Objection fifteenth.Christians, with comparatively few exceptions, have not doubted the lawfulness of war, and many have actually fought and bled on the field of battle and considered themselves in the way of their duty. And shall all our pious forefathers be condemned for engaging in war?
Answer.It is admitted that many pious people have engaged in war, but they might have been in an error on this subject as well as on many other subjects. Many of our pious forefathers engaged in the slavery of their fellow-men, and thought themselves in the way of their duty; but does it follow that they were not in an error? The circumstance that multitudes defend a sentiment is no certain evidence of its truth. Some of the reformers were objected to because the multitude were against them. Popularity, however, ever has influenced and ever will influence mankind more than plain gospel duty, until the earth shall be filled with the abundance of peace. But notwithstanding this, it is not right to follow the multitude to do evil. All ought to remember that they have no right to follow the example of any one any further than that example coincides with the example of Christ or the precepts of the gospel; all other standards are fallible and dangerous.
If real Christians have, from mistaken zeal, prayed against each other and fought each other and shed each other’s blood, this does not justify war.
Objection sixteenth.If Christians generally should adopt these sentiments, it would be impossible for them to subsist in this world in its present state, and if they did continue it must be in abject slavery. They would become hewers of wood and drawers of water to the tyrannical and oppressive, and would only encourage them in their deeds of wickedness. The injustice of men must be restrained or the earth will again be filled with violence. The necessity of the case is such that mankind would be warranted to take up arms to maintain their rights and repel oppressors, if the Scriptures were silent on the subject.[2]
Answer.We have the history of the heathen world to teach us what mankind are without the light of revelation. They are full of all unrighteousness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of enmity, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; they are proud, boasters, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful. Now the very design of the gospel is to subdue and overcome these abominable passions and dispositions; not however by returning violence for violence but by producing virtues directly contrary. The great duty of Christians is to be a light to this wicked world by exhibiting in their conduct and conversation the spirit and temper of the gospel. If such were the practice of Christians, we have reason to believe that wicked men would be overawed anddeterred from their violence in a great measure. Besides, if all real Christians should utterly refuse to bear arms for the destruction of their fellow-men, it would greatly diminish the strength and boldness of warlike nations, so that it would be impracticable for them to prosecute war with the vigor and fury that they now do.
But if the gospel prohibits war, then to urge the necessity of the case against the commands of God is open rebellion against his government as well as total distrust of his word and providence.
If Christians live in habitual obedience to God’s commands, they have the promise that all things shall work together for their good, and they have no reason to fear them that kill the body and after that “have no more that they can do.”
It is strange that Christians should have so great a reluctance to suffer inconvenience in worldly things for the sake of the gospel. The scoffs and persecutions of the world and the fear of the loss of worldly things are powerful barriers againstChristianwarfare. The gospel teaches us that all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, and that through much tribulation the saints must enter into the kingdom of heaven; and is it not plainly owing wholly to their conformity to the world that they now suffer so little persecution and practice so little self-denial? If there is reserved for them an eternal weight of glory, what if they, like their Divine Master, should not have where to lay their heads? If they are to inherit a crown of immortal glory, what if they are called to suffer the loss of earthly things? If they are hereafter to reign as kingsand priests unto God, what if they are not ranked among the great and honorable of the earth? If they suffer with Christ, then will they also reign with him; but if they deny him, he also will deny them; and if they are ashamed of him, he will also be ashamed of them before his Father and the holy angels. Let Christians then obey his commands and trust to his protection while they resolutely abstain from the wicked practices of the world.
Objection seventeenth.It is the duty of mankind to use means for the preservation of life and liberty; they must till the ground, if they expect a crop. It would be presumptuous for them to pray for and to expect their daily bread without using such means as God has put in their power to obtain it; and it would be equally presumptuous to expect the preservation of their lives and liberties without using such means to preserve and defend them as God has put into their hand; they must act as well as pray.
Answer.That using means is the duty of Christians, there can be no doubt; but they must be such as God has appointed, and not such as human wisdom may dictate. There is no dispute as to the propriety of using means, but only as to the kind of means which Christians ought to use. The weapons of their warfare are not carnal, but spiritual, and they are mighty through God to the pulling down the strongholds of sin and Satan. It is often said, If you wish to put a stop to war, spread the gospel through the world. We would inquire, If the gospel tolerates war, how will its universal diffusion put a stop to war?
As has already been observed, it would be open rebellion to do what God has forbidden, and high-handed presumption to ask his aid in the things which he has prohibited.
Objection eighteenth.Some ecclesiastical historians inform us that Christians in the early ages of the church, though they contended so firmly for the faith as to suffer martyrdom rather than submit to idolatry, yet did not refuse to bear arms in defense of their country, even when called upon by heathen magistrates, and their example ought to have weight with us.
Answer.The testimony of the early Fathers is entitled to regard, but must not be considered as infallible authority, for they were men of like passions with others and cannot be followed safely any farther than they followed Christ. But the weight of their testimony on the subject, I apprehend, will be found to stand directly against the lawfulness of war on Christian principles.
Erasmus, who was an eminent scholar, and who was probably as well acquainted with the sentiments of the primitive Fathers as any modern writer, in hisAntipolemus, or Plea against War, replies to the advocates of war as follows:“They further object those opinions or decrees of the Fathers in which war seems to be approved. Of this sort there are some, but they are only late writers, who appeared when the true spirit of Christianity began to languish, and they are very few; while, on the other hand, there are innumerable ones among the writers of acknowledged sanctity which absolutely forbid war; and why should the few rather than the many intrude themselves into our mind?”
Barclay, who examined the writings of the Fathers on this subject, says, “It is as easy to obscure the sun at midday as to deny that the primitive Christians renounced all revenge and war.”
Clarkson, who also examined the Fathers, declares that “every Christian writer of the second century who notices the subject makes it unlawful for Christians to bear arms.”
Clarkson has made copious extracts from the writings of the Fathers against war, a few of which, as quoted by him and others, shall be inserted here.
Justin Martyr and Tatian both considered the devil the author of war.
