native pride and selfishness. For, power of disposing the hearts of nations 1. God can make it the mutual in-to peace, God signally displayed terest of neighboring and foreign na- thrice every year, in his special provitions to be at peace with each other.dence towards the natural enemies of This was the case in the days of Solo- his chosen people. "Thrice in the mon. By the instrumentality of David, year shall all your male children ap God had delivered his people from pear before the Lord God, the God of their enemies, and put them in posses-Israel. For I will cast out the nations sion of all the land which he had prom before thee, and enlarge thy borders: ised to give them. This we are ex- Neither shall any man desire thy land pressly told in the context, " And Sol- when thou shalt go up to appear beomon reigned over all the kingdoms, fore the Lord thy God thrice in the from the river unto the land of the Phi- year." On those great occasions, God listines, and unto the border of Egypt.preserved his people from the power The children of Israel had gained as large a territory, and secured as great advantages, as they had any grounds to expect or even to desire. And, on the other hand, their neighbors had no reason to flatter themselves, that it would be for their interest to attack the peo-ly, every man under his vine, and unple of God, in their present state of strength and prosperity. All things, therefore, conspired with the policy of Solomon, to cultivate national peace. Just so God is able to unite the hearts II. That national peace is a great of other nations, by uniting their inter-national blessing. and depredation of their enemies, by actually disposing their hearts to peace. Indeed, national peace must always be ascribed to the mediate, or immediate influence of the Deity, upon the hearts of men. When any nation dwells fafe der his fig-tree, they ought to consider this public blessing, as coming from the hand and goodness of God. I proceed to show, ests. It has long been a maxim in So long as Solomon had peace on politics, that national interest is the first principle of national policy. It is only for God, therefore, to make it the mutual interest of different nations to be at peace with each other, and they themselves will naturally seek and promote this agreeable object. Besides, all sides round about him, it diffused universal happiness through his widely extended kingdom. National peace is naturally productive of the greatest national prosperity. This will appear if we consider a variety of particulars. 1. National peace naturally tends to 2. God is able to govern the hearts increase the numbers of a people. It of nations, and, in that way, dispose was promised to Abrham as a great them to mutual peace and harmony. blessing, that his seed should be exIt was a proverb in Israel, “The king's tremely numerous. This blessing is heart is in the hand of the Lord, as diminished by war, but promoted by the rivers of water: He turneth it peace. The seed of Abraham, at cerwhithersoever he will." There is a tain seasons, were minished and bro't supreme power in every nation: and low by war and its natural attendants. the men who possess that power, have But in times of peace, they rapidly inthe right of making war or peace. creased again. And perhaps they nevBut the hearts of those very men are er increased with greater rapidity, than in the hand of the Lord, who has a su-in the long and peaceful reign of Solpreme control over all their views and omon. Accordingly, we are told in our designs. God standeth in the congre-context, that "Judah and Israel were gation of the mighty; and while they many, as the sand which is by the sea are deliberating upon the most impor-in multitude." National peace pretant of all national concerns, he is able served them from the sword and pesto turn their hearts, and voices, and tilence, which commonly go hand in exertions, to national peace. This hand, and make dreadful havoc of the lives of men. It is almost incredible nity of exchanging the fruits of their how fast a people will increase in num- own industry, for the wealth of the bers, while they are free from public world. and wasting calamities. And the in- 3. National peace has a happy increase of numbers not only adds to the fluence upon every branch of human happiness of a people, but to the glo- knowledge. Leisure and learning go ry of their government. So Solomon together. While any people are free thought, and so he said. "In the from the terrors and distresses of war, multitude of people is the king's honor: and are increasing in numbers and but in the want of people is the des-wealth, they have time and opportu truction of the prince." How valua-nity for turning their attention to menble is national peace, which preserves tal improvements. The long and unthe lives of millions, and adds millions interrupted peace which Solomon ento the numbers of a nation! joyed, was the happy occasion of the 2. National peace directly tends to astonishing advances which he made promote national wealth. Wealth is in the various branches of science.a temporal favor to nations, as well as He was no less celebrated for his to individuals, though it be often per-knowledge, than for his wealth and verted and abused by both. Solomon magnificence, We are told in the says, "The blessing of the Lord mak-context, that " Solomon's wisdom exeth rich, and he addeth no sorrow with celled the wisdom of all the children it." Peace is the parent of wealth.- of the east country, and all the wisFor peace promotes industry, industry dom of Egypt. For he was wiser than promotes commerce, and commerce all men: than Ethan the Ezrahite, and promotes the wealth of any nation. Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the The national peace in the reign of Sól-sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all omon, promoted a very extensive and countries round about. And he spake lucrative commerce, which made both three thousand proverbs: And his the prince and people immensely rich. songs were a thousand and five. And This the pen of inspiration has record- he spake of trees, from the cedar-tree ed, for the instruction of all future a- that is in Lebanon, even unto the hysges. "Now the weight of gold that sop that springeth out of the wall :came to Solomon in one year was six And he spake also of beasts, and of hundred three score and six talents, fowls, and of creeping things, and of beside that he had of the merchant fishes." The peace and prosperity men, and of the traffic of the spice-of his kingdom, gave Solomon a hap merchants, and of all the kings of Ara-py opportunity of pursuing his own bia, and of the governors of the coun- studies, and of encouraging the sons try. The king had at sea a navy of of science to diffuse useful knowledge Tarshish, with the navy of Hiram.