The blessed Mediator did, in the most explicit manner, command his subjects to love their enemies and render good for evil. This command we are of opinion is totally incompatible with resisting them with carnal weapons. He says, "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." Let us for one moment compare this precept with defensive war and see if it can consistently be put into practice. Suppose our country is invaded and a professed disciple of the Prince of Peace buckles on the harness and takes the field to repel by the point of the sword his enemy. He advances amidst the lamentations of the wounded and the shrieks of the dying to meet his foe in arms. He sees his wrath kindled and his spear uplifted, and in this trying moment he hears his Lord say, "Love your enemy and render to him good for evil"; and his kindness to him is like Joab's to Amasa; he thrusts him through the heart and hurries him to the awful tribunal of his Judge, probably unprepared. Dear brethren, be not deceived; for God is not mocked. Who amongst our fellow-men would receive the thrust of a sword as an act of kindness? Only let conscience do its office, and there will be no difficulty in deciding whether defensive war is inconsistent with the gospel dispensation or not. Carnal and spiritual weapons will no more unite under the gospel dispensation than iron and miry clay. Our very salvation depends on being possessed of a spirit of forgiveness to enemies. "If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." If men invade our rights and trespass upon our privileges, is it forgiveness to repel them at the point of the bayonet? The honest Christian will find no difficulty in conscientiously deciding this question, notwithstanding he may be slow of heart in believing all that is written.