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' : it ^ " >^^* ?5 -*- ^ i * A I> V K K J' I S K M E N T, In coiii|»liaiu.'e vvitli ihv. voA\\n:si of scvciiil pniicipul persons wlio lieanl (lie foJIowing discourse; (leliv('r(j(l,tjie author has hcen induced to prepare, it lor the press, — hoping that the perusal of it may. in the present cir- cinnstances of the Province, he hoth int(?resti]i^^ and userul; especially as he is not aware thai any tliijig of the kind has appearcnl helore the Canadian pnhlic. and as the doctrine oi' civil gotcrnment — including its origin and obj<'cts. the mutual rights and duties of rulers and subjects — is, he helievos, viewed in the simple light of Sci-ijiture and Reason, as also the crimes involved in the late conspiracy and the hand of God in our deliverance. The Author has, as far as the linnits of an ordinary Discourse would permit, availed himself of the authorities of those Names whose praise is in all lands, and whose reasonings on this, as Oil other branches of Moral Science, are as rational and Scriptural as they are perspicuous and beautiful. Kingston, January 8, 1938. ■ •^' # Is ■I €■ i> I s c () i; H s i:. '• They shall wisely consider of his doing." Psalm Ixlv. 9. At the opening of this Psnlin, the inspirci! King of Israel iinplon^s tlio l)ivinc protectiiin agaif.isi an enemy vvlio hail jilotU-il tlie ileBtmcUoii of bis life and tlu; MihversioM of liis llirone. In the 2u(l, hrl, kh, CHh and 6th verses, he describes tlie characiter and conduct of iht,' parties to this conspiracy. In the 2n(l verse, he characterises them as " mrked,''^ as '• workers of iniquity ;" — men who, whatever inight !)« their outwanl profession, were in reality void of all relii^ious ])niiciple, and even made " Initiuity ' their occupation fir trade — were '' workers^'' of it. H<> speaks, in d\c same verne, of tiieir " secret counsel,-^ cind '' inanrrection.^' In their " secret counsel," tliey formed the conspiracy a^rainst the King's life anss. " So they shall make iheir own tong^ic to fall upon themselves^ — It is also intimated that many kindred spirits, who were privy to the plot, but who were not wounded or taken in it, perceiving the Janger and ruin of their compatriots in guilt, would elude the. impending evil, either by secreting then\sclves, or by mingling with other classes of the comravmity, or by escaping from the country altogether. " All that see them shall flee awayj" How far this Psalm, iVom the 2nd to the 8th verse inclutdve, presents a true portrait of recent events in these Provinces, I leave to yotu* good sense and intelligence to determine. In the two lust (flth and 10th) verses of the Psahn, we are reminded of tlie effect whicii a review of such events ought to have on every observer, especially every true Christian. ^^ And all men shall fear' — shall recoil from following so wicked an example, and dread tlie frowns of the Divine displeasure ; "^ and shall declare the work of Gud^^ — shall acknowledge, on the ojykf' TIU: I.ATK CONSPIHACY. S hanil, his potKliiess in tlu* ilcliverancc, and his judgment dii ihc other ; "/o/- l/iry hdU v'is'.li/ con'u'drr t.f his dolno;. I'/ie righUous shall Of if/ad in ihr Lords ond shall tinst in him ; and all the vpriirht in heart shall gloi}!.'''' Let. us, my FneiulH, on the jtresent oeeaHioii, wisely eonsidcr of GcmI's (h)ing, in thi' insiiinlum of >ivil irovcimiunl ilstif, hi^vthcr with th/' duties which it inrohe.s ; and Ihc prucidtnlial pnscriudiun oj (hat wuUr which ve hair the happinens to live from a formidable and wicked conajriranj. \. A brief reffrrncc. to the Divine visdom and isondncsa in the institulioii of civil government, and the. duties which il involves.* The Irgitiinatoend ofcivil jrovernineat is the preservation and advance- ment of men's eivil interests, iuid the hctter security tif their lives, liherties, nnd pr()j>eily. Without eivil j^oviTimient of some kind, there would he no secuiity ;';^;unst nuitual invasions and injuries; every man mi'jht act as his inten^st or his passions at tlie moment led iiim, and iu> man's property or life would be secure for half an hour ; the posses- sions, liberties and lives of the weak, vv.»uld be at the disposal of the strong; disorder, confusion, misehief'^, mur«lei"s, and feu thousand miseries would overspread th" t^arth, and the human raf-e wouKI hooii bci:onie extinct. So obvious is the necessity ofcivil t'overnment. that we read of no age in which it did not exist. I believe it is cocvul with the * Thfi vipws maiiitaiiiPi! in fhr fol'owinsj pngea arp ilio anine that Uic niithor ( xplaiiied anrt ailvncatnd in two pssays wliicli Iv piiblishpn in IKU anil 1m.'IJ. Tlie one wa* pniitled " Ote rUuncf to Civil Gnvemmf.nt and Vrayer for thnnf: in JhUhoritii," and ptihlidlii;d In tin; Christian Ouarilian, Oct. H, IKU. Tliu iilllPi was Headed,--'- Hoik far dnrs it consist with Christian Submisiioii to rndeavour to remedy the evils of a (i'lvrrnment?" publiMtiRd in llie Gunrdiitn, January IH, IfiS'J. Thcsn essays were also ivrittpn nt u time wlipn tliP autlior li If it )iis duty to oppose tliP ti.cix existing iidminiatiaflon in its avownd deterininniioii id maintain the pxcIuhivp HyHtPm in respect to ilio Clerpy Renervcs, (or which li<> received no very mild treatment from many who now advocate, as ho did 'hpii, an ptiniiable mljuftincnt of that (picfitlon. Uiu vlpwa •.vere also, responded to, at that time, by many who have since hoen iinconHcinufily |p(l on from one step to another, unlU they now find themselves involved in the sjnilt and misery of deteclod conRpiracy and defeated rebellion. What were the fci'linj!s oi the amhor at that time, and what the views inculcated by him and liis frii'iids on the pulilic mind in respect to the supreme govern- nicn: of the country, may be inferred from the following patai/raph, which \vas the conclusion of the first of the above mentioned essays;— " Bcsiides the above motives to the dlscharRo of this duty, perhaps few Christians on tjia face of the globe have as strong inducements of another kind, a.