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The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., pauvent Atre fiimAs A des taux de reduction diff Arenta. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, 11 est f llmA A partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droita, at de haut en bas, en prenant le nombra d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammaa aulvanta illustrent la mAthode. errata ' \ SieaJ/afine/s in Religion and Loyalty RECOMMENDED, IN A SERMON, &c. it. In the Houfe of Jlffetnbly^ Saturday the iph Aprils 1793- D ESOLVED, That Mr. Howe, Mr. M^Monaghy and Mr. Wallace^ do wait on the Right Reverend the Bifhop o{ Nova-Scotia, with a requeft, that he will furnifli this Houfe with a copy of the Sermon, preached by him, be- fore this Houfe, on Sunday lafl, for the purpofe of printing the fame. James B. Francklin, Clerk H. A, N. B. The Thanks of the Houfe had been prevloufly returned to the Bi(hop for the above Sermon. H'U^^ JrV^rrt Mt^i^^u^^^y Steadfajinefs in Religion and Loyalty RECOMMENDED, IN A SERMON Preached before the LEGISLATURE Of His Majejlys Province of Nov a^ Scotia ; IN THB Parifli Church of St. Paul at Halifax, On Sunday, ^^ril 7, 1793. By the Right Reverend CHARLES, BISHOP OF MOVA-SCOTIA. HALIFAX: Printed by John Howe, at his Printing-OiHce, oppofite the Parade. M DCC XCIII. ^A'i< '•/ J ► TO THOMAS BARCLAY, Esqijire, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE of ASSEMBLY, ANO To the other Members of (hat refpefbable Body, The following SERMON, PREACHED and PUBLISHED at their REQIJEST, IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BV rHE AUTHOR. Halifax, ^pril 16, 1793. R£ •T— irrriTii •aes iUIRE, LY, le Body, QUEST, THOR. Proverbs xxiv. ai, Aiy Sony fear thou the Lord and the King j and meddlt ntt with them that are given to change, WHOEVER reflcfls on the focial afFt-aions and in- ftiniSls that are implanted in our nature^ will be in- clined to think that man was defigned by his Creator for « f^ate of fociety. This opinion will he confirmed ftill more, by conHdering, that the portion of happinefs alloted to us here, can only be attained in a ftiue of fociety ; and that the human race, from the condition of our nature, cunnot be continued and preferved but in the focial (late ; fo that if fo* ciety were to ceafc, the race of mankind would fuon be ex* tinguiihed. j^; These reflexions muft remove every doubt that a ftate of fociety is the natural ftate of man — the ftate for which he was originally intended and fitted. They alfo evince how viflonary that fcheme is, which fuppoi'es mankind to have once lived in what fome are pleafcJ to call a /iate of nature \ that 18, lived feparate, independent, and without any focial connedlion between individuals. Such a Itare is wholly fa* bulousi it never had an cxiilcnce. But Society, like ail other things here, has its defects and imperfe£lions. From hence, and from the dr-praved appe- tites of human nature, it is liable to many difailers, and its ends may bs defeated. To guard againft thcie inconveni- ences. Government and Laws arc ncceflary. Even thcfe ?^ain l\^\(o J I . i • i I i\ \ \ 'i \ I [ 6 ] again have their defe£ls ; and thofe defeiEtl can only be Tup- plied by the principles of Religion. Government and Religion are therefore the pillars, as it were, on which fociety refts, and by which it is upheld ; remove thcfc, and the fabric finlcs into ruin. In all this, we fee a difplay of the Creator's wifdotn and goodnefs ; for thefc maybeconlidurcd as (o many links of a chain, which binds us to each other and to himfcif ; and conne«5ts our duty and welfare fogrther. Wc difcover his provident care for the happinefsof nun in thatlucial (late for which he was fonncd. And we Mo perceive, that Government and Religion were the Inditutions of God, who is the fountain of all power and truth i tl)at they were deligned to fecure our huppinefs, the ultimate end of our creation, and to obviate the evils to which we are cxpufcd in uur prefentilate of inipcrfct^tion. Agreeably to tlicfc interefting and important truths, the infpireJ author of the book of Proverbs, and wif(.'fl: of men, delivers tlic exhortation in my text—" My Son^ fear thou " tiie Lord nnd tlie King, and meddle not witli tiicm that *' are given to cliange ;" which is an exhortation to Reli- gion and Loyalty, and to a (Icadfad perfeverancc in them. To fear the Lord, is the fame as to reverence, worfhip and obey the Almighty, ffo:i) a principle of unfeigned faith and contcience. To fear the King, is to pay due relpeiland ho- nour to his pcrfou, office and dignity, as well as obedience to his laws ; an J the former principle naturally leads to this. For in the language of St. Paul, " he is theminifter of God *' unto us for good ; ihcre being no power biit of God ; the *' powers thit be dn ordained of God. VVhofoever thcrc- " fore reiiiteth the power, refiilcth the ordinance of GoJ.*" As * Ro:ti. xiii. 1—4. f be fup- lillars, as i upheld ; 1 this, we for thcfc 1 binds us duty and e for the IS funned, jion were all power hapi>incf3, le evils to fcdioa. truths, the ft of men, fear thou tlicm that I to Rcli- n them. iforfliipanJ d faith and eilandho- >(;dicnce to hIs to this, ler of God God \ the ever there- of God.*" As I [71 As • farther feeurity for the benefits accruing to fociety from fearing the Lord and the King, we are exhorted in my text, *' not to meddle with them that are given to ch.inge"— that is, not to hold a familiar intercourfe with, not to enter into the councils, nor countenance the proceedings, nor be influenced by the example of, thofe who, either from bad principles, ambition, a reftlefs temper, or difcontent, are gi- ven to change — would didurb the public tranquility, pro- mote fedition, and fubvert the order of fociety. FitoM this view of the text, you fee its aim is twofold — to inculcjte the fear of Ciod and the King, and to diiTuade us from countenancing thofe who are fond of innovations. .