Justin Martyr, while speaking of the prophecies relating to the days of peace, says, “That this prophecy is fulfilled you have good reason to believe, for we who in times past killed one another do not now fight with our enemies.” Clarkson adds, “It is observable that the word ‘fight’ does not mean to strike, beat, or give a blow, but to fight in war; and the word ‘enemy’ does not mean a common adversary who has injured us, but an enemy of state.”
Irenæus says that Christians in his day “had changed their swords and their lances into instruments of peace, and that they knew not how to fight.”
Maximilian and a number of others in the second century actually suffered martyrdom for refusing, on gospel principles, to bear arms.
Celsus made it one of his charges against the Christians that they refused to bear arms for the Emperor. Origen, in the following century, admitted the fact andjustified the Christians on the ground of the unlawfulness of war itself.
Tertullian, in his discourse to Scapula, tells us “that no Christians were to be found in the Roman armies.”
In his declaration on the worship of idols he says, “Though the soldiers came to John and received a certain form to be observed, and though the Centurion believed, yet Jesus Christ, by disarming Peter disarmed every soldier afterwards; for custom can never sanction an illicit act.”
Again, in hisSoldier’s Garland, he says: “Can a soldier’s life be lawful, when Christ has pronounced that he who lives by the sword shall perish by the sword? Can one who professes the peaceable doctrine of the gospel be a soldier when it is his duty not so much as to go to law? And shall he who is not to avenge his own wrongs be instrumental in bringing others into chains, imprisonment, torment, and death?”
He tells us, also, that the Christians in his day were sufficiently numerous to have defended themselves if their religion had permitted them to have recourse to the sword.
There are some marvelous accounts of Christian soldiers related by Eusebius; but Valesius, in his annotations on these accounts, has abundantly proved them to be fabulous, though he was not opposed to war and could have had no other object but to support the truth. Eusebius, in his orations on Constantine, uses such extravagant adulation, which falls but little short of idolatry, that his account of Christian warriors oughtto be received with great caution, especially when we recollect that church and state were, in his day, united.
On the whole, it is very evident that the early Christians did refuse to bear arms, and although one of their objections was the idolatrous rites connected with military service, yet they did object on account of the unlawfulness of war itself.
We have no good evidence of Christians being found in the armies until we have evidence of great corruption in the church. But admitting that we had good evidence that there were professing Christians in the army at an early period of the church, I apprehend it would be of little importance, for the idolatrous rites and ceremonies of the heathen armies were of such a nature as to be totally inconsistent with Christian character, and the example of idolatrous Christians surely ought to have no weight.
Some objections of less importance might be stated which have from time to time been made against the sentiments here advocated; but to state and reply to everything that might be said is not necessary. Specious objections have been and still are made to almost every doctrine of Christianity. Mankind can generally find some plausible arguments to support whatever they wish to believe. The pleas in favor of war are very congenial with the natural feelings of the human heart, and unless men will examine with a serious, candid, and prayerful disposition to ascertain the truth as it is in Jesus, they will be very likely to imbibe and defend error.[3]
The writer, though far from supposing that everything he has said on a subject that has been so little discussed is free from error, is conscious of having endeavored to examine it with seriousness and candor, and feels satisfied that the general sentiments he has advanced are according to godliness. He sincerely hopes that every one who may peruse these pages will do it in the meek and unbiased spirit of the gospel, and then judge whether war can be reconciled with the lamblike example of Christ; whether it is really forgiving the trespasses of enemies, loving and doing them good, and returning good for evil; for if it is not, it is unquestionably inconsistent with the spirit and the precepts of Christianity.
All who earnestly desire and look for the millennial glory of the church should consider that it can never arrive until the spirit and practice of war are abolished. All who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity cannot but ardently desire that wars may cease to the ends of the earth and that mankind should embrace each other as brethren. If so, is it not their duty to do all in their power to promote so benevolent an object? Ought not every individual Christian to conduct in such a manner that if every other person imitated his example it would be best for the whole? If so, would they not immediately renounce everything that leads to wars and fightings and embrace everything which would promote that glorious reign of righteousness and peace for which they earnestly hope, long, and pray? “The work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”
FOOTNOTES:[1]Says the Rev. Dr. Scott, in his Essay, p. 422: “We ought not therefore to fear our enemies because he will be with us, and if God be for us, who can be against us? Or who can doubt but he that is in us is greater than he that is in the world? This was typically intimated in the promises made to Israel respecting their wars with the Canaanites and other nations, which were shadows and figures of the good fight of faith.” Bishop Horne, in his preface to the Psalms, views the subject in the same light.[2]All these objections introduced are carefully selected from some of the ablest advocates for the lawfulness of war.[3]The last point American Christians will give up is the justification of their fathers in the War of the Revolution.
[1]Says the Rev. Dr. Scott, in his Essay, p. 422: “We ought not therefore to fear our enemies because he will be with us, and if God be for us, who can be against us? Or who can doubt but he that is in us is greater than he that is in the world? This was typically intimated in the promises made to Israel respecting their wars with the Canaanites and other nations, which were shadows and figures of the good fight of faith.” Bishop Horne, in his preface to the Psalms, views the subject in the same light.
[1]Says the Rev. Dr. Scott, in his Essay, p. 422: “We ought not therefore to fear our enemies because he will be with us, and if God be for us, who can be against us? Or who can doubt but he that is in us is greater than he that is in the world? This was typically intimated in the promises made to Israel respecting their wars with the Canaanites and other nations, which were shadows and figures of the good fight of faith.” Bishop Horne, in his preface to the Psalms, views the subject in the same light.
[2]All these objections introduced are carefully selected from some of the ablest advocates for the lawfulness of war.
[2]All these objections introduced are carefully selected from some of the ablest advocates for the lawfulness of war.
[3]The last point American Christians will give up is the justification of their fathers in the War of the Revolution.
[3]The last point American Christians will give up is the justification of their fathers in the War of the Revolution.
