The works of the Rev. William Thom, late minister ... - waughfamily.ca

SERMONS.. 139>copard would lie down with the kid ;, the lion wouldeat ftraw like tiie bullock ; none of them would hurtnor deftroy."In the holy fcriptures, many flrong. reafons are fuggefle-dto prevail on men to reprcfs every angry paffion,to perfuade them to do juftly, to cultivate thekind afFecliions, and cherifli the fpirit of benevolenceand friendfhip. All men are formed and upheld bythe fame God ; he is their common father ; " hehath made of one blood all nations of men for todvv^ell on all the face of the earth j" they are brethren-T-whenfoever any one is tempted, by whatever luftor paffion, to injure another, he fhould think hehears the man cf God crying in his ears, " Whyfmiteft thou thy fellow ? Sirs, ye are brethren, whydo re harm one to another ?"If princes, before they commit any atrocious and{Iriking aft of public injuftice ; if lawgivers, beforethey rafhly enadl: any law which feems to eftabliflidreadful flavcry and unlimited oppreflion, would taketime to confider wliat alarm, what difcontent, whatrage and fury may be excited by fuch hafty and violentmeafures ; what wars and fightings may happenm confequence of them, what battles may be fought,what blood may be (lied \ cities razed, and flourifliin?kinp-doms laid defolate ; would not a fenfe of iuCticeoperate on their minds ? would not compallionfor the many thoufands or millions whom they aregoing to throw into unmerited diltrefs, check themin their furious career, and ll?op them from the executionof their criminal purpcfes ? "Would not fear ofkindling the flames of war in their own country, andof feeing their own innocent fubjefts in diftrefs andmifcry, produce the fame falutary t^tGt ?But, alas !princes and great men, who in their palaceslive in luxury and at eafe, are but littlefenfibieof the mifery which accompanies war ; nay, eventhofe in common life are not half enough apprized