- through every part of his extensive Once in three years came the navy of dominions. Learning never flourishTarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivo-ed, but under the united influence of ry, apes, and peacocks. So Solomon wealth and power. The Greeks and exceeded all the kings of the earth for Romans became rich and powerful, riches. And the king made silver to before they had either leisure or inbe in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar clination to turn their attention to the made he to be as the sycamore trees useful and liberal arts. But after their that are in the vale for abundance." conquests had put them in possession While a nation enjoys the blessings of of wealth and peace, they carried agpeace, its individuals are at full liber-riculture,manufactures, commerce, arty to cultivate the earth, and pursue chitecture, poetry, sculpture, and paintevery lucrative calling. Peace like-ing, to a surprising degree of perfection, wise opens the ports of numerous na-National peace has always had a tendtions, and gives them a fair opportuency to promote national knowledge. The The noblest works of genius, in the || shall be a man of rest; and I will give most refined nations of Europe, have him rest from all his enemies round been brought forth, not in the din of about: For his name shall be Soloarms, but under the calm and auspi-mon, and I will give peace and quietcious influence of public peace. Hence ness unto Israel in his days. He shall the history of ages assures us, that the build an house for my name." friends of science have commonly Temple which Solomon built, was the been the enemies of war. most rich and magnificent structure 4. National peace affords a favora- that ever was raised by the hand of ble opportunity for forming public de- man. It was seven years in building; it signs and performing public works. daily employed above an hundred thouEvery rising nation finds, that in order sand workmen; and there was more to be happy as well as respectable, gold and silver expended in adorning it must build cities, erect churches, it, than is now in circulation in all the endow colleges, open canals, make nations of Europe. And, after he had bridges, repair highways, remove pub-finished this great work, he still went lic nuisances, and perform many other on to build cities and palaces, and to expensive works of general utility. make Jerusalem the seat of his kingTo promote such national objects was dom, the metropolis of the world.highly reputable among the Romans Such vast and important designs were in the zenith of their prosperity. Plin- accomplished in the long and peaceful ny congratulates one of his friends up-reign of Solomon, And when any naon being appointed a surveyor of the tion enjoys peace on all sides round highways; an office, to which even he about them, they have the fairest opand Cæsar himself had been promoted. portunity of forming and of executing It is only when nations are settled in designs of public utility and imporpeace, that they can form and execute tance. In this view, national peace is public designs. One principal end highly conducive to the general good which God had in view in giving of every civil community. peace to Israel in the reign of Solo- 5. It is the direct tendency of namon, was to afford them leisure to tional peace to promote personal as build the Temple, and to perform oth-well as public prosperity. There is er great and useful works, which no other national blessing so extenshould raise their dignity and glory in sive in its kindly influence, It perthe sight of surrounding nations, and vades every part of a nation, and in the view of future ages. "And Da-yields a peculiar pleasure to high and vid said, Solomon my son is young low, rich and poor, young and old. It and tender, and the house that is to be looks with a mild and cheering aspect builded for the Lord must be exceed-upon every individual, and increases ing magnifical of fame and of glory every other public and private blesthroughout all countries. Then he sing. In the peaceful reign of Solocalled for Solomon his son, and char-mon, all his subjets appeared to be in ged him to build an house for the Lord a state of real happiness and self-enjoyGod of Israel. And David said to ment. This is expressly mentioned Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in as the fruit of national peace. my mind to build an house unto the || dah and Israel were many, as the sand name of the Lord my God: But the which is by the sea in multitude, eatword of the Lord came to me, saying, ing, and drinking, and making merry." Thou hast shed blood abundantly, These expressions cannot mean carnal and hast made great wars: Thou shalt mirth and levity; but that serenity not build an house unto my name, and cheerfulness of mind which God because thou hast shed much blood required his people to feel and express upon the earth in my sight. Behold, in a state of outward prosperity. Unia son shall be born unto thee, who versal peace diffuses universal joy "Ju through any community. While they the king unto the priests and Levites, dwell safely and sit under their vines concerning any matter." Such was and fig-trees, none being able to make the happy influence of national peace them afraid, they enjoy a train of plea-upon religion, in Solomon's reign.sing reflections. The idea of safety, And it had the same effect in the with respect to ourselves, our friends, reigns of other pious and pacific prinand our country, is not only agreeable ces. All the revivals of religion which in its own nature, but it also gives a we have an account of in the succeedhigh relish to every other earthly en-ing reigns, were in times of national joyment. Happy is that people that peace. Of Asa we are told, "In his is in such a case: that there is no days the land was quiet ten years.breaking in, nor going out, and no com- And Asa did that which was good and plaining in the streets. This was the right in the