SUGGESTED BY THE PRECEDING TRAIN OF THOUGHT, AND APPENDED TO THE ORIGINAL EDITION OF THE ESSAY ON WAR
Great Sun of glory, rise and shine,Dispel the gloom of night;Let the foul spirits stretch their wings,And fly before thy light.Rebuke the nations, stop their rage,Destroy the warrior’s skill,Hush all the tumults of the earth;O speak! say, “Peace, be still.”Break, break the cruel warrior’s sword,Asunder cut his bow,Command him by thy sovereign wordTo let the captives go.No more let heroes’ glory sound,No more their triumphs tell,Bring all the pride of nations down—Let war return to hell.Then let thy blessed kingdom come,With all its heavenly train,And pour thy peaceful spirit down,Like gentle showers of rain.Then shall the prowling beasts of prey,Like lambs be meek and mild;Vipers and asps shall harmless twineAround the weaned child.The happy sons of Zion sitSecure beneath their vines;Or, shadowed by their fig-tree’s tops,Shall drink their cheering wines.The nations to thy scepter bow,And own “thy gentle sway”;Then all the wandering tribes of menTo thee their tribute pay.Angelic hosts shall view the scene,Delighted, spread their wings;Down to the earth again they fly,And strike their lofty strings.The listening nations catch the sound,And join the heavenly choir,To swell aloud the song of praise,And vie with sacred fire.“Glory to God on high!” they sound,In strains of angels’ mirth;“Good will and peace” to men, they sing,Since heaven is brought to earth.
Great Sun of glory, rise and shine,Dispel the gloom of night;Let the foul spirits stretch their wings,And fly before thy light.
Rebuke the nations, stop their rage,Destroy the warrior’s skill,Hush all the tumults of the earth;O speak! say, “Peace, be still.”
Break, break the cruel warrior’s sword,Asunder cut his bow,Command him by thy sovereign wordTo let the captives go.
No more let heroes’ glory sound,No more their triumphs tell,Bring all the pride of nations down—Let war return to hell.
Then let thy blessed kingdom come,With all its heavenly train,And pour thy peaceful spirit down,Like gentle showers of rain.
Then shall the prowling beasts of prey,Like lambs be meek and mild;Vipers and asps shall harmless twineAround the weaned child.
The happy sons of Zion sitSecure beneath their vines;Or, shadowed by their fig-tree’s tops,Shall drink their cheering wines.
The nations to thy scepter bow,And own “thy gentle sway”;Then all the wandering tribes of menTo thee their tribute pay.
Angelic hosts shall view the scene,Delighted, spread their wings;Down to the earth again they fly,And strike their lofty strings.
The listening nations catch the sound,And join the heavenly choir,To swell aloud the song of praise,And vie with sacred fire.
“Glory to God on high!” they sound,In strains of angels’ mirth;“Good will and peace” to men, they sing,Since heaven is brought to earth.
By an Inquirer
The writer of the following pages has, for a considerable time, doubted the propriety of some of the common practices of Christians. To satisfy himself he has, if he is not deceived, candidly and diligently examined the Scriptures with a view to ascertain and practice the truth. After considerable inquiry his doubts increased. He then applied to some highly respectable and pious friends, who frankly acknowledged that they had never fully examined the subject, as they had never had any doubt concerning it. They judged the matter weighty and advised him to arrange his thoughts and commit them to paper. This he has endeavored to do as well as a very infirm state of body and a press of commercial business would admit. After submitting what he had written to some of his friends, they unanimously advised him to lay it before the public, hoping that it might have a tendency to call the subject into notice and lead to a more complete and full examination. With this view he has ventured to commit the following sheets to the press. He has only to beg that the Christian who may take the trouble to read them will not be so solicitous to reply to the arguments as to examine and illustrate the truth.
The kingdom of our glorious Mediator is but little noticed in the world, yet it is precious in the eyes of the Lord. The Lord hath chosen Zion. She is the redeemed of the Lord. He hath said, he who touches her touches the apple of his eye. She is purchased by the blood of the Lamb, sanctified by the Spirit of grace,and defended by the arm of Omnipotence. Notwithstanding she may still be covered with sackcloth, the days of her mourning have an end. The Lord will raise her from the dust and make her an eternal excellency and the joy of many generations. The mystical body of Christ is composed of that innumerable company which no man can number,—out of every nation and kindred and people and tongue,—which will finally stand before the throne of God and the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands. It is but one body, although composed of many members. The temple, which was a symbol of the church, was composed of many stones, although but one building. The spiritual temple is built of lively stones upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. This spiritual temple will continue to rise under different dispensations until the elect are gathered together from the four winds of heaven and the top stone is carried up with shouts of Grace, Grace, unto it!
The Mediator’s kingdom is not of this world. “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews” (John xviii. 36). In remarking upon these words we are naturally led to consider,
I. What the Mediator’s kingdom is.II. Its nature.III. Its laws.
From which we propose to make several inferences and illustrations for improvement.
Agreeably to the arrangement of our subject, we shall first endeavor to ascertain what the kingdom of the Mediator is; or that kingdom which he so emphatically calls “My Kingdom,” in distinction from all other kingdoms. “Jesus answered, My kingdom——” Our glorious Mediator takes to himself the majesty of a sovereign and claims a kingdom. In his mediatorial character he possesses, in an extensive sense, universal empire. He is exalted far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and has a name which is above every name. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is not only king on his holy hill of Zion but rules amongst the nations. He is, however, in an appropriate sense, king of saints under the gospel dispensation, as he governs the worlds with a view to his own glory and their exaltation.
That the church, under the gospel dispensation, is in a special manner the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom which Christ so often called his kingdom appears evident (it is thought) from many passages of Scripture. The prophet Daniel, while interpreting the symbols of the four great empires which were to arise in the earth, adds that “in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed.” This kingdom could not be the Church Universal, for that was established in the family of Adam and had continued without being broken in a line of holy men down to the prophet’s day. It must therefore have a special reference to something future. When John the Baptist came preaching, he said, “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” fully implying that it had notthen commenced. He preached repentance preparatory to ushering in that kingdom which the God of heaven was about to set up. In the days of the fourth great kingdom mentioned in the prophecy of Daniel the Lord Jesus Christ came into our world to establish his kingdom. As he entered upon his ministry he declared that the time was fulfilled and that the kingdom of God was at hand. When he first commissioned his disciples and sent them forth to preach, he directed them to say to their hearers, “The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” In speaking of John the Baptist, he says, He was the greatest of prophets; but adds, “He that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he”; which must be conclusive evidence that John the Baptist was not in the kingdom of God. At the Last Supper, after our Lord had blessed and partaken of the bread, he said to his disciples, “I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” In like manner, after taking the cup, he said, “I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God shall come.” All of which seems fully to imply that the kingdom which the God of heaven was about to set up did not commence before the gospel dispensation. Christ came under the Mosaic dispensation, that is, under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, by the sacrifice of himself; “and being found in the fashion of a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above every name.” After he arose from the dead he appeared to his disciples“by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Here we see the Mediator possessing a kingdom and giving laws to his subjects and commanding obedience. Although his kingdom was then small, like a little leaven, yet it had the power to leaven the whole lump. The stone which was cut out of the mountain without hands will become a great mountain and fill the whole earth. Every knee must finally bow to his scepter and every tongue confess that he is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
From this concise view of the subject we conclude that the kingdom of God, or Christ’s kingdom, is in a special manner the gospel dispensation which was not completely established until after the resurrection of our Lord.
