visited us with his judgments : Now he visits us in his mercy* Let the joy, that has entered into our hearts, be raised in grateful oflfering to the throne of his grace. We are heartily glad ; let us be devoutly thankful. We hear- tily rejoice; let us "rejoice in the Lord.'^ Let us learn " to acknowledge God'» in all things ; to think and to speak of all his wondrous works. Let us learn to revere his power, to fear his judgments, "to hope m his mercy," and to be grateful for all his benefits. Let us forget none of his benefits j Oh let us not be of those, " who forget God," We have peculiar and strong reasons at present, to acknowledge and remeni. ber his mercy. *" Bless the Lord, O our souls, and All that is within us, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O our souls, and forget not all his benefits- Who forgiveth our iniquities ; who healeth our diseases ; who redeemeth our lives from destruction ; who crowneth us with loving-kindness and tender- mercies. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide ; neither will he keep his anger forever. He * Psalm 103. ¥ Ml ::s> i^; ,-■■ * ..- .- ' •'^te WS:ir-.^^~Sr^ ^«^ And 5,r;r^ f^ Jo the AI. ^»«dhisprov. ?"' i-et the oe raised in tet us i® »; to tJiiaJr -et^is learn to hope ;s benefits, us not be -uliar and '" »^ineni. °^ess the benefits ; ^*i om- ruction; tender- slow to ahvays »•. He %tdh not dealt with us af, r our sins^ nor rewarded uh according to our iniquities. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heaTens ; and his kingdom ruleth o- ver all. Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O our souls. ^O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good ; for his mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men ! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron } Becanse they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the Most Uigh^ Therefore he brought down their heart with labour ; they fell down, and there was none to help ; Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness, and the shadow of death, and break their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. Whoso is wise, and will observe these 4;bings, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord." The language of inspiration offers >the most suitable and worthy expressions of praise and thanksgivings and it may be found adapted to all religious occasions. Thus saith the Lord, '< Whoso offereth praise, glorifif eth me : and to him, that ordereth his conversation aright, will I shew the salvation of 6Dd."t He is pleased to accept the praises of the unworthy race of men, as glorifying Him, << whose glory is above the heavens." Another most suitable and due expression of gratitude is to order our conversation, our conduct, aright before Him. His mercy is a great motive to this grateful duty ; and our hope requires it, if we dei- fiire to trust in his providence and his grace, and to see -the salvation of God, in time, and in eternity. * Fsalm 107. t Psalm 50, 33. I i tl ,,-> 2. From the oceasioii and the rabject arif e retflont for preserving peace, as mueh as Ueth io us, as much and as lon^i; as possible. << If it be possible, as nueb as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."* I intended to make this argument a long one ; Imt I have spolien long enough, and must make it a short one. All that has been said, and all that eaa be said, of the evils of war, and of the blessings of peace, of the spirit of religion, and of the happiness of man, are ar- guments for preserving peace to the utmost point of reason, and of forbearance. We have had forcible, and pressing, and convincing arguments in the war, which is now ended; and, I presume, we are suA- ciently disposed to listen to the doctrine and the duty P^peace. Why are we here assembled this day? Why is the nation assembled this day? To give thanks for the blessing of peace. If it were not esteemed a blessing, if it were not esteemed preferable to war, or If it were accounted less eligible, we ought either tQ keep silence, or to keep a day of fasting and humilia. tion. We are not giving thanks for any thing, that we I have gamed; but simply for the blessing of peace. This act, this publick act speaks a language, which should be remembered, when our hostile passions are again excited. A great part of mankind seem eag,er to rush into war, and when they have tried it, they are as eager to escape from it; and peace on almost any terms is received as an occasion of rejoicing and tiianksgiving. Thus do they bear the testimony of their own experience against the errors of their own opinions and passions. But I will suppose, that the greater part of civilized people, in their sober thought, when their passions arc not roused, are convinced, that war is one of the most severe calamities, which afBict the human race. If they are not so convinced, I will hold the position, for my part, as certain and proved. The question then is. How to avoid or avert this deadly evil? / * Jloin. 