eyes of the Lord his God. case of Israel in the peaceful reign of For he took away the altars of the Solomon. And this is the case of any strange gods, and the high places, and nation, who enjoys the blessing of uni-brake down the images, and cut down versal peace. I may add, the groves, and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and commandments. His son Jehoshaphat was a great reformer, and promoted the cause of religion in a time of peace. Accordingly it is said, "The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that 6. National peace is very friendly to the interests of religion. During the peaceful reign of Solomon, religion greatly flourished. As soon as he was fixed upon the throne, he invited the people to go with him to Gibeon, where he offered sacrifices, and called upon God for wisdom, to enable him to discharge the weighty duties which they made no war against Jehoshashould devolve upon him in the phat." There was another revival of course of his reign. His prayer was religion in Hezekiah's peaceful reign. graciously heard and abundantly an- And another after that, in the peaceful swered. When he had finished the reign of Josiah. Indeed, public peace Temple, he consecrated it to the ser- and true religion have always promovice of the Deity with great solemnity ted each other. It is the natural tenand devotion, which met the approba-dency of peace in any nation, who ention of Heaven. Nor did he stop here, joys divine revelation, to promote the but, by his example and authority interests of religion. And in this view promoted the regular and solemn wor-especially the reign of Solomon is reship of God in his house. "Then presented by the Psalmist, as a type of Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the future spread of religion and prosthe Lord on the altar of the Lord, perity of the church under the reign which he had built before the porch, of the Prince of Peace. even after a certain rate every day, of "In his days shall the righteous flourfering according to the commandment ish; and abundance of peace so long of Moses, on the Sabbaths, and on the as the moon endureth. He shall have new moons, and on the solemn feasts, dominion also from sea to sea, and three times in a year, even in the feast from the river unto the ends of the of unleavened bread, and in the feast earth. They that dwell in the wilderof weeks,and in the feast of tabernacles. ness shall bow before him; and his And he appointed, according to the enemies shall lick the dust. The order of David his father, the courses kings of Tarshish and of the Isles shall of the priests to their service, and the bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Levites to their charges, to praise and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings minister before the priests, as the duty shall fall down before him: All nations of every day required. And they de-shall serve him." As soon as univerparted not from the commandment of sal peace shall reign, and men shall beat their swords into ploughshares, sceptre. He was wiser than all men and their spears into pruning-hooks, The greatest princes admired his wisthis glorious prediction shall be fully dom, and placed themselves as pupils accomplished. Our Saviour was born at his feet. And this wisest of men and in a time of peace, and he shall reign of princes, was a prince of peace. He in a time of peace. The peace of na- had a just sense of the importance of tions always has been, and always will saving his people from the evils of be, highly favorable to the cause of re-war, and of turning their attention and ligion. In a word, national peace exertions to the arts of peace. serves to promote every national in-through a long reign of forty years, he terest, and is the greatest of all nation-maintained peace on all sides round al blessings. IMPROVEMENT. And about him, and raised his kingdom to the first rank among the kingdoms of men. This is a noble example, which 1. If peace be the grearest national blessing, then war is the greatest na-it is not beneath the greatest princes and potentates of the earth to imitate. There is nothing of so much impor tance as war, that is commonly undertaken with so little coolness and pru the result of folly, than the fruit of wis- This tional calamity. War and peace are diametrically opposite to each other in their nature and tendency. War tends to destroy all that prosperity which peace tends to produce. War dimin-dence. It is much more frequently ishes the numbers and wastes the wealth of nations. War obstructs the progress of science, and destroys the works of ages. War corrupts the hearts and lives of men, snd wounds the interests of religion and morality. War spreads a general gloom over the beautiful face of nature, disturbs the peace and destroys the hopes of families and pierces the bosoms of old and young with the keenest anguish and distress. It is impossible to paint the horrors of war and all its attendant miseries. It will appear in its truest light in contrast with the blessings of peace. And to view it in this dreadful light, we need only turn our eyes to Europe. It has there spilt the blood of millions. It has there trampled up-prosperity; then it is the wisdom of a on all laws, human and divine. It has there laid waste the labors and wisdom of ages. It has there spread ignorance, infidelity, vice, and misery through a large portion of the globe. In a word, war is the calamity of calamities, and the greatest of all natural and national evils. 3. If it be the natural tendency of national peace to promote national people to do all in their power, to retain this invaluable blessing. A prosperous people are very prone to forget the source of their prosperity, and to become extremely stupid, avaricious, and revengeful. These are passions, which naturally enkindle the spirit of war. And when the spirit of war has 2. If peace be the greatest of nation-enflamed and infatuated the minds of al blessings, then it is the wisdom of a people, they are deaf to the voice of those who possess the supreme power reason, and blind to the motives of inin any nation, to promote and maintain terest. While they feel the powerful this desirable and important object.-impulse of malignant passions, they Solomon was the greatest and wis-would much rather sacrifice their own est prince that ever swayed a royal intesest and happiness, than fail to pour |