II. The next point of inquiry is its nature. “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world.” By this we understand the Mediator’s kingdom, not being of this world, supposes that its nature, its laws, and its government are all distinct from the nature, laws, and governments of this world. That the Mediator’s kingdom is not of this world, but spiritual, heavenly, and divine, will fully appear, it is apprehended, from the following reasons.
1st. From the character of the King. He was not born like the kings of the earth. He was the Son of the living God and Heir of all things. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost and born of a virgin. His birth was not celebrated with the earthly pomp of princes, but by a few humble shepherds and a choir of angels. His palace was a stable and his cradle a manger. When a child he was not amused with toys, but was about his Father’s business. When he was dedicated to his ministry, it was not by the appointment of kings, or the consecration of bishops, but by the baptism of his humble forerunner, and the descent of the Holy Ghost in a bodily shape like a dove, and a voice from the excellent glory, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” His companions were the despised fishermen of Galilee and the angels of heaven. He was “a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief”; yet he was the eternal Son of the eternal Father. Nature owned his voice and devils trembled at his power; but he was despised and rejected of men. When he fed the hungry multitude, they were gratified with the loaves and fishes and sought to make him a king; but he departed out of the place; for his kingdom was not of this world. When Satan, the god of this world, offered him all the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them if he would only fall down and worship him, he rebuked him with holy contempt and said, Get thee hence, Satan; for his kingdom was not of this world. The Mediator did not intermeddle with the affairs of the governments of this world; for his kingdom was not of this world. When he was solicitedto command a brother to divide his earthly substance, instead of complying with the request he only gave a pointed admonition and said, “Man, who made me a judge, or a divider, over you?” When his enemies endeavored to catch him in his words by extorting from him something unfavorable to the laws of Cæsar, Jesus answered them and said, “Render to Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s, and to God the things which are God’s.” When they demanded of him tribute, and that unjustly, according to their own laws, he paid it without a murmur, to set an example of peace and quietness for his disciples. In all things he avoided interfering or meddling with the governments of this world.
2dly. From the representations of the Bible, “The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” The Mediator’s kingdom is founded in right. His scepter is a right scepter. He rules in righteousness. “The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Righteousness is opposed to all injustice, oppression, and cruelty; it regards the rights of God and man; it requires love to the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our strength, and to our neighbors as ourselves. His kingdom is a kingdom of peace; he is the Prince of Peace. At his birth the angels sang, “Peace on earth, and good will to men.” Peace is opposed directly to all contention, war, and tumult, whether it regards individuals, societies, or nations. It forbids all wrath, clamor, and evil speaking. It forbids the resistance of evil or retaliation, and requires good for evil, blessing for cursing, and prayer for persecution. Our glorious Mediator notonly exhibited a pattern of peace in his life but preached peace in the great congregation. His last and richest legacy to his disciples was the gift of peace: “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” Christ came in the power of the Spirit, and was full of the Holy Ghost. It is the communion of the Holy Ghost which fills the kingdom of heaven with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. “Except a man be born of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Finally, we have his own express declaration, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
From what has been said it may be concluded that the Mediator’s kingdom is, in a special sense, the gospel dispensation, or the kingdom of heaven, and that it is not of this world, but spiritual, heavenly, and divine. And this brings us to notice,
III. The laws by which it is governed. It is governed by the same laws which regulate the heavenly hosts. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect,” is the command of our Divine Master. It is the kingdom of heaven. “Jesus said, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews.” The laws of the Mediator’s kingdom require supreme love to God. Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; this is the first and great commandment.” This implies right apprehension of his being and perfections, and supreme love to his word and delight in his law, such as thesweet singer of Israel expressed: O how I love thy law! it is my meditation day and night. It implies unlimited confidence in God and unshaken belief in the testimony he has given of his Son and a spirit of filial obedience to all his precepts.
The laws of the Mediator’s kingdom require love to man: “Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself.” This prohibits rendering to any man evil for evil; but, contrariwise, it demands blessing. It utterly forbids wrath, hatred, malice, envy, pride, revenge, and fighting; but requires, on the contrary, meekness, forgiveness, long-suffering, tenderness, compassion, and mercy. The subjects of the Mediator’s kingdom are commanded to do good to all as they have opportunity; but especially to those of the household of faith. This command extends not only to the gentle and kind but to the disobedient and froward; to friends and to enemies. “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink,” is the command of our Lord. This injunction, it is apprehended, is directly opposed to resisting the oppression of enemies by force. Jesus said, “If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight”; but, instead of avenging wrongs, the explicit direction is “to overcome evil with good.” The Mediator is the only avenger of the wrongs done to his subjects: “For it is written, Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saith the Lord.” In a special manner the subjects of the Mediator must love the brethren. They must visit the widow, the fatherless, and the afflicted, and live unspotted from the world. The Lord accepts every act of kindness done to the brethren asdone to himself, and regards every act of injustice, cruelty, and revenge towards them as expressed towards himself. He considers them his own property, the purchase of his blood. He will, therefore, not only be their portion but their defense; a wall of fire round about them and a glory in the midst. The Mediator sits as King upon his holy hill of Zion, and is swaying his scepter in righteousness throughout his vast dominions.
Having very briefly considered what the Mediator’s kingdom in a special manner is, its nature and its laws, we now pass, as was proposed, to make several inferences and illustrations.