< those who.se lot is < ist in the territo rif-8 of the liriti-ih Kmpirc. Blest with a Sovereiiin whose warmest desires and eirorts rentre in the comfort and happiness of his people — favoured w ith Counsellors around the Throne who honestly nnd diligently seek the weal of the nation— protected by a form of Gnvernmcnt which 4inite8 freedom with energy and respectability, and, though unpretending in all Its detaiU to absolute perfection, yet ' With laws and liberties that rise, Man's noblest works beneath the skies'— •we cao wllh a willjiiR mind and a fervent spirit pray for our distinguished of nations— • O may thy wealth nnd power increase; O may thy people dwell in peace ! Oh thee the Almighty's glory rest, A»^ » ' And all the world in thee be blest." " ' ' ♦ CIVIL government: * human ra<;i;. The aMHUuipliiui ilmt wliui i.- cniloil ii "HU\ti.' «>(' iiatiiio" over flitl cxint iit tlio early iigcB of iho vv( rlil, npiaMi-H to Ik; fotnMU'd mt^ri'ly upon conjocluir, nml is, I think, virtually contruiliritMl hy the iMosaic records ihcniselvrs. The .origin of civil |.';ovcrniucnl is, I thiniv, as follows: "At the iK'jriuninj;, there wore only the ciiildri'n of one man, livinjj, under tlm care (»t' their flither. These di><|)ersed, and liecanie hcailrj of their own ffiinilies rc^pec lively ; or many f'unilies luighl agree to live under one chiet*, or niake up little poveriuncnts of trilws and clans. Theji tlisp\itcs arose, till one stronger than the rest Buhdued them, and forced them to unite uuiler liiin. Thus nrot>e the large gov- crruiients, which likevvisti contended with each otlier, till at len^'th one of them swallowed up the oilier, and l)ccamc almost univerwil, giving place itself after a time t(» a superior |»ower. fn this way succeeded each other, the em[iiros of the Assyrians, i'ers.ans, (^reciaiiH, and Romans;; out of which last, when oserthrown and broken to pieces, spring the empires and kingdoms at this day subsisting in the world." T{y the Apostle PnnI, civil government is said to be "ordained of (iod ;"' by ihi" Apostle IMit, it is cjdied an " f/rJinance of man.'''' In modern language, these ajiparently paradoxical pro{)osilions may l»e expressed thus : " Civil authority or power emanates from God ;" " (^ivil authority or power emanates from the people." Now how contradictory soever ihet^e propositions may ap[)car, and however dilfcrenl the objects ' for which tlicy are avowed and inculcated, riglitly understood, they are both as fully recognized in Gres't Britain as in America ; and may both be held and nuiintained with e(nial i-incerity and truth by a subject of u Monarchy and a citizen of a Republic. The insiliuliono^ cW\\ government is of Divine appointment; and therefore in this sense civil authority or power emanates from Goil ; or in the languoge of St. Paul, is " ordained of GodP * But tlie form ♦ " Tho Ipftilini} ilocirinf! of Scripture is, that Ou'vernmcnt ix an ordiimncc of Gcxf. It wa» ninnirpstK his will timt men slmulJ live in Kiirioty ; ihisrHiiiint hedoulitcd. Tlte very l;iws ho ha» piven to men preKcnbing their rclniive duties, nsHumu the prnnniieiit eilstence of uncial rela tioiis, and therefore place ihcni under regulation. Vtnwx this fact the Oivine appointmrnt of govrninent flows aa a newpKnry ennsmjueiice. A snciety cnnnol exist wittioiit laws; and it tiiercfuie foIlnvv!< thatHncli lawB must be upheld by enforcement. Hence an ti.ecu.live power in some form mutt arise, to uuard, to jnd((e, to reward, lo punish. For if there were no executorn of laws, the lawH would heiume it dead letter, which would be the same thin); n« liaving no law at all ; and wliere there are nn lawBili«>re ran he noiiocieiy. But we are not \c\\ lo infer- ence, la the lirHi ages of the world, iL''>verniMeiii was paiernul. tlie" power of government w«8 vested in parents, by the express appointment of God. Among the Jews, rulers, judgen, king*, were also appointed hy (nid himself; and as lor all other nntiona, liie New Testament expressly declares, thai " the powers wliitli be are ordained ot Ood." The origin of power is not, there- fore, from man, hut irom iSod. U is not left as n matter of choice to men, whether they will submit to be governed or not; it is Ood's appointment that liiey should be tubject to those powerei whom he, in tlie uovernment of the world, has placed over them, in all thinn for which lie ha' iistitiiird government, that is, that it should be " a terror to evil doers, and a pralM to them » ^<^•n(^', civil autliorily m pow.r msiy Im« sjiii! fo i'iiiaiifil«» lioiii ilic jx'oplo ; nr "m ilic lait|fii«j.^c <,r Si. IVior i.^ an *' ori/in'fiKc of /iitin.''^* In (in :it Hriluiii, MoiMircliy lian oxihlivl iVoiii »iino iniiuomorial, iit nroorilatu'*' with llir scntiincntH ami nrdi'iU wiHlu-H of tli« Nation. Ami ulifc tho ii.-hiiiut rromwpll nitrully «ucr«?c«U'»l U< subvert it, thy Nation noon IP-established i(. Alterwnnls the Biireession was rhai»{];eil, and the present Koyal Family wuh placed upon the Throne by the altuo«l unanirin)us voice of a irrntelul j.eople, and Htill contijiues to hvvay the sceptre of supreme power to the more iinaninioiiH Hafi8faclioji, and in the more unnniinons ami cordial afleelions of the people, than probably any elected Trebitlent of the present or any former age. Thin in civil goveninient, under ilill'erent fonns, botli " ordained of (Jod," ami an " ordinance of man." "All power (say.s a late pious nncends to man. Pontius Pilale, about to pawn si.'iitenre upon the itmoeent Jesus, t^vcii wth'ii ilipv ii.ivp the pmvi'r in •\i) yo, hy wliicli tin' tiiiprrrni' |)owor infly rentrndi evil, ■ind iiiC()tc(! truili. riiiliiciiui'iU'S!!, ;iiid |it;ii c Kvoiy Kiiprfiiic powir, wi; iliiMtTori t cuiclinli', W iiive»iU'd with full iiml iitiiilii'n.iUli: initlinrity liim<' are liMiiiiil, l>y lii.' iMiiitiiilMii i.C (;(i(l. rlii'i ii'iilly niiil ilumktiilly lo sulieiiii to bi; go govitriicd."