not condemn the flaughter, the butchery of the human race, created after the image of God: nay, we may condemn it. It can hardly be necessary and just on both fides; perhaps it is on neither: and the authors, whofoever they be, must have much to answer for. It is boafted of one, that in the course of his wars he had flain three millions. You cannot compute beforehand how much mischief you let loose, when you open the doors of war. Happy are we, if we be but fenfible of our happiness, in our pacific employments, and inferiour stations. How dangerous a thing is power! Success at laft how fatal! It had been well for many a conqueror, if he had been cut off in his first battle, before he was intoxicated with his victories, or had acquired that habitual thirst for the deftruction of his fellow creatures, which is called glory, but will cover him with everlafting conRev. vi, fufion. I beheld; and the heaven departed as a fcroll, and every mountain and island

14, &c.

were

were removed out of their places: and the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, hid themselves in the dens, and in the rocks of the mountains; and faid to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that fitteth on the throne.

But whatever may be alleged by either party, in excuse of these difputes between nations; private war, which is waged between two particular members of the fame civil community, who take the decifion of their controverfies, each of them into his own hand, and commit the arbitration of their differences to their own fword, muft in all cafes be looked upon as indefenfible. If we have the benefit of living in fociety, we must fubmit to it's laws; and be content with the regular and ordinary execution of justice, however imperfect or difficult to be obtained. There will be danger of

great

great iniquity, if we attempt to fupply the defects of civil juftice, and help ourfelves to a readier and ampler reparation. To fay nothing of the breach of publick peace, and the tumults and diforders thence naturally to be expected; it is not equitable, that a man should be the judge of affronts and injuries done to himfelf: we may be fure, they will be overvalued in fuch eftimation. In the eye of the fufferer, and feen through the medium of prejudice and self love, offences foon fwell to a vaft fize; and any little neglect, or inconfiderate word, becomes a capital indignity.

But, befides that Chriftianity requires of us forgiveness to a great extent; reafon will not authorize the gratification of refentment for it's own fake: the pleasure of revenge, muft not be allowed to be a just motive to any action.

The practice here cenfured is also bar

barous,

barous, a custom unheard of among the wifeft and politeft nations. Ancient Greece and Rome were ftrangers to it; and at this day, it is unknown to the moft civilized empires in the east. It is entirely a Gothic inftitution; which there is not fo much as a pretence for retaining now, when it is divefted of all it's authority and form, and no longer imagined by any one to be a teft of right, or

innocence.

And even as to courage itself, it does not confist all furely in quarrelling; but may be found in men of humane and gentle difpofitions. Many have faced an enemy without fear, who never killed a friend and fome, who have acquired applause in these unlawful encounters, have nevertheless in the important hour of authorized battle, when magnanimity had been indeed a virtue, fhrunk into the moft abject and fhameful timidity; feeking a temporary safety in eter

nal

nal dishonour, and betraying the name and glory, the poffeffions, power, and fafety of their country.

There is ftill remaining one kind of murder yet unmentioned; too shocking indeed to be mentioned, and contrary to the first and most universal principle in nature, which dictates to every creature the defence and preservation of itself: a murder however, which has been but too often committed; and for which our own nation is eminently infamous. May God of his mercy keep us from the 'wretched end, and from the wicked life of the two traitors Ahithophel and Judas; from the misery and madness, which lead the way to fuch a defperate act; and the unavailing remorfe, and everlasting punishment, which, it is too probable, must follow! God keep us from all our enemies; and among that number, from ourselves! Alas! we are the worst; the only foes indeed, by whom we can be

thus