1st. If the Mediator’s kingdom is in a special manner the gospel dispensation, and its nature and laws are not of this world, but spiritual, heavenly, and divine, then we may infer that the kingdoms of this world are not united to the kingdom of our Lord, but are opposed to it. If they are not for him, they are against him; and if they gather not with him, they scatter abroad. They must, therefore, be at war with the Lamb; but the Lamb shall overcome them, for he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. The great conflict in our world is between the kingdom of the Mediator and the kingdom of Satan; but the victory is not uncertain. Although the“heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing, the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.” “Out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”
The Psalmist, by the Holy Ghost, says of Christ, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Again, “He shall cut off the spirit of princes; he is terrible to the kings of the earth.” Isaiah, by the revealing spirit, had the scenes of futurity opened to his view. He saw the glorious Redeemer marching through the earth in the greatness of his power; for he saw, by prophetic vision, the great day of his wrath appear, and none but his redeemed were able to stand. In view of the dreadful scene his soul was filled with astonishment, and he exclaims:“Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in my anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered there was none to uphold: therefore mine arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in my anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.” From this it appears that the nations of the earth will be gathered like the grapes of a vineyard, and cast into the great wine press of the wrath of God Almighty; and the great Redeemer will thresh them in his anger and trample them in his fury. Their destruction must be inevitable if their laws and governments are directly opposed to the Mediator’s kingdom. When he shall come out of his place to shake terribly the nations of the earth, then theearth[4]will no longer cover the blood of the slain; for he will make inquisition for blood, and write up the nations. Then he will stain the pride of all glory and bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth. The nations will be like stubble before the devouring fire, and will be chased away like chaff before the whirlwind, and no place will be found for them.
The interpretation of the symbols of the four great empires by the prophet Daniel fully confirms this idea. In first describing the vision to Nebuchadnezzar he says:“Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” The prophet thus interprets the vision: “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter.”
Thus we see that the kingdoms of the world by not submitting to the kingdom of our Lord, but by making war with the Lamb, are devoted to awful destruction, for the Lamb will overcome them. His kingdom will stand, for it is an everlasting kingdom; and of his dominion there shall be no end. The gospel dispensation (or the kingdom of heaven) must remain forever, as it is governed by the same spirit which prevails in the eternal fountain of blessedness himself. It is therefore emphatically called the kingdom of God not only in distinction from the kingdoms of this world but in distinction from all the other dispensations of the church. It is not of this world; it is the kingdom of heaven,—the reign of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
2. If the Mediator’s kingdom is not of this world, but spiritual, heavenly, and divine, and the kingdoms ofthis world are opposed to it, then we may infer that the kingdoms of this world must belong to the kingdom of Satan. There are but two kingdoms in our world. At the head of one is the Mediator, and at the head of the other is Satan. Satan is the god of this world and reigns without a rival in the hearts of the children of disobedience. He is the prince of the power of the air. All the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them are given to him[5]until the time that God shall write up the nations and make inquisition for blood. Then the great battle of God Almighty will be fought, and the beast and the false prophet will be cast into a lake of fire; and Satan will be bound a thousand years; and the saints will take the kingdom and possess it; and wars shall cease from under heaven. After the thousand years Satan will again be let loose, “and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.” “And the devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Thus it appears that Satan is the mainspring of all warlike powers, and when he is bound wars will cease; but as soon as he is again let loose they will rage. The writer is sensible that this will be a very unpopular doctrine with the men of this world, and with those worldly Christianswho are struggling and teasing and panting for the profits and the honors of this world. If it is a fact that the nature and laws of the Mediator’s kingdom are diametrically opposite to the kingdoms of this world, then the inference is irresistible that the kingdoms of this world belong not to the kingdom of our Lord but to the kingdom of Satan; and however unsavory the truth may be, it ought not to be disguised. Satan is the strong man, but the Mediator is the stronger, and he will bind him and spoil his goods. The Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil. When he shall destroy the rage of the nations and the tumult of the people, then Satan’s goods will be spoiled. When Satan is cast into the bottomless pit, tumult and war will retire with him back to hell; and instead of the blast of the trumpet and the groans of the dying will be heard the shouts of the saints and the songs of the redeemed. Then will be “heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.”
3. If the Mediator’s kingdom is not of this world, and the kingdoms of this world are under Satan’s dominion, then we may infer the great impropriety of the subjects of the Mediator’s kingdom using the weapons of this world and engaging in tumults, wars, and fightings. “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews.” The Jews expected in their Messiah atemporal prince; but because his kingdom was not of this world they crucified the Lord of life and glory. Had he only appeared in the pomp of this world and in the splendor of a temporal conqueror to vanquish the Romans who were in possession of their earthly Canaan and oppressing their nation, they would immediately have rallied round his standard and followed him to earthly conquest and glory. He was apparently too inattentive to their rights and liberties (which the patriots of this world now emphatically call their dearest interests). They said, “If we let him alone, all men will believe on him; and the Romans shall take away both our place and our nation.” It may be asked, Why were the Jews apprehensive, if all men should believe on him, the Romans would take away both their place and their nation? The answer does not appear difficult. They doubtless perceived that both his life and precepts directly opposed rendering vengeance to their enemies; and, on the contrary, demanded nothing less than love to their enemies, good for evil, and blessing for cursing. This they could not endure, as it directly opposed their carnal desires and filled them with malice against the Prince of Peace. They might, with much greater propriety than any nation under the gospel light, have said, “Shall we imbibe this pusillanimous spirit of doing good to those who oppress us and tamely bend our necks to the yoke of tyranny and suffer our dearest interests to be wrested from us without once making a struggle to defend them? Rather, let us arise and fight manfully, and defend our liberties or die gloriously in their vindication.” We say theymight, with much greater propriety, have made these declarations than any under the light of the gospel, because they considered themselves under the Mosaic dispensation which had fully tolerated them not only in defensive but offensive war. But when they perceived that the doctrines of the Mediator were calculated to disannul their dispensation and extinguish their carnal hopes (notwithstanding his credentials were divine), their malice was kindled against him, and their vengeance was not satiated until they wreaked their hands in the blood of the Son of God. And we may confidently expect that wherever the same Spirit of Christ lifts up a standard against the same carnal policy and temporal interest there will follow the same spirit of envy, persecution, and revenge which was manifested against the Lord of life and glory. If any man (no matter who) will live godly in Christ Jesus, he shall suffer persecution. The Spirit of Christ is the same now that it was then, and the world is the same, the carnal heart is the same, and the great adversary of souls is the same. Only let it be styled “patriotic” to persecute the followers of the Lamb of God, and we should soon see the heroes of this world drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus; and probably many would be as conscientious as Paul was while breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the meek and lowly Jesus. It is not impossible that when the witnesses[6]are slain, their crime may be arefusal to use carnal weapons in defense of their country.