— tfatfoii's Viculugicat In.^titHlis, \'n. 1 iii^ pntriiinliul or laiiiily unvpiiii.n itR ul llii' iuohI iiiu'icnt tiiiips, wtro Hdituled wpim naliirc; Imt when two or inni(, tiiiiiilii.'rt wcie .piincd uiidiT ■ iiw liemi, ciihor I'or iiiiitiinl doluiitr, or lor aKViCFi^loii, iln; (;iiv''iiim<'rii wiiHoiii! iiC cIioicp, or it rcHiiltrd rroMi n mitiiiiiNvion i-irt'Ctt'd ly roiupicRt, llerf^ in inRuy rnHos, a '■umjiaft iiii|{lit. iind In w)m« liistanri'H diil, i-iiinp in, tlioiiuh lilircrliij; tii principle from " ilio HorjHl coinpait" of tliport'l ii.al writers: .ind [lii obligatory by Cod upon v.yrry gnvoii'liin powor, and with ilie olillgaliniH af 'iii' Hiibject to be covornt'il by Juuiice in nier<'.\ , and to be controlled from liijiinnf.' oiIhts. Drpinlly dt-ar would be tlic rit;ht of tlio coitmiiMiily, litlici en mas.ie, or by tluir nniural lioiids or rcpicccniaiiveB, to nurpo ti|ton a body of laws, wblrli uhould be Ibc r4tiiiidln(,' and p!il'lihli<'d exiiresMidti o!' tlio will of tl'e BUpreinf pownr, that .WH from hcnc", iliat whilst lluru is an ordinalioii ot (Jod a:i to govnrniiirnt, prior to the i'Stab!i.>i>nient of all i;'>v<'rinni'nt^<, there is no ordination of n partlriilnr aiiin or men to govern, nor any inveHtmeiii ol' I'utuilieK wi'h licrediiary ntiht. There is no snrh onlinuiion in Scrlpuire, and we know that none takes place by parlicninr reveljition. (;o(i " fetteili up one, and piitteth down anotlier," in virtue of his dominion over all thincJ; but he doe!< thin throuijh mtin theniHulveH, hh his controlled and often iincoiiscioti.i intitriitneniK. IIi;nee by St. I'eter, in eerfect conttisiciicy with St. Paul, tlie existln^r (lo'.eriinieiin of the world nri! called " ordiiiunres of men." — ■'Submit to every ordinance of maw," or to every hiiinan cr'.'ation nrd rotmtitutinn, "fur the l..ord'i Bake, whether To the kins} a.'< ouptiiiio," &c. .\(,'aiii, as tlic wisdom to ijovcrn Witl:. absolute truth and justice. Is not to be presumed to dwell in one man, iiowever virtuous, so, in>thlB state of thiega- the better toseeiire a snlut.iry aiiniini'itration, there would he a riKht to maitH provision for this also, by Councils, Senates, I'arliaments, (.'ones, or similar institiitlon-i. Tested with •uitable powers, to forward, but not to obstruct, the exercise of good government.— And accordingly, we ron trace the rudimentM of the^e in-ititutions in the earliest statres of nioiit regular governments. These and similar nrrnn^'einents, are left to human care, prudence, and pairhitliiii ; and tliey nra In perfect accordance with (lie principles of sovereign right as laid down ji%6er>tur«."— ffat«<>ii'» Theological JnatiUlct, Vol. III. pp. 309-;!ll. '"• 1 CIVH. (JOVKHNMKN'I I was not making a due iiso ofliis power; but even then, that power was by the innocent Josu>'. recognised and allowed : ' Thou couldst have no j)owf'r at all aj^-Jiinst nie, except it were j^iven thee from aliove.' — Accor(!ii\{fly wy our A[»o.s1le wt^ are told, 'There is no power but of God: the jiowers that be— the powers subslstinif — are ordain';;d of God/ So far as relates to tlie difl'erent niodes by which, in dillerent t stitutions, ruler.s become invented with their power^ — so fur government ia, what St. Peter styles ii, ' an ordinance ( i n^.an,' re^nilated by human laws. — But when by rulers becoming so invested, iroverninent commences and is in force, it must be submitteti to ' for the liord's sake ;' not only ihrouj^h fear of i>unishnient, but because God who is the great king over all the earth has commantled us, for the peace of the world and the «;omfort of pociety, to con-'ider our governors as armed with Ids ;>uthority, and to l)e subject to them as to himself. Resistance to them will be accounted lis resistance to him.""* if Such being the design of civil government, and such its origin and the ground on which it rests, let xis next consider the interests and duties which arise out of its establislunent. It iias In'cn well remarked by Dr. Paley, that " the interest of the whole society is binding upon every part of it. No rule, short of this, wijl provide for the stability of the government, or for tlie peace and safety of social life."! The members nf every civil compac;! arc usually divided into two classes — -the rulers and r^ded. Both classes are, or ought to be, equally under the govertvment of law ; both are equally entitled to its protection ; and the law is equally the rule o(" the magistrate's administration and il\e subject's or citizen's obedient:e. Princes, governors, and magis- trates are bomid to extend e(^\l and impartial protection to the lives, liberties, and properties of their subjects and fellow-men. " In a gov- ernment (says President Davies) where wisdom sits -at the helm, and justice, tempered with clemency, holds the balance of retribution, literty and property are secured, — encroaching ambition is checked, — helpless innocence is protected, — and consetjuently peace and happiness diffuse their streams through the land. On the other hand, when the government is entrusted in the hands of tyranny, of luxury, or rashness, there is no security for property, liberty, or life."| If we take the higher ground of the Christian Scriptures, it is undoubtedly the duty of all rulers to maintain the dignity of their office, and render it " a inin- ♦ Bishop Home's Sermons, vol. ii. pp. 153, 154. t Moral and Political I'liilosopliy, cJiap. ili. } Works, Vol. I.,p. 2()l, . THE LATE CONSPIRACV. 