12, 18, -•-■.^ I x. ..K^ji'ai ^'> M mucli ^"•5 but I " * ahprt *»« ••id, of •*n^ *i« tr. /7 PoioUf J« forciWe, n the irar, **« •uffi. fhe dutv *»«• day? ye thank. 'Keemed a \^!'' '^^ either t^ , that We *^ peace. 8* which ions arc n ea^er >^ thej aJniost ngand >ny of fown at the »»Sht, > that met will ved. «1 . The publick sentiment must, if possible, and as far M pMSibUy be set against it. We must accustom our. selves to think and to speak of peace, as one of the greatest of temporal blessings ; of war as one of the greatest evils and scourges in this evil and sinful world I to which we should not resort but in unavoid. able necessity. If we enjoy any freedom, the publick sentiment and publick voice, the prevalent voice, will produce its effect upon the acts and the character of the govarnmrat. It may be alleged, that wars are frequently neces- tAry and unavoidable. If they are unavoidable, they cannot be avoided. But the necessity, that would jus- tify them, s^^ld be an inevitable, or an indispensable necessity. Were this the rule of war, it would be mueb less frequent. We should not imagine, that eur honor or interest requires us to revenge every offenoe with the whole body and blood of the nation. If sueh be the law of honor, we must always be flght- ing, all naiMns, and all men. As in private life, so in publick affairs, a more pacifick spirit would be more honorable and nmgnanimous ; and very probably would be mere hap|(ily successful in saving both our honor and prospecity. The wrathful Potentates of the earth, when they are hastening to war, often pre- face their declarations with praises of their forbear- ance, which they decorate with the style of magna- nimity. Wb are not obliged to believe all tlieir decla- rations $ but we may see in them a concession to the sentiment and the ^uth, that forbearance may be mag- nanimeue. I^ it be unwise to allow ourselves to be driven to madness by every offence ; it is not less, but eiUl moif 'T« n \i i 1 ■■ 1 K ■A 1* ll IP form an honest and sound judcmf nt ; that we may not be carried away by the wind of wordi, and delu- ded by false pretensions. Again^ there is an old and established maxim, thai we must be prepared for war, that we may be able to maintain peace. This is not denied : And if we are prepared for war, with the love of peace and justice, we shall probably not often have much other trouble, than that of the preparation. That we may preserve peace, we must cultivate justice. We must study to be just ourselves j to pro- mote and support just principles, just measures, and just men; to discountenance, and reprobate, and law. fully and stedfastly oppose all injustice. We must take King David's rule for our rule, whether we be in office, or electors : « He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."* A just nation and ajustgovcrnmont wiil not intentionally do wrong to another nation; nor impute wrong to them without cause. They will make no wars from corrupt motives, from cupidity, intrigue, depraved ambition, lust of domin. ion, or mad passion. They will of course, on their part, as much as lieth in tkem, avoid all the wars, which flow from these principal and most abundant sources. Nor will other nations easily make war up- on them. They will be respected. Occasions cannot easily be found or Uken against them. If there be justice on the other side, as there may ^J, differences will be easily composed. But, if the^ must resist in- vasion, or intolerable injury, they will be strong in the right, in their prineiples and habits, in their union, in their united and virtuous energy, in the hope of the favor of Heaven, and probably in the favor and sup- port of other powers. All virtue is promotive of peace ; as it is, of good order, and g-ood government. The well principled, and well int- med, v/ill promote the well principled to places of trust and influence ; and wiU encourage " . / ^'" • 9 Samuel 