Chap. IV.]

DUTIES OF PATRIOTISM.

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CHAPTER VI.

THE DUTY OF THE CITIZEN TO AID IN THE DEFENCE OF HISCOUNTRY, AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, BY SERV-ING ON JURIES, GIVING TESTIMONY ON OATH, &c.

It is easy to understand, that universal peace is the interest ofall nations ; still history attests, that the utmost comity of onenation towards every other, joined with the most even-handedjustice, has not always secured to it this great and invaluableblessing. The perverse passions of mankind,* the ambition andsometimes the resentment of princes, the thirst of powerful indi-viduals for personal distinction, the dazzling splendor of militaryglory acting on warm imaginations, the love of enterprise inmany, and passion for excitement in all, conflicting rights, claims,and interests, and sometimes questions of mere etiquette, haveall had their influence in disturbing and desolating the earth withfrequent, afflictive, and sanguinary wars.

We may hope and trust, that the blessing is in reserve formankind, to have an international tribunal established for the ad-justment of national controversies without the arbitration of thesword. But hitherto all attempts to establish such a tribunalhave been unsuccessful, the hopes of the friends of universalpeace have been uniformly disappointed, and, amidst the conflict-ing interests, passions, and prejudices of individuals, parties, andnations, the maxim still retains much of its original force, that“ the best way to insure peace is, to be fully prepared for war.”Our duties, moral as well as civil, are prescribed by the presentcondition, circumstances, and prospects of human affairs ; —they must necessarily have reference to the existing state ofthings , and not to what we may wish they were, and may trustthey will be at some time hereafter. And, as it is a moral dutyof a very high order, to obey the government under which we

James iv. I.