\c- cui Jing to this divifion, I (hall frame my prefcnt difcourfe— I. Hy (hewing, that to fear God and the King; or in other words, that Religion and Loyalty are eflential to the welfare of fociety. II. By pointing out the evils that turbulent pcrfons, given to change, bring upon fociety j with whom therefore we ihould not meddle. III. And I fliall, in this laft place, conclude with fome pratSlical inferences, and obfervutions on the whole. — If in difcourfrng on this copious and interefting fubje<£^, I fhould fomewhat exceed the limits of time ufually prefcribed for dif- courfes from the pulpit, I truft the nature of the fabje<£(, and the circumftances of the times, will be my apology to this refpedlabic audience. I. I proceed then to my firft head, which is to (hew, that fearing the Lord and the King — that Religion and Loyalty are ciicntial to the welfare of fociety. It I t « J It ii worthy of obfervation, that our duty to God and th« King, are frequently joined together in the fame fentcnce of Holy Scripture. My text ism indanceof this. In anfwer- ing the captious qucflion of the Pharifecs to our Saviour, he deltrea them *Mo render to Cxfar, the things that are Cxfar'sj •* and to God, the things that are God's.*" And St, Peter cnjoini Chrillian: — '* to fear God, and honour the King.f" We learn from hence how clofc a connc£tion there is be* twcen Religion and Loy.ihy — between our religious and ci- vil duties. lie that fincercly I'erves God, will be loyal to his earthly Sovereign, from a piinciple of Confcicnce. Religi- on indeed has a much more important objeifl in view (han the tcmporrd bincfitof focicty — its great objc(5t is eternal Sal- vation. Vet it ;^f}'oids the mod powerful aid to fociety, whilft a£ltially accomplilhing the main purpofe it aims at } and that purpole is again promoted by the peace and order of focicty. Tor they lend mutual aififtance to each other. Tm connection between Rch'gion and Loyalty will be more apparent Oil), when we reflcift on the origin affigned to Government by St. Paul. Us tells us that it is *< the or- " dinancc of Cjod. There is no power but of God i the " powers th:it be are ordained of God." So that the religi. ous princ'ple naturally leads us to obey the Civil Magi(lrate, as cxcrcifing an authority which has been committed to him by the Almigluy. In obeying him we adl agreeably to the exprefs and dccKtrcd will of CjoJ. To illufirate this pcnnt farther, it may be proper to obfervOi that when the Gofpcl wus firlt publiihed, various forms of Government fublliled, as at prefent. The Roman arms had triii.'pphcd over 2 j^rcat pait cf the then known world} aiid id and th« fntcnce of 1) anfwer- »viour, he 1 St. Peter sKing.t" lere is be- )us and ci- loyal to his . Rciigi- vicw than eternal Sal- to fociety, it aims at i : and order ich other. alty will be ;in afligned s »* the or- FGodi the tthereligi* Magiftrate, itted to him cably to the r to obferve, us forms of tan arms had \iVtn world} aitd [ 9 ] and Rome itfelf, after a feries of violent convulfions and in- teAine wars, became an abfolute Monarchy under Auguftui and his fucceflbrs. There were alfo other forms of Govern- ment, of the popular, ariftocratic, regal and mixed kind. For it was the policy of Rome to indulge the conquered nationi in the uf« of their religious and civil inftitutions, where it did not interfere with the views of dominion *, the Romans even adopted thofe inftitutions, efpecie fource and fpring of our actions, and are known to God only. By artifice and fraud, the Uws may be evaded, notwithftand- ing the magiftrate's utmoft vigilance. Hereby inJiviJuals are injured, the peace and order of fociety interrupted, and the benefits expe£led from laws dcftroyed. There are many duties efTcntial to the welfare of fociety, which the laws of man cannot interfere with i fuch as grati- tude, hofpitality, charity, and many others j without which, a Ttate of fociety would be miferablc, and its diflblution en- dangered. Thefe are commonly called duties of iinperfeiSt obligation ; notbecaufe we are under no obligation to per- form them, or that they are ufelefs to fociety ; for the rcverfe of both is unqucflionahly true, and the ncgledt of ihem would be fatal to fociety : But becaufc human laws cannot reach them — they proceed from a higher principle. EqTTALLY dcfe£live are human laws with regard to re- wards and punifliments, which are the hinges of all govern- ment i [ 13 J to fociet/i hrow light al. I may lankind re- \ from Go- on between rty, for the pny means iii themofl: fubvert go- ilthough Mt- )dt! utward aiSli« rhich aretlie i> God only* nwUhftand- individuals rrupted) and re of focicty, 'ucli as grati- thiuut which, ifiblution cn- sofiinperfeiH: ;ation to per- "or the reverfe ;)f them would cannot reach regard to re- of all govern- tncnt i ^ « ment } and which only can give vigour and efficacy to laws. For although government can punifti thofe who openly vio« late its laws ; it has no general reward for its fubjedls but protedion— -the fecurity oflife, liberty and property. Yet the welfare and prefervation of fociety require virtues and exertions in its feveral members, which are intitled to grea- ter rewards than mere protei^ion i and as we mud look to a higher principle than human laws for the exiftence, fo alfo for the reward, of thofe virtues. This defe<^, like others, muil be fupplied from another fource.* To thefe particulars, may be added another of great mo- ment, though fcldom confidered. Whilft fociety multiplies the comforts of life, and holds out protection to individuals ; it alfo inflames the depraved appetites of mankind, and affords opportunities for their gratification. Hence we find that crimes increafe, both in number and enormity, in proportioa to the fize of cities and communities— indeed I might fay, in a much greater proportion. Hence, a more powerful re- flraint on vhe atSlions of men is required, than can be found in human laws. It would be eafy to enlarge on thefe heads, and place them in a flronger light. I juft hint at them to fhcw, that from the very nature of things, there are unavoidable defe the only rejvard that it ufTcrs or can confer, in return for obedience to its laws in the general mafs of fubje£ls. I- f affords a fufficicnt remedy in thefe, and all other cafes of iho kind, that can poflibly occur.