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OF UPPER CANADA, V FOR A ■i' PROVINCIAL THANKSGIVING. \ mmim»2 By the Rev, JOHN BURNS, [PU3LISHED BY REQUEST.] MONTREAL : PRINTED BY NAHUM MOn 1814. ,' t ',■:'■,- _-'^, 0. •»,.;,. ■■■r«#. " \ ",. •"»■*■•/ ,:( 'V- ' TR. S ^Mui^' 37'?: PROVERBS, XXIV. 21. .':^..:-if^-'.^-^^.:.:.:i^ ]^r SON, r&Aft TBoo the Lous and the Kino ; and MCOBts not triTB TUEM TUAT ARE OrVEN TO CBANOl^ M^ .- .' ' ' '. . • !• • , ♦„.„ ~l,V*-k» V-"*"***' WREi^ a daring spirit of anarchy, and con- fusion seems to prevail tnrough the world, it be- comes the duty of every man, whose situation in life gives liim the opportunity, to inculcate the lessons of obedience and subordination, contained in the words of the text ; an4 to endeavor to ex- tinguish that torch o^ sedition, which in the hands of a few misguided zealots is ready to s,catter fire ?ind devastation through the land. 'Ai-^^'i^^-:'-:^B^^ ; I need not tell you that the book of Proverbs, from which these words were taken, was penned \}y that excellent spirit of wisdom which descend- ^ eth from above ; and is therefore deserving of our highest attention, And indeed were we ignorant of this circumstance, the various precepts it con- tains, would sufficiently recommend themselves to our esteem ; by their intrinsic worth and impor- tance, being grounded on unquestionable truth, expressed i^ very intelligible language ; and by their sententious brevity, easy to be retained. We are not, however, vainly to imagine, that all the precepts there delivered are to be understood in a rigorous strictness of speech, or in the utmost se- verity of construction.. We are rather to interpret them according to ^hat equitable consideration of circumstances and times, which every general pro- position requires j which, though generally true j^nd fitting, will always admit of some exceptions. Xhusfbr example, when the wise king ^^ells us, ** train up a child in the way he should ^o, and,. ;y^v. ■**w»-' ♦•n** when he is old, he will not depart from it j" we can have no doubt of the general truth andpropri- ety of the precept. But should i^e from thence conclude, that no child, who has been well educa- ted, ever deviates from the good way, in which he has been trained ; we should only expose ourselves to ridicule, by conti'adicting the experience of all .ages. For, though the greater part of those who fall under the just punishment of the law, owe their ruin to a neglected or vicious educa- • tion ; yet there are too many also amongst them, .the imhappy oflspring of virtuous, and honest parents, whom no precepts of wisdom cpuld controul, whom no influence of example could sway, whom no restraints of parental authority could guard from destruction : andj writh the 'same equitable construction, we are to understand . that precept in the text, whic h forbids us to med- dle with them that are given to change. For, though there can be no doubt that a med- . dling and contentious spirit, which is ever hunting , after imaginary grievances and causes of discon- ^ tent, is highly to be xpndemned, and avoided; yet, on the other hand, there are occasions, where change becomes necessary, and where the first . principles of nature, and of society, and of reason, call upon us to meddle with them that are given • to change; and in the same qualified sense also, _ are we to understand the precept, here delivered, of fearing the king. Fear is in itself the most ig- ' noble passion, that inhabits the human breast. If we consider its origin, it is ever the child of guilt, and disobedience : for when man came from the hands of his Maker, pure and unspotted, he was fearless, because he was innocent, but no sooner had he lost that innocence, than fear succeeded ; ** I heard thy voice,^' said our unhappy fiitit pa. c ;ii!.kiiui.i.> (.kLilfi-J .*~'' IP ■' ■• .-•v''^''."!*!.'- 'P'/ ***** Tent to his offended God, " and was afraid." If, therefore, our fear of the king should originate in conscious guilt, or the dread of impending evil, it would be 3avish and abject ; and, therefore we can never suppose it to be recommended to us by the pen of inspired wisdom, and, indeed, who woidd wish to instil into the breasts of their sub- jects, such a fear as this ? except such monsters in human shape, as a Tiberius or a Caligula, who could willingly be content to be hated, so long as they were feared. But, the fear, here recommend- ed, is a filial sense of love and duty ; which will lead us to show our reverence to the king, by a strict obedience to his laws, and by a