THECOMPLAINTOFPEACE

PEACESPEAKSINHEROWNPERSON.
BY
DISIDERIUSERASMUS.

PUBLISHEDBY
CHARLESWILLIAMS,BOSTON
AND
D.ALLINSON,BURLINGTON,NEWJERSEY.
1813.

THOUGHIcertainlydeservenoilltreatmentfrommortals,yetiftheinsultsandrepulsesI
receivewereattendedwithanyadvantagetothem,Iwouldcontentmyselfwithlamentingin
silencemyownunmeritedindignitiesandmansinjustice.Butsince,indrivingmeawayfrom
them,theyremovethesourceofallhumanblessings,andletinadelugeofcalamitieson
themselves,Iammoreinclinedtobewailtheirmisfortune,thancomplainofillusagetomyself
andIamreducedtothenecessityofweepingoverandcommiseratingthosewhomIwishedto
viewratherasobjectsofindignationthanofpity.
ForthoughrudelytorejectonewholovesthemasIdo,mayappeartobesavagecrueltyto
feelanaversionforonewhohasdeservedsowellofthem,baseingratitudetotrampleonone
whohasnursedandfosteredthemwithallaparentscare,anunnaturalwantoffilialaffection
yetvoluntarilytorenouncesomanyandsogreatadvantagesasIalwaysbringinmytrain,togo
inquestofevilsinfiniteinnumberandshockinginnature,howcanIaccountforsuchperverse
conduct,butbyattributingittodownrightmadness?Wemaybeangrywiththewicked,butwe
canonlypitytheinsane.WhatcanIdobutweepoverthem?AndIweepoverthemthemore
bitterly,becausetheyweepnotforthemselves.Nopartoftheirmisfortuneismoredeplorable
thantheirinsensibilitytoit.Itisonegreatsteptoconvalescencetoknowtheextentand
inveteracyofadisease.
Now,ifI,whosenameisPeace,amapersonageglorifiedbytheunitedpraiseofGodand
man,asthefountain,theparent,thenurse,thepatroness,theguardianofeveryblessingwhich
eitherheavenorearthcanbestowifwithoutmenothingisflourishing,nothingsafe,nothing
pureorholy,nothingpleasanttomortals,orgratefultotheSupremeBeingif,onthecontrary,
warisonevastocean,rushingonmankind,ofalltheunitedplaguesandpestilencesinnature
if,atitsdeadlyapproach,everyblossomofhappinessisinstantlyblasted,everythingthatwas
improvinggraduallydegeneratesanddwindlesawaytonothing,everythingthatwasfirmly
supportedtottersonitsfoundation,everythingthatwasformedforlongdurationcomestoa

speedyend,andeverythingthatwassweetbynatureisturnedintobitternessifwarisso
unhallowedthatitbecomesthedeadliestbaneofpietyandreligionifthereisnothingmore
calamitoustomortals,andmoredetestabletoheaven,Iask,howinthenameofGod,canI
believethosebeingstoberationalcreatureshowcanIbelievethemtobeotherwisethanstark
madwho,withsuchawasteoftreasure,withsoardentazeal,withsogreataneffort,withso
manyarts,somuchanxiety,andsomuchdanger,endeavourtodrivemeawayfromthem,and
purchaseendlessmiseryandmischiefatapricesohigh?
Iftheywerewildbeastswhothusdespisedandrejectedme,Icouldbearitmorepatiently
becauseIshouldimputetheaffronttonature,whohadimplantedinthemsosavagea
disposition.IfIwereanobjectofhatredtodumbcreatures,Icouldoverlooktheirignorance,
becausethepowersofmindnecessarytoperceivemyexcellencehavebeendeniedtothem.But
itisacircumstanceequallyshamefulandmarvellous,thatthoughnaturehasformedone
animal,andonealone,withpowersofreason,andamindparticipatingofdivinityoneanimal,
andonealone,capableofsentimentalaffectionandsocialunionIcanfindadmissionamong
thewildestofwildbeasts,andthemostbrutalofbrutes,soonerthanwiththisoneanimalthe
rational,immortalanimalcalledman.
Amongthecelestialbodiesthatarerevolvingoverourheads,thoughthemotionsarenot
thesame,andthoughtheforceisnotequal,yettheymove,andeverhavemoved,without
clashing,andinperfectharmony.Theveryelementsthemselves,thoughrepugnantintheir
nature,yet,byahappyequilibrium,preserveeternalpeaceandamidthediscordancyoftheir
constituentprinciples,cherish,byafriendlyintercourseandcoalition,anuninterrupted
concord.
Inlivingbodies,howallthevariouslimbsharmonize,andmutuallycombine,forcommon
defenceagainstinjury!Whatcanbemoreheterogeneous,andunlike,thanthebodyandthe
soul?andyetwithwhatstrongbondsnaturehasunitedthem,isevidentfromthepangof
separation.Aslifeitselfisnothingelsebuttheconcordantunionofbodyandsoul,soishealth
theharmoniouscooperationofallthepartsandfunctionsofthebody.
Animalsdestituteofreasonlivewiththeirownkindinastateofsocialamity.Elephants
herdtogethersheepandswinefeedinflockscranesandcrowstaketheirflightintroops
storkshavetheirpublicmeetingstoconsultpreviouslytotheiremigration,andfeedtheir
parentswhenunabletofeedthemselvesdolphinsdefendeachotherbymutualassistanceand
everybodyknows,thatbothantsandbeeshaverespectivelyestablishedbygeneralagreement,a
littlefriendlycommunity.
ButIneeddwellnolongeronanimals,which,thoughtheywantreason,areevidently
furnishedwithsense.Intreesandplantsonemaytracethevestigesofamityandlove.Manyof
themarebarren,unlessthemaleplantisplacedontheirvicinity.Thevineembracestheelm,
andotherplantsclingtothevine.Sothatthingswhichhavenopowersofsensetoperceiveany
thingelse,seemstronglytofeeltheadvantagesofunion.

Butplants,thoughtheyhavenotpowersofperception,yet,astheyhavelife,certainly
approachverynearlytothosethingswhichareendowedwithsentientfaculties.Whatthenisso
completelyinsensibleasstonysubstance?yeteveninthis,thereappearstobeadesireofunion.
Thustheloadstoneattractsirontoit,andholdsitfastinitsembrace,whensoattracted.Indeed,
theattractionofcohesion,asalawoflove,takesplacethroughoutallinanimatenature.
Ineednotrepeat,thatthemostsavageofthesavagetribesintheforest,liveamongeach
otherinamity.Lionsshownofiercenesstothelionrace.Theboardoesnotbrandishhisdeadly
toothagainsthisbrotherboar.Thelynxlivesinpeacewiththelynx.Theserpentshewsno
venominhisintercoursewithhisfellowserpentandthelovingkindnessofwolftowolfis
proverbial.
ButIwilladdacircumstancestillmoremarvellous.Theaccursedspirits,bywhomthe
concordbetweenheavenandhumanbeingswasoriginallyinterrupted,andtothisday
continuesinterrupted,holdunionwithoneanother,andpreservetheirusurpedpower,suchas
itis,byunanimity!
Yetmantoman,whom,ofallcreatedbeings,concordwouldmostbecome,andwhostands
mostinneedofit,neithernature,sopowerfulandirresistibleineverythingelse,canreconcile
neitherhumancompactsuniteneitherthegreatadvantageswhichwouldevidentlyarisefrom
unanimitycombine,northeactualfeelingandexperienceofthedreadfulevilsofdiscord
cordiallyendear.Toallmenthehumanformisthesame,thesoundmadebytheorgansof
utterancesimilarandwhileotherspeciesofanimalsdifferfromeachotherchieflyintheshape
oftheirbodies,tomenaloneisgivenareasoningpower,whichisindeedcommontoallmen,
yetinamannersoexclusive,thatitisnotatthesametimecommontoanyotherlivingcreature.
Tothisdistinguishedbeingisalsogiventhepowerofspeech,themostconciliatinginstrument
ofsocialconnectionandcordiallove.
Throughoutthewholeraceofmenaresownbynaturetheseedsofvirtue,andofevery
excellentquality.Fromnaturemanreceivesamildandgentledisposition,soproneto
reciprocalbenevolencethathedelightstobelovedforthepleasureofbeingloved,withoutany
viewtointerestandfeelsasatisfactionindoinggood,withoutawishorprospectof
remuneration.Thisdispositiontododisinterestedgood,isnaturaltoman,unlessinafew
instances,where,corruptedbydepraveddesires,whichoperatelikethedrugsofCircescup,the
humanbeinghasdegeneratedtothebrute.Henceeventhecommonpeople,intheordinary
languageofdailyconversation,denominatewhateverisconnectedwithmutualgoodwill,
humanesothatthewordhumanitynolongerdescribesmansnature,merelyinaphysical
sensebutsignifieshumanemanners,orabehaviour,worthythenatureofman,actinghis
properpartincivilsociety.
Tearsalsoareadistinctivemarkfixedbynature,andappropriatedtoherfavourite,man.
Theyareaproofofplacability,aforgivingtempersothatifanytriflingoffencebegivenor
taken,ifalittlecloudofillhumourdarkenthesunshine,theresoonfallsagentleshowerof

tears,andthecloudmeltsintoasweetserenity.
Thusitappears,inwhatvariouswaysnaturehastaughtmanherfirstgreatlessonoflove
andunion.Norwasshecontenttoallurethebenevolencebythepleasurablesensations
attendingitnordidshethinkshehasdoneenough,whensherenderedfriendshippleasant
andthereforeshedeterminedtomakeitnecessary.Forthispurpose,shesodistributedamong
variousmendifferentendowmentsofthemindandthebody,thatnoindividualshouldbeso
completelyfurnishedwithallofthem,butthatheshouldwanttheoccasionalassistanceofthe
lowestorders,andevenofthosewhoaremostmoderatelyfurnishedwithability.Nordidshe
givethesametalentseitherinkindorindegreetoall,evidentlymeaningthattheinequalityof
hergiftsshouldbeultimatelyequalizedbyareciprocalinterchangeofgoodofficesandmutual
assistance.Thus,indifferentcountries,shehascauseddifferentcommoditiestobeproduced,
thatexpediencyitselfmightintroducecommercialintercourse.
Shefurnishedotheranimalswithappropriatearmsorweaponsfordefenceoroffence,but
manalonesheproducedunarmed,andinastateofperfectimbecillity,thathemightfindhis
safetyinassociationandalliancewithhisfellowcreatures.Itwasnecessitywhichledtothe
formationofcommunitiesitwasnecessitywhichledcommunitiestoleaguewitheachother,
that,bytheunionoftheirforce,theymightrepeltheincursioneitherofwildbeastsorbanditti.
Sothatthereisnothinginthewholecircleofhumanaffairs,whichisentirelysufficientofitself
forselfmaintenance,orselfdefence.
Intheverycommencementoflife,thehumanracehadbeenextinct,unlessconjugalunion
hadcontinuedtherace.Withdifficultycouldmanbebornintotheworld,orassoonasborn
wouldhedie,leavinglifeattheverythresholdofexistence,unlessthefriendlyhandofthe
carefulmatron,andtheaffectionateassiduitiesofthenurse,lenttheiraidtothehelplessbabe.
Topreservethepoorinfant,Naturehasgiventhefondmotherthetenderestattachmenttoit,so
thatshelovesitevenbeforesheseesit.
Nature,ontheotherhand,hasgiventhechildrenastrongaffectionfortheparent,that
theymaybecomesupports,intheirturn,totheimbecillityofdecliningageandthatthusfilial
pietymayremunerate(afterthemannerofthestork)tothesecondchildhoodofdecrepitude,
thetendercaresexperiencedininfancyfromparentallove.Naturehasalsorenderedthebonds
bothofkindredandaffinitystrongasimilarityofnaturaldisposition,inclinations,studies,nay
ofexternalform,becomesaverypowerfulcauseofattachmentandthereisasecretsympathy
ofminds,awonderfulluretomutualaffection,whichtheancients,unabletoaccountfor,
attributed,intheiradmirationofit,tothetutelargenius,ortheguardianangel.
BysuchandsomanyplainindicationsofhermeaninghasNaturetaughtmankindtoseek
peace,andensureit.Sheinvitesthemtoitbyvariousallurements,shedrawsthemtoitby
gentleviolence,shecompelsthemtoitbythestrongarmofnecessity.Afterall,then,what
infernalbeing,allpowerfulinmischief,burstingeverybondofnatureasunder,fillsthehuman
bosomwithaninsatiablerageforwar?Iffamiliaritywiththesighthadnotfirstdestroyedall

surpriseatit,andcustom,soonafterwards,bluntedthesenseofitsevil,whocouldbeprevailed
upontobelievethatthosewretchedbeingsarepossessedofrationalsouls,theintellectsand
feelingsofhumancreatures,whocontend,withalltherageoffuries,ineverlastingfeuds,and
litigations,endinginmurder!Robbery,blood,butchery,desolation,confound,without
distinction,everythingsacredandprofane.Themosthallowedtreaties,mutuallyconfirmedby
thestrongestsanctions,cannotstoptheenragedpartiesfromrushingontomutualdestruction,
wheneverpassionormistakeninteresturgesthemtotheirrationaldecisionofthebattle.
Thoughtherewerenoothermotivetopreservepeace,onewouldimaginethatthecommon
nameofmanmightbesufficienttosecureconcordbetweenallwhoclaimit.Butbeitgranted
thatNaturehasnoeffectonmenasmen,(thoughwehaveseenthatNaturerulesassheought
todointhebrutecreation),yet,mustnotChristthereforeavailwithchristians?Beitgranted
thatthesuggestionsofnaturehavenoeffectwitharationalbeing,(thoughweseethemhave
greatweightevenoninanimatethingswithoutsense)yet,asthesuggestionsofthechristian
religionarefarmoreexcellentthanthoseofnature,whydoesnotthechristianreligion
persuadethosewhoprofessit,ofatruthwhichitrecommendsaboveallothers,thatis,the
expediencyandnecessityofpeaceonearth,andgoodwilltowardsmenoratleast,whydoesit
failofeffectuallydissuadingfromtheunnatural,andmorethanbrutal,madnessofwagingwar?
WhenI,whosenameisPeace,dobuthearthewordManpronounced,Ieagerlyruntohim
astoabeingcreatedpurposelyforme,andconfidentlypromisingmyself,thatwithhimImay
liveforeverinuninterruptedtranquillitybutwhenIalsohearthetitleofChristianaddedto
thenameofMan,Iflywithadditionalspeed,hopingthatwithchristiansImaybuildan
adamantinethrone,andestablishaneverlastingempire.
Butherealso,withshameandsorrow,Iamcompelledtodeclaretheresult.Among
Christians,thecourtsofjustice,thepalacesofprinces,thesenatehouses,andthechurches,
resoundwiththevoiceofstrife,moreloudlythanwaseverheardamongnationswhoknewnot
Christ.Insomuchthatthoughthemultitudeofwranglingadvocatesalwaysconstitutedagreat
partoftheworldsmisfortune,yeteventhisnumberisnothingcomparedwiththesuccessive
inundationofsuitorsalwaysatlaw.
Ibeholdacityenclosedwithwalls.Hopespringsinmybosomthatmen,christianmen,
mustliveinconcordhere,ifanywhere,surrounded,astheyare,bythesameramparts,
governedbythesamelaws,embarked,asitwere,inthesamebottom,inthevoyageoflife,and
thereforeexposedtoonecommondanger.But,illfatedasIam,herealsoIfindallhappiness
vitiatedbydissension,thatIcanscarcelydiscoverasingletenementinwhichIcantakeupmy
residenceforthespaceofafewdaysonly,unmolested.
ButIleavethecommonpeople,whoaretossedabout,likethewaves,bythewindsof
passion.Ienterthecourtsofkingsasintoaharbour,fromthestormoffolly.Here,sayIto
myself,heremustbeaplaceforPeacetolodgein.Thesepersonagesarewiserthanthevulgar
theyarethemindsofthecommonalty,theeyesofthepeople.Theyclaimalsotobethe