As it is a matter of great practical consequence to know whether the subjects of the Prince of Peace are authorized in any case under the gospel dispensation to use carnal weapons or not, we propose in this inference to be a little more particular. Although it is supposed that the Lord Jesus Christ acted in a threefold capacity,—as God, Man, and Mediator,—yet we have never heard it questioned by Christians that all his conduct as man was to remain a perfect example for his brethren, and all his precepts a perfect rule for their duty. As his kingdom was not of this world, he did not intermeddle with the governments of this world; he only submitted to all their laws which were not contrary to the laws of his heavenly Father. He was meek and lowly; so little did he possess of this world that he had not where to lay his head. He went about continually doing good. He was full of compassion even to his enemies. He wept over Jerusalem. He was finally“brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as sheep before their shearers are dumb, so he opened not his mouth.” When he was reviled he reviled not again, but committed himself to him who judges righteously. He prayed for his murderers and apologized for his persecutors, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” As the church under a former dispensation had divine authority for engaging in war, it is important to ascertain whether this authority was abrogated under the gospel dispensation or not.[7]That many things have been tolerated under one dispensation of the church and prohibited under another, most Christians allow. That the preceptive will of God is to be our only rule of duty, few Christians deny. The knowledge communicated to us of the preceptive will of God to his church, under the first dispensation, is very limited. We find, however, no authority for taking the life of man in any case, not even formurder; but, on the contrary, a sevenfold vengeance was pronounced upon him who should slay the murderer. Under the patriarchal dispensation he that shed man’s blood by man was his blood to be shed. In this, defensive war was tolerated. Under the Mosaic dispensation, not only defensive but offensive war was tolerated, and not onlywarwas permitted, butretaliation, as, “an eye for an eye”; “a tooth for a tooth”; “life for life,” etc.
The question to be decided is whether these regulations are still in force, or whether they were disannulled by the gospel dispensation. The life and precepts of our Lord and his disciples while under the unerring guidance of his spirit must be our only authority in this inquiry. That many things were done away by the gospel dispensation, none will deny who believe the gospel. The ceremonial part, which was only a shadow of good things to come, vanished away when the substance appeared; and not only the ceremonial part was abolished, but many other practices. Polygamy was permitted under the law, but forbidden under the gospel. Divorce was allowed under the Mosaic but prohibited under the gospel dispensation, except in the case of adultery. Under the Mosaic dispensation the penalty for whoredom was stoning to death. This penalty was not enforced under the gospel dispensation, as may be seen in John viii. 11. That all kinds of war, revenge, and fighting were utterly prohibited under the gospel dispensation we think appears evident not only from the life of our glorious Mediator but from his express precepts.“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews.” No comment can add force to this passage, for it is apprehended that no language can be more explicit against defensive war.
In Christ’s Sermon on the Mount he quoted a passage from Exodus, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, Thatye resist not evil: but whatsoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” The force of this passage has generally been obviated by saying that we are not to take all the words of our Lord literally. Although this is admitted, yet we are absolutely bound to take the spirit of every word, if we can understand them, by comparing the Scriptures with the Scriptures. That the spirit of this passage is directly opposed to the one our Lord quoted from Exodus, we think cannot fairly be denied; and, of course, it disannulled it, for he who had power to make laws under one dispensation had power to abrogate them under another.
The blessed Mediator did, in the most explicit manner, command his subjects to love their enemies and render good for evil. This command we are of opinion is totally incompatible with resisting them with carnal weapons. He says, “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Let us for one moment compare this precept with defensive war and see if it can consistently be put into practice. Suppose our country is invaded and aprofessed disciple of the Prince of Peace buckles on the harness and takes the field to repel by the point of the sword his enemy. He advances amidst the lamentations of the wounded and the shrieks of the dying to meet his foe in arms. He sees his wrath kindled and his spear uplifted, and in this trying moment he hears his Lord say, “Love your enemy and render to him good for evil”; and his kindness to him is like Joab’s to Amasa; he thrusts him through the heart and hurries him to the awful tribunal of his Judge, probably unprepared. Dear brethren, be not deceived; for God is not mocked. Who amongst our fellow-men would receive the thrust of a sword as an act of kindness? Only let conscience do its office, and there will be no difficulty in deciding whether defensive war is inconsistent with the gospel dispensation or not. Carnal and spiritual weapons will no more unite under the gospel dispensation than iron and miry clay.
Our very salvation depends on being possessed of a spirit of forgiveness to enemies. “If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” If men invade our rights and trespass upon our privileges, is it forgiveness to repel them at the point of the bayonet? The honest Christian will find no difficulty in conscientiously deciding this question, notwithstanding he may be slow of heart in believing all that is written.
All the conduct of our Lord had meaning to it, and much of it was with an express view to teach his disciples by way of example. A little before he was betrayed, heordered his disciples to take swords. The object of this must have been either to use them for defense, or for some other purpose. The event proves that they were not taken for self-defense. The question then is, For what were they taken? The event appears fully to answer the question, viz.: To prohibit, by way of example, the use of them for self-defense in the most trying situation possible. If any situation would justify self-defense with carnal weapons, it must have been the situation in which our Lord and his disciples were placed at the time he was betrayed. They were in a public garden, and they were assaulted by a mob, contrary to the statutes of the Romans and the laws of the Jews; and the object was to take his life. This the disciples knew, and Peter judged it a proper time for defense, and drew his sword and smote a servant of the High Priest and cut off his ear. As our Lord’s kingdom was not of this world, he would not suffer his subjects to use the weapons of this world in any situation. He therefore healed the wound they made and rebuked Peter for his mistaken zeal. “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot pray to my Father, and he would presently send me more than twelve legions of angels?” Here we see that our Lord not only forbade his disciples to use the sword in self-defense, but added a dreadful penalty to transgressors,—“all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” The disciples did not then fully understand that his kingdom was not of this world.As soon as they were prohibited using the weapons of this world they all forsook him and fled.[8]
The apostle James, in his epistle to the twelve tribes of Israel which were scattered abroad, asks them thisquestion: “From whence come wars and fighting among you? come they not even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, and yet ye have not.” “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend to the world is an enemy of God.” From this we think it evidently appears that the warlike spirit of the world is directly opposed to God. The God of this world works effectually in the hearts of the children of disobedience and stirs up their lusts which war in their members and hurries them on to acts of cruelty, revenge, and fighting.