just respect to his person and government. In one word, it is what the4ipostle Peter means, when he commands us " to fear God, and honor the king." Having thus cleared the words of the text, from those in- convenient consequences, which would follow ifrom too strict and rigorous an interpretation of them ; I shall proceed to lay before you. 1st Why we should fear God ; , *• : Jj^ -Sd The duty bf honouring the King; and -" '^^ - 3d The danger of meddling with such as are given to change. ^i>r/-3j,^f^ ' I am then 1st to inquire v/liy we should fear God : Before however I proceed to this part of my subject, it may be necessary to remark, that it is common in scripture to describe religion in ge-* neral by some particular leading branch of it^ The fear of God is often made use of for this pur^ pose, as in that passage, " There shall be no want to them that fetir Iiim." It may, therefore, sig- nify those, who have a sincere and unfeigned re« gard to the conunandments of God, and have chosen him as their portion and hope ; those, who desire and deserve to be distinguished from the ■rf' profkne dcspiser, the secure formalist, or the dis« guised hypocrite ? Those in a word, who axe, and who desire to appear, to us in the strong lai^« gu'age of scripture, •* upon the Lord's side ** in every stniggle, and who resolve, with Joshua, tha,t whatever others do, for their part they will serve the Lord. But I cannot help thinking, ye m^ also with great safety explain the words in a closer and stricter sense ; and suppose, that, by fearinj^ God, is to be understood a due reverence fpr h^s infinite majesty, 9. humble veneration for his sa- cred authority. This is a most excellent ^ence or giiai'd to^the conscience in an evil time^ and a np- ble preservative from the spreading infection and insinuating poison of prevailing or fashionable sins. It is the usual character of a dissolute age to have cast off fear, to treat the most sacred things with scorn, and to look upon that holy so- licitude to avoid sin, which appears in the carri- age and language of a child of God, as a mark of meaness or weakness of mind, in such an age, o^ie who fears God is well described by the Prophet Isaiah, <* But to this man will I look, even to him. that is poor and pf a contrite spivitnandtrembletK at my word." • , •' It is now my bu,^ness, under tliis head to men^ tion some of the many reasons, wliy we should be particularly attentive to this duty ; and let it suf- fice, briefly, to touch upon the four following at present. 1st It is an excellent guard against the com- mission of sin, that sin which constitutes our depra- vity, and which is the fruitful source of all our mise ry. This apptars, at first sight, from what has been said of its nature. Can the man knowingly and deliberately sin agairjst God, who has a suitable sense of his being, his perfections, his character^ ^:1k^'X I •■;'.' r ••••# ftnd hia govdrhmeyit upon his spirit ? No» the very idea of his being under the immediate' eye of that God, who is a solemn witness to all his transac- tions ^ a holy and a just God, to whom he must shortly give an account of all the deeds done in the body i would check his career and deter him from sin. Think you, my brethren, that the de- bauchee who gives himself up to idleness and pro- fane company ; who wastes whole days, and it may be nights, in the tavern, at the gaming table, or in places of a still more infamous character, that he can have the fear of God before his eyes ? Verily no, it is because he is destitute of this prin- ciple, that the sinner restrains prayer before God 5 that he dares to take his sacred name, in a profane manner, in his unhallowed lips ; that he dares to get drunk ; commit uncleanness ; lie ; profane the sabbath of the Lord ; steal ; or otherwise defraud his neighbour^ The fear of the Lord would ef- fectually engage him to forsake these and all other vicious courses. It would strip temptation of its charms and disarm it of its forces. Hence the fear of the Lord, and departing irom evil, are used as phrases of the same import* '* Behold the fear of the: Lotd, that is wisdom, and to de- part from evil is understanding*" And we read, " the fear of the Lord is to hate evil," and, "by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil." This is the sense, ia which the fear of the Lord is clear, enduring forever* It not only deters us from sin, and guards us against it ; but, as has been ah'eady suggested, it excites and stimulates us to study a thorough conformity in heart to the approving will of