vicegerentsofHimwhowastheteacherofcharity,thePrinceofPeace,fromwhomIcomewith
lettersofrecommendation,addressed,indeed,ingeneral,toallmen,butmoreparticularlyto
suchasthese.
Appearances,onmyentranceintothepalace,promisewell.Iseemensalutingeachother
withtheblandest,softest,gentlestexpressionsofrespectandloveIseethemshakinghands,
andembracingwiththemostardentprofessionsofesteemIseethemdiningtogether,and
enjoyingconvivialpleasuresinhighgleeandjollityIseeeveryoutwardsignofthekindest
officesandhumanitybutsorryamItoadd,thatIdonotseetheleastsymptomofsincere
friendship.Itisallpaintandvarnish.Everythingiscorruptedbyopenfaction,orbysecret
grudgesandanimosities.Inoneword,sofaramIfromfindinginthepalacesofprincesa
habitationforPeace,thatinthemIdiscoveralltheembryos,seminalprinciples,andsourcesof
allthewarsthatevercursedmankind,anddesolatedtheuniverse.
UnfortunateasIaminmyresearchesforaplacetorestin,whithershallInextrepair?I
failedamongkings,itistruebutperhapstheepithetgreatbelongstokings,ratherthangood,
wise,orlearnedandperhapstheyaremoreundertheinfluenceofcapriceandpassionthanof
soundandsoberdiscretion.Iwillrepairtothelearnedworld.Itissaid,learningmakesthe
manphilosophy,somethingmorethanmanandtheologyexaltsmantothedivinenature.
HarassedasIamwiththeresearch,Ishallsurelyfindamongtheseasaferetreattorestmy
headinundisturbedrepose.
HerealsoIfindwarofanotherkind,lessbloodyindeed,butnotlessfurious.Scholarwages
warwithscholarand,asiftruthcouldbechangedbychangeofplace,someopinionsmust
neverpassoverthesea,somenevercansurmounttheAlps,andothersdonotevencrossthe
Rhinenay,inthesameuniversity,therhetoricianisatvariancewiththelogician,andthe
theologistwiththelawyer.Inthesamekindofprofession,thescotistcontendswiththethomist,
thenominalistwiththerealist,theplatonicwiththeperipateticinsomuchthattheyagreenot
intheminutestpoints,andoftenareatdaggersdrawingdelanacaprina,tillthewarmthof
disputationadvancesfromargumenttoabusivelanguage,andfromabusivelanguagetofisty
cuffsand,iftheydonotproceedtouserealswordsandspears,theystaboneanotherwithpens
diptinthevenomofmalicetheytearoneanotherwithbitinglibels,anddartthedeadlyarrows
oftheirtonguesagainsttheiropponentsreputation.
Sooftendisappointed,whithershallIrepair?Whither,buttothehousesofreligion?
Religion!thatanchorinthestormoflife?Theprofessionofreligionisindeedcommontoall
christiansbuttheywhocomerecommendedtousundertheappellationofpriests,professitin
amorepeculiarmanner,bythenametheybear,theservicetheyperform,andtheceremonies
theyobserve.
WhenItakeaviewofthematadistance,everyoutwardandvisiblesignmakesme
conclude,thatamongthem,atleast,Ishallcertainlyfindasafeasylum.Ilikethelooksoftheir
whitesurplicesforwhiteismyownfavouritecolour.Iseefiguresofthecrossaboutthem,all

symbolicalofpeace.Ihearthemallcallingoneanotherbythepleasantnameofbrother,amark
ofextraordinarygoodwillandcharityIhearthemsaluteeachotherwiththewords,Peacebe
untoyou:apparentlyhappyinanaddresssoominousofjoy.IseeacommunityofallthingsI
seethemincorporatedinaregularsociety,withthesameplaceofworship,thesamerules,and
thesamedailycongregation.Whocanavoidbeingconfidentlycertainthathere,ifnowhereelse
intheworld,ahabitationwillbefoundforpeace?
O,shametotell!thereisscarcelyonemaninthesereligioussocietiesthatisongoodterms
withhisownbishopthougheventhismightbepassedoverasatriflingmatter,iftheywerenot
torntopiecesbypartydisputesamongeachother.Whereisthepriesttobefound,whohasnot
adisputewithsomeotherpriest?Paulthinksitaninsufferableenormitythatachristianshould
gotolawwithachristianandshallapriestcontendwithapriest,abishopwithabishop?But
perhapsitmaybeofferedasanapologyforthesemen,that,bylongintercoursewithmenofthe
world,andbypossessingsuchthingsastheworldchieflyvalues,theyhavegraduallyadopted
themannersoftheworld,evenintheretreatofthechurchandthecloister.TothemselvesI
leavethemtostriveaboutthatproperty,whichtheyclaimbyprescription.
Thereremainsoneorderoftheclergy,whoaresotiedtoreligionbyvowsthat,iftheywere
inclined,theycouldnomoreshakeitoff,thanthetortoisecangetridoftheshellwhichhe
carriesonhisback,likeahouse.Ishouldhope,ifIhadnotbeensooftendisappointed,that,
amongthesepersons,cominginthenameofpeace,Ishouldgainawelcomereception.
However,thatImayleavenostoneunturned,IgoandtrywhetherImaybeallowedtofixmy
residencehere.Doyouwishtoknowtheresultoftheexperiment?Ineverreceivedaruder
repulse.WhatindeedcouldIexpect,wherereligionherselfseemstobeatwarwithreligion.
Therearejustasmanypartiesastherearefraternities.Thedominicansdisagreewiththe
minorites,thebenedictineswiththebernardinessomanymodesofworship,sovariousthe
ritesandceremoniestheycannotagreeinanyparticulareveryonelikeshisown,andtherefore
damnsallothers.Nay,thesamefraternityisrentintopartiestheobservantesinveighagainst
thecoletaebothuniteintheirhatredofathirdsort,which,thoughitderivesitsnamefroma
convent,yet,innoarticle,cancometoanamicableconvention.
Bythistime,asyoumayimagine,despairingofalmosteveryplace,IformedawishthatI
mightbepermittedtoseekaquietretreatintheobscurityofsomelittleinconsiderable
monastery.WithreluctanceImustdeclare,whatIwishwereuntrue,thatIhavenotyetbeen
abletofindonewhichisnotcorruptedandspoiledbyintestinejarsandanimosities.Iblushto
relateonwhatchildish,flimsycauses,oldmen,venerablefortheirgreybeardsandtheirgowns,
andintheirownopinionsnotonlydeeplylearned,butholy,involvethemselvesinendless
strife.
InowcherishedapleasinghopethatImightfindaplaceinprivate,domesticlife,amidthe
apparenthappinessofconjugalandfamilyendearment.Itwassurelyreasonabletoexpectit
fromsuchpromisingcircumstances,asanequalpartnershipfoundedonthechoiceoftheheart,

inthesamehouse,thesamefortune,thesamebed,thesameprogenyaddtothis,the
mysteriousunionbywhichtwobecomevirtuallyone.ButherealsoEris,thegoddessofdiscord,
hadinsinuatedherself,andhadtornasunderthestrongestbandsofconjugalattachment,by
disagreementintemperandyet,inthedomesticcircle,Icouldmuchsoonerhavefoundaplace
thanamongtheprofessedreligious,notwithstandingtheirfinetitles,theirsplendiddresses,
images,crucifixes,andtheirvariousceremonies,allwhichholdouttheideaofperfectcharity,
theverybondsofpeace.
AtlengthIfeltawishthatImightfindasnugandsecuredwellingplaceinthebosom,at
least,ofsomeoneman.ButherealsoIfailed.Oneandthesamemanisatwarwithhimself.
Reasonwageswarwiththepassionsonepassionwithanotherpassion.Dutycallsoneway,and
inclinationanother.Lust,anger,avarice,ambition,areallupinarms,eachpursuingitsown
purposes,andwarmlyengagedinthebattle.
Suchthenandsofierce,oughtnotmentoblushattheappellationofchristians,differing,
astheydoessentially,fromthepeculiaranddistinguishingexcellenceofChrist?Considerthe
wholeofhislifewhatisit,butonelessonofconcordandmutuallove?Whatdohisprecepts,
whatdohisparablesinculcate,butpeaceandcharity?DidthatexcellentprophetIsaiah,when
heforetoldthecomingofChristasanuniversalreconciler,representhimasanearthlylord,a
satrap,agrandee,orcourtier?Didheannouncehimasamightyconqueror,aburnerofvillages,
adestroyeroftowns,asonewhowastotriumphovertheslaughterandmiseryofwretched
mortals?No.Howthendidheannouncehim?AsthePrinceofPeace.Theprophet,intendingto
describehimasthemostexcellentofalltheprincesthatevercameintotheworld,drewthetitle
ofthatsuperiorexcellence,fromwhatisitselfthemostexcellentofallthings,Peace.Norisitto
bewondered,thatIsaiah,aninspiredprophet,viewedPeaceinthislight,whenSiliusItalicus,a
heathenpoet,haswrittenmycharacterinthesewords:
........Paxoptimarerum
Quashomininaturadedit..........
Noboonthatnatureevergavetoman,
Maybecomparedwithpeace.
Themysticminstrel,thesweetpsalmist,hasalsosung:
InSalem(aplaceofpeace)ishistabernacle.Notintents,notincamps,didthisprince,
mightytosave,fixhisresidencebutinSalem,thecityofpeace.Heis,indeed,thePrinceof
Peacepeaceishisdeardelight,andwarhisabomination.
Again,theprophetIsaiahcallstheworkofrighteousness,peacemeaningthesamething
withPaul,(whowashimselfconvertedfromtheturbulentSaul,toapreacherofpeace)when
preferringcharitytoallothergiftsofthesecretspiritofGod,hethunderedintheearsofthe
Corinthiansmyeulogium,withaneloquencewhicharosefromthefinefeelingsofhisbosom,

animatedbygrace,andwarmwithbenevolence.WhymayInotgloryinhavingbeencelebrated
byonesocelebratedhimself,asthisgreatapostle?InanotherplacehecallsChristtheGodof
Peaceandinathird,thePeaceofGodplainlyindicating,thatthesetwocharacterssonaturally
coalesce,thatPeacecannotcomewhereGodisnotandthatwherePeaceisnot,Godcannot
come.
InthesacredvolumeswefindtheholyministersofGodcalledmessengersofpeacefrom
whichitisobvioustoconclude,whoseministersthosemenmustbe,whoarethemessengersof
war.Hearthis,yemightywarriorsandmarkunderwhosebannersyefighttheyarethoseof
thataccursedbeingwhofirstsowedstrifebetweenmanandhismaker.Tothisfirstfatalstrife
aretobeascribedallthewoesthatmortalmanisdoomedtofeel.
Itisfrivoloustoargue,assomedo,thatGodiscalled,inthemysteriousvolumes,theGod
ofhosts,andtheGodofvengeance.ThereisagreatdifferencebetweentheGodoftheJewsand
theGodoftheChristians,notwithstandingGod,inhisownessence,isoneandthesame.Butif
wemuststillretaintheancientjewishtitlesofGod,letGodbecalledtheGodofhosts,while,by
thewordhosts,isunderstood,thephalanxofdivinegraces,bywhoseenergygoodmenare
enabledtorouteanddestroythevices,thosedeadliestenemiesofhumanfelicity.Lethimstill
bestyledGodofvengeance,providedyouunderstandittobevengeanceonthosesinswhichrob
usofrepose.Inlikemanner,theexamplesofbloodyslaughterwithwhichthejewishhistories
arestuffed,shouldbeused,notasincentivestothebutcheryofourfellowcreatures,buttothe
utterexterminationofallbadpassions,hostiletoourvirtueandhappiness,fromtheterritoryof
ourownbosoms.
Toproceed,however,asIhadbegun,withscripturalpassagesinfavourofpeace.
Whenevertheymeantodescribeperfecthappiness,theyalwaysdenoteitbythenameofpeace
asIsaiah,Mypeopleshallreposeinthebeautyofpeacesoalso,PeaceuponIsrael.Again,
Isaiahexpressesarapturousadmirationofthemwhobringgladtidingsofpeace.Whoeverof
thesacredwritersannouncesChrist,announcespeaceonearth.Whoeverproclaimswar,
proclaimshimwhoisasunlikeChristasitispossibletobethegranddestroyer.
WhatinducedtheSonofGodtocomedownfromheaventoearth,butagraciousdesireto
reconciletheworldtohisFather?tocementtheheartsofmenbymutualandindissolublelove?
andlastly,toreconcilemantohimselfandbidhimbeatpeacewithhisownbosom?Formy
sake,then,hewassentonthisgraciousembassyitwasmybusinesswhichhecondescendedto
transactandthereforeheappointedSolomontobeatypeofhimselftheverynameSolomon
signifyingapeacemaker.GreatandillustriousasKingDavidisrepresentedyet,becausehe
wasakingwhodelightedinwar,andbecausehewaspollutedwithhumangore,hewasnot
permittedtobuildthehouseoftheLord,hewasnotworthytobemadethetypeofChrist.
Nowthen,warrior,haltandconsiderifwars,undertakenandcarriedonatthecommand
oftheDeity,(aswasthecaseinDavidswars)polluteandrenderamanunholy,whatwillbethe
effectofwarsofambition,warsofrevenge,andwarsoffuriousanger?Ifthebloodofheathens

defiledthepiouskingwhoshedit,whatwillbetheeffectonchristiankings,ofsocopiousan
effusionofthebloodofchristians,causedsolelybyroyalrevenge?
Idobeseechyourchristianmajesty,(ifyouareachristianinanythingbesidesyourtitle)to
contemplatethemodelofhimwhoisyoursovereignobservehowheentereduponhisreign,
howheconductedit,howhedepartedfromthisworld,andlearntoreignfromhisexample.You
willfindthattheveryfirstobjectofyourheartshouldbe,topreserveyourcountryinastateof
peace.
AtthenativityofChristdidtheangelssoundtheclarionofwar?Thehorriddinmighthave
beenaddressedtotheearsofJews,fortheywereallowedtowagewar.Suchauspiceswerewell
enoughadaptedtothosewhothoughtitlawfultohatetheirenemiesbuttothepacificraceof
futurechristians,theangelsofpeacesoundedafardifferentnote.Didtheyblowtheshrill
trumpet?Didtheypromisetriumphsandtrophiesofvictory?Farfromit.Whatthendidthey
announce?Peaceandgoodwill,inconformitywiththepredictionsoftheprophetsandthey
announcedthemnottothosewhobreathewarandbloodshed,whodelightintheinstruments
ofdestruction,buttothosewhoseheartsareinclinedtoconcord.
Letmecovertheirmalicewithwhatcloketheypleaseitiscertain,thatiftheydidnot
delightinwar,theywouldnotbeconstantlyengagedinitsconflicts.
ButasforChrist,whatelsedidheteachandinculcate,butpeace?Headdressedthose
whomheloved,withtheauspiciouswordsofpeace:Peacebewithyou,herepeatedlysaysand
prescribesthisformofsalutation,asaloneworthyofthechristiancharacter.Andtheapostles,
dulymindfulofhispreceptandexample,prefacetheirepistleswithawishforpeacetothose
whomtheylove.Hewhowisheshealthtohisfriend,wishesamostdesirableblessingbuthe
whowisheshimpeace,wisheshimthesummitofhumanfelicity.
AsChristhadrecommendedpeaceduringthewholeofhislife,markwithwhatanxietyhe
enforcesitattheapproachofhisdissolution.Loveoneanother,saysheasIhavelovedyou,so
loveoneanotherandagain,mypeaceIgiveuntoyou,mypeaceIleaveyou.Doyouobservethe
legacyheleavestothosewhomheloves?Isitapompousretinue,alargeestate,orempire?
Nothingofthiskind.Whatisitthen?peacehegiveth,hispeaceheleavethpeace,notonlywith
ournearconnexions,butwithenemiesandstrangers!
Iwishyoutoconsiderwithme,whatitwaswhichhebesoughtofhisFatherinhislast
prayer,atthelastsupper,whendeathwasathand.Itwasaremarkableprayerforonewho
knewthatheshouldobtainwhateverherequested.Father,sayshe,keeptheminthyname,that
theymaybeone,likeasweare!Observe,Ibeseechyou,whatawonderfulunionChristrequires
inhisfollowershedoesnotpraythattheymaybeofonemind,butthattheymaybeonenor
doeshementionthisunioninavaguemanner,butsays,Thattheymaybeone,asweare,who
areoneandthesameinamostperfect,yetunspeakableandinexplicablemanner.Heindicates
atthesametime,thatmortalscanobtainsalvation,orimmortality,bynoothermeansthanthe
preservationofpeaceamongthemselves,duringthewholeofthistransitorylife.