* Religion teaches the exiftence of an infinitely holy, jiift and righteous God, who is ever prcfent, a conftant witnefs of our thoughts and ailions ; who prefides over, and govern^, the affairs of this world } who will finally call his rational creatures to judgment ; and confign them to eadU'fs happi- ncfs or mifery, according to their conduit in this (late o\ probation. Religion alfo teaches that government is the or- dinance of this Almighty Being j the means which he hath ap- pointed to promote the happinefs of mankind, and avert tho evils that would defeat his mod gracious defign. From thefe momentous truths, tiuman laws derive an energy ; govern- ment, an authority ; and fociety, innumerable benefits, which ctherwife they could not poflibly have. For in vain do men ftrive to conceal their crimes from the eyes oS their fellow mortals — in vain do they attempt by fraud to evade, or by violence to trample on the laws of their country, and then hope to cfcape punifhment : All thcfe things are perfectly known to tho Almighty ; who even iti this life, frequently after ts hisfovereignty, by arreting wick- ednefs in its courfc, and inflidling punifhment on tranf. grelFors ; and who will afTuredly bring every ai5lion into judgment hereafter ; when every crime, whether fycrct or open, whether public or private, will receive a jud rctribvi- iion. The meek virtues of humility, probity, mutual bene- volence, and others fo efiential to the welfare of fociety, though they neither are, nor can be rewarded by fociety, ypt being ii»joiiitd by Religion, are fure of a higher reward thin thi» * Sif tills point coplouily handled, and with great ability, by Pllhop Vv'.-', t.iii R) ON in his ^"ii.'ui it Ltivitii Chuici and Sijiei und in lu" Divm igl ts of tho loly, jiift mtneh of govcrnn, s rational .>h happi- 18 ft ate o\ is theor- le hathap- ftvcrt tha 'roiii thcfc govern-" i\t8) whlcK rimes from aitcmpt by |W8 of their All thcfe even ill ing wick- m\ iraiif . i^liou into fccrct 01' ft rctribvi" lual bcnc- of focicty, fociety, yet rwanl than this ty, by PllhPp in hi" Pivi»i [ >5 1 this earth canbettow. And to the reducing; temptations that would draw men into enormous crimes, Religion op- pofes the avenging terrors of Almighty God ; whofe honour) juftice and veracity are engaged not tolet them go unpuniHied. Were it necefTary, I could adduce the fentiments of the wileft men in every age, who attett the truth of what is here advanced. I could alfo adduce not only the fentiments, but the praiStice of the mod celebrated Legiflators, who made Religion the bads of their civil Inflitutions ; and who were indebted to that circumftance for their fuccefs. But I pafs them over as needlefs ; and (hall not pay fo ill a compliment toyour underftandingastofuppofe that you require farther tef- timonies to confirm your belief of truths that are fo evident.* We may then take it for an unfailing maxim, that Regli- gion, the fear of God, is the furcft foundation of virtue ; the bcft fecurity for the rc6litude of human actions: That it is the be(t fiipport of Government i of that honour and refpecl which we owe to tlie King, and others in authority j and of that obedience which is due to the Lawi : On all which, the wclfaie of Society intirely depends. , When * Although oiYiUted in the text, It may not be improper to acid one teftU mony here on the fubjed. It is that of Cicero, one of the gre:.ts(l men that Rome, or any other State, ever produced. Speaking of the Romans, and the caufus cf their grandeur, he Tayt — '^ We neither exceeded the Spani- " ard« in number, nor did we excel the Cauls in bodily Arength, nor the *^ Cartha)f;inians in fubtility, nor the Greeks in liberal arts '• But we unquellionably excelled all people and tr.tions in piety and atten- " tion to Religion; and in that point which can only be deemsd true wif- " dom— a firm belief that all human affairs are directed by divine Providence.'' Omt. XXX. Di Hitruffickm Reffenji's. To this principle, and to the cire of Providercc, he nttributcs the origin, increafc and nabiUty of the mighty em- pire of Roms. The Religicn of Heathens v.-s3 disfigured, it is true, by the yrolfellerrors and Idolatry; but ittauglitthedotVines of a fupci intending Pro- vidfnte, and fuiuie flate of rewards and punilhmfnts, which anfwered iV.f. 'i r'T^^fes cf Civil Society ; nor did any regular .'t.ite ever iulM'ii\ wiil.ci'. flioi's dwitiinci. m i \ [ i6 ] Wh£K I aHert the neceflity of Religion for the welfare of fociety and Government, you will do me the juftice to be- lieve, that I mean the pure, peaceable and rational Religion of Jesus Christ } which requires holincfs and benevolence in its profcfTors, and ftrongly inculcates order and fubordi- nation ; at the fame time that it teaches the knowledge of the true God, a Providence, and future flate of rewards and puniHiments. I do not mean the fallies of enthufiafm, the reveries of a difordered bead, or heated imagination. The hiftory of mankind bears ample teftimony how turbulent thefe arc j how often they have difturbsd the peace of fo- ciety, and filled the world with war, bloodlhed and dcfola- tion. It therefore behoves the rational, confcientiousChrifti- an and Loyal Subjet^ to be on his guard againft- thefe, as well as againft the oppoiite extreme of Infidelity and A- theifm. For however ftrange it may appear, yet it is a cer- tain fa bafl'ador Extraordinary in Holland j whofe amiable charaAerit well known to many in America— he (when Mr. Eden) was one of the Commiflionera feht to New. York, in the year 1778, for re^orins peace. The account i» t.^ken from an ofitcial paper, delivered to the States Gensral, January 15, 1^93, figned with hit name, and circulated through Europe— " four years," fays his LoriKhip, '* have not yet elapfed, fince fome mifguided men, (in " France) qualifying themfelvet with the title of Philofofhtrs, had the pre- " fumption to think themrdves capable of eftablifhing a nrwfyftem of Civil "" Society. In order to realize this dream of vanity, it was necelTary to •* overthrow and detlroy all the received notions of fubordinaiion, morality, "■ and religion, which have hitherto been the bulwark, happincfs, and con> " fobtion of mankind. Their prcjeitt of defliu£lion have been but too •' fuc«efsful ; but the efFefta of the new fyftem, which they have endeavour- " ed to introduce, l)ave only tended to demonllrate the ralhnefs and impiety •' of its autha.s. The events vihich have fo npidly fuccerded, during this "interval, furpafs in atrocity every one which has yet fulUed the t>age o£ ** liiAory, Fraperty, liberty, perfcnal fafety, and even life iifelf, have been •» the [ «8 ] Tmui you fee that fanaticifm is not confined to the pro- fcflbri of religion. Infidelity has alfo its enthufiails and bi- gots i and the tnthuftafm of both is equally malignant to government} and fubverfive of the peace and welfare of fo* ciety.