7 ister of Goil Ibr {looil" to the c-oinmunity, by personal example as uoll as by official rvdi'lity. It has i)uk.'ed sonieliiucs hajipenctl, that the offi- cial acts of a nilcr liave presontinl a happy ooiitr:i«t to his jjiivale e\- ariii)lf; Imt, at liCHt, a Sal)l)ath-breal\iiile of the ruler, like the impulse of a stone on the yielding surface of a lake, dilfuscs its iniluence around, in concentric and gradually- enlarging circles, to an ;.\tcnl the eye can neither trace nor limit. Reason tea'ilies that a man who vvouUl goNcrn others ought to govern himself. If a ruler's own example leach rebellion against the laws of God, how can he expect obeilience from others to the hiws of rnjMi l His own example becomes a {)assport to the lawless and ilisol)edient. Truly is it therefore observed, in the Homily of ihe Church of England against wilful lebellion — •' In GoiVs Word rulers must leorn how to obey G(hI and govern men : f in God's Word subjects nuir-t learn both obedience to God and their rulers^" * "In mngistrntes (Iriiiikcniif^n cansctli rnitlty insunil nCjiisiicp, ns thai wise philivoplict r'lato pcrceiveil ri^Ul well, vvliCU lie aftiiim.il lli.'it a ilruiikiii iiihii liatli ii tyraliunus li(;nil, and will rule at Ills plifitiijro, coutrarj' to riahl and rt'asnii. And n rialiily drdiikt.'iiinTS inakolh nuii Ibrfii't both law mid Ofiiiitv, wliicti caused King Soluii.rn sd siriclly to cliaui! that no wint; tOioiild l)i; filvtii unto riihiis, l(>st pciadvanliiri,- by drinkiiiji llicy l'or(:('l what the law aiijiouitinti them, and so ohango thi; jiidsinont oC all tliiMriiildion ni ilu p.jor. Tli'.'nifoio, ainonu all Forts of inuii, uxci'ssivc: drinkini; iii iMo-/ mid I'lruiiliinacss. t"The duties of the ».>v('rei;!n powi, wlnitevor its form may br, ure, Mic cnnctnietit or just and eipial laws; the impartial oxcciition of those hw.a in iniioy: tlio (.'ncourageinoni of religion, morality, learning, and iintiistry ; the protection i:nd .suritetianix- of the poor and helpUws ; llie maintenance of admitted to have the obligatory powiM- of laws. Reason inculcates this duty as the result of his own positive engagement ; and her dictates are expressly sup- ported and strengthened by Christianity. " The Christian Scriptures do not enjoin their followers to adopt any particular form of Government in preference to another : they do not professedly define what circumstances constitute any one a lawful (Jovcmor, nor to what extent a lawful Governor has a right to require* * Iloiui'y uu OuiHiivuce. THE L\TE CONSPIUACV. the obedience of his 8iil)jecls. Thc^e were points riltoj^other foreign to Ihi! vievvd an < ohjecls ol" tlie Kacied writers, who leave Ihetn to he (lecideil — the llrat by the voUintary choice of diflerenl nations ; the second ])y the rules of natural justice ; the last by the general principles of n)orality and tlie laws of each j)articular state. * E it in every country, as soon as those fundamental point:^ are adjusted, "'hristianity interposes her sanctions, and pronounces it to be the duty of ever)' man to obey the lawful commands, and to respect the persons, and pray for the welfare, of the magistrates of the community to which lie belongs. ' Submit yourself for the Lord's sake,' sayeth St. Peter, ' to every ordinance of man' — (to every person whom men -have invested nitii any degree of lawful authority over you) — ' whedier it be to the King as supreme, or unto Governors,' (all subordinate IMagistnitcs) ' as unto them thai are sent by him for the punishment of evil dtxjrs, and the praise of them that do well.' 1 Pet. ii. 13. Those \\ho are thus ordained by men to execute the functions of Governors' are to be obej'ed ' for conscience sake ;' and therefoie are said by St. Paul to be ordmned of God. ' There is no power but of God ;' every form of la\\;ful government and magistracy is sanctioned by the Almighty: ' the powers that be are ordained of God;' even t!ie idolatrous and jjcrsecuting Roman power had authority from God to exact obedience from those to whom the Apostle wrote, because their several counti-ies had faithfully and repeatedly engaged to render it ; whence St. Paul infers, that ' whoever resisteth the power,' — whoever vvithlioKIs just obedience from his lawful rulers. — 'resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves condemnation.' " f I : I ; ' , " The principle to be collected from the texts above cited" (says Binhop Home) " is plainly this ; that the 'aw of God enjoins obedience to every government setded according to the constitution of the country in which it subsists ; and that, even though the governor should be elected by the people ; as in lesser matters, a man is free to choose that master into whose service he will en*er j but when he is once entered, the Scriptures press upon him from thenceforih the several duties which a servant owes to his master. The members, of a corporation choose one from among themselves for their annual Magi-:trate ; but when he IS chosen, they are bound to show him tlie respect and obedience whicli are due to his office, while he continues in it. Obedience, in short, is enjoined to the Civil Magistrate, under whatever form of goViirnment vve * Wat80»r« Institutes, Vol Id. p 311, t Gisborne'i Duties of Mew, Vol. I. jip 7G-fc'l ^?, i \ *f:J^ w^stoiovmMm -'fa'.TnnTiii'iartiiHfei r ■r icii'iiifiiMiiirv 10 CIVIL GOVERNMENT may 'inppeii to live ; nor Joes that obedience ex Iciul to the rclimiulsiiing Ihoac rights which the citizen may legally claim. St. Paul himself, at Philippi, ictuses to comply with the directions intimated by the Magis- trates, unless tlie Magistratej* them elves will malce hhn amends for the illegality of their proceedings in f.tmivhing him uncondenned j of the Centurion who wnn stanTliny; near, wlicn he way about to he Sfoiirp;ed, h? demanded the privilege due to a Roman citizen ; and when Festus proposed his trial to be held at JeruEalem, the Apostle boldly made hits apjjeal to Caesar, as every Roman citizen had a ri-jln to ; opinion Ih nut directed against the government, na such, however strict, proviiled it be just aiid iuiiianiat. C. That it is not pfimonal againsi the sup erne niagiKtraie hiinHelf, or bts delegated uutboriiiuR, bin relates to public acts only. 3. That it sprir.sa r'U fioni mere theoretical prefenMu-.e oi' some new form of govcru- roent to that actually exiatiiig, so that it hw/t in it nothing piaetical. 