Moreover,asthekingsofthisworldusuallydistinguishtheirsubjectsbysomemarkby
whichtheymaybeknownfromothers,especiallyinwar,Christhasdistinguishedhissubjects
bythebadgeofmutualcharity.Bythis,sayshe,shallallmenknowthatyouaremydisciples
notifyouwearthisorthatuniform,notifyoueatthisorthatkindoffood,notifyoufastonthis
orthatoccasion,notifyousaysuchorsuchaportionofthepsalmsbutifyouloveoneanother,
andthatnotinthecommonway,but,asIhavelovedyou.Thepreceptsofphilosophersare
innumerable,thelawsofMosesarevarious,aswellastheedictsofprincesbutone
commandment,sayshe,Igiveyou,anditis,loveoneanother.
Whenheprescribedaformofprayertohisdisciples,didhenotadmonishus,ina
wonderfulmanner,intheverybeginningofit,concerningtheunanimitywhichchristiansare
boundtopreserve?OurFather!sayshe.Itistheprayerofoneyetitisthecommonrequestof
all.Allthenareonehouse,onefamily,dependingupononeFatherandhowcanitpossiblybe
allowedthat,insuchcircumstances,theyshouldbetearingeachothertopiecesinnever
ceasingwars?
HowcanyousayourFather,addressingtheuniversalparent,whileyouarethrustingthe
sharpsteelintothebowelsofyourbrother?forsuchyouconfesshimtobebythisveryprayer,
OurFather.
AsChristwishedthesentimentsofphilanthropy,oruniversalconcord,tobefixeddeeply
intheheartsofallhisfollowers,bywhatavarietyofemblems,parables,andprecepts,hashe
inculcatedtheloveofpeace!Hecallshimselfashepherd,andhisfollowershissheep.And,let
meask,didyoueverseesheepfightinginearnestwiththeirfellowsheep,soaseithertoinjure
limbs,ordestroylife?or,whatgreaterharmcanthewolvesdo,iftheflockthusteareachother
inpieces?
WhenChristcallshimselfthevine,andhisdisciplesthebranches,whatelsedidhemeanto
express,butthemostperfectunionbetweenhimandthem,andbetweenthemselves?Itwould
beaprodigy,indeed,ifabranchweretocontendwithabranchofthesametreeand,isitlessa
prodigy,thatachristianfightswithachristian?
Iftherebeanythingsacredtochristians,surelythatoughttobedeemedsingularlysacred,
andtosinkdeeplyintotheirhearts,whichChristdeliveredtotheminhislastdyingcommands
whenhewas,asitwere,makinghiswillandtestament,andrecommendingtohissonsthose
thingswhichhewishedmightneverfallintooblivion.Andwhatisitwhich,onthissolemn
occasion,heteaches,commands,prescribes,entreatsbutthattheyshouldpreserveinviolate,
mutualgoodwill,orcharity?Andwhatmeansthecommunionoftheholybreadandwine,but
arenewedsanctionofindissolubleamity?AsChristknewthatPeacecouldnotbepreserved,
wheremenwerestrugglingforoffice,forglory,forriches,forrevenge,herootsoutfromthe
heartsofhisdisciplesallpassionswhichleadtothesethingsheforbidsthemabsolutelyand
withoutexception,toresistevilhecommandsthemtodogoodtothosewhousethemill,and
toprayforthosewhocursethem.And,afterthis,shallkingspresumetothinkthemselves

christians,who,ontheslightestinjuryembroiltheworldinwar?
Hecommandsthatthemanwhowouldbethechiefamongthepeople,shouldbetheir
servantnorendeavourtooutdoothersinanythingelsebutinbeingbetterthanthey,andin
doingmoregoodtohisfellowmortals.Thenarenotcertainpersonsclaimingtobechiefs,
ashamed,forthesakeofmakingsomepaltryadditiontotheoutskirtsoftheirdomains,(already
toolarge)tosettheworldinaflame?
Heteachesyoutoliveafterthemannerofthebirdsoftheair,andtheliliesofthefield
trustingtoProvidence.Heforbidsyoursolicitudetoextendtothemorrow.Hewishesyouto
dependentirelyonGod.Heexcludesallrichmen,whotrustinriches,fromthekingdomof
heaven.Andyetaretherecrownedmiscreants,who,forthesakeofapoorpittanceofmoney,
perhaps,afterall,notduetothem,willnothesitatetospilltorrentsofhumanbloodinthefield
ofbattle?Indeed,intheseverytimes,therecoveryofasumofmoneyappearstobeaverygood
causeofajustandnecessarywar!
Christseemstohavehadinviewthistendencyinmentocontendfortrifles,whenhebids
hisdisciplestolearnofhimtobemeekandlowly,andtolayasidealldispositionstorevenge.
Whenheordersthemtoleavetheirgiftatthealtar,nortoofferitbeforetheyarereconciledto
theirbrother,doeshenotplainlyinsinuate,thatunanimityistobepreferredtoanythingelse
andthatnooblationonthealtarisacceptabletoGod,unlessitispresentedbyme?Godrefused
theJewishoffering,agoatperhaps,orasheep,becauseitwasofferedbythosewhowereat
variancewitheachotherandshallchristians,attheverytimetheyareendeavouringtocut
eachothersthroatsinthefieldofbattle,daretomakeanoblationattheholycommunionofthe
Lordssupper?Whenhecondescendedtocomparehimselftoahengatheringherchickens
underherwing,whatabeautifulandexpressivepicturedidhedelineateofchristianunity?He
gathershischickensunderhiswingandshallchristians,hisprofessedfollowers,daretoactthe
partofhawksorkites?
Ofasimilartendencyisthecomparisonofhimselftoacornerstone,atoncesupportingand
unitingthetwowallswhichrestuponitandhowthencanitbereconcilabletotheprofessionof
christians,thatthosewhocallthemselveshisvicarsorvicegerents,shouldexcitethewhole
worldtoarms,andsetkingdomagainstkingdom?Theyprofess,askingsofchristiancountries,
thatheistheirgreatsovereignandreconcilerandyettheycannotbereconciledtoeachother
byanyargumentsdrawnfromchristianity.HereconciledPilateandHerodandyethisown
followerswillnotbereconciledbyhisintervention.HechidesPeter,thoughhalfaJew,who
drewaswordinhisdefencewhenhislifewasinimmediatedanger,andordershimtoputitup
intoitsscabbardandyetchristianskeeptheswordconstantlydrawn,andareeverreadytouse
itontheirbrotherchristians,onthemosttriflingprovocation.Couldhewishhimself,orhis
causetobedefendedbyasword,who,withhisdyingbreath,prayedforhismurderers?
Everypageofthechristianscriptures,whetheryoureadthosepartsoftheOldTestament
whichhaveareferencetochristianity,ortheNew,speaksoflittleelsebutpeaceandconcord

andyetthewholelifeofthegreaterportionofchristiansisemployedinnothingsomuchasthe
concernsofwar.Itisreallymorethanbrutalferocitywhichcanneitherbebrokenin,nor
mitigatedinitsviolence,bysomanyconcurrentcircumstances.Itwerebesttolayasidethe
nameofchristianatonceorelsetogiveproofofthedoctrineofChrist,byitsonlycriterion,
brotherlylove.Howlongshallyourlivescontradictyourprofessionandappellation?Youmay
markyourhouses,yourvestments,andyourchurches,withthecross,asmuchasyouplease
butChristwillrecognizenootherbadge,thanthatwhichhehimselfprescribed,loveofone
another.
Mengatheredtogetherformerlyforthepurposesofdevotion,sawhimascendinginto
heaventheythatarenowgatheredtogetherforthesamepurpose,areorderedtoexpectthe
descentoftheHolyGhost:hehaspromisedtobealwayswiththosethatareforsuchpurposes
gatheredtogethersothatnonecaneverreasonablythinktofindhiminthefieldofbattle.With
respecttothespiritoffirethatdescendedontheapostles,whatisitbutcharity?Nothingis
morecommonpropertythanfire.Withoutanyloss,fireislightedbyfire.Wouldyoube
convincedthatthisspiritistheparentofconcord?Marktheresultofit.Therewas,sayshe,
amongthemoneheartandonesoul.Withdrawthebreathorspiritfromthebody,and
immediatelythefinecontextureofitspartsistotallydestroyed.Inlikemanner,withdrawpeace,
andthewholemysteriousunionwithheaven,whichformsthedivinelife,isatoncedissolved.
Divinestellus,thattheheavenlyspiritisinfusedintoourheartsbythesacrament.Iftheytellus
true,whereisthatpeculiareffectofthisspiritinthosewhotakethesacrament,theoneheart
andtheonesoul?Butiftheytellusonlyanamusingstory,whyissuchhonourpaidtouseless
things?SomuchIhaveventuredtosay,notforthesakeofdetractingfromthesanctityofthe
sacrament,butthatchristiansmayblushtofindtheirmannerscorrespondsolittlewiththeir
solemnprofession.
Whatismeantbydenominatingthewholebodyofchristianpeople,thechurch,butthatit
shouldadmonishthemthattheyareunited,andoughtthereforetobeunanimous?Now,what
possibleagreementcantherebebetweencampsandachurch?Achurchimpliesunionand
associationcamps,disunionanddiscord.Ifyousayyoubelongtothechurch,whatcanyou
havetodowiththeoperationsofwar?Ifyousayyoudonotbelongtothechurchwhathaveyou
todowithChrist?
Butifyouareallofthesamehouseifyouallacknowledgethesameheadandmasterof
thefamilyifyouallmilitateunderthesamecaptainifyouallreceivethesamelargesses,and
aremaintainedbythesamepayifyouareallinpursuitofthesamegreatprize,whythese
tumultsanddisordersinyourmarch?Youseeamongthoseunnaturalandcruelcomrades,who
advanceintroopstoperformtheworkofhumanbutcheryforhire,perfectconcordmaintained,
becausetheyareledonunderthesamestandardsandshallnotsomanypacificcircumstances
unitetheheartsofthosewhosebloodlesswarfareistopromotepietyandpeace?Dosomany
sacramentsavailnothinginproducingunanimity?

BaptismiscommontoyouallbymeansofthisyouarebornagaintoChristyouarecutt
offfromtheworld,andbecomeingraftedmembersofthebodyofChrist.Nowwhatcan
conducesomuchtounityandidentity,astobemademembersofoneandthesamebody?
FromthisincorporationwithChrist,thepettydistinctionsofbondandfree,greekand
barbarian,maleandfemale,ceasetoseparatemankindandallareoneinChrist,whobrings
themall,whatevertheirlocalandphysicaldiversitiesmaybe,tounityandidentityofheartand
disposition.
Amongthescythians,theyhaveaceremonyofdrinkingadropofeachothersbloodoutofa
cup,asacementoffriendshipafterwhich,thosewhohavepartakenofitwillhesitateatno
hardshipintheserviceofeachother,andwillmeetdeathitselfwithalacrity,inmutualdefence.
Shallheathensthendeemthatconcordinviolable,whichaparticipationofadraughtatthe
sametablehassanctionedandshallnotchristiansbekeptinloveandcharitybythatheavenly
bread,andthatmysticcup,whichChristhimselfordained,inwhichtheyeveryday
communicate,constantlyrepeating,withthemostsolemnrites,theholyfeastoflove?IfChrist
meantnothingbythisinstitutionwhyisitkeptupamongchristianstothisday,withsomany
ceremonies?Ifhemeantthemostseriousandimportantbenefittomankind,thenwhyisit
slightlyregardedbyyou,asifitwereafarce,oramerescenicexhibition?Doesanyman
presumetogotothattable,thesymboloflovedoesanyonepresumetoapproachthefeastof
peace,who,atthesamemoment,meditateswaragainstchristians,andispreparingtodestroy
thosewhomChristdiedtosave,tospillthebloodofthoseforwhomChristshedhisown!
Heartsunfeelingastheflint!Inmanyparticularsyouareunitedbynatureandnecessity
yetinlifeandaction,whereyoumayfreelychooseyourconduct,youarerentasunderby
unaccountabledissensionandstrife!Bythelawofnature,youareallbornintotheworld,ofa
womanbythelawofnecessity,youallwaxoldandfeeble,andthensinkintothegrave.Youare
allsprungfromthesamefirstparentyouhaveallthesamedivineauthorofyourreligionyou
areallredeemedbythesameblood,initiatedinthesameholyrites,nourishedinyourspiritual
growthbythesamesacramentsandwhateveradvantageflowsfromallthesecombined,flows
fromthesamefountain,andflowsequallytoall.Youhaveallthesamechurch,andalllookfor
thesamereward.
ThatheavenlyJerusalem,forwhicheverytruechristianpants,derivesitsnamefromthe
beatificvisionofpeace,ofwhichthechurch,inthemeantime,isatypicalrepresentation.And
howhappensit,thatthechurchitselfdifferssowidelyfromitsholyexamples?Hasnature
availednothinginhervariousinstructionsandlessonsoflove?HasChristavailednothing,with
allhismysteries,allhisprecepts,allhissymbolsofpeace?
Adversity,orevil,ifnotgood,willcausebadmentoclingtogetherbutneitheradversity
norprosperity,neithergoodnorevil,willeffectaperfectcoalitionamongchristians.Letusturn
ourattentiontotheadverseside,theevilsoflife,andseeiftheyproduceanyeffectinurging
christianstouniteformutualcomfortandprotection.

