the nature of the religion, and from the character given of the early Christians, it may easily be credited, that they would refuse to engage in war, from many considerations besides that of idolatry attending the military service.

We shall now endeavour to support our proposition by the conduct of Christians for the first three centuries after the death of Jesus, and shall adduce as evidence the writings of the fathers of the church.

There is a great paucity of these compositions during the first century of the Christian era, which may be accounted for by the harassed, persecuted, and unsettled state of the religion, and by the vast amount of time required for travelling, and for disseminating the new doctrines by personal labours.

1. There is extant a short epistle of Barnabas,* who was the companion of St. Paul, and here we find language confirmatory of the spirit instilled by Jesus. "The Lord hath given us another form, that we should have our souls like the soul of a child;"-and enumerating the qualities essential to one who would walk in the path of light"Thou shalt be gentle, thou shalt be quiet, thou shalt not keep any hatred in thy heart against thy brother. Thou shalt love thy neighbour above thy

* See Epistles of the Apostolical Fathers, translated by Archbishop Wake. 1693.

own soul. Thou shalt never cause divisions, but shalt make peace between those that are at variance, and bring them together." But the way of darkness is trodden by those who are influenced by "pride of power, murder, rapine, malice, covetousness," &c.

2. Clement, bishop of Rome, who is honourably mentioned by St. Paul as a fellow labourer,* has left one epistle, written to the Corinthians. It is replete with meekness, charity, and peace.

"You were all of you humble minded, not boasting of any thing, desiring rather to be subject than to govern, to give than to receive. Thus a firm and blessed and profitable peace was given unto you, and an insatiable desire of doing good." Then showing the nature of dissension, he writes, "In a word, envy and strife have overturned whole cities, and rooted out great nations from off the earth. . . . Let us therefore humble ourselves, brethren, laying aside all pride, and boasting, and foolishness, and anger. . . Especially remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, which he spake, teaching gentleness and long-suffering; for thus he said, 'Be ye merciful, that ye may obtain mercy; forgive, that it may be forgiven unto you,' &c. Let us return to that peace which was the mark that from the beginning was set before us. The heavens, holding fast to His appointment, are

*Philippians iv. 3.

subject to Him in peace. Day and night accomplish the courses that He has allotted to them, not disturbing one another. The sun and moon, and all the companies and constellations of stars, run the courses that He has appointed to them in concord, without departing in the least from them. . . Even the smallest creatures live together in peace. All these has the great Creator commanded to observe concord and peace, being good to all, but especially to us, who flee to his mercy through our Lord Jesus Christ." . . . "Who is able to express the obligation of the love of God?". "There is nothing base and sordid in charity; charity lifts not itself above others; admits of no divisions; is not seditious; but does all things in peace and amity."

3. Of Hermas, who is saluted by St. Paul as a contemporary Christian,* there is remaining a book, entitled "The Shepherd or Pastor." We there meet with these passages: "Be innocent and without disguise, so shalt thou be like an infant, who knows no malice, which destroys the life of man... Keep peace evermore with thy brother. Be patient; for if thou shalt be patient, the Holy Spirit, which dwelleth in thee, shall be pure, and not be darkened by any other evil spirits. But if any anger overtake thee, presently the Holy Spirit, which is in thee, will be strait

* Rom. xvi. 14.

ened, and seek to depart from thee. Anger is foolish, and light, and empty: now bitterness is bred through folly; by bitterness, anger; by anger, fury." Among the works of iniquity he places-" wicked riots, pride, and remembrance of injuries," and opposes to them "faith, charity, concord." "Do not be contentious, but quiet; keep up brotherhood to bear affronts."

4. Polycarp has left strong testimony in favour of our principles; though all that remains of his works is a very brief epistle to the Philippians. He was the disciple of John, and related "what he had received from eye-witnesses concerning the Lord." He says that Christians are to abstain from "rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, or striking for striking, or cursing for cursing; but to remember what the Lord hath taught us-Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: be ye merciful, that ye may obtain mercy.' Pray for all the saints; pray also for kings, and all that are in authority; and for those who persecute you, and hate you, and are the enemies of the cross; that your fruits may be manifest in all things, and that ye may be perfect in Christ." Soon after the martyrdom of Polycarp, a circular epistle, concerning recent persecutions, was written to the church of Smyrna, and we meet with this passage : "Who can fail to

* See the interesting account given of Polycarp by Irenæus ad Flor. ap. Euseb. lib. v. c. xx.

admire the greatness of their mind, and that wonderful patience, and love of their Master, which then appeared in them? Who, when they were so flayed with whipping, that the frame and structure of their bodies were laid open to their very inward veins and arteries, nevertheless endured it. Not one of them let so much as a sigh or a groan escape from them."

5. Ignatius, the contemporary of Polycarp, has left us similar evidence of the peaceful construction placed on the Gospel. "Ye do also pray without ceasing for all men; for there is hope of repentance in them that they may attain unto God. Let them therefore at least be instructed by your works, if they will be no other way. Be ye mild at their anger; humble at their boasting; to their blasphemies return your prayers; to their error your firmness in faith; when they are cruel be ye gentle; not endeavouring to imitate their ways. Let us be their brethren in all kindness and moderation; but let us be followers of the Lord; for who was ever more unjustly used, more destitute, more despised?" "Nothing is better than peace, by which all war, both spiritual and earthly, is abolished." "The beginning is faith; the end charity." "Where there is division and wrath, God dwelleth not." "Bear with all men, even as the Lord with thee; support all in love. Bear the infirmities of all, as a perfect