— 'Little then do thofe imagine what mifchief they are promotingi who countenance and encourage fanaticifm of any kind t who either by dilTeminating bad principles, or by their negledt • f religious duties, or evil example, diminifli the influence of true and rational Religion. In reality, they are unchaining the unruly appetites and afFccSlions of men to prey upon one another. For the human mind, wh?n fet loofe from the rellraints of fober rcafon, confcience, and reli- gion, ever has, and ever will break out into thofe deftrudlivc cxtrcniest 11. But I proceed to the fecond head of my difcourfe, which was to point out the evils which perfons given to change, bring on fociety -, with whom therefore, we fhould not meddle. Relioiok and Loyalty are founded on fteady, permanent principles. The condud of fuch as are guided by thofe prin- ciples, will always be fteady and uniform. The word of God is the rule by which their fentiments are formed ; and as that rule is ever conllftent and the fame, the fentiments and prat^ice which arc regulated by it, will partake of the fame character. " the fporii of the unbridled fury of the pafliont, of the fpirit of rapine, of " h»cr«ti, wi (tie mul\ cruel and unnatural ambition. The annaU of nian> *' kinJ do nut Ntl'urd an inllance where, in (a ttiort a Tpace ot time, fomany " crimei have been committed, To many misfortuneioccafioned, and foma- " ny lean llied.a-Thcra horrori now feem to have arrived at their higheft »» pitch,"— -Thu? Ur his Lordfhip; and thefe are the philofophic re- formers who hive rejected the Bible and its divine Author ; and havechofen ythaire, H.tuJJ'itUy Htlvtiiui, D'AUmbirt, &c. &c. &c. for ihcii inftruaora 4n(i ApoAlfi I The world fees the effects ! the pro- ds and bi> lignant to fare of fo* ;f they are laticifm of pies, or by diminifh ality, they of men to wlifn fet ;,and reli-' deftru£tive r difcourfe, )S given to we ihould permanent thofe prin- le word of rmed ; and [inients and of the fame chara6ter. t of rapine, of nail of man* time, fomany :d, and fo ma> t their higheft hilofophic re- nd have choferk Kit iailru£torii I 19 ] ehara£ter. But ambition, felf intere(^, and humdur are va- riable. They change with changing fcenes and cireumftan- ces i and thofe who are guided and influenced by them* will be given tu change. Whether it be owing to the inherent a£livity of our minds, or to inordinate felf love, or to fomething in the ori- ginal texture of our frame, or to fome other caufe ; there is a certain reftlelTnefs which feems to be annexed, in a greater or lefs degree, to our nature. Unfatisfied with what we have, we grafp at fomething which we have not, and perhaps can- not attain i and by regrets and uneaflnefs on that account, are apt to deftroy our tranquility and peace of mind. To fub- due this redlciTnefs and Jifcontent, to be refigned to the will of God, and thankful for his allotment in the Aate of life where his providence hath placed us } is a duty impofed on us by Religion. It is a part of that difcipline to which we are fubjedled by the Gofpel of Jefus Chrift ; and like every other duty which he enjoins, it is highly conducive to our happinefs. Certain it is however, that fome perfons are naturally of a more refllefs and turbulent caft than others. They ate fond of innovation and change, for the fake of innovation. The calm fhade of peace and quiet, pleafes them not ; their delight is in a ilorm. Now, if fuch a difpofitien be cherifli. ed, inftead of being checked J ifinflead of being retrained by good principles, it is inflamed by thofe of an oppoflte kind j and cfpecially, if it is pufhed forward by an interuourfe with unprincipled men who are given to change : It then becomes a proliAc fource, not only of perfonal difquietude, which embitters private life j but alfo of popular difcontents, C 2 which I i i I' I: ii [ »0 ] which, in every ag?, have thrown ftatei and governments into violent convulfions. There have been times unqueftionably when changes if^ Religion and Government were necefTary. Our own hifto- ry furniflics feveral iiiftance?. When fucceflivc ages of ig- norance and barbarity had dtbafcd Chridianity with error, and disfigured it with Tiperfiition, a reformation of thofe errors became expedient. When thofe who were given to change, in the lafl century, had fnbverted our Monarchy and Confti- tution, the Kedoration of them was a matter both of duty and neceflity. But, blefTed be God, thofe times are now part. We enjoy the benefits rcfulting from thofe changes. Wc Oiould be thankful to heaven for them ; and look back with reverence to the fortitude and virtues of our ancedors, who were inilruments, in the hand of Providence, of con- fering thcfe fignal blcllings upon uS. For we live in a peri- od, when the Religion of Jcfas Chrift isprofeil'cd and taught in its native purity, as contained in holy Scripture. We live under the bed of Civil Constitutions ; where we enjoy as much Liberty as is confident with a dat; of Civil Society j and where that Liberty, with the protediion of life and pro- perty, have all the fecurity that human wifdont can giv^ them. In thefe circumftancey, to think the hutinefs of changing (hould ftill go on, and never ftop i muftfurely proceed from that fpirit of innovation, againd which we are cautioned in my text, or from fomething worfe. We are exprcfly com^ manded not to meddle with them that are actuated by that fpirit. We are not to cuter into their counfels, nor coun« tenance their proceedings. For doing either of thefe, woul4 be contrary to the duty which we owe to God and the ICing —to the peace and welfare of fociety. But ernments hanges !r^ )wn hifto- jes ofig- ith error, lofe errors (o change, >d Confti- >th of duty s are now changes, look back anccftors, , of con- in a peri- uid taught We live enjoy as I Society j s and pro- i can giv^ r changing oceed from utioned in refly com and fct afloat. 