Whatismorebrittlethanthelifeofman?Supposingitunbrokenbycasualties,howshort
itsnaturalduration!Howliabletodiseasehowexposedtomomentaryaccidents!Yet,though
thenaturalandinevitableevilsaremoreandgreaterthancanbebornewithpatience,man,fool
asheis,bringsthegreatestandworstcalamitiesuponhisownhead.Thoughcondemnedtofeel
theeffectsofhisfolly,yetsoblindishethathecannotseeit.Headlonghegoeswithan
impetuositysoprecipitateastoburstandtearasundereverytieofnature,everybondofChrist.
Toarmsherushesatalltimesandinallplacesnoboundstohisfury,noendtohisdestructive
vengeance.Togethertheyengage,nationwithnation,citywithcity,kingwithkingandto
gratifythefollyorgreedyambitionoftwopoorpunymortals,whoshortlyshalldiebynature,
likeinsectsofasummersday,allhumanaffairsaredisarranged,andwhirledinconfusion.Iwill
passoverthesadtragedyofwar,actedonthebloodystageoftheworldintimeslongpast.
Letusonlytakearetrospectofthelasttenyears.Inwhatpartoftheworld,duringthat
shortspace,havetherenotbeenbloodybattlesbothbyseaandland?Whatcountryinwhich
theearthhasnotbeenfertilizedwiththebloodofchristiansshedbychristians?Whatriveror
seathathasnotbeendiscolouredwithpurpletideofhumangore?Yes,Iamashamedto
declare,thatchristiansfightmoresavagelythanjews,thanheathens,thanthebeastsofthe
field?Thewarlikespiritwhichthejewsdisplayedtowardsaliens,christiansareboundto
displayagainsttheirvicesbut,onthecontrary,theychusetobeatpeacewiththeirvices,andat
warwiththeirfellowcreatures.Andyet,asanapologyforthejews,itmustbesaid,thatthey
wereledtowar,inaparticularcase,bydivinecommand,forthepurposeofdivineProvidence
whilethechristians(removebutthepoorflimsyveiloffalsepretexts,andjudgeaccordingto
realtruth)youwillfindhurriedintothecrookedpathofambitionbyanger,theveryworst
counsellor,andalluredtoshedbloodbyaninsatiableavariceofgold.Thejewswagedwarwith
foreignnationswhilethechristiansare,withtheTurks,atpeace,and,withoneanother,atwar!
Astotheheathendespots,itistrue,thethirstofglorygoadedthemtobattlebutyeteven
theyconqueredfierceandbarbarousnationstocivilizetheminsomuch,thatitwasoftenan
advantagetobeconquered,theconquerorsendeavouringtorendereveryserviceintheirpower
tothepeoplewhomtheyhadsubdued.Theytookpainstorendertheirvictoriesaslittlebloody
aspossible,thattheconquerormightberewardedwithamorehonourablerenown,andthat
theclemencyofthevictormightaffordconsolationtothevanquished.ButIblushtorecord,
uponhowinfamouslyfrivolouscausestheworldhasbeenrouzedtoarmsbychristiankings.
Oneofthemhasfound,orforged,anobsoletemustyparchment,onwhichhemakesaclaimto
aneighbouringterritory.Asifitsignifiedastrawtomankind,thuscalledupontoshedblood,
whoistheperson,orwhatthefamilyoftherulingprince,whoeverhebe,providedhegoverns
insuchamannerastoconsultandpromotepublicfelicity.
Anotherallegesthatsomepunctilio,inatreatyofahundredarticles,hasbeeninfringedor
neglected.Athirdowesaneighbouringkingasecretgrudge,onaprivateaccount,becausehe
hasmarriedsomeprincesswhomheintendedtobehisconsort,orutteredsomesarcasmthat

reflectsuponhisroyalpersonandcharacter.
And,whatisthebasestandmostflagitiousconductofall,therearecrownedheads,who,
withthemeancunningthatevercharacterizesthedespot,contrive(becausetheyfindtheirown
powerweakenedbythepeoplesunion,andstrengthenedbytheirdivision)toexcitewarwithout
anysubstantialreasonforarupturemerelytobreakthenationalunionathome,andpillage
theoppressedpeoplewithimpunity.Thereareinfernalagentsenough,whofattenonthe
plunderofthepeople,andhavelittletodoinstateaffairsduringthetimeofpeace,whoeasily
managetobringaboutthewishedforrupture,andembroilanunoffendingpeopleinawarwith
anunoffendingneighbour.Nothingbutafuryofhellcouldinstilsuchvenomintothebosomof
achristian.
Crueltyofdespotismlikethis,intheheartsofkingspretendingtochristianity,wasnever
equalledbyDionysius,Mezentius,Phalaris,themostinfamoustyrantsofantiquity!Degraded
wretches!Brutes,notmen!Greatonlybytheabuseofgreatness!Foolsineverythingbuttheart
ofdoingmischief!unanimousinnothingbutindefraudingandoppressingthepublic!Yet,
wretches,brutes,andfoolsastheyare,theyarecalledchristians,andhavetheimpudencetogo
withafaceofpietytochurch,anddareeventokneelatthealtar.Pestsofmankind,worthytobe
transportedoutofcivilsociety,andcarriedwithconvictstotheremotestislands,inexilefor
life.
Ifitbetruethatchristiansaremembersofonebody,howhappensitthateverychristian
doesnotsympathizeandrejoiceineveryotherchristianswelfare?Now,however,itseemstobe
causeenoughtocommenceajustandnecessarywar,thataneighbouringlandisinamore
prosperous,flourishing,orfreecondition,thanyourown.For,ifyoucanbutprevailupon
yourselvestospeaktherealtruth,what,Iask,hasexcited,andwhatcontinuesatthisveryday
toexcite,somanycombinedpowersagainstthekingdomofFrance,unlessitbe,thatitisthe
finestandmostflourishingcountryinEurope?Nowhereisthereamoreextensiveterritory
nowhereamoreaugustpubliccouncilnowheregreaterunanimity,and,onalltheseaccounts
united,nowheregreaterpower....
Godmademanunarmed.ButangerandrevengehavemendedtheworkofGod,and
furnishedhishandswithweaponsinventedinhell.Christiansattackchristianswithenginesof
destruction,fabricatedbythedevil.Acannon!amortar!nohumanbeingcouldhavedevised
themoriginallytheymusthavebeensuggestedbytheevilone.Nature,indeed,hasarmedlions
withteethandclaws,andbullswithhornsbutwhoeversawthemgoinbodiestousetheir
armsformutualdestruction?Whatmaneversawsosmallanumberaseventenlions
congregatedtofighttenbulls,anddrawnupinbattlearray?Buthowoftenhavetwenty
thousandchristiansmetanequalnumberonthesameplain,allpreparedtoshooteachother,
throughtheheart,ortoplungetheswordorbayonetthrougheachothersbowels.Solittle
accountdotheymakeofhurtingtheirbrethren,thattheyhavenotthesmallestscrupletospill
everydropofbloodintheirbodies.Beastsoftheforestyourcontestsareatleastexcusable,and

sometimesamiableyefightonlywhendriventomadnessbyhunger,ortodefendyouryoung
onesbutasforthosewhocallthemselvesyourlords,(menandchristians)thefaintestshadow
ofanaffrontissufficienttoinvolvetheminallthehorrorsofpremeditatedwar.
Ifthelowerordersofthepeopleweretoactinthismanner,someapologymightbefound
intheirsupposedignoranceifveryyoungmenweretoactinthismanner,theinexperienceof
youthmightbepleadedinextenuationifthepoorlaityonlywereconcerned,thefrailtyofthe
agentsmightlessentheatrocityoftheaction:buttheveryreverseofthisisthetruth.Theseeds
ofwararechieflysownbythoseverypeoplewhosewisdomandmoderation,characteristicof
theirrankandstation,oughttocomposeandassuagetheimpetuouspassionsofthepeople.
Thepeople,theignoblevulgar,despisedastheyare,aretheverypersonswhooriginally
raisegreatandfaircitiestotheirproudeminencewhoconductthecommercialbusinessof
thementirelyand,bytheirexcellentmanagement,fillthemwithopulence.Intothesecities,
aftertheyareraisedandenrichedbyplebeians,creepthesatrapsandgrandees,likesomany
dronesintoahivepilferwhatwasearnedbyothersindustryandthus,whatwasaccumulated
bythelabourofthemany,isdissipatedbytheprofligacyofthefewwhatwasbuiltbyplebeians
onuprightfoundations,isleveledtothegroundbycrueltyandroyalpatricianinjustice.
Ifthemilitarytransactionsofoldtimearenotworthremembrance,lethimwhocanbear
theloathsomeemploy,onlycalltomindthewarsofthelasttwelveyearslethimattentively
considerthecausesofthemall,andhewillfindthemalltohavebeenundertakenforthesakeof
kingsallofthemcarriedonwithinfinitedetrimenttothepeoplewhile,inmostinstances,the
peoplehadnotthesmallestconerneitherintheiroriginortheirissue.
Then,astoyoungmenbeingchieflyconcernedinthismischiefofexcitingwarsofarfrom
it,thatyouhideyourgreyhairswithahelmetcanitiemgaleapremitisandyoudeemitan
honourtothehoaryheadofachristian,toencourage,oreventakeanactivepartinwar,though
theheathenpoet,Ovid,says,turpesenexmilesthatanoldman,awarrior!isaloathsome
object.Ovidscountrymenwouldhaveconsideredafightingman,oronethatsetotherstofight,
atseventyyearsold,abloodthirstydotard,withonefootinhisgrave,amonsterofwickedness
andfolly.
Astothelaityonlybeingconcerned,itissofarfromtrue,thatpriests,whomGod,under
thesevereandsanguinarydispensationofMoses,forbadetobepollutedwithblood,donot
blushthatchristiandivinesandpreachers,theguidesofourlives,donotblushthatprofessors
ofthepurestdivinitydonotblushthatneitherbishops,cardinals,norChristsownvicars,
blush,tobecometheinstigators,theveryfirebrandsofwar,againstwhichChrist,fromwhom
theyallpretendtoderivetheonlyauthoritytheycanhave,expressedhisutterdetestation.
Whatpossibleconsistencycantherebebetweenamitreandahelmet,apastoralstaffanda
sabre?betweenthevolumeofthegospelandashieldandbuckler?Howcanitbeconsistentto
salutethepeoplewiththewords,peacebewithyou,and,atthesametime,tobeexcitingthe
wholeworldtobloodywar!withthelipstospeakpeace,andwiththehand,andeverypowerof

action,tobeurgingonhavoc?DareyoudescribeChristasareconciler,aPrinceofPeace,and
yetpalliateorcommendwar,withthesametonguewhichintruth,isnothinglessthanto
soundthetrumpetbeforeChristandSatanatthesametime?Doyoupresume,reverendsir,
withyourhoodandsurpliceon,tostimulatethesimple,inoffensivepeopletowar,whenthey
cometochurch,expectingtohearfromyourmouththegospelofpeace?Areyounot
apprehensive,lestwhatwassaidbythosewhoannouncedthecomingofChrist,howbeautiful
arethefeetofhimthatbringethgladtidingsofpeacewhobringethtidingsofgood,who
bringethtidingsofsalvation!shouldbereversed,andaddressedtoyouinthismanner:howfoul
isthetongueofpriestsexhortingtowar,incitingtoevil,andurgingmentodestruction.Think
oftheincongruousidea,abloodypriest!
AmongtheoldRomans,whoretainedsomethingoftruepietyinthemidstofheathenism,
whoeverenteredontheofficeofpontifexmaximus,orhighpriest,wasobligedtoswearthathe
wouldkeephishandsunstainedwithbloodandthat,ifhewereprovoked,orevenhurtbyany
aggressor,hewouldnotavengetheinjury.TitusVespasian,aheathenemperor,kepttheoath
religiously,andishighlycommendedforitbyaheathenwriter.Butamongchristians,asif
shamehadfledfromearth,clergymen,solemnlyconsecratedtoGod,areoftenamongthefirst
toinflametheminds,bothofkingandpeople,tobloodanddevastation.Theyconvertthesweet
accentsofthegospeltothetrumpetofMarsand,forgettingthedignityoftheirprofession,run
aboutmakingproselytestotheiropinion,readytodoorsufferanything,solongastheycanbut
succeedinkindlingtheflamesofwar.
Kingswhoperhapsmightotherwisehavekeptquiet,aresetonfirebythoseverymen,who
ought,iftheyactedincharacter,tocooltheardourofwarringpotentatesbytheirofficialand
sacredauthority.Nay,whatismoremonstrousstill,clergymenactuallywagewarinperson,and
withaviewtoobtainsharesinprizesorprefermentsthings,whichthephilosophersamongthe
heathensheldincontemptandthecontemptofwhichisthepeculiarandappropriate
distinctionofmenwhoprofesstofollowtheapostles.
Averyfewyearsago,whentheworld,labouringunderadeadlyfever,wasrunning
headlongtoarms,thegospeltrumpetersblewablastfromthepulpit,andinflamedthe
wretchedkingsofEuropetoaparoxysm,runningastheywerefastenoughofthemselvesintoa
stateofdownrightinsanity.Amongtheenglish,theclergyfulminatedfromthepulpitagainst
thefrenchandamongthefrench,againsttheenglish.Theyallunitedininstigatingtowar.Not
onemanamongthecleryexhortedtopeaceor,atleast,notaboveoneortwo,whoselives
wouldperhapsbeindanger,ifIwereevennowtonamethem.
TherightreverendfathersinGod,theholybishops,forgettingtheirpersonaland
professionaldignity,werecontinuallyrunningtoandfro,liketheevilone,addingvirulenceto
thepublicdiseaseoftheworld,bytheirmischievousofficiousnessinstigating,ononehand,
Juliusthepope,and,ontheother,thesurroundingkings,topushonthewarwithvigourasif
bothpopeandkingswerenotmadenoughwithouttheirinflammatorysuggestions.Inthemean

time,thefathersinGodfailednottocalltheirbloodthirstyrage,azealforlaw,order,and
religion.
Toforwardtheirsanguinarypurposes,theywrestthelawsofheaventoaconstructive
meaningnevermeant,theymisinterpretthewritingsofgoodmen,theymisquoteand
misrepresentthesacredscripture,Idonotsay,withthemostbarefacedimpudenceonly,but
themostblasphemousimpiety.Nay,mattersarecometosuchapass,thatitisdeemedfoolish
andwickedtoopenonesmouthagainstwar,ortoventureasyllableinpraiseofpeacethe
constantthemeofChristseulogy.Heisthoughttobeillaffectedtotheking,andeventopaybut
littleregardtothepeoplesinterest,whorecommendswhatisofallthingsintheworldthemost
salutary,tobothkingandpeople,ordissuadesfromthatwhich,withoutanyexception,isthe
mostdestructive.
Inadditiontoallthis,chaplainsfollowthearmytothefieldofbattlebishopspresidein
thecamp,and,abandoningtheirchurches,enlistintheserviceofBellona.Thewarmultiplies
priests,bishops,andcardinals,amongwhom,tobeacamplegateisdeemedanhonourable
preferment,andworthythesuccessorsoftheapostles.Itisthereforethelesswonderfulthat
priestsshouldbreathethespiritofMars,towhomMarsgivesecclesiasticalrank,togetherwith
loavesandfishes.
Itisacircumstancewhichrenderstheevillesscapableofremedy,thattheclergycover
overthismostirreligiousconductwiththeclokeofreligion.Thecoloursintheregiments,
(consecratedbyministersofpeace!)bearthefigureofthecrosspainteduponthem.The
unfeelingmercenarysoldier,hiredbyafewpiecesofpaltrycoin,todotheworkofmanbutcher,
carriesbeforehimthestandardofthecrossandthatveryfigurebecomesthesymbolofwar,
whichaloneoughttoteacheveryonethatlooksatit,thatwaroughttobeutterlyabolished.
WhathastthoutodowiththecrossofChristonthybanners,thoubloodstainedsoldier?With
suchadispositionasthinewithdeedslikethine,ofrobberyandmurder,thyproperstandard
wouldbeadragon,atiger,orawolf!
Thatcrossisthestandardofhimwhoconquered,notbyfighting,butbydyingwhocame,
nottodestroymenslives,buttosavethem.Itisastandard,theverysightofwhichmightteach
youwhatsortofenemiesyouhavetowaragainst,ifyouareachristian,andhowyoumaybe
suretogainthevictory.
Iseeyou,whilethestandardofsalvationisinonehand,rushingonwithaswordinthe
other,tothemurderofyourbrotherand,underthebannerofthecross,destroyingthelifeof
onewhotothecrossoweshissalvation.Evenfromtheholysacramentitself,(foritis
sometimes,atthesamehour,administeredinoppositecamps)inwhichissignifiedthe
completeunionofallchristians,thewarriors,whohavejustreceivedit,runinstantlytoarms,
andendeavourtoplungethedreadfulsteelintoeachothersvitals.Ofascenethusinfernal,and
fitonlyfortheeyesofaccursedspirits,whodelightinmischiefandmisery,thepiouswarriors
wouldmakeChristthespectator,ifitcouldbesupposedthathewouldbepresentatit.