4. 1'liai it proceeds not from a b ibty, prejudiced, or inaligtiani interpr/iatiou of the character, desicins, ami ncin of r Rovernm'ol. 5. That it is not factimiB; ihat is, not the result of att;ichn\eiif to parties, n>id of xeal to eh.cl mere parly objects, instend of the penetal good. 0. That it doea not respect ihe interests of a few oiny, or of a part of the Community, in the mere local interests of some places in opiwsition to the just in(er»j«t.-i of other places. Under such <>iiurds as these, the rcs()eclful, but firm expression of opinion, by i-peecii, writine, petition, or rcnionsirance, is nut only lawful, but Is often an imperative duty, a duty for which Iiarnids even must be run by those who endeavour to lead up public upon the funda- mental laws of a Stale, or any serious ii.>nladiniiiistration of its aifairs. The same conclusion may be tnaintained under similar reserves, when the object is to improve a deficient and inade- quate Btate of the bupreme government n is indeed especially requisite here, that the case ■notild be a clear one , that it should be felt to lu so by the great iiiassof liiose who with any propriety can be called the public ; that ii should not be urged Ijr yond the necessity of the case; th..: the discussion of it should be ioiiiperate , that the change .should be directly connected with an obvious public good, not oiherwis«> tc be accomplished. When these circumstances meet, there is manifestly no oppos.itinn to (joveinrncni as an otdinanre of God ; noblanieablc resistance "to the {'owerstha! be," since it is only proposed to place them in circumstances the more efliictually to fulfil tl'.e duties of their office ; nothim; contrary, in fact, to the original compact, ihe object of which was the public benefit, by rendcrinp its government as etficieni lo promote the Rood of the State as possible, and w^jich therefore necessarily .supposed a liability lo future mclilitjitionB, when the fairly collected public sentiment, ihrougli the organs by which it usually cxpres*-w ittself as to the public weal, requited iV'~Thr.ologUal InstititUs, Vol. IH. pp. 311, 312. ■l^fefty *••».■" rnv i,ATr. «;oNS"iRAcr. U (•■'plod Cromwell — a Pivshyiiiiifui Dissenter, whose praise is, and has been forages, in nil the Churi;hes. I need s-carcely flay, 1 refer to the Rev. RicjrAXO IJaxtkr, hci;t aMowii as the irnn^ortal author of the Reformed Paslor, nnd Uic Si/infs Everlusiinir Rest. The following are a few of his advices, the corrertness and importance of which will more than justify niy inlrodiicing thorn ut aome length. 1. " Be^in with an absolute, v livenml, resolved obedieacr; to God, youf Cro!itor and Rt dceiner, who is your sovereign King and will be your fmal righteous Judge. As he who is no loyal subject to the King (;an never well obey his officers, so he that subjecteth not his soul to the original power of the Creator can never well obey the derivative power of earthly governors. Whatever Satan and his servants may say, and however some hypocrites may contradict in their practices the religion which they ])rofess, yet nothing is more certain, than that the moc^t serious, godly Christians are ilie best sul)ject3 upon earth, — as their principles themselves will demonstrate." 2. ^' Lot no vices of the person cause you to forget the dignity of his office. The authority of a sinful ruler is of God, and must accordingly be obeyed. Tiiose sins wliich will damn a man's soul, and deprive him of Heaven, will not depiive him of his kingdom or authority, nor dis- oblige the subjects from their obedience. An infuiel or an ungodly Christian (that is, a hypocrite,) is capable of being a ruler, as well as being a parent, husband, master ; and the Apostle hath taught all, as well as servartts, their duly to such. (1 Pel. ii. IS -21.) Thoxigh it be a rare mercy to have godly rulers, and a great judgment to have ungodly ones, it is such as must be borne." 3. " Do not either proclaim or aggravate the vices of your rulers to the' ' dishonour ; for this honour is necessary to the public good. If they have not care of their own honour, yet their subjects nuist have a care of it. If once they be dishonoured, they will the more easily be contemned, hated, and disobeyed. Therefore the dishonouring of the rulers tendeth to the dissolution of the government and ruin of the commonwealth," 4. Subdue your passions, that no injuries whicli you may sufi'er by rulers may disturb your reason, and make you dishonour them by way of revenge. If you may not revenge yourselves on private men, much less on magistrates ; and the tongue may be an unjust revenger as well as the hand. Passions will provoke you to tell all men, 'thus, and thus I was used,' and to persuade you that it is not sin to tell the truth %^:^^ Iii<8?li1^»i r ;!►- 13 civil. UOX fclHNMENT of vvliat you sufTiMvd ; biil remember, that the puhlic {.'ootl is of greater valiu; than llio rigluiii^ of ji pei-sdnal insuil ur injmy. Many n dis- conteiiteil f>c)rioii halli s<'t kingiioins on fire l»y proclaiming tlie faults oi' govcrnoirt for llie riijhlitig of lliemBclvesi." 