7'he lukewarm- nefs of fome will be increafed, and their indifference to all Religion ftrengthencd, feeing fuchdirorderslandtioned by that venerable name. Thof« who wiflj to get rid of the redraints of Religion, and to indulge their lufts without any control, will be inclined to think that all Religion is nothing but en- thufiafm and mere farce. For the experience of our own nation, and of others, has uniformly proved, that frequent innovations and divifions in Religion, have led to Infidelity ^ and never failed to produce InBdcls and Atheiils.^ From hence you nr^ay perceive how wife and prudent it is, not to meddle with them that are thus given to change in matters of Religion. A well poifed judgment, informed by the word of God, will guide us in the middle way between jtK>th extremes — that of difgufling fanaticifm, on the one hand ; * This was the safe in the time of CrornvTelPs ufurpatioi*, when enihu. fiafm liad lull Tcopfr, and fiuious fe^aiie» were nriigi^lin^ ^or fupcrioiiiy. Mr, Ldwards, in hit Gungrana, felt down th: herefiek ihtt were then Itronch. ed— their number and groffirirffs are aftonifljinf;. Hiftiop Hurntt iniurnii ui — " that many of the Republicans began to proft (3 Deifm i and almol) all '' of thun were for deftroying all Clergymen, for breaking every thing that ^' looked tike the unionof u natioii»l Church. They were for pulling down ih* " Churches," &c. Cromwell was obliged—" to fet the Hfth Monarchy ' Men and Enihufiafts againft fuch a* pretended to little or no religion, viz. "Sidney, Nevill, Harrington, &c." Seu the Summary cf aff^in It/jiubt ^ai)ge in brmed by ' between I the one hand ; when enthu* fupcriority> [hen liruAch. t inlornii ui id alinol) all thing th«t n$ down thf h Monarchy religion, viz. ' lis ItJ'ort tbt i »3 ] hand ; and the no lefs difgufting and pernicious extrem* of lukewarmnefA and infidelity, on the other. Such a judgment will alfo lead u« to confider eternal falvation as the moft mo- mentous concern of man \ and to purfue it with a diligent and fteady eaineftnerit proportioned to its importance. Those who are given to change in affiirs of GoveriT' ment, have alfo their ways and means of proceeding, no lefs exceptionable than the former. A redrcfs of grievances is generally held out ; and every thing is a grievance which they happen to didike. No Government i:*, or can be, without its inconveniences and burdens. Thefe (hould cer- tainly be removed or lightened as hv as prudence and the ilate of things will admit ; and by tl.ofe who are vedcd with due authority for the purpofe. liut thefe inconveniences are aggravated far beyond the truth, by turbulent innovators i and the character, as well as proceedings of all in authority, are mifreprcfcnted and blackened. Patriotism, Liberty and the puMic welfare — thofe abufed words — fo often ufedon thefe occalloiis, andfo little under- ftood — fo frequently pretended, and fo feldom purfucd or pradlifed — are made the pretexts for meafures that diredly tend to deftroy them. Clubs perhaps are formed, to con- cert the propereft modes for fuccefs. Inflammatory publi- cations are circulated ; grofs falfhoods are invented and dif- feminated, to excite jcaloufy and difcontent, poifon the minds of people, and difpofe them to fedition. These and other artiRces, fuggefled by faiflion, are em- ployed to difturb fociety, and carry on the bufinefs of inno- vation. Hereby multitudes are worked up to a degree of enthufiafm, not lefs than is fomctimcs fecn in matters of Rs- ligion ; whilft the leaders are only gr.J intereHs have been facri^ ticed by the deluded people, to aggrandize, and gtatify the ambition of their factious leaders. The very fame efFe£ls would flow from the fame caufes at this day j and therefore you muft be fenfil.le of the wifdom of the prohibition in my text — not to meddle with them that are given to change.* III. * Some pcfhapi may be dirpleafed tliat I dwell fo much on theeffcAsof in- fidelity, fcditlon and entiiufiafm. But I befeech them to rcflcdl, whether the U&i adduced above,or alluded to, are not true ? And tothof«,many more might be added. Should any therefore be difpleafcd with me, or count me th:ir rneniy, becaufe I tell tliem the truth? Were a perfon, ir,fe£led with the plague, to come amrnj us, who would not think it rijrhi to take evtry pre- caution thit mi^ht prevent the inLftion from fpreading ? And it it not ir^hl to ftate, in order to prevent, the cffefts of infidelity, fedition, and en- thu/iafm, which are as ruinoui to (t ciety as any plague or ptdilence ? That tiijy are To, we have the cleared evidence cf reafon, and the experience nl pat) age«. Can a muie frightful piflure of human depravity, let loofe by it. fl-Jtl principles, be imagined, than ii at this day exhibited by France? "VVherc » n itior, lately deemed one of the mort civilized and pol'.ftitd in Eu- rope, has been hereby fuddenly transforitied into a race of fanguinary baj". lT.ib^ii;i:is and lutliinj ! And are there not fone fo lofl to all principle, to al! I'crfe of duty and humanity, as (• wifti thi. fame fctnes maybe afled on t;!etlie*tieof the firltidi empire ? Can we therefore betoo much on our guard ? And ?.3 to enihulisfm, be it remembered, that very Utely thnf ftrfins have ten driven to iiflu.il nudntfs, to the rr.oft deplorable ftate cf infanity, and be;i>nie maniac, in the convtntlcic* at Halifax. A trai^fa^ion rtill more ili.-ckin,.', it pofTil'le, and wl.ioh dsctncy lotbidsi me to ftt down, has within 1) ilcw moirii* taken ph-ce :ir!ir;:;g fm^e enihufialti in the Province of New. arunlA-ick, Tl'.»i tha tricnds oi iniilrlity, fedition and enthufiafm, fhcuW he d,i,^lr4rta to fee their ^rincl; Jrs and prOcctdin^s exj-of^d, may be esfily SGiice.v;'; hut it ;» ini(M.-irib)(» thit any rational, confticniious Cl.riilian fiK-; i,i)..l ( j; J. n) la.i tt tl.erc'iy osTcndcd. Vvemay, ar.d indeed oufhc tc ) MuilTiy, cilis on ti, loudi) to prevent, c! far •» wc are abis quenrly lugh at md Na- ords tiic Empires, n facri^ tify the cfFeas hercfore n in my ;hange.