Theabsurdestcircumstanceofallthoserespectingtheuseofthecrossasastandardis,
thatyouseeitglitteringandwavinghighinairinboththecontendingarmiesatonce.Divine
serviceisalsoperformedtothesameChristinbotharmiesatthesametime.Whatashocking
sight?Lo!crossesdashingagainstcrosses,andChristonthissidefiringbulletsatChristonthe
othercrossagainstcross,andChristagainstChrist.Thebannerofthecross,significantofthe
christianprofession,isusedoneachside,tostriketerrorintotheoppositeenemy.Howdare
they,onthisoccasion,toattackwhat,onallothers,theyadore?Becausetheyareunworthyto
bearthetruecrossatall,andratherdeservetobethemselvescrucified.
Letusnowimaginewehearasoldier,amongthesefightingchristians,sayingtheLords
prayer.OurFather,saysheOhardenedwretch!canyoucallhimfather,whenyouarejust
goingtocutyourbrothersthroat?Hallowedbethyname:howcanthenameofGodbemore
impiouslyunhallowed,thanbymutualbloodymurderamongyou,hissons?Thykingdom
come:doyouprayforthecomingofhiskingdom,whileyouareendeavouringtoestablishan
earthlydespotism,byspillingthebloodofGodssonsandsubjects?Thywillbedoneonearthas
itisinheaven:hiswillinheaven,isforpeace,butyouarenowmeditatingwar.Dareyoutosay
toyourFatherinheavenGiveusthisdayourdailybreadwhenyouaregoing,thenextminute
perhaps,toburnupyourbrotherscornfieldsandhadratherlosethebenefitofthemyourself,
thansufferhimtoenjoythemunmolested?Withwhatfacecanyousay,Forgiveusour
trespassesasweforgivethemthattrespassagainstus,when,sofarfromforgivingyourown
brother,youaregoing,withallthehasteyoucan,tomurderhimincoldblood,foranalleged
trespassthat,afterall,isbutimaginary.Doyoupresumetodeprecatethedangeroftemptation,
who,notwithoutgreatdangertoyourself,aredoingallyoucantoforceyourbrotherinto
danger?Doyoudeservetobedeliveredfromevil,thatis,fromtheevilbeing,towhoseimpulse
yousubmityourself,andbywhosespirityouarenowguided,incontrivingthegreatestpossible
eviltoyourbrother?
Platosomewheresays,thatwhengrecianswarwithgrecians,(notwithstandingtheywere
separateandindependentdynasties)itisnotawar,butaninsurrection.Hewouldnotconsider
themasaseparatepeople,becausetheywereunitedinnameandbyvicinity.Andyetthe
christianswillcallitawar,andajustandnecessarywartoo,which,onthemosttrifling
occasion,withsuchsoldieryandsuchweapons,onepeopleprofessingchristianity,wageswar
withanotherpeopleholdingexactlythesamecreed,andprofessingthesamechristianity.
Thelawsofsomeheathennationsordained,thathewhoshouldstainhisswordwitha
brothersblood,shouldbesewedupinasack,andthrownintothecommonsewer.Nowtheyare
nolessstronglyunitedasbrotherswhomChristhasfraternized,thanthosewhoarerelatedby
consanguinity.Andyet,inwar,thereisarewardinsteadofpunishmentformurderinga
brother.Wretchedisthealternativeforceduponusbywar.Hewhoconquersisamurdererof
hisbrotherandhewhoisconquered,diesequallyguiltyoffratricide,becausehedidhisbestto
commitit.

Afterallthisunchristiancruelty,andallthisinconsistency,thechristianwarriorsexecrate
theTurksasatribeofunbelievers,strangerstoChristjustasif,whiletheyactinthismanner,
theywerechristiansthemselvesorasiftherecouldbeamoreagreeablesighttotheturksthan
tobeholdthechristiansrunningeachotherthroughthebodywiththebayonet.Theturks,say
thechristians,sacrificetothedevilbut,astherecanbenovictimsoacceptabletothedevilasa
christiansacrificedbyachristian,arenotyou,mygoodchristian,sacrificingtothedevilas
muchastheturk?Indeed,theevilonehasinthiscasethepleasureoftwovictimsatatime,
sincehewhosacrificesisnolesshisvictimthanhewhoissacrificedbythehandofachristian
andtheswordofwar.Ifanyonefavourstheturks,andwishestobeongoodtermswiththe
devil,lethimofferupsuchvictimsasthese.
ButIamwellawareoftheexcusewhichmen,everingeniousindevisingmischiefto
themselvesaswellasothers,offerinextenuationoftheirconductingoingtowar.Theyallege,
thattheyarecompelledtoitthattheyaredraggedagainsttheirwilltowar.Ianswerthem,deal
fairlypulloffthemaskthrowawayallfalsecoloursconsultyourownheart,andyouwillfind
thatanger,ambition,andfollyarethecompulsoryforcethathasdraggedyoutowar,andnot
anynecessityunlessindeedyoucalltheinsatiablecravingsofacovetousmind,necessity.
Reserveyouroutsidepretencestodeceivethethoughtlessvulgar.Godisnotmockedwith
paintandvarnish.Solemndaysandformsoffasting,prayer,andthanksgiving,areappointed.
Loudpetitionsareoffereduptoheavenforpeace.Thepriestsandthepeopleroaroutas
vociferouslyastheycangivepeaceinourtime,OLord!Webeseechtheetohearus,OLord.
MightnottheLordveryjustlyanswerandsay,whymockyeme,yehypocrites?Youfastand
praythatIwouldavertacalamitywhichyouhavebroughtuponyourownheads.Youare
deprecatinganevil,ofwhichyourselvesaretheauthors.
Now,ifeverypossibleoffence,everylittleoccurrencenotexactlytoonesmind,istoexcite
awar,whatisthereinhumanaffairsthatwillnotfurnishanoccasionofdeadlystrife?Inthe
tenderestconnectionsofdomesticlife,andbetweenthemostaffectionatehusbandsandwives,
thereisalwayssomefaulttobeconnivedat,someomissionorcommissiontobemutually
forgiven,someoccasionforreciprocalforbearanceunlessyouassertthatitwouldbebetterto
cutasunder,onthefirstdispute,alltiesofaffection.
Supposesomedifferences,likethoseofconjugallife,tohappenbetweenneighbouring
princes,whyshouldtheyimmediatelydrawthesword,andproceedtothelastsadextremities?
Therearelaws,therearesagaciousmen,thereareworthyclergymen,therearerightreverend
bishops,bywhosesalutaryadvicealldisagreementsmightbereconciled,andalldisturbance
checkedatitsorigin.Whydokingsnotmakethese,insteadofthesword,theirumpires?Evenif
thearbitratorswereunjust,whichisnotlikely,whenremovedfromallundueinfluence,the
disagreeingpartieswouldcomeoffwithlessinjurythaniftheyhadrecoursetoarmstothe
irrationalanddoubtfuldecisionofwar.
Thereisscarcelyanypeacesounjust,butitispreferable,uponthewhole,tothejustest

war.Sitdown,beforeyoudrawthesword,weigheveryarticle,omitnone,andcomputethe
expenceofbloodaswellastreasurewhichwarrequires,andtheevilswhichitofnecessity
bringswithitandthenseeatthebottomoftheaccountwhether,afterthegreatestsuccess,
thereislikelytobeabalanceinyourfavour.
TheauthorityoftheRomanpontiffisallowedtobeparamountanddecisive.Kings
themselvesallowit.Andyetwhennations,whenkingsareviolentlyengagedinthemost
unnaturalwarsforyearstogether,whereisthentheparamountanddecisiveauthorityofthe
pontiff,wherethenthepowersaidtobesecondtononebutChristinheaven?Onthisoccasion,
ifonany,thishighpowerwouldbeexerted,ifthehighpontiffsthemselveswerenotslaves
themselvestothesamevilepassionsasthewretchedkingsanddeludedpeople.
Thepontiffsummonstowar.Heisobeyed.Hesummonstopeacewhyishenotobeyedas
readily?Ifmen,astheyprofess,reallydopreferpeace,andarereluctantlydraggedtowar,why
dotheyobeypopeJuliuswithsomuchalacritywhenhecallsthemtowar,andyieldno
obediencetopopeLeo,whenheinvitesthemtoconcordandpeace?Iftheauthorityofthe
Romanpontiffbereallydivine,surelyitoughtthentoavailmostwhenitprescribesthat
conductwhichChristtaughtastheonlyproperconduct.Itisfairtoconclude,thatthosewhom
Juliushasauthorityenoughtoexcitetoamostdestructivewar,andwhomLeo,areally
religiouspontiff,cannotallure,bythemostcogentarguments,tochristianloveandcharity,are
serving(Iexpressmyselftenderlyofthem)undertheclokeofservingthechurch,nothingelse
buttheirownvileandselfishpassions.
Ifyouareinyourheartwearyofwar,Iwilltellyouhowyoumayavoidit,andpreservea
cordialandgeneralamity.
Firmandpermanentpeaceisnottobesecuredbymarryingoneroyalfamilytoanother,
norbytreatiesandalliancesmadebetweensuchdeceitfulandimperfectcreaturesasmenfor,
fromtheseveryfamilyconnections,treaties,andalliances,weseewarschieflyoriginate.No
thefountainsfromwhichthestreamsofthisevilflow,mustbecleansed.Itisfromthecorrupt
passionsofthehumanheartthatthetumultsofwararise.Whileeachkingobeystheimpulseof
hispassions,thecommonwealth,thecommunity,suffersandatthesametime,thepoorslave
tohispassionsisfrustratedinhisprivateandselfishpurposes.
Letkingsthengrowwisewiseforthepeople,notforthemselvesonlyandletthembe
trulywise,inthepropersenseoftheword,notmerelycunning,butreallywisesoastoplace
theirmajesty,theirfelicity,theirwealth,andtheirsplendorinsuchthings,andsuchonly,as
renderthempersonallygreat,personallysuperiortothosewhomthefortuneofbirthhas
ranked,inacivilsense,belowthem.Letthemacquirethoseamiabledispositionstowardsthe
commonwealth,thegreatbodyofthepeople,whichafatherfeelsforhisfamily.Letakingthink
himselfgreatinproportionashispeoplearegoodlethimestimatehisownhappinessbythe
happinessofthosewhomhegovernslethimdeemhimselfgloriousinproportionashis
subjectsarefreerich,ifthepublicarerichandflourishing,ifhecanbutkeepthecommunity

flourishing,inconsequenceofuninterruptedpeace.
Suchshouldbeourking,ifwewishtoestablishafirmandlastingpeaceandletthe
noblemenandmagistratesimitatetheking,renderedbythesemeansworthyofimitation.Let
thepublicgoodbetheruleoftheirconductandsowilltheyultimatelypromotemost
effectuallyeventheirownprivateadvantage.
Now,willakingofsuchadispositionasIhavedescribed,beeasilyprevailedupontoextort
moneyfromhisownpeopletoputitintothepocketsofforeignmercenariesandalien
subsidiaries?Willhereducehisownpeopletodistress,perhapsevenforbread,inordertofill
thecoffersofmilitarydespotsandcommanders?Willhebelavishofblood,aswellastreasure,
(neitherofthemhisown)andexposethelives,aswellasexpendtheproperty,ofhispeople?
No.Ithinkhewillknowbetter.
Lethimexercisehispowerasfarashepleases,withinthoseboundswhichhewillalways
seeclearly,whenheremembersthatheisamangoverningmen,afreemanattheheadoffree
men,achristianpresidingoveranationofchristians.Inreturnforhisgoodbehaviour,letthe
peoplepayhimjustsomuchreverence,andyieldhimjustsomanyprivilegesandprerogatives
asforthepublicgood,andnomore.Agoodkingwillrequirenomoreandastothe
unreasonabledesiresofabadking,thepeopleshouldunitetocheckandrepelthem.Letthere
beonbothsidesadueregardpaidtoprivatehappiness.Letthegreatestshareofhonourbeever
paid,nottowarlikekings,(theworldhassorelysufferedforitsfollyingivingthemglory)butto
kingswhoentirelyrejectthewarsystem,andbytheirunderstandingandcounsels,notbyforce
andarms,restoretobleedinghumannaturetheblessingsofconcordandrepose.Lethimbe
calledagreatking,notwhoiscontinuallyaugmentinghisarmy,andprovidingmilitarystores
andenginesofdestruction,butwhoexertseveryeffortofhismind,anduseseveryadvantageof
hissituation,torenderarmies,stores,andenginesofdestructiontotallyunnecessary.Truly
gloriousasissuchanattemptnotone,inthelongcatalogueofkingsandprincesthathas
struttedandfrettedhishouruponthestage,everyconceivedthethoughtinhisheart,exceptthe
emperorDioclesian.
Butif,afterall,itisnotpossiblethatawarshouldbeavoided,letitbesoconducted,that
theseverestofitscalamitiesmayfallupontheheadsofthosewhogavetheoccasion.Yetkings,
insteadofsufferingatallbyit,wagewarinperfectconsistencywiththeirpersonalsafety.The
greatmengrowrichuponit.Thelargestpartoftheevilfallsuponlandholders,husbandmen,
tradesmen,manufacturers,whom,perhapsthewardoesnotintheleastconcern,andwho
neverfurnishedtheslightestcauseforanationalrupture.
Inwhatconsiststhewisdomofaking,ifhedoesnottakethesethingsintoconsideration?
Inwhatconsiststhegraciousgoodness,thetenderfeelingofaking,ifhethinkssuchthings
beneathhisnotice?
Somemethodshouldbediscoveredtokeepkingsfromshiftingtheirthronesand
dominions,andgoingfromonedynastytoanother,becauseinnovationsinmattersofthiskind

alwayscreatedisturbance,anddisturbanceproduceswar.Thismayeasilybemanaged,ifthe
childrenofkingsareprovidedfor,orestablishedsomewherewithintheirfathersown
dominionsorifitshouldappearexpedienttoconnectthemwithneighbouringcrownedheads,
letallhopeofsuccessionbeentirelycutoffatthetimewhenamarriage,oranyothermodeof
connectionwithforeigncourts,isnegotiated.Norletanykingbeallowedtoselloralienatein
anymannertheleastportionofhisdominions,asiffreestateswerehisprivateproperty.Isay
freestates,forallstatesarefreethathavekings,properlysocalled,togovernthem.Statesthat
arenotfree,arenotunderkings,whatevertheymaybecalled,butdespots.Bythe
intermarriageofkingsandtheirprogeny,andtherightsofsuccessionwhichthencearise,aman
borninthebogsofIrelandmaycometoreignintheEastIndiesandanotherwhowasakingin
Syria,mayallofasuddenstartupanItalianprince.Thusitmayhappenthatneithercountry
shallhaveaking,whileheabandonshisformerdominions,andisnotacknowledgedbyhis
newlyacquiredonesbeingaperfectstranger,borninanotherworld,foranythingtheyknowto
thecontrary.Andinthemeantime,whileheisreducing,subduingandexhaustingpartofhis
dominions,heisimpoverishingandexhaustingtheother.Hesometimeslosesboth,whileheis
endeavouringtograspboth,andmostlikelyisnotfittogoverneither.Letkingsoncesettle
amongthemselves,howmuchandhowfareachoughttogovern,andthenletnomarriage
connectionamongthemeitherextendorcontractletnotreatyalterthelimitsonceascertained.
Thuseveryonewillendeavourtoimprovehisallottedportiontotheutmostofhispower.Allhis
effortswillbeconcentratedononecountry,andhewillendeavourtotransmitittohisposterity
inarichandflourishingcondition.Theresultwillbe,thatwheneveryonemindshisown,all
willthrive.Thereforeletkingsbeattachedtoeachother,notbypoliticalintermarriages,
artificialandfactitiousties,butbypureandsincerefriendshipandaboveall,byazealsimilar
andcommontothewholetribetopromotethesolid,substantialhappinessofhumannature.
Andletthekingssuccessorbeeitherhewhoismostnearlyrelatedtohim,orhewhoshallbe
judgedfittestforthemomentousoffice,bythesuffragesofthepeople.Lettheothergreatmen
restsatisfiedwithbeingnumberedamongthehonourablenobility.Itisthedutyofakingto
enterintonopartycabals,toknownothingofprivatepassionsorpartialities,buttoesteemall
menandmeasuressolelyastheyhaveareferenceandtendencytothegoodofthepublic.
Moreover,letthekingavoidtravellingintoforeigncountries,lethimneverwishtopassthe
boundariesofhisowndominionsbutlethimshewthatheapprovesaproverbialsaying,
sanctionedbythewisdomofages,bywhichwasintimated,thatnothinggoesonwellwhen
conductedbysecondariesandmercenariesonly,andintheabsenceoftheprincipal.
Lethimbepersuadedthatthebestmethodofenrichingandimprovinghisrealm,isnotby
takingfromtheterritoryofothers,butbymelioratingtheconditionofhisown.Whenthe
expediencyofwarisdiscussed,lethimnotlistentothecounselsofyoungministers,whoare
pleasedwiththefalsegloryofwar,withoutconsideringitscalamities,ofwhich,fromtheirage,
itisimpossiblethattheyshouldhavehadpersonalexperience.Neitherlethimconsultthose

