this petition: "let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.”* "It is God who giveth the increase." That preaching of any kind is needful, seems also to me, as one of those delusions hinted at, which are the necessary result of our sins: could these be done away, we should be able to partake of the fountain of life, pure and unmixed, with a gratification and enjoyment, far beyond the power of words. It is not supposed, we are in a state to do away preaching; for though, from the increase of the pure spirit of peace, results that state in which we need not "that any man should teach us, but all shall know the Lord from the least to the greatest;"+ yet, what would be unnecessary in a state of great perfection, is far otherwise in the state we are in. In the class of delusions, may also be ranked the observance of the first-day of the week, as a day more holy than others.

The observance of a Sabbath, was one among the many ordinances of the Jews, given to them by divine authority, in their + Heb. viii. 11.

* Num. xxiii. 10.

very outward state; and which was neeessary for them in that state. But all who come to receive the pure spirit of the gospel, know for themselves, the coming of the holy and spiritual sabbath, wherein these ordinances are done away: yet, so far as mankind are in the state the Jews were, it may be equally necessary. How far it may ever be proper or justifiable, for persons seeing far beyond these things, to countenance and join in them, for the sake of those not so far advanced, while they know they are not necessary for themselves-I leave for individual consideration. It has this to be said in its favour, that it was the conduct of the pattern of christian perfection.

There were many other ordinances, and rites among the Jews, suited to the state they were in; while others appear to have been given to them, as a punishment for their sins. The prophet seems to have alluded to them, when speaking in the name of the Almighty. He says, "wherefore I gave them statutes which were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live."* And the apostle,

* Ezek. xx. 25.

speaking of the falling away under the gospel, and the unwillingness of people to receive the truth, and their pleasure in unrighteousness, says: "For this cause, God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie."* Mankind will believe these lies and delusions, just in proportion as they remain in a state of alienation from the pure spirit of the gospel.

Amid these delusions, WAR stands pre-eminent it is wholly and entirely in opposition to the perfection of the gospel, and proceeds as a consequence, from the causes which have been mentioned: nor can it be done away any further or faster, than they are removed. If these views are correct, in the ostensible object of peace societies, people aim to do away the evil by striking at the branches-not at the root. While there are so many glaring vices before our eyes, so much intemperance and profaneness; so many lotteries under the sanction of government, disseminating the very seeds of war, in gambling and dishonesty ; can we want fields of labour, where

* II Thes. ii. 11.

in every energy, if properly directed, will be productive of good; avoiding too the great contradiction of people joining peace societies, who know nothing of the spirit of peace: governors and statesmen becoming members one day, and the next urging the increase and perfection of the military system: of holy alliances, where peace is to be maintained by the edge of the sword.

What can be more full of peace, in words, than many treaties? That between England and the United States, before the last war, began thus: " in the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity :"—it " declares, that there shall be a firm and perpetual peace between Great Britain and the United States;" and yet they break it upon the first fair opportunity. Any system of arbitration would equally fail, while governments are unacquainted with the spirit of peace. That nation which felt its power, would disregard treaties. Great Britain has more than once, within the last twenty years, been at war with nearly all Europe; she would, if her interests dictated, be so again : and the inconsistency might easily occur, of

the whole of christian Europe, so called, being at war, professedly for the promotion of peace. If, however, it were possible to do it away by such means, by the strong arm of man, which I believe it is not, the redeemed christian would find no cause to rejoice at it. What benefit would arise from the cessation of war, if unattended with an increase of the spirit of peace? Nations, in the gratification of their own lusts, may as easily make peace Shall we rejoice at events brought about by man, in the fulness of his own sufficiency: or, in other words, by the spirit of evil?

as war.

As there are different degrees of war, so of peace; from passive peace, which is a state of innocency, to perfect peace, which is a state of perfection. But I apprehend, there is rarely such a state as passive peace in a state of accountability; it is one of the grand efforts of the enemy, to persuade people that they are leading innocent lives: that is, that there are many things they may either do, or leave undone. With this kind of reasoning, people go on as they list; placing the line of distinction between what they