God. Hence the apostle ex- horts us, ** to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit^ perfecting holiness in the fear ef the Lord." ■ J*, ^^V' 2 J. It greatly assists us in the right perform- ance of duty. I mean here the dutiies we owe more immediately to the most high God. These, ray- brethren, are numerous and important. ITiey are secret, private and public. They are to be performed in the closet, the family, and the sanc- tuary ; nor is it possible for us to be tjie true dis-' ciples of Christj without a conscientious attend- " ance upon themr And you wiil further please to observe, God justly requires they should be per- formed in a humble and devout, a spiritual and sincere manner. This our Lord teaches us with great care : " God is a spirit, and they that wo^i Slip him, must worship him in spirit, and in** tiTith." But to all this, the fear of the Lord, as dready described, greatly contributes. For in proportion as this fear or reverence towards God prevails in us, will the heart be fixed upon him, the glorious object of our worship, in every duty. In proportion hereto, we shall be guarded against those vain and wandering thoughts that eat out the very soul of our duties, and degrade them in- to empty formality. God requires, with great so- lemnity,. " my son, give me thine heart." A pre- cept that particularly binds us in this case of du- ty 5 for our God looketh at the heart principally in* all our approaches to him ; and indeed he has a special respect to it in ail our conduct. Again, it greatly tends to invigorate the graces of the spirit in the soul, and to call them forth into live- ly exercise. The more this fear of God governs the man, the more active and vigorous will his graces be. For the same views of the perfec- tions, character and christofGod, that are the source of the one, vill promote the other. Our time does ri. A admit of shewing you here how tUi& is effected. It must suffice at present to ob- tri.. . ', > w ■\>A 9 ^ we nc^ lis-" to ler- md ^j|Wt, c seive, thdt so it is ; and yeu will ettsily pereeive how a spirit of devotion is Iiereby promoted. For the proper exercise of faith, hope, and love to God, and delight in him in duty, is that in which the spirit consists. But the more this is in exer- cise, the more easy, delightful and spiritual wiU our duties be. ■; :^?r.,:.i.s$ii\^-^..;^w' '■.'•■■ '' :: ;■.-.,. " 3d. This fear of God, excites us to the import- ant duty of w:atchfulnes9, and greatly assists there- in. There is no duty of the christian life more frequently and 3tronglv*d»ijoined in the sacred ora- cles than this. You htdx oiuj Lord say, " watch f and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.** And again j ** and what I say unto you, I say unto ail, watch.*' T(J this purpose are the words of the Apostle. ** Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Continue in prayers, and watch in the same with thanks- giving/* To which accords his exhortation to Timothy : " But watch thou in aQ things." And did our time admit of considering here the many snares to which God's own people are exposed in this life \ snares that arise from the temptation of Satan, the allurements of the world, and the depraved tempers and passions of the human heart, you would easily perceive the utility, im- portance and necessity of this duty* There are none of all the duties of the christian life, that have a more immediate and powerful influence on the peace of our own minds, or our conformity to God. It must therefore be a singular favour to be properly excited to it, and assisted in the exercise of it. But this is the office of that fear of God which our text enjoins, as appears from what has been said of its nature. For the man who fears God in the manner explained, will not only watch against-every kind of sin, Ijiit alap < •«. I u^ V I ' 1 . t 10 those circumstances of temptation that lead to it. 4th. God recommends this duty to our study and practice, by his divine authority. This he does by the high encomiums he bestows on it, and that with this express view. It is wicdom, it is understanding. Thus in Job : " Beheld the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding." And in Proverbs : «» the fear of the I ord is the beginning of know- ledge ;*' or as the Hebrew word will well admit of being rendered, it is the principal, or grand constituent part of ;true knowledge. And again, «* the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom ; and the knowledge of the holy, is understanding." The fear of the Lord is strong confidence ; and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.