whohaveaninterestindisturbingthepublictranquillityandwhoarefedandfattenedbythe
sufferingsofthepeople.Lethimtaketheadviceofoldmen,whoseintegrityhasbeenlongtried,
andwhohaveshewnthattheyhaveanunfeignedattachmenttotheircountry.Norlethim,to
gratifythepassionsorsinisterviewsofoneortwoviolentorartfulmen,rashlyenteronawar
forwar,onceengagedin,cannotbeputanendtoatdiscretion.Ameasurethemostdangerous
totheexistenceofastateasawarmustbe,shouldnotbeenteredintobyaking,byaminister,
byajuntoofambitiousavaricious,orrevengefulmen,butbythefullandunanimousconsentof
thewholepeople.
Thecausesofwararetobecutuprootandbranch,ontheirfirstandslightestappearance.
Manyrealinjuriesandinsultsmustbeconnivedat.Menmustnotbetoozealousabouta
phantomcallednationalgloryofteninconsistentwithindividualhappiness.Gentlebehaviour
ononeside,willtendtosecureitontheotherbuttheinsolenceofahaughtyministermaygive
unpardonableoffence,andbedearlypaidforbythesufferingsofthenationoverwhichhe
domineers.
Thereareoccasionswhen,ifpeacecanbehadinnootherway,itmustbepurchased.Itcan
scarcelybepurchasedtoodearly,ifyoutakeintotheaccounthowmuchtreasureyoumust
inevitablyexpendinwarandwhatisofinfinitelygreaterconsequencethantreasure,howmany
ofthepeopleslivesyousavebypeace.Thoughthecostbegreat,yetwarwouldcertainlycost
youmorebesides,(whatisaboveallprice)thebloodofmen,thebloodofyourownfellow
citizensandsubjects,whoselivesyouarebound,byeverytieofduty,topreserve,insteadof
lavishingawayinprosecutingschemesoffalsepolicy,andcruel,selfish,villainousambition.
Onlyformafairestimateofthequantityofmischiefandmiseryofeverykindanddegreewhich
youescape,andthesumofhappinessyoupreserveinallthewalksofprivatelife,amongallthe
tenderrelationsofparents,husbands,children,amongthosewhosepovertyalonemakesthem
soldiers,thewretchedinstrumentsofinvoluntarybloodshedformbutthisestimate,andyou
willneverrepentthehighestpriceyoucanpayforpeace.
Whilethekingdoeshisdutyastheguardianandpreserver,insteadofthedestroyer,ofthe
peoplecommittedtohischarge,lettherightreverendthebishopsdotheirdutylikewise.Letthe
priestsbepriestsindeedpreachersofpeaceandgoodwill,andnottheinstigatorsofwar,forthe
sakeofpleasingacorruptminister,inwhosehandsarelivings,stalls,andmitresletthewhole
bodyoftheclergyrememberthetrulyevangelicaldutiesoftheirprofession,andletthegrave
professorsoftheologyinouruniversities,orwhereverelsetheyteachdivinity,rememberto
teachnothingasmenpleasersunworthyofChrist.Letalltheclergy,howevertheymaydifferin
rank,order,sect,orpersuasion,unitetocrydownwar,anddiscountenanceitthroughthe
nation,byzealouslyandfaithfullyarraigningitfromthepulpit.Inthepublicfunctionsoftheir
severalchurches,intheirprivateconversationandintercoursewiththelaity,letthembe
constantlyemployedinthechristian,benevolent,humaneworkofpreaching,recommending,
andinculcating,peace.If,afteralltheirefforts,theclergycannotpreventthebreakingoutof

war,letthemnevergiveittheslightestapprobation,directlyorindirectly,letthemnevergive
countenancetoitbytheirpresenceatitssillyparadeorbloodyproceedings,letthemneverpay
thesmallestrespecttoanygreatpatronorprimeminister,orcourtier,whoistheauthoror
adviserofastateofaffairssocontrarytotheirholyprofession,andtoeverydutyandprinciple
ofthechristianreligion,asisastateofwar.
Lettheclergyagreetorefuseburialinconsecratedgroundtoallwhoareslaininbattle.If
therebeanygoodmenamongtheslain,andcertainlythereareveryfew,theywillnotlosethe
rewardofchristiansinheaven,becausetheyhadnotwhatiscalledchristianburial.Butthe
worthless,ofwhomthemajorityofwarriorsconsists,willhaveonecauseofthatsillyvanityand
selflikingwhichattendsandrecommendstheirprofessionmorethananythingelse,entirely
removed,whensepulchralhonoursaredenied,afterallthegloryofbeingknockedonthehead
inbattle,inthenobleendeavourtokillafellowcreature.
Iamspeakingallalongofthosewarswhichchristianswagewithchristians,ontriflingand
unjustifiableoccasions.Ithinkverydifferentlyofwars,bonafide,justandnecessary,suchas
are,inastrictsenseofthosewords,purelydefensive,suchaswithanhonestandaffectionate
zealforthecountry,repeltheviolenceofinvaders,and,atthehazardoflife,preservethepublic
tranquillity.
Butinthepresentstateofthings,theclergy(foroftheirconductIproceedtospeak)sofar
fromactingasservantsofChrist,inthemannerIhaverecommended,donothesitatetohang
upflags,standards,banners,andothertrophiesofwar,broughtfromthefieldofcarnage,as
ornamentsofchurchesandgreatcathedrals.Thesetrophiesshallbeallstainedandsmeared
withthebloodofmen,forwhomChristshedhismostpreciousblood,andshallbehunginthe
aislesofthechurches,amongthetombsandimagesofapostlesandmartyrs,asifinfutureit
weretobereckonedamarkofsanctitynottosuffermartyrdom,buttoinflictitnottolaydown
oneslifeforthetruth,buttotakeawaythelifeofothersforworldlypurposesofvanityand
avarice.Itwouldbequitesufficientifthebloodyragswerehungupinsomecornerofthe
Exchangeorkept,ascuriositiesinachestorcloset,outofsightdisgracefulmonumentsthey
areofhumandepravity.Thechurch,whichoughttobekeptperfectlypure,andemblematicof
thepurestofreligions,shouldnotbedefiledwithanythingstainedwiththebloodofman,shed
bythehandofmanalienated,asisclearbytheveryact,bothfromChristandfromnature.
Butyouargueindefenceofthisindecentpracticeofhangingupflagsorcolours,asthey
arecalled,inchurches,thattheancientsusedtodepositthemonumentsoftheirvictoriesinthe
templesoftheirgods.Itistrue,butwhatweretheirgodsbutdemons,delightinginbloodand
impurity?nottheGod,whoisofpurereyesthantobeholdiniquity.Neverletpriests,dedicated
toaGodlikethis,haveanythingtodowithwar,unlessitistoputanendtoit,andpromote
loveandreconciliation.Iftheclergywerebutunanimousinsuchsentiments,iftheywould
inculcatethemeverywhere,thereisnodoubt,notwithstandingthegreatpowerofthesecular
arm,thattheirauthority,personalandprofessional,wouldhaveapreponderance,againstthe

influenceofcourtsandministersofstate,andthuspreventwar,thecalamityofhumannature.
Butifthereisafatalpropensityinthehumanhearttowar,ifthedreadfuldiseaseis
interwovenwiththeconstitutionofman,sothatitcannotabstainfromwar,whyisnotvent
giventothevirulenceinexertionsagainstthecommonenemyofchristianity,theunbelieving
Turk?YetevenhereletmepauseisnottheTurkamanabrother?Thenitwerefarbetterto
allurehimbygentle,kind,andfriendlytreatment,byexhibitingthebeautyofourchristian
religionintheinnocenceofourlives,thanbyattackinghimwiththedrawnsword,asifhewere
asavagebrute,withoutahearttofeel,orareasoningfacultytobepersuaded.Nevertheless,if
wemustofnecessitygotowar,asIsaidbefore,itiscertainlyalesseviltocontendwithan
infidel,thanthatchristiansshouldmutuallyharassanddestroytheirownfraternity.Ifcharity
willnotcementtheirhearts,certainlyonecommonenemymayunitetheirhands,andthough
thismaynotbeacordialunity,yetitwillbebetterthanarealrupture.
Uponthewholeitmustbesaid,thatthefirstandmostimportantsteptowardspeace,is
sincerelytodesireit.Theywhooncelovepeaceintheirhearts,willeagerlyseizeevery
opportunityofestablishingorrecoveringit.Allobstaclestoittheywilldespiseorremove,all
hardshipsanddifficultiestheywillbearwithpatience,solongastheykeepthisonegreat
blessing(includingasitdoessomanyothers)wholeandentire.Onthecontrary,men,inour
times,gooutoftheirwaytoseekoccasionsofwarandwhatevermakesforpeace,theyrun
downintheirsophisticalspeeches,orevenbaselyconcealfromthepublicbutwhatevertends
topromotetheirfavouritewarsystem,theyindustriouslyexaggerateandinflame,notscrupling
topropagateliesofthemostmischievouskind,falseorgarbledintelligence,andthegrossest
misrepresentationoftheenemy.Iamashamedtorelatewhatrealanddreadfultragediesinreal
life,theyfoundontheseviledespicabletrifles,fromhowsmallanembertheyblowupaflame
andsettheworldonfire.Thentheysummonbeforethemthewholecatalogueofsupposed
injuriesreceived,andeachpartyviewsitsowngrievancewithaglassthatmagnifiesbeyondall
boundsbutasforbenefitsreceived,theyallfallintotheprofoundestoblivionassoonas
receivedsothatuponthewhole,animpartialobserverwouldswearthatgreatmenlovewarfor
itsownsake,withtheirheartsandsouls,providedtheirownpersonsaresafe.
Afterallthepretencesthrownout,andtheartificesused,toirritatethevulgar,thereoften
lurks(asthetruecauseofwars)inthebosomofkings,someprivate,mean,andselfishmotive,
whichistoforcetheirsubjectstotakeupweaponstokilloneanother,atthewordofcommand,
andastheywishtoevincetheirloyalty.But,insteadofaprivateandselfishobject,thereought
tobeanobject,inwhichnotonlythepublic,thatis,notonlyonesinglecommunity,butin
whichman,humannature,isdeeplyinterestedtojustifythevoluntarycommencementofawar.
Butwhenkingscanfindnocauseofthiskind,asindeedtheyseldomcan,thentheyset
theirwitstoworktoinventsomefictitiousbutplausibleoccasionforarupture.Theywillmake
useofthenamesofforeigncountries,artfullyrenderedodioustothepeople,inordertofeedthe
popularodium,tillitbecomesripeforwar,andthirstsforthebloodoftheoutlandishnation,

whoseverynameisrenderedacauseofhostility.Thisweaknessandfollyoftheverylowest
classesofthepeople,thegrandeesincreasebyartfulinsinuations,watchwords,andnicknames,
cunninglythrownoutindebates,pamphlets,andjournals.Certainoftheclergy,whoseinterest
itistocooperatewiththegrandeesinanyunchristianwork,join,withgreateffect,aidedby
religion,inapiousimpositiononthepoor.Thus,forinstance,anEnglishmantheysay,isthe
naturalenemyofaFrenchman,becauseheisaFrenchman.Amanbornonthissidetheriver
TweedmusthateaScotchman,becauseheisaScotchman.AGermannaturallydisagreeswitha
Frank,aSpaniardwithboth.Ovillainousdepravity!Thenameofaplaceorregion,initselfa
circumstanceofindifference,shallbeenoughtodisseveryourheartsmorewidelythanthe
distanceofplace,yourpersons!Anameisnothing,buttherearemanycircumstances,very
importantrealities,whichoughttoendearandunitemenofdifferentnations.Asan
Englishman,youbearillwilltoaFrenchman.Whynotrather,asamantoaman,doyounot
bearhimgoodwill?Whynotasachristiantoachristian?Howhappensit,thatsuchafrivolous
thingasanameavailsmorewithyouthanthetendertiesofnature,thestrongbondsof
christianity?Place,localdistance,separatesthepersonsofmen,butnottheirminds.Heartscan
gravitatetoeachotherthroughinterveningseasandmountains.TheriverRhineonceseparated
theFrenchmanfromtheGerman,butitwasbeyonditspowertoseparatethechristianfromthe
christian.ThePyreneanmountainsdividetheSpaniardsfromtheFrench,buttheybreaknot
thatinvisiblebondwhichholdsthemtogetherindefianceofallpartition,thecommunionofthe
church.AlittlegutofaseadividestheEnglishfromtheFrenchbutifthewholeAtlanticocean
rolledbetweenthem,itcouldnotdisjointhemasmenunitedbynatureand,whilethey
mutuallyretainthechristianreligion,stillmoreindissolublycementedbygrace.
TheApostlePaulexpresseshisindignation,thatchristians,separatingintosects,should
say,IamofApollosIamofCephasIamofPaul:norwouldhesuffertheunnaturaldistinction
ofanametoparceloutChrist,whoisonewithallhismembers,andwhohasformedallinto
oneinviolablewhole.Andshallwethinkthecommonnameofanativecountrycausesufficient
whyoneraceofmenshouldhuntdownanotherraceofmen,eventoexterminationshould
engagethemwitheachotherinabellumadinternecionemawar,tocutoff,ononesideorthe
other,man,womanandchild,andleavenotatonguetotellthetale?
Thehostiledistinctionofdifferentnationsasnaturalenemies,becausetheyareseparated
byplace,anddiversifiedbyname,isnotenoughtosatisfysomeamongthebloodthirsty
wretcheswhodelightinwar.Suchisthedepravityoftheirminds,thattheyseekoccasionsof
differencewherenoneisaffordedeitherbynatureorinstitution.TheywoulddivideFrance
againstitself,inverbalandnominaldistinctionsoftheinhabitantsacountrywhichisnot
dividedbyseas,orbymountains,andisindeedoneandindivisible,howeverartfulmenmay
endeavourtocausedivisionsinitbydistinctionsmerelynominal.ThussomeoftheFrenchthey
willdenominateGermans,lestthecircumstanceofidentityofnameshouldproducethat
unanimitywhichtheydiabolicallywishtointerrupt.