5. " Wish not evil^o your governors in your secret tliovi{;ht,s ; but if any such fault woiihl enter into yt)ur hearts, reject it with abliorrence. * Curse not the king, no, not in tiiy thoii|i;hts ; curse not the rich in tliy bedi'hamber ; for a t'ird of the air shall carry the voice, and that vvliicli hath vviiiiionatc discontent for personal injuries, do make many greatly guilty in this pnint. They cherish such thonghts as are pleasing to them, though tliey dare !iut utter them in words. And he that daro wish hurt, is in danger of being drawn by temptation to do hurt." C. " i\l)hor the popular sjiirit of envy, which makcth tlic poor, for the must part, think odiously of the rich and their Miperiors; because they have that which tliey would rather have tlicmselves. I have long ribser\Td it, that the laboming people arc very apt to .«peak of the rich as sober men speak of drunkards, — as if their very estates and dignity were a vice ; when yet they tiiemselves would be as rich and gi-eat if they knew how to attain it. They think they are the maintainors of the commonwealth, and the rich arc the caterpillars of it, that live upon their labours, like drones in tlie hive, or mice and Acrmin that cat the honey which the poor laiiouvir:^ Ix-c^ have long lieen gathering. For they are unaf^qiiainted with the labours and i ares of tJieir govemoi's, and sensible only of their own. This envious spirit exceedingly disposeth the labouring people to discontents, and tumults, and rebellions ; but it is not of God." \ 7. " Keep no company with envious murmurers at government ; for their words fret like a canker, and their sin is of an inlecting kind. What a multitude were drawn into the rebellion of Corah, who, no doubt, were provoked by the leaders' discontented words ! It seemeth they were for popularity — ' Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them ; wherefore then lift you up yourselves above the congregatior V What confidence and what fair pretences are here ! — so probable and plausible to the people that it is no wontier that multitudes were carried to rebel- lion by it: though God disowned them by a dreadful *5udgment.i, and showed who wen? the rightful governors of the people." '1^' •I'ln^ I.,\'IT. CdNSI'IRACV 13 S. " Pray constimlly and lioartlly Tor tho spiritual an 1 cnrnorcal wel- fare of yonr govi'mors. AtuI you have reason to boliovr' tint (Jo*l who hath coiniiinndoil you to put tip such priyc--*, will not nifltT ihom o be wholly lost, hut will ;insui'r lln'ui t^onie way to the benelitoi' them that iitrforin the liuty. And tho vrry porlormanci^ of it will do U8 nriuch gooveni- nx'nl itscH'; anil some ini;*t'.ike lil)ert,y for rni oxrinplion from govern- ment, and think tlicy nre inos^l feoc, \\\um ijiey arc most intgoverned, and may do wlial they list ; hut this is a misery, nnd not a piercy, and therefore was never piirrhabcd for us by Chvist. 12. "He ready to your power to defend your Governors against all Treasons, Conspiracies, and Rebellions. For this is a great part of tlie duty of your relation. The wisdom and goodness necessary to govorn- menl is much personal in the Governors themselves ; but the strength (w!tho\U uhicii laws carmol be executed, nor liie i^oople pri>served) is in the pe(>[>le. Therefore, if yo\i vvitlulraw your helj) in lime of need, you desert and betray your rulers, whom you should defend, 13. "Murmur not at the payment of those necessary tribiitcf?, by wliich the common safety must be preserved. Sordid covetonsness bath Ikhmi l)u' ruin of many a C(Mnmonwcal(li. When every one is sliifling for himself, and saving his o^vn, and murmuring at the charge hy vs'hich their safely must be dcft-nded, — this selfishness is the most pcrnif'ious enemy to the government and the common good. Tiibwte and iionour must be paid to whom it doth belong. For 'they are God's Ministers, attending ctuitinually on this vcrj- thing.' And none of your goods or cabins will be saved, if by your covetonsness the ship yhould perish."* IT. ]jct us now proceed to consider the vricked and fcrmidable con- spiracy from wlikk ive have escaped, nnd mark the siijr-ns and tokens of providcnthd Interjumtion in our deliverance. To attribute everj' trifling occurrence that happens to such a special interposition of Providence as excludes or controls the agency of natural causes, would lie levity. Every object in nature, from an atom to the universe, isimder the control of certain, uniform, fixed laws, comn only called Ihe /r/,7",? of nulure, but termed by the Psalmist, " the ordinances of heaven.'''^ There are established courses of administration, and uni- form laws in the government of nVen as well as in the works of nature ; yet these veiy laws of nature arc God lumself in operation — are Divine intelligence, will, feeling, wis!or tiond of hia power nml (Toodiicss arc ko niaiiilcst, ihnt, thouirli we may not regPid then as ntriclly niiruciilous, reason find ginlitudt dejnand llio ucknowltMlgincnt, tliut it is llie '* Lord's litiings, and it is iiinrvrllniis in our eyes." In sucli in«lai)ccs Ins hnnd is not concealed liy the veil of second caurfca, hut ap|)ears in the majesty of its own righteousness and oniniyiu- tena^, ^juvading or restraining the impulses of his j)ower, workinj; in judgment and merey, prolonginij or shortening; the dispensations of liiw vengeance and eompnssion, Xic'ording to (lie counsels of his own will, and as shall best accomplish the final results of his government over human beings. In the Scripture liistories, the obscurity spread over the workings of Providence is removed, and we are enabled, l)ehind the scenes of natural agencies, to behold tjjo operations of his wisdom and the wonders of his power. There the lights of iicaven — the ehmients of nature — objects animate and inanimate — i)eings visil)lc and in /isible — are seen employed as instruments in accomi>lisliiiiK the purposes of flim who " ruleth in