*' Add to all this, the duty before us is matter df express command, as in our text, fear God. Secondly, after this necessary fear of God, the wise Author of my text recommends the duty of fearing, or honouring the King. And for the performance of this duty, howe- ver little, at present, regarded, among the numer- ous demagogues, who are daily starting out of the prolific soil of faction, many and cogent rea- sons may h^ assignec\ 1st. Kings aie God's deputies,, or vicegerents, here upon earth. They derive their power from him, and are the instruments, which his providence has made choice of, to govern and protect the world in peace and quietness. And this was not only clearly allowed by Christ and his Apostles, in their doctrines, but was also fully confirmed by their own practice and demeanc^-n Thus, when 11 #M##* lead to study lis he on it, om, it d the depart erbs : know- admit grand again, isdorn ; ding." and The depart iSy the nd, as )d, the duty of howe- iiiiner- 5Ut of It rea- erents, from idence zt tlie as not ostles, led by when the tribute money was brought to our Saviour; let the rights of Caesar be what they would, he. clearly determines that it is a duty to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar*s. Nor is there a single word in the writings of the Apostles, which tends either to the questioning, or limita- tion of the powers in being, for sunk and debased as those powers were, the disciples of Christ con» sidcred them as ordained of God ; and therefore, in all tilings lawful and honest, shewed a ready and willing obedience to them, without pretend.- jng to dispute, controul, or subvert their authori- ty. And in their doctrines, instead of investiga- ting the origin of goveinment, or defining the prerogative of princes, or stating the pretended unalienable rights of individuals j the novel lan- guage of modern days, they exhort men in the strongest terms, to obey such as have the rule over them ; " to submit to every ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake : to priy for Kings, and all that are in authority.*' And both the Apos- tles, Peter and Paul, threaten such ^s despise dor minion, and speak evil of dignities, with some heavy judgement, which our translators render by the severe word damnation. And indeed the very heathens themselves, so clearly saw the ne- cessity of supporting the dignity of imperial cha- racters, that we find tke Romans constantly stiling their magistrates sacred ; that so having as it were, the name and character of God upon them, the people might reverence their persons, and venerate their office. Nor was this wise and sa- lutary idea removed, till the violence of tribunicial phrenzy levelled all distinctions, and converted the mildness of a dutiful and submissive people, into the savage fury of a wild and ungovernable monster. ^ ., 1« #*### m- ' lili I! iiv V •:".,! II ?d% We «ire bound by every principle of grat^ tude, to honour Kings, both on account of the troubles they undergo in the necessary adminis- tration of government, and also in respect of the benefits accming to us from their care and attend tion. There are I believe, few crowns, which are not, like that of our great master, plated with throns : I mean that every prince who pays a due regard to the duties of his station, is in a state of continual anxiety. The re^^-ess of growing grie- vances must spring from hiai patertial foresight and affection. The mistakes or miscarriages of his ministers, wound his reputation, and what is still more aggravating, the wisdom c£ th€ prince is too often unjustly traduced for the people's folly, "Which will not suffer him to pursue the necessary measures for the surport of his dignity, and the safety of his kingdom, so that what the Roman an- nalist said of war, may not unfitly be applied to government. " This is the hard and unjust condi- tion of war ; every one lays claim to a 3hare of its prosperous events : its miscarriages are imputed to one alone.