Now,if,incourtsofjudicature,thejudgewillnotadmitofsuitswhicharefrivolousand
vexatiousifhewillnotadmitofallsortsofevidence,especiallythatwhicharisesfroma
personalpiqueandresentment,howhappensitthat,inabusinessoffarmoreconsequenceto
humannatureeventhancourtsofjudicature,inanaffairthemostodiousandabominable,such
asthepromotingdiscordamonghumancreaturesandwholeneighbouringnations,causesthe
mostfrivolousandvexatiousarefreelyadmittedascompetentandvalid.Lettheloversof
discord,andthepromotersofbloodshedbetweennations,dividedonlybyanameanda
channel,ratherreflect,thatthisworld,thewholeoftheplanetcalledearth,isthecommon
countryofallwholiveandbreatheuponit,ifthetitleofonescountryisallowedtobea
sufficientreasonforunityamongfellowcountrymenandletthemalsoremember,thatallmen,
howeverdistinguishedbypoliticaloraccidentalcauses,aresprungfromthesameparents,if
consanguinityandaffinityareallowedtobeavailabletoconcordandpeace.Ifthechurchalsois
asubdivisionofthisonegreatuniversalfamily,afamilyofitselfconsistingofallwhobelongto
thatchurch,andifthebeingofthesamefamilynecessarilyconnectsallthemembersina
commoninterestandacommonregardforeachother,thentheopposersmustbeingeniousin
theirmalice,iftheycandeny,thatallwhoareofthesamechurch,thegrandcatholicchurchof
allchristendom,mustalsohaveacommoninterest,acommonregardforeachother,and
thereforebeunitedinlove.
Inprivatelife,youbearwithsomethingsinabrotherinlawwhichyoubearwithonly
becauseheisabrotherinlawandwillyoubearwithnothinginhimwhobythetieofthesame
religionisalsoabrother?Youpardonmanylittleoffencesonaccountofnearnessofkindred,
andwillyoupardonnothingonaccountofanaffinityfoundedinreligion?Yet,thereisnodoubt
butthattheclosestpossibletieamongallthechristianbrotherhood,isconfraternityinChrist.
Whyareyoualwaysfixingyourattentionuponthesoreplace,wheretheinsultofinjury
receivedfromafellowcreaturefestersandrankles?Ifyouseekpeaceandensueit,asyouought
todo,youwillrathersaytoyourself,hehurtmeinthisinstance,itistruebutinother
instanceshehasoftenservedorgratifiedme,andinthisonehewasperhapsincitedto
momentarywrongbypassion,mistake,orbyanothersimpulse.As,inthepoetHomer,the
personswhoseektoeffectareconciliationbetweenAgamemnonandAchilles,throwallthe
blameoftheirquarrelontheGoddessAtsoinreallife,offencesthatcannotbeexcused
consistentlywithstrictveracity,should,goodnaturedly,beimputedtoillfortune,or,ifyou
please,toamansevilgeniusthattheresentmentmaybetransferredfrommentothose
imaginarybeings,whocanbeartheload,howevergreat,withouttheslightestinconvenience.
Whyshouldmenshewmoresagacityincreatingmisery,thaninsecuringandincreasing
thecomfortsoflife?Whyshouldtheybemorequicksightedinfindingevilthangood?Allmen
ofsenseweigh,consider,andusegreatcircumspection,beforetheyenteruponanyprivate
businessofmomentousconsequence.Andyettheythrowthemselvesheadlongintowar,with
theireyesshutnotwithstandingwaristhatkindofevilwhich,whenonceadmitted,cannotbe

excludedagainatwillbutusually,fromalittleone,becomesaverygreatonefromasingle
one,multipliesintoacomplicationfromanunbloodycontest,changestocarnage,andatlast
risestoastorm,whichdoesnotoverwhelmmerelyoneortwo,andthosethechiefinstigatorsto
themischief,butalltheunoffendingpeoplealsoconfoundingtheinnocentwiththeguilty.
Ifthepoorpeople,oftheverylowestorder,aretoothoughtlesstoconsiderthesethings,it
canbenoexcuseforthekingandthenobles,whoseindispensabledutyitistoconsiderthem
wellanditistheparticularbusinessoftheclergytoenforcethesepacificopinionswithevery
argumentwhichingenuityandlearningcanderivefromreasonandreligiontoenforcethem,I
say,andinculcatethemonthemindsofboththegreat,vulgar,andthesmallinstantly,in
season,andoutofseasonwhethertheywillbear,orwhethertheywillforbear.Somethingwill
atlaststick,ifitisincessantlyappliedand,therefore,letthepulpitsandconversationofthe
clergyteachtheblanddoctrinesofpeaceandloveeverywhereandalways.
Mortalman!(forsoIaddressthee,evenonathrone)dostthouexultathearingtherumour
ofanensuingwar?Checkthyjoyforamoment,andexamine,accurately,thenatureand
consequencesofpeace,andthenatureandconsequencesofwarwhatblessingsfollowinthe
trainofpeace,andwhatcursesmarchintherearofwarandthenformatrueandsolid
judgment,whetheritcaneverbeexpedienttoexchangepeaceforwar?Ititisagoodlyand
beautifulsighttobeholdacountryflourishinginthehighestprosperityitscitieswellbuilt,its
landswellcultivated,thebestoflawswellexecutedarts,sciences,andlearning,those
honourableemploymentsofthehumanmind,encouragedmensmoralsvirtuousandhonest
thenmayitpleaseyourMajestytolayyourhandonyourheart,andletyourconsciencewhisper
toyou,AllthishappinessImustdisturbordestroy,ifIengageinthismeditatedwar.Onthe
otherhand,ifyoueverbeheldtheruinofcities,villagesburnt,churchesbattereddown,fields
laiddesolate,and,ifthesightcouldwringatearofpityfromthineeye,then,Sire,remember
thatthesearetheblastedfruitsofaccursedwar!Ifyouthinkitagreatinconveniencetobe
obligedtoadmitaninundationofhiredsoldiersintoyourrealms,tofeedandclothethematthe
expenceofyoursubjects,tobeverysubmissivetothem,meanlytocourttheirfavour,inorder
tokeepthemingoodhumour,wellaffected,andloyaland,afterall,totrust(whichis
unavoidableinthesecircumstances)yourownpersonandyoursafetytothediscretionofsucha
rabblerecollect,thatsuchistheconditionofastateofwarfare,andthattheseevils,greatas
theyare,becomenecessary,whenyouhavemadeyourselftheirslave,inordertoenslaveor
destroyanimaginaryenemy.
Ifyoudetestrobberyandpillage,remembertheseareamongthedutiesofwarandthat,to
learnhowtocommitthemadroitly,isapartofmilitarydiscipline.Doyoushudderattheideaof
murder?Youcannotrequiretobetold,thattocommititwithdispatch,andbywholesale,
constitutesthecelebratedartofwar.Ifmurderwerenotlearnedbythisart,howcouldaman,
whowouldshuddertokilloneindividual,evenwhenprovoked,go,incoldblood,andcutthe
throatsofmanyforalittlepaltrypay,andundernobetterauthoritythanacommissionfroma

mortalasweak,wickedandwretchedashimself,whodoesnotperhapsknowevenhisperson,
andwouldnotcareifbothhisbodyandsoulwereannihilated?Iftherecannotbeagreater
misfortunetothecommonwealth,thanageneralneglectanddisobedienceofthelaws,letitbe
consideredasacertaintruth,thatthevoiceoflaw,divineorhuman,isneverheardamidthe
clangorofarms,andthedinofbattle.Ifyoudeemdebauchery,rape,incest,andcrimesofstill
greaterturpitudethanthese,fouldisgracestohumannature,dependuponitthatwarleadsto
allofthem,intheirmostaggravatedatrocity.Ifimpiety,oratotalneglectofreligion,isthe
sourceofallvillany,beassuredthatreligionisalwaysoverwhelmedinthestormsofwar.Ifyou
thinkthattheveryworstpossibleconditionofsociety,whentheworstofmenpossessthe
greatestshareofpower,youmaytakeitasaninfallibleobservation,thatthewickedest,most
unprincipled,andmostunfeelingwretchesbearthegreatestswayinastateofwarandthat
suchaswouldcometothegallowsintimeofpeace,aremenofprimeuseandenergyinthe
operationsofasiegeorabattle.For,whocanleadthetroopsthroughsecretwaysmoreskilfully
thananexperiencedrobber,whohasspentanapprenticeshiptotheartamongthieves?Who
willpulldownahouse,orrobachurch,moredexterouslythanonewhohasbeentrainedto
burglaryandsacrilege?Whowillplungehisbayonetintotheenemysheart,orripuphisbowels
withmorefacilityofexecution,thanapractisedassassin,orthoroughpacedcutthroatby
profession?Whoisbetterqualifiedtosetfiretoavillage,oracity,oraship,thananotorious
incendiary?Whowillbravethehardshipsandperilsoftheseabetterthanapiratelongusedto
rob,sink,anddestroymerchantvesselsinoffensivelytraversingthegreatwaters?Inshort,if
youwouldformanadequateideaofthevillanyofwar,onlyobservebywhomitiscarriedinto
actualexecution.
Ifnothingcanbeamoredesirableobjecttoapiousking,thanthesafetyandwelfareof
thosewhoarecommittedtohischarge,then,consistentlywiththisobject,warmustof
necessitybeheldinthegreatestconceivableabhorrence.Ifitisthehappinessofakingto
governthehappy,hecannotbutdelightinpeace.Ifagoodkingwishesfornothingsomuchas
tohavehispeoplegood,likehimself,hemustdetestwar,asthefoulsinkofsinaswellas
misery.Ifhehassenseandliberalityenoughtoconsiderhissubjectsriches,thebestandtruest
opulencehecanhimselfpossess,thenlethimshunwarbyallpossiblemeansbecause,though
itshouldturnouteversofortunate,itcertainlydiminisheseverybodysproperty,andexpends
thatwhichwasearnedbyhonest,honourable,andusefulemployments,oncertainsavage
butchersofthehumanrace.Lethimalsoconsideragainandagain,thateverymanisaptto
flatterhimselfthathisowncauseisagoodonethateverymanispleasedwithhisownschemes
andpurposesandthateverymeasureappearstoamanagitatedwithpassionthemost
equitable,thoughitisthemostunjust,themostimprudent,andthemostfallaciousintheissue.
But,supposethecausethejustestintheworld,theeventthemostprosperous,yettakeintothe
accountallthedamagesofwar,ofeverykindanddegree,andweightheminthebalancewith
alltheadvantagesofvictory,andyouwillfindthemostbrilliantsuccessnotworththetrouble.

Seldomcanaconquestbegainedwithouttheeffusionofblood.Therefore,inthemidstof
therejoicings,illuminations,acclamations,andallthetumultofjoy,excitedbyknavesamong
fools,itmustoccurtoakingwithafeelingheartthathehasembruedhands,hitherto
unspotted,inthepollutionofhumangore.Addtothiscircumstance,distressingtoevery
humaneheart,theinjurydonetothemoralsofthepeople,andthegeneralgoodorderand
disciplineofthestate,andyouwillfindthisalosswhichneithermoney,norterritory,norglory,
cancompensate.Youhaveexhaustedyourtreasury,youhavefleecedyourpeople,youhave
loadedpeaceablegoodsubjectswithunnecessaryburdens,andyouhaveencouragedthewicked
unprincipledadventurersinactsofrapineandviolenceand,afterall,evenwhenthewarisput
anendto,thebadconsequencesofthewarstillremain,nottoberemovedbythemostsplendid
victory.Thetasteforscience,arts,andletters,languishesalongwhile.Tradeandcommerce
continueshackledandimpeded.Thoughyoushouldbeabletoblockuptheenemy,yet,indoing
it,you,infact,blockupyourselfandyourownpeopleforneitheryounortheydareenterthe
neighbouringnation,which,beforethewar,wasopentoegressandregresswhilepeace,by
openinganuniversalintercourseamongmankind,renders,insomemeasure,allthe
neighbouringdynastiesonecommoncountry.
Considerwhatmightymattersyouhavedonebythusboldlyrushingintowar.Yourown
hereditarydominionscanscarcelybecalledyourown.Thepossessionisrenderedinsecure,
beingconstantlyexposedtohostileinvasion.Inordertodemolishapoorlittletown,howmuch
artillery,howmuchcampequipage,andallothermilitaryapparatus,doyoufindrequisite?You
mustbuildasortoftemporarytown,inordertooverthrowarealoneand,forlessmoneythan
thewholebusinessofdestructioncostsyou,youmightbuildanothertownbythesideofthat
youaregoingtolevelinthedust,wherehumanbeingsmightenjoy,ifyouwouldletthem,the
comfortsofthatlifewhichGodhasbeenpleasedtobestowinpeaceandplenty.Inorderto
preventtheenemyfromgoingoutofthegatesofhisowntown,youareobligedtosleepfor
monthsoutofyoursinatentoftheopenair,andcontinueinastateoftransportationandexile
fromyourownhome.Youmightbuildnewwallsforlessthanitcostsyoutobatterdowntheold
oneswithyourcannonballs,andalltheexpensivecontrivancesformedforthehellishpurposes
ofmarringanddemolishingtheworksofhumanindustry.Inthiscursorycomputationofyour
expence,(forthatIamchieflyconsidering,andthegainthataccuresfromvictory)Idonot
reckonthevastsumsthatsticktothefingersofcommissioners,contractors,generals,admirals,
andcaptains,whichiscertainlyagreatpartofthewhole.
Ifyoucouldbringallthesearticlesintoafairandhonestcalculation,Iwillpainfullysuffer
myselftobeeverywheredrivenfromyoumortalsasIam,unlessitshouldappearthatyou
mighthavepurchasedpeace,withoutadropofblood,atatenthpartoftheexpenditure.But
youthinkitwouldbemeanandhumiliating,inconsistentwithyourownandyournations
honour,toputupwiththeslightestinjury:nowIcanassureyou,thatthereisnostrongerproof
ofapoorspirit,anarrow,cowardly,andunkinglyheart,thanrevengeespeciallyasakingdoes

notriskhisownpersonintakingit,butemploysthemoneyofthepeopleandthecourageofthe
poor.Youthinkitinconsistentwithyouraugustmajesty,andthatitwouldbedepartingfrom
yourroyaldignity,torecedeoneinchfromyourstrictrightinfavourofaneighbouringking,
thoughrelatedtoyoubyconsanguinityormarriage,andperhapsonewhohasformerly
renderedyoubeneficialservices.Poorstruttingmortal!howmuchmoreeffectuallydoyoulet
downyouraugustmajestyandroyaldignitywhenyouareobligedtosacrificewithoblationsof
goldtoforeignandbarbarousmercenaries,tothelowestdregs,themostprofligatewretcheson
thefaceoftheearthwhen,withthemostabjectadulation,andinthemeanestformofa
petitioner,yousendambassadorsorcommissionerstothevilestandmostmischievousnations
around,toaskthemtoreceiveyoursubsidiestrustingyouraugustmajestyslife,andthe
propertyandpoliticalexistenceofyourpeople,tothegoodfaithofallies,whoappeartohaveno
regardtothemostsacredengagements,andarenolessinclinedtoviolatejusticethan
humanity.
Ifthepreservationofpeaceisattendedwiththenecessityofsubmittingtosome
circumstancesratherdisadvantageous,andperhapsunjust,donotsaytoyourself,thatyou
incursuchalossbyresolvingonpeaceinsteadofwar,butthatyoupurchasetheinestimable
benefitofpeaceatsuchaprice.Youcouldnotgetitcheaperbuttheconsolationisthatit
cannotbeboughttoodearly.Yetmethinksaroyalobjectorsays,Iwouldverywillinglygiveup
suchandsuchpointsifIwereaprivateman,andthethingsinquestionweremyownproperty
butIamaking,and,whetherIlikeitornot,amunderthenecessityofacting,asIdo,forthe
public.
Forthepublic,saysyourmajesty?Letmetellyou,thatkingwillnoteasilybeinducedto
enteronawar,whohasnoregardbutforthepublic.Onthecontrary,weseethatalmostallthe
realcausesofwarsarethingswhichhavenoreferenceatalltothewelfareofthepublic.Isyour
objecttoclaimandgainpossessionofthisorthatpartofanothersterritory,whatisthattothe
welfareofthepeople?Doyoudesiretotakeroyalrevengeonacrownedheadinyourvicinity,
whohaspresumedtorefuseyourdaughterinmarriage,orrepudiatedheraftermarriagewhat
isthattothewelfareofthepeople?Howisit,inthesmallestdegree,abusinessofthestate,the
communityatlarge?Ifyoumeanreallytosupportyouraugustmajestyandroyaldignity,the
onlywayis,tosupportthecharacterofagood,just,andwiseman,bytakingallthesethings
intoyourmostseriousconsideration,andactingaccordingly.
Whichofyoumodernkingseverextendedhisempiresowidely,orgovernedwithsomuch
majestyanddignity,asAugustusCaesar?Buthe,inallhisglory,wasdesirousofrelinquishing
hispower,ifthepeoplecouldhavefoundanyprincetopresideoverthemwithmoreadvantage
tothecommonwealth.Thesayingofacertainemperorofantiquity,isjustlycelebratedbythe
bestwritersperish,saidhe,mysonsandheirs,ifanyothersuccessorcanbefoundmorelikely
thananyofthemtoconsultthehappinessofthepeople.Thesetwoemperors,notbeing
christians,arecalledimpious,heathenishmen,bychristiansbythosewhowouldgotowar,in