tlio kingdoms of men, and >iiveth tliem to whctmsocver ho pleascth." Thus the stars in their courses fought against Sisenij the Lord thundered upon the Philistines and discomfited them ; he caused the hostf/of Syrians to hear the noise of chariots, anil horses, and a great multitude ; he made the children of Amnion and Moab destroy one another; he smote in thecami)of the Assyrians 185,000 men in one night; under his direction, one chases n thccf^nnd, and two put ten tliou- sand to tbirht ; a striplijig, with nothing more than a sling and pebble, destroys a mighty giant armed from head to foot; the cunning schemes of wordly and treacherous politicians, such as Abimelech and Ahithophel, and many others, are suvidenly Itartk^d and blasted, and the mischief intended falls upon th(; heads of those who intended it ; plots contiive Tlie roiispirucy ilsi'lfoxhibit'i Hovcrnl cli:iriictersor»leop uiid ildiljcnitc wicked I iCHs. 1. II tOds ih dii\cl violalioa of tha avowtdund ofl rcpculedprofca- aioanofUs aulhors. On n tlioiisuiidocciHioiii), niui in u Uuni^iniiil fonus <)f trniiiiMit of our rii^liU'ul Suvorciifiv -dr to irivaiK" tlic r'\'/i\ri and propoiiy ofllioir fi'llow su!)j:'r,t-t; aud llit-y and their iidliorent^ have l>eca wont to nlirihute the woi-mI m<»liven to nny one who presumed to ascribe to theni wtii'h ulterior desifrn.^, or dared to iutiniiUe that huc1» results were involved in the jirinciplos tlioy nvowed nnd the measures they advocated. Yet, in Uiofacc of these denials and profussiony, have they plotted treason airain.^t their Sov-'.-reigrj — rebeHio:t a;i:aiiist the laws — ni'uvler nml rohh.-ry against their fellow suhjcots! My brethren, aprut Iroui the inhuinan plot itself and the deception and falsehoo.i by which it was Ciniciailed anil promoted, what wetild bo the »'onHcquence if its authors' own personal example of the crucifixion of truth and veracity were to bt imitated by those whom they would govern ? The very born which cements soci(4y together would be dissolved ; the only foundation of cont'nlence and intcrcour*; I'civveen man and man woulil be destroyed; truii.-attlons of trade and commerce, social compacts and agreements, would be anni- hilated ; social happiness would Ik; banished froiji the commimity ; every mind would become tiio seat of terror and siispensc ; and universal anarchy, desolation, and 1 . ^iry, would ensue. ";'. 2. T/iii conspiracy involved a violation of Ike Oaik of ^lUcgianct -, in wldch wc (to use the worils of the oath) " do sinckuei.y tromise AND swear" [or alii rm. as the case maybe] "that wk will be FAITHFUL, AND HEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO HliR [OU Ills] MAJESTY." My frientls, oaths are solemn things, in both a moral aud civil view. We have noihin[; .!iiL';her tu trust to in iiuruan transactions than a man's oath; all le^ral adjudications, which j^overn aud ali'eci every right and interest on this side of the grave, ^cessarily proc(:.ed and depend upon the inviolnblenesa of oaths. Now, the oath of allegiance must mean something ; it cannot leave us at liberty ^o support or oppose the estaHlsheuconstitution, or form of government, accordmg to our fancy or pleasure ; nor to adopt a new form of gov(;rnrnont, and pursue such measures as feelinc; and party may dictate in onler to accomplish our schemes. To say the least, the outh of allegiance involves the four fol- lowing things ; 1. "It excludes all intention to suppoYf the claim or pretensions of any .other per-son or persons to the goveiniticnt tliajt thb TIIR lATK CONSPIRAfY. n roigninf^ Suv(»rcign." 2. " Tt oxcludcH tin? design of nliouipUiK^ to sulw vr.n llie authority of the rt:i|.'!»inp Sovcroipn lor any rocmon whatever.'* 'i. " It lorbids tlie taking up of urniH n^rainbt the govonunent of the reigning Sovereign, with views of private advanoeincnt, or from any inoiivoa of vHirsonnl rosentmcnl or dislike." * i. It includes a solemn cngagoniont, in the sight of God and man, to support the authority orth(M-ei),fning Sovereign an e;itablished by lav/, boUi hy liiscloHing all conspiracies ajfaimst it, and maintaining it against all iuvaaion'^, whether foreign or domoatic. Such isi tlu; obvious import of '.ho oaih of nllegian(ie. Yet, with this oath upon their hearts, and the tacit, social and moral obliga- tioiiH vvliich rest upon every member of a civil com[m 'S IS civil, govi!hnmknt: I i 4, ThiH rorispimcy \vo», in il»c Conrih plrHO, j Let!,i8latiire ! Exrept, ind(^ed, two or three acts rdatinj^ to our coinrTiercial intercourse with other nations — a control which the Atncrican Corif^ress itself possesses and exercises in respect to everj' State in the Union. Was it bec;v\ise we are proscribed or inierfen?d with in our nrligious worship and privileges ? Tiie gloom of such a dark day has passed away ; and however desirous we are of in)()rovcvi regu- l9.tions In matters affecting thv: religious interests of the Province, tlie power to adjust all matters of this kind is not only invested in our own Tjegislaturc, but the adjustiruMit of these matters ior the peace and welfare of the country, has been expressly referred to the Provincial Parliament by the Imperial Government. What then is ihie plot against our lives, and families, atid possessions, but the offspring i.f ambition and cupidity, aided by ignorance — forcibly illustrating the nervous remarks of the Author of the Homilies of the Church of England, that, ''As ambition and desire to be aloft, which is the property of pride, stirreth up men's minds to rebellion, so cometh it of a Luciferian pride and presumption, that a few re1)eHiuus snbje<|te .should set thenifjelves up against the majesty of the prince, agninst the wisdom of the counsellors, and against the power and force of all the faithful stibjocts and people throughout the whole venlm. As for envy, wrath, muixler, and desire of blood, and covetuousnes;* of other men's goods, lands, «md livings, they are the inseparable accidents of all rebels, and pecuKar propcirtiea that do usually stir up wicked men unto rebellion.'