Page:Christian Review - War.djvu/6

78 is, that wars were barely tolerated, in consequence of the corruptions of the times; but those considered worthy to approach the divine presence, as priests, for instance, were not suffered to shed blood.

It is pleasant to think, that notwithstanding the Alimighty permits men to follow their own devices, he always recommends them to walk in wisdom's path; but when his creatures have become abandoned, he has often permitted their destruction. He brought a nation "of fierce countenance, from afar," against the Jews, till he broke up their nationality. Jehovah is still the God of nations, and doubtless, most of the remarkable revolutions of Time, can be traced to prophecy. He not only raised up Pharaoh, to show his power and majesty; but Cyrus, Julius Caesar, Hannibal, and Napoleon were but instruments to scourge his enemies, and rid the earth of its burdens.

The question, with us, is not—whether war is ever admissable; but, who are God's chosen agents to conduct war? As to some of the objects, we have been sufficiently explicit. But to come, at once, to the chief point in the discussion:—

4th.

The settlement of this point will put an end to all contentions, so far as christians are concerned.

We will submit such arguments to the candid, as satisfy us that christians, as a nation, church, or individuals, have no divine authority for engaging in war, offensive or defensive, for fame, plunder, revenge, or for the benefit of themselves or their enemies. Under this head, we shall adopt the following order:—

5th. The prophecies, in reference to Christ and his kingdom, clearly teach that, the whole tendency of the new institution, was to put an end to war. Isaiah said, when speaking, as all the world agree, of the gospel age:—"They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.—Isa. 2: 4. Again, he says:—"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."—Isa. 11: 9. To the same effect, he says:—"Violence shall no more be