** Again, the height of a prince's situa- tion sets him above all thie dearest pleasures of socie- ty and friendship and in their place substitutes all the forms and impertinence of ceremonial restraint: he cati neither sit down without care, nor walk a- broad without trouble : so that he is certainly less to be enviedfor the pageantry which accompanie^him, than to be pitied for the hardships it brings with it. And, therefore, if Kings, for the sake of public ad- vantage, and the seciuity of individuals, will subject themselves to these inconveniences, it is certainly the duty of subjects, in return, to pay every rea- sonable acknowledgement of gratitude, and res- pect towards them. And this first, by reverencing thoir persor^^ and government, i^ has been tea i ^ grat^ If the inis. i'the latten* h are with a due late of grie- it and of his is still is too folly, essary id the Id rftuch the fKshton of the present times to rail al superiors and to speak evil of such things as we, do riot understand, and which in fact do not be-* long to us if we did. But men would do well to^ remember that tho' this may for a time, answer the purposes of party, by distressing those to whom the public welfare is intrusted, yet it is ever atr tended with the greatest danger to all, by obliter^ ating those ideas of subordination from the minds . of the populace, without which no society caix long subsist. For it should always be remembered, that the madness of the people, when once excited, becomes like the raging of the waves, fierce and uncontroiable, and has not imfrequently, over» whelmed those veiy persons, who have been the most forward in exciting it. However, therefore, we may differ in opinion from those who govern, we ought to be extremely cautious of expressing- ^ny disrespect for their persons, or of weakening, the operations of theii' government, by an incauti- ous or intemperate censure of its measures. od. We ought to shew our respect to the King by a ready obedience to his laws. To obey, we are told in holy writ, is better than sacrifice, and to harken, than the fat of rams. And if this be the care even of King's themselves, in relation to G(k1, who in tliat respect are no other than sub- jeotr^ to the Ki^g of Kings, it cannot be otherwise With ns \vho are their subjects. And whatever lueii niii^- pretend under the specious names of pa- triotism or public good, it is as great a solecism in politics for a niaii to call himself a good subject, who lives in contempt and defiance of the laws of his country, as it is in religion, for a man to caU himself a g^od christian, who lives in direct con« trudiction to the laws of God. Such a mask is too tiiin to deceive anv but tlie cre4.ulowa and wnthink* , * pi '111 I'U 14 ing vulgar, and will never impose on those wlio in political as well as religious matters, think it the wisest and safest way not to give credit to every pretender to superior excellence, on his own word, put rather to judge of the tree by its fiiiits, ■ Lastly, we ought to shew our respect to the King but not meddling with those who are given to change. The necessary qualifications which some politicians have required in a leader of taction, are much eloquence and little understanding : much eloquence to persuade and mislead others, but not understanding enough to foresee the dangers aris^ ing from his own conduct, lest he should be discour, aged from his ruinous enterprizes. And men of tiiese qualifications are to be found in every state, who under pretence of redressing imaghiary grie^ vances, or of retbrming abuses, which never exist- ed, are ever ready to turn the world upside down. But before men give way to their insidious har- angues, they would do well to consider, what the experience of all ages will teach them, that ; how- ever spicious the pretences of such demagogues may be, self interest generally lie at the bottom of all they do, or say ; that, however some grievances piay and must exist, even in the best and wisest civil constitutions, yet that an imperfect adminis- tration is preferable to that anarchy and violence, which always follows the subversion of legal and settled government, and lastly, tiiat however tlie powers of government may change liands, yet that the people are seldom gainers by the change. And should any man doubt the truth of these positions, we need only refer him to the consider- ation of those unhappy times in Great Britain, when regal authority was abolished, and the pow- ers of government usurped by fa^ious disturbers or canting zealots j .or again, to those successive re- 11 11 ! 