This subject is of so much practical consequence that it requires a few observations in reply to some of the arguments of worldly and unenlightened Christians in favor of using carnal weapons. It is said that government is an ordinance of God which exists throughout his vast dominion. In heaven above there are angels and archangels; and upon earth there are magistrates and powers; and in hell there is the prince of devils. That God in his holy providence has so disposed of events that governments of some kind or other do exist in all parts of his dominion, none but skeptics will deny. But who would pretend that the governments in heaven and hell are not diametrically opposite? One is the spirit of peace and love, and the other, rebellion and war. Perhaps the manifestation of these different spirits here on earth may fairly be the dividing line amongst its inhabitants, and show to which kingdom they belong.They say all powers are ordained of God. Thus far they are correct, but it is apprehended that they do not make a proper distinction between the ordination of God and his preceptive will for man. So far as the former agrees with the latter, it is a rule of duty and cannot be any further. One is the rule of God’s own procedure (if the expression is proper), and the other the rule of action for his creatures; but the counsel of God and his laws for man are often diametrically opposite. It is not improbable that this is part of the mystery of God which will, by and by, be finished.
The Lord Jesus Christ was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God; and yet, by wicked hands, he was crucified and slain. Here, as in the case of Pharaoh, and many other instances recorded, the divine counsel and the duty of man were directly opposite. To ascertain our duty we must look at the preceptive will of God and not to his eternal counsel. Although all powers are ordained of God, yet it must not be inferred that all the laws of the heathen or civilized world are to be a rule of duty for the Mediator’s subjects, or that their spirit is agreeable to the spirit of the gospel dispensation. It is said, We are commanded to obey magistrates and every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. All this is admitted. But these injunctions are either limited by other precepts or they are unlimited. If they are unlimited, then all who have died martyrs fell a sacrifice to superstition instead of duty. Notwithstanding these directions were intended as a rule for Christians in all ages, yet they were promulgated while the disciples were underidolatrous governments, and were never intended to encourage them to worship idols.
These commands must, therefore, be limited. The question is, How are they limited? We apprehend, by the spirit and other precepts of the gospel. We have already shown, we trust, that these absolutely prohibit war in every form. If so, then none of these injunctions can counteract the position we are examining. They only enjoin strict obedience to all human laws under which we live that do not contradict the spirit or precepts of the gospel; when they do, they are not binding and must be resisted; not, however, with carnal but spiritual weapons; we must take joyfully the spoiling of our goods and count not our lives dear unto ourselves.
It has been often said that he who refuses to comply with the commands of the magistrate resists the powers that be, and, according to the apostle’s reasoning, resists the ordinance of God and will receive to himself damnation. And, further, as all powers are the ordinance of God they ought to be supported, and if they cannot without, they must be even at the point of, the sword. Here the subject of the Mediator must make a distinction between resisting the “powers that be” by force of arms and refusing to obey their unlawful commands. It is not supposed that in one case he would obey and that in the other he would disobey the commands of his Master. No martyr ever considered himself as violating this precept in refusing to sacrifice to an idol at the command of an earthly power; neither will any subject of the Mediator view himself as violating it by refusing to use carnal weapons while he believes that his Lordhas utterly forbidden his using them. It is apprehended that if this proves anything upon the principles of war, that it will prove too much for its advocates. The command is to obey the powers that be and not the powers that ought to be. If it is taken in an unlimited sense, it must prohibit resisting even tyrannical powers, and would, of course, condemn every Christian who engaged in the American Revolution. To say that all power is in the hands of the people, and, of course, it is the people who are the powers that be, is thought to be but a quibble. We will suppose a very possible case,—that a foreign power completely overturns the government of the people and disannuls their laws and gives a new code; in that case, the command to obey the powers that be would not be annihilated. The precept originally was given while the disciples were in the midst of tyrannical governments. It is thought that it is so far from tolerating defensive war that it is opposed to it. The precepts of the gospel cannot be dependent upon the convulsions of the nations. If Christians are bound to aid with carnal weapons in suppressing a rebellion, then, if the opposing power gains the predominance, they must turn directly about and fight the very power they were before supporting. Such conduct would not become the citizens of Zion. If it is said the powers that be are Christian rulers, then we say, let them govern only by the laws of the Mediator’s kingdom, and we will bow with reverence before them, and not teach for commandments the doctrines of men, as we cannot receive human laws for divine precepts.
It is stated that our Lord paid tribute, and that we are commanded to pay tribute to whom tribute is due, and that tribute supports the governments of this world. This is granted; but the Mediator’s subjects are required also to lead peaceable and quiet lives; this is more promoted by paying tribute than by the refusal. Our Lord directs Peter to pay the tribute lest they should give offense. But paying tribute for the sake of preserving peace is a very different thing from actually engaging in war.
Whenever the Christian is called upon to pay money by way of taxes or tribute, he does not part with any spiritual treasure, but only earthly property, for which he has the example and precepts of the Lord. The currency of the world generally bears the ensign of the nation which made it. If it bears the image and superscription of Cæsar, then “render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and unto God the things which are God’s.” Christians, however, whose hearts are upon this idol, will sooner give up their lives than their God. “The love of money is the root of all evil.” The real Christian’s treasure is in heaven and beyond the reach of the powers of earth or hell. The things of this world are but privileges loaned him, to be resigned at the call of his Lord. Shall he then fear those who can only kill the body and afterwards have no more that they can do? Rather, let him fear him who has power to destroy both soul and body in hell forever. It is better for him to suffer wrong than to do wrong.
