Discourse on Peace and Balance of Power in Early Eighteenth-Century English Political Sermons

Abstract

In the public debate on the English involvement in the War of the Spanish Succession, and over time, on the peace that would end the prolonged war, sermons occupy a special place among the various political mediums of the time. After briefly reviewing the main features of the political controversy, the present study specifically examines two political sermons by the English churchman John Adams (1662–1720), in which the discourse on balance of power is organically present, reinforcing the theme of the need for a “good peace”. In Adams’ sermons, published in 1709 and 1711, respectively, the notion of Christian joy and prosperity as well as the glad tidings of the securing of Protestant succession in the form of a future peace were given explicit emphasis alongside the discourse on balance of power. Both sermons were delivered on thanksgiving days, therefore – while supporting the anti-war, pro-peace Tory propaganda – they have a strong emphasis on predictions of the positive prospects for Christian spirituality. The paper focuses on the conceptual analysis of these delightful promises, showing how Adams considered the effects of a prospective peace on the Christian religion in general as well as on the future of the balance of power both at home and in Europe.