5'«i> \ Ihe r to 1.5 r volutions ih the Roman state, by which the gev- eraing powers were transferred, in turns, to Kings, consuls, tribunes, triumverates, decemvir rates, and emperors, and in each of which the people, ever shifting, ever restless, gained only an accumulated load of misery and oppression. If indeed our constitutional liberties were taken from us, if we were forcibly desseized of our property, if the laws were trampled under foot, and the iron hand of power, or the wide stretched grasp of prerogative, were ready to snatch away our sacred claims or chartered rights, we might then justly complain, and think it time to look for expedients find defenders. But the reverse of all these things is true j and for a striking proof of this, I need only appeal singly to the impartiality with which justice is administered to all ranks of peo- ple, by men of learning and talen' s, and now hap- pily independent of the will of the crown j to con* vince every reasonable man that he is a free mem- ber of the most mild, wise, and equitable govern- ment in the world, which tlierefore it is his inter- est as well as his duty to support by every m^k of cheerful obedience in himself, and by discourag- ing every factious innovation in others. Let therefore, past experience teach us wisdom ; and whilst We set every man under his own vine, and under his own fig tree, let us fear God, and honour the King. Let us study to be great, without pre- tending to interfere in things which no way be- long to us,, and without meddling with those that •are given to change. We are assembled here this day, to return our thanks to the Almighty God, for the many unmer- ited acts of kindness which he hath shewed unto us. By the Providence of God, we have been delivered in several instances from our enemies. \ «• 16 'Si lii \'r * r II 111 « « * « # All their schemes for our subjugation, hav6 as yet proved abortive. Let us then be thankful, and acknowledge the Providence of God, whicii watch- es over the fate of nations, and which has preserv- ed this Province in the most perilous and critical circumstances. Does not this then aiibrd some ground to hope, that if we by the grace of God, endeavour to render ourselves worthy of tlie divine protectionj it will be once more extended to us, and that by a speedy and eiiectuid reformation of our hearts and lives, we may remove or lighten those heavy judgements, which our iniquities have now most justly drawn down upon us. What may be in the councils of, the Most High ; what mighty changes he may be now meditating in the system of human affairsj he alone can telL But in the midst of tliis awfr.l suspeiicej while the fate of empires hangs trembling on his resolves, of one thing at least we are absolutely certain j that it is better to have him for our friend than our en- emy. If by our infidelityj our impiety, our liber- tinism, our disregard to the Lord*s day, our inat- tention to family worship, and neglect of secret , prayers, our ill timed gaiety, and wanton profuse- ness in the very face of pubUc distress, we auda- ciously insult his admonitioLs* and brave his ut- most vengeance ; what else can we expect, but that every thing which ought naturally to be the tneans of our stability, will be converted into in- struments of our destruction ? But if on the con- trary, by reverencing the judgements gf God, and retuqiing to that allegiance which we owe him, we again put ourselves under his protection, he may still as he has often done, dispel the clouds that hang over us : or if for wise reasons, he suf- fer them to gather and darken upon us, he may make ©N^en t£is, ia the fiual result, conduce to oiir 17 **#*• tetil welfare. Let, then, all tlie wise and the good in every party i^z^d denomination of men among us (for they are in every one to be found) stand forth in the present exigency as one man, to assist and befriend their country, and as the Roman trium* vers, gav6 u^ each his friend for the destruction tf the state, let every one now give up his favou- rite prejudices, systems, interests^ resentments, and- connections for the preservation of it, Our safety cometh from the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth* If he be for us we need not apprehend what man can do, if he go not forth With the host against our enemies, the arm of our countrymen will be powerless in battle and their hearts will fail them for fedr. "^. Girding oh our harness in humble hope of di- vine aid, and displaying our banners in the name of the Lord, let the means h^ hath put into our bands be vigorously exerted. As we are now ad- dressing you who have the prdspect of being call- ed xo the high places of the field, we would bor- row the exhortation of Nehemiah in similar cir- cumstances : ** Be not afraid of them, remember the Lord, wlio is great and terrible, and figlit for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses." Never a General at the head of an army, and on the eve of engagement, made a more impres- sive speech. It comprises every