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and secure on the impregnable principle, that this is the word of God, and that all taste, and imagination, and science, must give way before its overbearing authority. Walk in the footsteps of your Saviour, in the twofold office of caring for the diseases of the body, and administering to the wants of the soul; and though you may fail in the former-though the patient may never arise and walk, yet, by the blessing of Heaven upon your fervent and effectual endeavours, the latter object may be gained the soul may be lightened of all its anxieties -the whole burden of its diseases may be swept away— it may be of good cheer, because its sins are forgiven— and the right direction may be impressed upon it, which will carry it forward in progress to a happy eternity. Death may not be averted, but death may be disarmed. It may be stript of its terrors, and instead of a devouring enemy, it may be hailed as a messenger of triumph.

THOUGHTS ON UNIVERSAL PEACE.

A

SERMON,

DELIVERED ON

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1816,

THE DAY OF NATIONAL THANKSGIVING

FOR THE RESTORATION OF PEACE.

BY REV. THOMAS CHALMERS,
Minister of the Tron Church, Glasgow.

SERMON.

ISAIAH II. 4.

"Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

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THERE are a great many passages in Scripture which warrant the expectation that a time is coming, when an end shall be put to war-when its abominations and its cruelties shall be banished from the face of the earthwhen those restless elements of ambition and jealousy which have so long kept the species in a state of unceasing commotion, and are ever and anon sending another and another wave over the field of this world's politics, shall at length be hushed into a placid and everduring calm; and many and delightful are the images which the Bible employs, as guided by the light of prophecy, it carries us forward to those millennial days, when the reign of peace shall be established, and the wide charity of the gospel, which is confined by no limits, and owns no distinctions, shall embosom the whole human race within the ample grasp of one harmonious and universal family.

But before I proceed, let me attempt to do away a delusion which exists on the subject of prophecy. Its fulfilments are all certain, say many, and we have therefore nothing to do, but to wait for them in passive and indolent

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