28, 3, ' Mr'tt ' \ " « ,s*- • ;*'», (hat ,/; •We to ', ^« are ^foable, '"'tfvaee *o pro. ® must W'e be •» tnuft »n«iid cause, from ornin. their dant up. BUot ! be ces in- he in le and fUftain sood prinejplei and upright measurcH. fiut, ai David layiy *^ Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked :** Or, as Daniel says, *' Tl - wicked will do wickedly ) and none of the wicked hall under- flland ; but the wise shall understand." The vicious and unprincipled are prepared for iniqui fui* deceit for violence, for corruption, fordelusinn, at hume and abroad, as leaders, or as followers. Finallv, Religion is the firmest and surcNl founda- tion of all virtue, and justice, and pefce, an! good- ness and happiness. There is an intimate and CHsen- tial connexion between truth and righteousness and peace, %vA i^ i.nr of the Lord, and the love of God and of at ..V*. ^ And to a people, << that is in such a ccsti. tUere ib high hope of Almighty favor and |HutecikOh. Hear the word of the Lord. << Hear ye tuc Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin ; The Lord is ^vith you, while ye be with him ; and if ye seek him, lie will bu found of you ; but if ye forsake him, ho will forsake you."* ** The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven : his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous : but the wicked, and him that loveth violence, his soul hat- eth. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness ; his countenance doth behold the upright."t << Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found ; call ye upon him, while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts ; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy up. on him ; and to our God, for he will abundantly par- don. "| *' I will hear what God the Lord will speak : for he will speak peace unto his people and to hi.s saints ; but let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him ; that glory may dwell in our land."|| * 2 Chron. 10, 2. f Psalm 11. \ Isaiah 93. || Psalm 63. '^ ^' . m NOT£<~to Page Vy Use 23. Jinbitim, avarice.} Atid wlu»ie cabiaett of intrieu')!, aoknown to at) who are not w tlti se«n^. P. ±i. 1. 9. W > may well sappoie, that the HHttih «!•« fead their partieular reasons f6t makingpeaee. They hid hera fight- ing long cnon^ to be satisied. Thty might prtftr bcmv awl eommeree to a frifhleiiB and eostljr reveo^. Thay mignt wish to diminish, rather than to increase, their immense debt. Perhaps it is not assnming too mueh to ourselves, tw sdppose, diaX they mi^t b6 willing to be rid of us, that they might tuMi all tlwir M« tention and weight upon the i^airs of EuroBc. Oar eruioen aiw were very troublesome, av^ the trouble and dAmtte vimuld prob- ably have been ^atly inei^ased, if we had beeil further obliged to make it our business and oar defence. P. 13, 1. 30. Where is haasHrv then ?] Where f Bvery where, and in every ease, and without blushing. We havakad too maeh vaunting and bombast in the beginning, middle* and and Of the traaedy. But the best performers have not been the moft noisy deeiaimcrs. If big words, brave words, (prave ^ords, as Captain Fluellen says of Aneient Pistol) if lAigbty words were foreible« as mighty deeds, or would pass for deeds abroad, as wolf as at home, we have had enough of them, to take all the British colo- nies on this continent, and even to make Old Eng^uid, Seotlandy and Ireland, our colonies. Whether it be wise, or unwise, I cannot ref!ridn f^oito t^iog a little simple story, that I have somewhere read, or heard, or dreamt One of oar British Govemora, (fer they too ean swell and puff,) Pownal, 1 believe, held a talk with the Indians, and he talked very stoutly, and threatened to bring against them as many men, as there were trees in the forest. An old Chief gruff- ly replied; Urn— — inne h b ig speak. One of the soaadest and sharpest of sritieks, Dr. Campbell, has long ago censored, somewhat severely, « the turgid dialect of America." But, perhaps,, he knew not, that there may be as much canning as folly in it. Perhaps he was too honest to know, what a French Philosopher has told os, (Mirabeaa, I think) % That words are things. Namca stand for ai^aments. Words pas8 eorrent for deem. And great talking saves a great deal of trou* ble of well-doing, and is much more agreeahte>|p|i»cceptable. -HSi itiili «]»» %9i Id bMn figit- lilr veaw vd. night wuh to :bt. FerKapB k an tlielr at- eraiicn alia B woul4 prob- ['urUier obliged Bve