thing. Mehe- miah knew the way to the heart. The consider* ations which he s.iggeSts, would inspire cowardice with valour. Brother is an endearing name. In the hour of common danger, all its tenderness is felt, and to sacrifice life ia a brother's defence is at once the impulse of nature, and the precept of the Bible. But " your sons and your daughters, your trives and your houses," shall C the iiilier^ lilt;;! \w 1:1 IWYi'i a If • «#«• targes of thy father, or the hard earned fruit of thine honest labour, become a robber's booty, ancl shall the babe that no^v smiles in thy face, an4 calls thee father, spill his blood on a murderer,8 aword ? Shall she whom thou hast pledged thine bath to cherish, and defend become a ruffians prey ? To him who unaffe .ed by ponsidera- lions like these, shrinks from danger, we wish no worse, than that he may live to witness his own dishonour, and find at {ast a coward's grave. But above all, let your courage be founded on religion. " Remember the Lord who is great and terrible." Courage separated from piety is tiot coiu-age but madness. It may be directed by providence to promote the cause in which it is e::erted ; but should the vrarrior fall, w^e tremble at his fate. Were wc to describe the complete hero, we would give him not ouiy that patriotism and that imperious sense of duty before which danger vanishes, but that reverential fear of his God, which excludes from the heart every other fear, — that testimony of a good conscience, which strips death of his terrors, — that faith which looks to a brighter recompence than sovereigns can be- stow. Such a warrior might full, but he woul^^ fall in glory ; and were the drops of heaven the ,only tears that bedewed his head, his immortal spirit is safe with his redeemer in paradise. We are anxious my brethren for yonr honour as sol- diers, but allow us to be equally concerned for your salvation as men. Be ye reconciled to^od, then inarch as native valour prompts you to the can- nons mouth, or enter first the deadly breach, yoii are independent of every event that can befd you. But all are not soldiers ; we trust were it neces- sary, the greatest number would have the will, sjnd should such a necessity occur our exhortaticA ■^- 1& would be, — ** let him who - hath no swori sett hi* garment, and buy one." With respect to those who discover a backwardness to defend thelt country by every means in their power, when sh^ is in danger, I would say, ** they have not th^ fear pf God before their eyes," With regard to such i may well apply these words. ; ** cui'S^ yt Meroz, said the Angel of the Lord, curse ye bit- terly the inhabitants thereof, because they come not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." But though not call% ed to gird on our haiiiess, and aid our country in " the field, still each can contribute hjs share in her- defence. Our iniquity as a Province is great, and as we have m9re to fear from the displeasure of heaven, than from any eairthly foe. While we humble ourselves in the sight of Qod, and peni- tently confess our guilt, let each of us exert his endeavours to put a stop to its progress, and, as the most effectual mode of procedure, let reforma- tion begin at home. Let every man know the plague of his own heart, lay aside the sin that most easily besets him, and ease the public burden by repentance for his personal ofiences. Let u^' rend our hearts and not our garments* nor im£fc?^- * ' gine that while we hang down our heads like a^ buUrush and assume the external appearance of humiliation, that this is pleasing to God, Let us remember that he looketh upon the heart. Let us hear and obey his voice, saying " wash ye, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do evil, learn to do well." Misjudgements are abroad in the earth, let them teach us righteousness, and when the host is going forth against our enemies, let us keep oiuselves from every wicked thing. Then shall the blessing of heaven descend upon tlic dclibera- -ps^ ri !J M 's ^ ^ i^diiui dfinose who sit in council, and upon the eki ertions of those who turn the battle to the gate. > ' Then shall they who are girding on this harness in the best bf« causes, put it oi}' with honour, having «66uved the peace, the independence, the glory of their country. May God grant it, for Christ'? lake! Aitien« ■ ' .^^iv . >-i J. ....-.:,■: . • , :■-. ■ '.^ ■■■:; .'^>'..- ^ ■♦ ■ ' -■ <^ .V ;..■.'•'■' ■ ' ''\ , ' . '. '.-* y ■■-' ^ '■ ., ^ ••--■;-■ ~ "• - - — - ^ > - «• .' ,' ^ ',, 'j>t- ■>■ >fJC;:-. A ivmg fry of irist*? 4- > • # ^iiii ■ij^j--