* III. feAsof in> hether the nore might [It me thsir d with the eevtry pre- d it it net }n, and en- nce ? Th*t experience let loofe by 3y France ? (litd in Lu. binary bai'. irinci^le, to he afled on our guard ? erfans have ifantty, and >n Aill more has within ce of New. ifm, fhould ay be c^fily s Cl.rilVian «d Cliche tc jod, to t!,a we are ii^'.'-t C 4J 3 in. I come now, in the laft place, to make fome practical reflections and obfervations on this fubjeCl. I. It appears then that the firft and greatefl; duty of man is what he owes to his Malcer. To fear God, and obey him, is the truefl wifdom. The benefits of ferving our Creator faithfully, extend to every ftate and condition, in which we are, or can be placed i they extend to every period of our exigence. The happinefs of individuals here, the welfare offociety, and ourfalvaticn through eternity, are all fufpend- ed on the attention we pay to his fervice. This fhews how careful wefhouldbetodifchargeourdu- tytoGod, with pun(5lual and fcupulous exadtnefs. Nothing fhould ever be permitted to interfere with that duty. To negle«3: it, or prefer any other before it, would be inconfiftent with the nature of things ; with the relation in which we ftand to the Almighty, and with the obligations we are un- der. It would therefore be irrational and unwife, as well as impious. And this holds equally true, whether we confider our- felves feparatcly, as individuals ; or co!le(^ively, as united in fociety. Religion is the furcft, Hrmeft fupport of fociety and government. Without it, they cannot exift. There never was a ieunder maxim of policy than that of Solomon — '' That *' righteoufnefs exalteth a nation ; but fin is a reproach to " any people.*" The regular, devout and confcientious pradice of religion engages the Almighty's protecStion, and draws down h'n blefling upon a people j whilft it difpofes in- dividuals tu reverence legal authority, as the ordinance of God i to pay rc;fpe6l anu obedience to the laws ; to love and promote peace and order, and to dil'charge every other D focial S Prov. xiv. 34. [ 26 ] fecial duty. For they are confcious that fo is the will of God i and that he is the avenger of all who traiifgrcfs hin will. Indeed the inward (late and movements of the heart can only be known to God ; and to him only are men accounta« ble for them. Not fo the external and focial patts of religi- on. With them the general influence of religion is conne«^- ed. Such for inftance, among others, zxc^-attendana en God^s public warjhipy andobfervation of the Lord's Day, Thefe are enjoined by divine and human laws ; the negled of them is cognizable by the latter, becaufe that negled^ would be very injurious to fociety. A good citizen and member of fociety will therefore be pundual in the obfervation of thofe duties, not only in obe- dience to divine and human authority ; but alfo becaufe his example will have very interefting effeds on others — to ftrengthen or deftroy the influence of religion. He will cautioufly avoid a breach of divine and human laws, which has a dired tendency to haften that fatal crifis — a crifis which has ever been dreaded by the wifeft men, as the certain fore- runner of public ruin — when Religion has lofl its hold on the minds of the people. For I befeech you to reflcifl — what but ruin could enfue, in fuch a cafe ? When the depraved appetites of men arc fct loufe from all the reilraints which divine and human wifdom has placed round thein, muft not diforder, and the perpetration of every criine be the confequence ? Suppofing fuch a cha- racter as ii n)entioned by the Pfaifnifl, to exilt umong us— • «' A fool who hath faiJ in his heart, there is no God.*" What tie can you have on fuch a perfon ? VVhat fecurity for the reftitudc of his conduct ? — An oath is the flrongcit bond Qi V(»\m lii'u I. will of ITvCi ilill eart can :counta« >f religi- ronne«^- fdanei oh Thefe of them vould be efore be f in obe- caufe his hers — to He will if which ifis which tain fore- i hold Oil lid enfue. Ml arc fct n wifdum -pctratioti ch a cha- ong us— I God.*" curiiy for gcit bond ci [ V ] offoclety. It is a folemn appeal to God for the truth of what we declare ; and for our fincerity in what we promife. IBut what force or efficacy can fuch an appeal have with a perfon who thinks there is no God ? The experiment has been lately made — and bleflcd be God, not at our expence — the experiment, I fay, has been actually made, what efFedts are produced by atheiftic princi- ples, when they aflume the reins of Government, dictate public meafures, and are diffufed among the mafs of the peo- ple. Wc fee, and fhudder at thofe cffe6ts. Hiftory in- deed, in its extenfive range, prefents us with a folitary, fpe- culative atheift here and there, who was a difgrace to our common nature. The numbc* however was fo fmall, that no material injuiy was done to fociety } efpeciallyas the popular belief was always againft them, and they were uni- verfally deteftcd.* But France has proved by practice, what was before demonftrable in theory, that Atheifm, when it infeds the mafs of people, and influences public councils, is totally fubverfive of fociety, of human happincfs, and all the comforts of life. And with fuch an example before us, for any one to defire a repetition of the experiment, would be jud as wife and rational as to fling a man down a preci- pice, or difchargea loaded cannon at him, by way of experi- ment, and to try whether either would kill him ; although we are already apprized of the certain confequences. But although I truft, and firmly believe, that thofe im- pious principles are not prevalent among us, nor any defire to try fu dreadful an experiment : Yet it may not be impro- D 2 per * When Diagoras, the Atheiil, fled from Athene to avoid a trial on ac- count ot his princlplcj, the Athenians offered a talent, about )C>i93 I5S> rteilinj?, to any one that would kill him. The charge of Atheifm agaiiiH Sucrates, thou^li i ilfe, wiit the caufe of his being put to death. [ »« ] per to remind you, that there is fuch a thing wpraliical Mikt- tjm } when by our actions we deny, or difrvgard the autho- rity of God, in whom we profefs to believe. Even thitwill have very pernicious cfFeils on fociety i and the efFedls will be more general and aggravated, as the religious principle is weak, and this practical atheifm prevails. The imputationand guiltofbeingChiiftians without Chri(lianity,{houldtherefore becautiouHy avoided. We fhould really fear God, foas not to offend him ; and be mindful of him in every part of our con- duit. We ftiould confider ourfelves as ever in his prefeace \ and confcientiouHy endeavour to exprefs the native purity of our holy faith in our daily converfation and adioos. 