defenceoflaw,order,andreligionandyetsuchbenevolentdispositionsdidtheseimpious,
heathenemperorsdisplaytowardspromotingthewelfareofthepeople,thehappinessofmanin
society!Inthemeantime,christianemperorsconsiderawholechristianpeopleasaswinish
multitude,assolittleworthyoftheirregard,thattheywouldsettheworldonfire,without
consultingthepeople,torevengethedisappointmentoftheirownselfishdesiresortosecure
theirfullgratification.
StillIhearcertainpotentatescaptiouslyexclaiming,thatitdoesnotsignifyarguing,and
thattheycouldnotbepersonallysafeiftheydidnotrepelbyfireandswordthepowerofill
designingmen,who,nothavingthefearofGodbeforetheireyes,mightevenattack,with
success,theirownaugustmajesty.Howhappensit,Iasktheminreturn,thatamongallthe
Romanemperors,AntoniusPiusandAntoniusthephilosopherweretheonlyonesthatwere
neverattacked?Fromthesetwoinstancesitappears,thatnokingssitmorefirmlyontheir
thrones,thantheywhoshewthattheyarereadyatanytimetoquitthem,whentheir
resignationappearslikelytobenefitthepublicandthattheirpowerisatrustresumableatwill,
reposedinthembythepeopleforthegoodofthepeople,andnottogratifytheirownprideor
avarice,bylavishingawayothermensbloodandmoney.
Mayitpleaseyourmostchristianmajesties!ifnothingwillmoveyou,ifneitherthefeelings
ofnature,thereflectionsofconscience,northeactualpressureofcalamityatleast,letthe
reproachofthechristianprofession(forwhichyoupretendtobesozealous)bringyoubackto
longrelinquishedchristianunanimity.
Mayitpleaseyou,whowouldgotowarindefenceofreligion,aswellasoflawandorder,
toconsiderhowsmallaportionoftheterraqueousglobeisoccupiedbychristians.Andthis
portion,smallasitis,constituteswhatiscalledinthescriptures,acitysituatedonaholy
mountain,tobeconstantlyreverenced,andpreservedinviolate,bothbyGodandman.
Butwhatmustwesupposeanationofatheists,(ifanysuchtherebe)orofunbelieversin
Christ,thinkandsay?whatreproachesmusttheyvomitoutagainstChrist,whentheyseehis
professedfollowerscuttingoneanotherinpieces,frommoretriflingcausesthantheheathens
withgreatercrueltythanatheists,andwithmoredestructiveinstrumentsofmutualmurder
thanpaganscouldeverfindintheirheartstouse,orintheirunderstandingtocontrive.
Whoseinventionwasacannon?Wasitnottheinventionofthemeek,lowly,merciful
followersofJesusChrist,whoselawwaslove,andwhoselastlegacytohisdisciplesandthe
world,peace?Thecannonwasthecontrivanceofchristiansandtoaddtotheirinfamy,itis
usualtomarkthenamesoftheapostlesandtoengravetheimagesofsaintsuponthegreat
guns.CruelmockeryofChrist,andofhumanmisery!Paul,theconstantteacherandpreacherof
peace,givesanametoapieceofartillery,andisthusmadetohurladeadlyballattheheadofa
christianThechurchmilitantwithavengeance!
Ifwearesoanxious,aswepretend,tosupportreligion,law,andorder,andparticularlyto
convertanunbelievingnationtochristianity,letusfirstproveourselvestobesincerefollowers

ofChrist.Willthenationtowhomweintendthefavourofconversiontochristianitybyfireand
sword,believethatweourselvesarechristians,whentheysee,whatistooevidenttobedenied,
thatnopeopleonearthquarrelandfight,oneamonganother,moresavagelythanwe
christiansthoughChrist,thefounderoftheveryreligionwhichwemeantopropagateamong
them,declaredhisutterdetestationofallcontention,andparticularlyofwar?
Agreatheathenpoetexpresseshisadmiration,thatamongheathens,whomwepityfor
theirignorance,thoughthereisatimewhenmenhaveenoughofthesweetestenjoymentsof
life,asofsleep,offood,ofwine,ofthedance,andthemelodyofmusic,yetthattheyseemnever
tohaveenoughofthemiseriesofwar.Whathesaidoftheheathens,hiscontemporariesand
countrymen,isstrictlytrueamongthosetowhomtheverynameofwar,theveryword,(as
signifyingathingdisgracefultohumannature)oughttobeheldinutterabomination.
Rome,ancientRome,madasshewaswithmartialrage,andintoxicatedwiththevanityof
militaryglory,yetsometimesshutthetempleofherJanus.Howthenhappensit,thatamong
you,yechristiankingsandpeople,norecess,noholiday,novacations,norestisallowedinthe
workofwar?Withwhatfaceshouldyoudaretorecommendthechristianreligiontoan
unbelievingnation,asthereligionofpeace,whenyouyourselvesareneveratpeace,but
engagedinbitterquarrelsandhostilitiesamongeachother,withouttheleastintermission?
Whatencouragementmustitgivethecommonenemytoseeyouthusdivided.Divideand
conquer,isamaximandnovictoryiseasierthanthatovermenturntopiecesbyinternal
dissension.Wouldyou,asanationofchristians,beformidabletothosewhohaverenounced,or
neverknew,christianity?Tobeformidable,beunited.
Whyshouldyou,wretchedmortals,ofyourownaccord,poisonthepleasure,embitterall
theenjoymentofthispresentlife,andatthesametimecutyourselvesofffromallchanceof
futurefelicity?Fewandevilarethedaysofman,numberlesstheunavoidablecalamitiesof
humanlifebutagreatpartofthemiserymaybealleviatedbyloveandfriendshipwhile,by
mutualkindofficesallmenaffordeachother,indifficultiesthataresurmountable,assistance,
and,underdistressthatadmitsnoremedy,consolation.Thegoodthatfallstomanslotwillbe
sweeterinitsenjoymentandmoreextensiveinitseffects,byconcordwhileeveryman
considerseveryothermanasafriend,impartsasashareofhispossessionswherehecanand,
wherehecannot,makeshimapartakerofhisgoodhumourandgoodwill.
Howfrivolous!whatchildishtrifles!andhowsoonwilltheyperishlikeyourselves!about
whichyoumakesuchdisturbanceand,toobtainwhich,youdealdeathanddesolationround
theland.Death!youhavenooccasionforswordsandmusketstoaccelerateit.Poorinsectsofa
summersday!deathhoversoverallofyou,inacttostrike,withunerringdart,thekinginallhis
glory,attheheadofhisarmies,assuddenlyasthelabourerinthefieldandthemanufactory.
Whatatumultisexcitedbyananimalcule,withacrownonhishead!abeingwhowillsoon
vanish,likethesmokeintotheair,andleavenotavestigeofitsexistence.Attheveryportalof
yourpalace,attheentranceofyourmilitarypavilion,lo!thebrinkofeternity!Whythenwill

youfretandfumeaboutshadows,phantoms,airdrawnobjectsofawakingdream,asifthislife
wereendless,andthereweretimeenoughinittobewantonlymadandmiserable.
Owretchedmen!yewhowillnotbelieveinthefuturehappinessofthegood,orwhodare
nothopeitforyourselvesunderthatdescription.Mostunreasonable,aswellasmiserable,if
youthinkthattheroadtotheblissfulcountryofHeavenliesthroughthefieldofbattleandthe
walksofwar!TheveryblissofHeavenitselfisbutanundescribableunionofbeatifiedmindsto
takeplacewhenthatshallbefullyaccomplished,whichChristearnestlyprayedfortohis
heavenlyFather,desiringthatchristiansmightbeasintimatelyandmysteriouslyunitedtoeach
other,asheiswiththeFather.Howcanyoueverbefitforthisperfectunion,unlessyou
meditateuponitintheinterval,andendeavourwithyourutmosteffortstoattainit?Asthe
transitionwouldbetoosuddenandviolent,fromafoulandfilthygluttontoanangeloflightso
woulditbe,fromabloodywarriortothecompanyofmartyrs,andthosewhohavekept
themselvesunspottedfromtheworld,unstainedwithhumangore.
Enough,andmorethanenough,ofchristianblood,enoughofhumanblood,hasbeen
alreadyspiltenoughhaveyouactedthepartofmadmentoyourmutualdestructionenough
haveyousacrificedtotheevilspiritsofhelllongenoughhaveyoubeenactingatragedyforthe
entertainmentofunbelievers.Iprayyou,aftersolongandsadexperienceoftheevilsofwar,
(submittedtobytheprincipalsufferersagreatwhileagotoopatiently)repent,andbewise.
Letthefollythatispastbeimputed,ifyouwill,tothedestinies,toanythingyouplease.Let
thechristiansvote,whattheheathenssometimesvoted,anentireamnestyofallpasterrorsand
misfortunesbut,forthetimetocome,applyyourselves,oneandall,tothepreservationand
perpetuationofpeace.Bindupdiscord,notwithhempenbandsliabletobebrokenor
untwisted,butwithchainsofsteelandadamant,nevertobeburstasunder,tilltimeshallbeno
more.
Kings!toyouImakemyfirstappeal.Onyournod,suchistheconstitutionofhuman
affairs,thehappinessofmortalsismadetodepend.Youassumetobetheimagesand
representativesofChrist,yoursovereign.Then,asyouwishmentohearyourvoiceshewthe
exampleofobedience,andhearthevoiceofyourSovereignLord,commandingyou,uponyour
duty,toseekpeaceandabolishwar.Bepersuadedthattheworld,weariedwithitslong
continuedcalamities,demandsthis,andhasarighttoinsistonyourimmediatecompliance.
Priests!toyouIappealasconsecratedtotheGodofLoveandMercy.OnyourconscienceI
requireyoutopromote,withallthezealofyourheartsandabilitiesofyourminds,thatwhich
youknowismostagreeabletoGodandtoexplode,discountenance,andrepel,withequal
ardourandactivity,whatyouknowinyourheartsheabhors.
Preachersofalldenominations!toyouIappeal.Preachthegospelofpeace.Letthe
doctrinesofpeaceandgoodwillforeverresoundintheearsofthepeople.
Bishops,andallwhoarepreeminentinecclesiasticaldignity!Icalluponyou,thatthehigh
authorityandinfluencewhichyoupossessoverthemindsofbothkingsandpeople,maybe

exertedtobindupontheirhearts,withbondsindissoluble,thesacredobligationstopeace.
Dukes,lords,grandees,placemen,andmagistrates,ofeverydescription!Iappealtoyou,
thatyourheartygoodwillmaycooperateintheworkofpeace,withthewisdomofkings,and
thepietyofpriests.
Iappealtoallwhocallthemselveschristians!Iurgethem,astheywouldmanifesttheir
sincerity,andpreservetheirconsistency,tounitewithoneheartandonesoul,intheabolition
ofwar,andtheestablishmentofperpetualanduniversalpeace.
Here,andinthisinstance,shewtheworld,howmuchcanbeeffectedbytheunionofthe
multitude,themassofthepeople,againstthedespotismofthefewandthepowerful.
Hitherletallranksandorders,equallyzealousandintentinthegloriouscause,bringand
unitealltheirwisdomandabilities.LeteternalconcordconnectthosewhomNaturehas
connectedinmanypoints,andChristinall.Letallactwithequalzealinaccomplishinga
purposewhichwillcontributeequallytothehappinessofall.Hithereverycircumstanceinvites
youtocooperateinthefirstplace,thenaturalfeelingsofmansheart,thespontaneousdictates
ofcommonhumanityand,inthenext,theauthoranddisposerofallhumanhappiness,Christ.
Theinnumerableblessingsofpeace,andtheunutterablemiseriesofwar,Ihavealready
endeavouredtodescribe.Hitheralsotheinclinationsofkingsthemselves,inourtimes,(the
favourableinfluenceofGodsgraceimpellingtheirmindstoconcord)seemtoinvite.Behold!
themildandpacificLeo,actingthepartofChriststruevicar,hasliftedupthesignalofpeace,
andexhortedallmentoflocktoitsstandard.Ifthenyouaretruesheep,followyourshepherd.
Ifyouaretruesons,listentothevoiceofyourFather.HitherlikewiseFrancis,kingofFrance
andthemostchristianking,notintitleonly,summonsyou.Hedisdainsnottopurchasepeace
nordoesheregardhisownpompandexternaldignity,solongashecanpromoteandpreserve
thepublictranquillity.Hehasshewnthatthetruesplendorofroyalty,therealmajestyofa
king,consistsinanendeavourtodeservewellofthehumanrace,topromotethehappinessof
individuals,andnottoinvolvetheminmiseryanddestruction,inawildquixoticpursuitof
glory.HitheralsoyouarecalledbytherenownedCharlesthefifth,ayoungmanofadisposition
naturallygood,andhappilynotyetcorrupted.CaesarMaximilianappearstohavenoobjection
topeace,nordoesHenry,thefamouskingofEngland,refusehisconcurrence.
Astothepeopleinallthesecountriesthegreaterpartofthepeoplecertainlydetestwar,
andmostdevoutlywishforpeace.Averyfewofthem,indeed,whoseunnaturalhappiness
dependsuponthepublicmisery,maywishforwarbutbeityourstodecide,whetheritis
equitableornot,thattheunprincipledselfishnessofsuchwretchesshouldhavemoreweight
thantheanxiouswishesofallgoodmenunited.Youplainlysee,thathithertonothinghasbeen
effectuallydonetowardspermanentpeacebytreaties,nogoodendansweredbyroyal
intermarriages,neitherbyviolence,norbyrevenge.Nowthenitistimetopursuedifferent
measurestotrytheexperiment,whataplacabledisposition,andamutualdesiretodoactsof
friendshipandkindness,canaccomplishinpromotingnationalamity.Itisthenatureofwars,

thatoneshouldsowtheseedsofanotheritisthenatureofrevengetoproducereciprocal
revenge.Nowthen,onthecontrary,letkindnessgeneratekindness,onegoodturnbecome
productiveofanotherandlethimbeconsideredasthemostkinglycharacter,thegreatestand
bestpotentate,whoisreadytoconcedethemostfromhisownstrictright,andtosacrificeall
exclusiveprivilegetothehappinessofthepeople.
Whathasbeendonebymerehumanpolicy,andfortemporalpurposesonly,hasnotyet
succeededbutChristwillgivesuccesstothosepiousdesigns,whichshallappeartobe
undertakenunderhisauspicesandbyhisauthority.Hewillbepresentandpropitious,and
favourthosewhofavourthatstateofhumanaffairs,whichhehimselfevidentlyappeared,while
onearth,soremarkably,decidedlytopromote.
Letthepublicgoodovercomeallprivateandselfishregardsofeverykindanddegree
thoughintruth,evenprivateandselfishregards,andeverymansowninterest,willbebest
promotedbythepreservationofpeace.Kingswillfind,thattoreignisamoregloriousthing
thaneverithasbeen,whentheyreignbythemildauthorityoflaw,andnotbyarmsand
violence.Thenobilitywillfindtheirdignitygreaterinitself,andestablishedonmore
reasonable,andthereforemorepermanentprinciples.Theclergywillenjoytheireasewithless
interruption.Thepeoplewillpossesstranquillitywithgreaterplenty,andplentywithgreater
tranquillity,thantheyyethaveeverknown.Thechristianprofessionwillbecomerespectableto
theenemiesofthecross.Finally,everymanwillbecomedearandpleasingtoeveryotherman
allwillbebelovedbyall!and,whatisstillmoredesirable,belovedalsobyChristtobecome
acceptabletowhomisthehighestfelicityofhumannature.
FINIS.