our behalf? Ye tell us that he is merciful, and hears prayer, and that he governs the universe, having all hearts in his hand. If ten righteous men could have saved Sodom, why do not ye save our land? Why has not some angel been sent to drive back our invading foe, and to fly through the midst of heaven with a proclamation of peace? Have ye ceased to pray, or has God forgotten to be gracious?
Alas! No relief appears from this quarter. Although men of piety have prayed, and incessant, fervent, importunate petitions have gone forth from thousands of hearts, yet the awful Sovereign still holds in his hands the two divisions of our once happy union, and dashes them against each other like two vessels of the potter, breaking them into shivers. Is God our enemy? Does he muster the hosts for the battle? And is he unwilling to be at peace with us? Shall we charge him with cruelty, or entertain a momentary doubt that the judge of all the earth, will do right?
God reigns, and justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne, though clouds and darkness are round about him. Our feeble minds fail to penetrate his designs, and comprehend his ways. But one thing is clear, that when his judgments are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants of the world should learn righteousness. We are assured that if a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him: and the present awful outpouring of divine judgments, ought to bring our iniquities before our face, and prostrate us before God in deep humility and sincere penitence. If it has this effect, the very evils which we suffer may become our richest blessings.
But who is he that dares charge God with cruelty, or complain because he does not put an end to our troubles? It cannot be justly alledged that he delights to torture men with the miseries of war. He is pleased to be called “the God of peace;” and he sent his Son, “the Prince of Peace,” into our world on an errand of peace and mercy; and at his entrance, a multitude of the heavenly host, in a song of joy proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” When this messenger of peace was about to