2. I would in the next place obferve, that there is a clufe conneiSlion between that duty which we owe to God, and the duty we owe to the King, and to others in authority un- der him. So intimate is this connedtion, that they can fcarcely be feparated. Whoever is fincerely religious to- wards God, from principle and confcience, will alfo, from principle and confciencc, be loyal to his earthly Sovereign, obc'Sent to the laws, and faithful to the goveinment which God hath placed over him. It is our peculiar felicity that love, gratitude and cdeeni unite with Religion in attaching us to the King ; and that every conftderation of our own welfare, and that of our bre-* thren, ferves to confirm our attachment to the txcellent Ci- vil Conftitulion under which we live. We fhould deem it a fingular mercy, that fo amiable a Sovereign fills the throne in thefe turbulent times ; when the bands of fociety arc torn afuiider in fo many places, and the miferies of mankind are thereby multiplied : And that his couniels are direiSled by men eminent for wifdom, uprij;luncf8. and [ 19 ] uprightncfsi and the mod ihining abilities i when the talents of others, fadly mifapplieH, are exerted in behalf of meafures that would be dedrudlive. Few people were ever blefled with fuch a Prince i and his fubje^ls feem to he fcnfi- ble of it. The univerfal gloom that overfpread them, and the deep forrow they difcovered not long fince, when his life was in danger ; clearly proved that he reigned in their hearts ; and how valuable his life was, in their ellimation. How could it be otherwife ? To promote the happinefs and profperity of his fubje£ts, has been the uniform obje£lof his reign ; and greatly have they been promoted and increa- fed. Inftcad of abridging, he is rather inclined to enlarge their privileges, where pradicable ; and to confirm them by every poffiblc fecurity. The eminent virtues that adorn him, command refpe£l and efteem. His piety and benevolence j his temperance, chaftity, and domeflic virtues ; his devout at- tention to the duties of Religion, with which neither bufinefs nor pleafure is p«rmitted to interfere : Thefc exhibit a moft edifying example for his fubje£ls to imitate j and they arc the admiration of mankind. I mention thefc particulars for no other reafon than to (hew — hoiv thankful we fliould be to God for fuch a King —what reafon we have to love and obey him— and how in- excufable thofe are, if there be any fuch, who might be dif^ pofed to change, or revolt from him. Of the BritiQi Conftitution it may be affirmed, — that it is the beft calculated to procure political happinefs, of any that was ever framed by human wifdom. luiiced we might be deemed partial to our Civil Conftitution, atid too much pre- judiced in its favour, to form a juft eftimate of its value j were it not that foreigners — and thofc the moft enlightened, and [ 30 ] •nd bed qualiHed to decide on the point, who could be under no other byafs than that of truth — have fpoken of it as high- ly its any Britifh fubjed.* They faw, and acknowledged the fuperior advantages it pofTefTed above any ancient or modern form of government. — Its fpirit is mild and generous. It guards, as far as human wifdom can, againll every fpecies of opprcilion and wrong } it affords equal juUice and redrefs to all i no one is too powerful to be above the control of its laws, nor too low or mean to be out of their protection ; It efFeiSlually fecures the fubjedt's life and property j with the ampleft liberty, both civil and religious, that is confiflcnt with the focial ftate,and under no other restraint, than what the welfare of fociety indifpenfibly requires. To rei'ift innovations in fuch a Conflitution, is an evident duty. For if any are difcontented under it i if they are rert- Sefi and given to change : The caufc murt be fought in their own bufom, and not in the Conflitution. Ini^ead of its bend- ing to them, and changing to fuit their interefled or wanton purpofes ; they ought in reafon and confeience to conform to ic, and live peaceably under it. 3. Lastly. From the prcfent afpe£l and flate of public a^lairs in Europe, it is probable that we (hall fuon be at war with a nation, which has been long the rival of our profperity and power ; and which has often interrupted our peace, an«} that ol Chriflendom. War is certainly a very great calami- ty, and to be avoided, if pofTible. But there are times and occalions when war may be necefTary to avert even greater calamities. It may be lecefTary; not only to procure peace, and fupport our public ch; a£ter j but alfo to fecure our Re- ligion, Rights, and Liberties from deflruction. It * See particularly Monte«ii.vihj'» Spirit of Lavis, and Di Loimi on tht E'f-ljh Cirft.tutmn, [ 31 ] It vras the wifli of an eminent writer, about the middle of this century, that as we were then at war with the powtr, we might alfo be at war with the manners^ of France.