I shall take these words as a political maxim and moral precept comprehending these two propositions.
I. That here is couched a supposition, that upon just grounds and lawful causes any nation may declare and make war upon another, implied in the expression, “If they go out to war against their enemies, by the way that God should send them.” The just grounds of war according to the Laws of Nations and Arms are--
1. Those that concern the maintaining the public faith.
2. Those that respect the vindication of the honour of the Crown.
3. Those that relate to the prevention of the great and apparent dangers that threaten the general peace.
II. The positive duty and obligation that all nations lie under, in case of the declaration of such a war, to seek God with a solemn humiliation and repentance, for His assistance and succour to maintain their cause or right.
1. Because war is an appeal to God for the justice of a national cause.
2. Because of the great dangers and uncertainties that attend war. How many armies have their designs and themselves ruined by the little advantage of ground, the pass of a river, a sudden surprise, an undermining stratagem, the alteration of the weather, the fall of snow or rain, the misunderstanding of a word given, the spreading a false rumour or alarm; nay, the start of a horse, the mere error of the eye, or the information of a deserter! Which has overturned all policy, made power impotent, and victory unexpected. How many fleets have been dissipated with a mist, broken and sunk with a storm, and blown up with a spark of fire! (Ecc_9:11; chap, 14:11; Lev_26:8).
3. Because it will engage God to be on our side, and to vindicate our cause.
4. Because this solemn invocation of the Divine assistance, joined with a public humiliation and repentance, will be a means to avert those judgments that were otherwise due to our sins, and which we should have reason to fear might prevent the success of our arms, and provoke God to give us up to the will of our enemies.
5. Because prayer is an absolutely necessary and conditional means to success in war. (Henry Sacheverell, D. D.)
The wise man’s prayer for the warrior
(preached on a day of general humiliation on account of war):--Under most of the ordinary occurrences of life, there is the strongest tendency to overlook the relationship subsisting between ourselves as human beings and the providence of God. In many instances it is only on extraordinary occasions that individuals are first led to a practical recognition of the supremacy of God. It is when sickness produces its enfeebling effects on the frame; or when the angel of death gains admittance to their dwellings; or when adversity demonstrates to them the vanity of centring their affections on earthly treasures; or when pestilence extends its ravages throughout the land, or when war, with its horrors, thins their armies at home or abroad; it is often under such circumstances that men are primarily led to think of their souls and their Maker. An occurrence which shall generate in the minds of any a fitting sense of their dependence for succour on the Lord of heaven and earth, in whatever way that occurrence may have originated, must at least be, overruled by Providence for good.
I. That when a people are engaged in the chastisement of their enemies it is required that they should have recourse to united supplication, that their efforts might be crowned with victory. Men are as much bound as ever to make national entreaties for the bestowal of national mercies, and for the successful issue of legitimate national movements.
II. The spirit in which our united supplications should be offered. We should pray, as penitents for pardon; as sinners for salvation; as patriots for our country; and as followers of Him who has taught us to love our enemies, for those enemies themselves. (H. B. Moffat, M.A.)