The permission granted to the Jewish church to wage war has often been pleaded as authority forChristians. If this proves anything, it proves too much, for not only defensive but offensive war was permitted under the Mosaic dispensation. This the tyrants of the world have not generally contended was right since the gospel dispensation. We think, however, that we have fully shown that this was abrogated under the gospel dispensation, and that all kinds of war were prohibited; if so, it has no weight on the subject.[9]
It has been said that Christians with a small exception have never questioned the propriety of defensive war. As it regards nominal Christians, this statement is perhaps correct, but as it respects the real disciples of the Mediator, it is to be questioned. We hear of no Christians in the first ages of the church engaged in carnal warfare until we hear of great corruptions in the church. Most Protestants have been of opinion that those precious disciples who inhabited the dark valleys of Piedmont during the great corruptions of the nominal church were the Redeemer’s true subjects. These disciples, of whom the world was not worthy, utterlyrefused to engage even in defensive war, notwithstanding they were hunted down by their bloody persecutors.[10]
It has been often said that the Reformers, who were good men, did not hesitate to engage in defensive war, and that the Reformation was finally supported by the sword. That the Reformers were generally pious men is readily admitted, and that the Reformation, under divine providence, was a glorious event to the church is also granted. But the history of the Reformers, when written by their friends, abundantly manifests that they were men, subject to like passions with other men, and that all the means they employed could not be justified, either by the spirit or the precepts of the gospel.
Henry the Eighth was a vile man, but he was very active in protesting against the Pope because his holiness would not grant him a divorce. God makes the wrath of man praise him. It will not probably be a great length of time (in the opinion of the writer) before those churches which were defended with the sword will be destroyed by the sword.
It has been further urged that not only the Reformers but most pious Protestants have prayed for the prosperity of the arms of their country, and many have actually fought in the field of battle. All this is likewise admitted. But many pious men have had a mistaken zeal. It is fully believed that Protestants, generally, have been in the habit of considering the Reformation so glorious an event that they have very little inquired whether the means by which it was finally defended were agreeable to the spirit of the gospel or not. They have been taught from their earliest years to consider that the weapons of warfare used by the Reformers were lawful, so that they have not hesitated to follow their example. That the example and prayers of pious people ought to have weight is readily granted, but to place a blind confidence in them, we apprehend, is criminal, for their example is to be imitated no further than it agrees with the spirit and precepts of the gospel. These must forever remain a perfect standard of duty; whereas the practice of real Christians, owing to their imperfect state, is constantly changing and often contradictory. During the American Revolution, doubtless, real Christians were praying and fighting for the success of the American arms, and real Christians in the British service were praying and fighting for the success of his Majesty’s arms. The truth is, they ought not to pray for war in any shape, but to pray that wars may cease from under heaven, and that God’s kingdom may come and his will be done on earth as it is done in heaven; and not only to pray, but endeavor to advance the kingdom of heaven and put a stop to wars andbloodshed. The opinions of pious people often vary with the increase of light which shines upon the church. One century ago most pious people believed in the propriety of the slave trade, but very few can now be found to advocate the abominable practice. The nature of the crime has not changed, nor the evidence against it, but the truth is, that the opinion of pious people has materially changed upon this subject. We ought always to remember that the example of pious people is to be of no weight any further than it agrees with the example of our Lord. It is always unsafe to be looking too much to the fallible example of those whom we have esteemed pious for a rule of duty, while we have the unerring word in our hands to light our way; when any one is depending upon the example of Christians not under the immediate influence of divine inspiration for evidence to support his hypothesis, it is strong presumptive evidence that he has not the word of God in his favor. By the word of God and by thatonlyought every controversy to be tried.
It is further urged that we are commanded to pray for kings and all in authority; it is true we must pray not only for kings but all men, even enemies. This, however, does by no means imply that we are commanded to pray for a blessing upon their unhallowed undertakings; but it only implies that we must pray that they may be translated out of nature’s darkness into the light of the gospel, and from the power of Satan unto the living God.
The great difficulty with the subjects of the Mediator ever has been, and still is, a want of faith in thepromises of God. They are prone to be afraid of consequences. They look nearly as much at consequences as the children of Israel did while journeying from Egypt to Canaan. The truth is, they ought to have nothing to do with consequences, but only duties. “Thus saith the Lord,” should be their warrant and only guide. If they implicitly follow the command, consequences are all safe in God’s hand. Had Abraham looked only at consequences, it is not probable he would ever have been styled the Father of the Faithful. It is not uncommon for timid and worldly Christians to be alarmed at consequences and to argue in this manner: they say, “Shall we stand still and suffer an assassin to enter our houses and take our lives and property without ever attempting to resist him?” All this must go upon the supposition that he who has said he will never leave nor forsake his people, and is a very present help in every time of need, will take no care of them. No assassin could stand a moment before the prayer of faith which would enter the heavens and reach the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. If faithless Christians cannot be persuaded to look at the precepts and the promises, but only at consequences, they ought, at least, to examine them well. Suppose God, in his holy providence, should permit an assassin to take the life of one of his dear children; the consequence would be, he would immediately be translated to glory; and possibly the assassin might become a penitent; but should he take the life of the assassin in defending himself, the consequence then would be, he would hurry him into the abyss of the damned where his probation would beeternally ended. He who puts his trust in the Lord shall not fear what man can do to him; he will be like Mount Zion which cannot be moved.
Remember, dear brethren, that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual, and mighty through God. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God (here is the equipment of a soldier of Jesus Christ), that ye may be able to withstand in an evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” And the very God of peace shall be with you, and he will shortly bruise Satan under your feet. For yet a little while and the Almighty angel will come down with a great chain in his hand; and he will lay hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and will bind him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shuthim up, and set a seal upon him, that he shall deceive the nations no more until the thousand years are fulfilled. Then wars will cease from under heaven and the implements of death will be converted into the harmless utensils of husbandry, and there will be nothing to hurt nor destroy in all God’s holy mountain. The stone which was cut out of the mountain without hands will become a great mountain and fill the whole earth. Then will be heard “a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.”