* Atheifm, tt feems, foftcred by the charadcriftic levity of that nation, made confiderable advances at this period. But the monger, which then (kulked only in fecret, has flnce thrown off all difguife, and now ftalics forth into open day. It is therefore to be wilhed, much more now than ever, that we may always beat variance with the manners and principles of France, whilft they continue what they are. And fhould we be in- volved in the war alluded to,t we can refle(5l — that it is a war, not of choice, but of nece/Tity j not of ambition, for the extenfion of commerce or territory, but toprcferve our mod holy Religion, the beil gift of heaven, and our Civil Con{li«> tution, the greateft of earthly bleflings, from a total fubver- fion by the enemies of Chriftianity, order, and fubordinatiun. And we can farther reflect, that this war will be with a peo- ple who have already declared war againft every thing held mod facred and cAimable by man. A levelling fyftem of Atheifm carries within itfelf the cer- tain feeds and principles of its own deftrudtion. Yet, whe- ther it may pleafe God, in his wifdom and juftice, to cut (hort in its career fuch a fyftem j or to permit its continu- ance a certain tiini-, either for the punifhment of guilty nati- ons, or for other purpofes of his providence, is not known to any mortal. It therefore behoves u5 at this eventful period, to prepare for whatever may await us. J We • Dr. YouNO i preface to Nh'ht the Se-uenth, of bit Night Tbourhtu f since tiiis Sermon W4« preaclitd, *V4r has taken place between Edjj- laiiil aii.'l Franc;. \ Ii w,i5, till,' c.^nji'iViireof Sir Ijaac Mb wton, (no left cflehrated for liii »c ■.;«'' invc.iigifjan -.ii the jirophici:* ot dcri(>cure, than fjr Iii? (irolound knowledge \ [ 32 1 We (hould in this, a> in all cafes of difliculty and danger, apply to the great Ruler of the Univerfe, and Arbiter of na-^ tions. We (hould turn to him with unfeigned repentance and amendment i carnclliy befecching him that he would pardon, proteifland fparc us ; not dealing with us according to our iniquities i but according to the riches of his mercy in Jesus C'iikist, who died for us, and redeemed us, whilft we were yet dwd in trcfpallcs and fins.* It is thus that we may exped hisblcfling ; and a renewal ofthofe mercies and deliverances that he hath fo often granted to our Church and Nation. From the alpiring, ambitious power of France, in- ilig.^tcd by religious bigotry, he hath frequently delivered them : hnowK'd^e in fininti philcfophy) that the nveibearins; power of Popery, which hud fo long enflivdl ths Chridian woild, mutt be broken by the prevalence of Inli'lcliiy tor romt time, I ei'cte that |;lorU>us Aatc of the Gof. |>vl which wc are t.iURht to exptift, when rit'.hiccufnefi and truth (hall over- f^read the eaith, ai^d " tlie klMgdomt ot this world Ihall become the king- *' dimi of the Lord »nrt hli C'hiiil," can arrive. See Whuton's £J'ay on tilt Rr:J>i;ii.lll, |>. JJI. i'i tdlt. 1744. Time fj.>ly in itt filent Ispfe can fully unfold the divine prophecies 5 and ^hentvcr we «tl«!m|it to cX)i!;iin or apply them, it fhould be done with the utniuU reverence ■ii'"1 caution. It would really fccm ai> if the affairs of Eu. rope, under the |i;uiilar.ee of a rte^dy rrovidtnce, were going on giaduallyto fnmc fuch jtio»t evriii as In mentionrd above. It is devoutly to be wiftied that not only iIir C hurch ol Koine, bu! n\\ the othrr Churches io Chriilen' dom, tr.av linAlly profit by the h irrid fccnes now exhibited by the enemies ct Chrirtianiiy. Were flifl aiiieif>ic fyllem of Fr nee to prevail, there can be little doiilii ihtt (he /Irt of Maityn v ouirt he renewed. Great numbers of ihu Fi'^iuU C'lefgy have already been mailacred. Some thoufands of them hHVf f)c ci;jil riufq ut ihi> [ii'rt'^r.ii'ioo. and not tlitir Loyalty only ; and that no lii .■jilun (ii'i Oi'tJli (1 ol i.Juill I"., ill r'>': '.(.(.iiiit Cliurcli, was more cruel 01 Di'Hiinurif. 'I h.' (irdli. jticntlit 1; (j Icng a continuance of this iaipi- oti> M4i(H, ill*! dtplornlili}, and HiUcIi to h~ limcnteH. yet one bencflf Hi i(V> (I'fTi ii— tlic tili;4i,'^,ir ;infl difif^no < 1 ih jl'e ailififtic levflltr:*, with the (^frriclaiu icndentv '■( tlnir prin< iplps, wt.icli otieiwife nii^ht be proole- iiiatu V ii<. (. uir, ire !io V fiilJy 'hiVL-loprj ajjii .ifujitained to iha conviction of ;«ll iiratiltit.d. I hy'-.i-.. 11. I. and [ 33 } them: From the fame ambitious and afpiring power, now goaded on b) the vengeful fpirit and rage of frantic, levelling/ Atheifm, I trull in his mercy, he will again deliver them. Few wiflies are nearer my heart, than to fee this country profpcr ; and as there are in this audience fevcral refpctta- ble perfons from various dillricts of the province, permit me to fuggeft how neccilary it is for all, in their rifpcclive diftrids, to exert themfelves in promoting the fear of God, and the King ; that is, true, rational Religion and Loyalty. Mor fhould their endeavours be omitted to promote harmo- ny, brotherly love, and unanimity ; difcouraging all fal/hoods that would excite jealoufy, difcontent, or fedition ; and re- pelling every attempt of thofe who are given to change. Among the various benefits which call for our gratitude to heaven, one is, that our lot is caft in a moft healthy and fer- tile land, pofTefled of as many natural advantages as any co- lony or province on this continent — a land, where nothing is wanted to make it flourilhing and profperous, but that in- duftry, and thofe fober, frugal, upright manners, which are effential to the welfare of all countries and conununities. Its improvements and profperity are indeed rapidly advan- cing ; nor can there be a doubt that their progrefs will be accelerated by the vigilance, a(Stivity, and well directed ex- ertions of Him who now prefides over it j as well as by the prudent and vigorous meafures of the whole Legiflature. The light of ufeful Science has dawned upon it from thofe excellent Seminaries that have been eftablilhed ;* a brighter day is faft approaching i and a noontide fplendor, with its attendant benefits, cannot be far uiftant. — Thefe things Ihould be made known s as it may animate our brethren and fellow * At Windfor and Halifax. [ 34 ] fellow fubjccls to carneft and pcrfcvering elTorts in Co good a caufc. Let us all heartily unite in the fame caufe; faithfully dif. charging the duties of our refped^ivc ftations. Let us fer- vently pray, and ufe our bc(^ endeavours, that peace and hap> pinefs, truth and juflice, Religion and Loyalty may be cfla* blifhed, and fluurifh among us. May our prayers be heard, and our endeavours for thefc defirable purpofes be crowned with fuccefj. Grant this, moft merciful Father, for the fake of thy blclTcd Sun, Jefus Chrifl ; to whom, with Thee, and the Holy GhofV, three perfons, but One ETERNAL God, be afcribed, as is moft juitly due, al) praifc, might, majefty, and dominion, both now and evermore. AMEN. F I N 1 i'. ! / Erratum. Page zi, line i8, /