* — " TIj© refltlesR tUKibitu>u£ paving once determined by one means or other to achieve tjfekeivJntendei^ THi: I.ATK CIJNSPIBACY. 19 piirpoNC, whftn tlipy canuof by lnwl'ul nrul )ton('oaM»i iin'ann olinth «j'.t hijfh an iIh'v <|o ilcHirf', iliey ruicmp* the hhiuc by for* •• ruul viclt'iiro ; wbcrt'in wIm^ii ili^y rannoi pivvuil ii^fnintd tin* onlinary rxulliority and power o( lawful princi's aiiil uovcnuirH thcm'clvos iiloiir, tlioy tlo pt»t'k th(^ ui<) ruiil liclp {>( tin- i|;tii)niiit luiiltilude, nbuHiii^; tluMii to tlioir own piiiposf." (11) T). Our liltli ami Inft remark in, ilnu it wns a. corKpirnry, whicli, had it not l)cen rniwlird in the l)iul, «/«.«/ /i'Ivp infvUahlij involved our cminiry in lilt Ihe knrron of a civil vmr. Of ull warn, ;i war onioni', the siiii- jccts of flio same |.'overmiu'nt, and the inluiMtanlrt of the Hanie country, i-y the n\osl iip]>aUii>;'; in ilrf riiaracter, and the i.iost niinony in itn conw- «]iK'nre,s. It infnK?s ihrouufi lli<; wiiolc niah.s ol winetv the |)uiHon of mutual *lii the n'moUvst pnrts of tlui eoinnumi'y, and insinualcs its rorroHive elVe«'l« info all the enjoymenls of life. It arniH nei|^hl)otir tigjiiriBt noi^'hboui , and brother a;j;niMsi. brother; parents against rhlldivn, and children a^'ainsl jjareii's ; and, in iln wide-spread deM'lations, de- laces the beauty, nastes the fVenirth, and d itroys the entire framework of the body ,)olitic, and ♦rniisferms the most verdant and prosperous country into one ^roM\ Aceldnma — the field of blood. lJnple are coiirtuiucd, and their iiiiEfht and irdluenre amonf; noi^hbouriiif^ powers are loxt ; the regular course of jtistice is ol>strueted, and, and I'esolation, and misery, from which we ha\'e experienced a happy deliverance; — a deliverance marked by the manifest interposition of the Divine hrmd, from t.- iKManning to the end. The time I have already trespassed upon your kind attention admonishes mc 'nst enlargement or even comment on this part of the subject. Nor indeed is either, necessary. TheAfeictj are tnimpet-tongued ; and with the brief mention of theni I vvill content myself on the present occasion. The metropolis was defenceless ; — there was not, f believe, an armed man in it. P.very part of it, except the Market-buildings and the .Upper Canada Bank, remained defenceless for more than tvvt^lve hoers after he assembling of the insurgent'* within five miles of it. The iosurgenta amounted to several hundred. The deliberation and counsel (11 ;i mmily *gaitut n'Ufut Kebr.llian. -.It 'I I' ■ r i 'I 20 CIVIL GOVERNMENT — THE LATE CONSPIRACY. of several weeks, if not months, had familiarised their minds with the enteqwise. They \\ere armed ; they were desperate ; they were confi- dent. Defeat was ruin ; snccess wur power, and plunder, and booty, — How eventful the altoinative ! An attai-k against the city was resolved upon; the hour was fix^a ; the march was commenced; the prospect of sucicss, by the subsequent confession of all parties, was certain. — But there is a God that ruleth over all, and works both with and without die agency of natural causes. — At this critical juncture an important life is taken away ; — the selected leader of the band — a man of cvtraordiriaiy persomd courage and some military experience, — is thrown from his horse a I his netk broken. The plot is discovered to the City ; and tl>e hells ring an alarm. The forces of tlie ins'orgents advance within a mile of llie City, and halt. In the space of five minutes, as 1 have been credibly informed, a change is visible in their countenances; ihey pause ; thoy heyitale ; they doubt ; they fear, " where no fear wws;" they fall b.ick ; tb.oy are undone ! Thenceforth common prudence seems to have forsaken them in their counsels, and confusion, and disappoint- ment, ami ruin follow in rapid t-nitrcossion. " There arc. many devives in man^s heart : but the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.^^ — On the other liiuid, the town soon bmomes a " defenced city" — environed with hearts th.at love their families, their liberties, their country j the winds and the waves aid in the accession of kindred spirits from other parts of the Province; the howling tempests of December are but tlie gentle zephyrs of Midsummer until the coimtry is safe, and " all is WELL !" — " Blessed i)e the Lord, who hath not given us over for a prey unto their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler ; the snare is broken, and we are escaped." * Let us then " wisely considei- of his doing ,• " and to Him let us cease- lessly offer the incense of praise and confidence, of love artd ol)edience. As to the future, whatever rn?>y be the real or imaginary rumbling in the distant horizon, in the use of the ordinary prudential means, we may say to every timid and agitated Manoah, in the language of his pious and courageous wife — " If the Lord had been pleased to kill us, he would not have showed %is these things.^' f ",Allelujah! Salvation, and glory, and power utito tlic Lord our God ; i^ff 4^ue and righteous are his judgments. Great and marvellous are- thy wo^s, O Lord God Almighty : just and true are thy ways, thou King of J^i^ints ! Blesl^^be the Lord God of Isrjiel, who only do(?th wondrous things ; 'and blessed be his glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth i)^ .filled wtb W^ glory. Amen and Amen !" X \^ ' \ ^', * Ps9:m cxxiv. t JudgC8 ;u^'iMjS['y f) !A -P* T^"'-'. ^r. > •*» th the confi- t)ty. — solved aspect iin. — ithout ortant an of irown City; van CO if as 1 nces; tins ." seems point- —On roned J the other it the :.T. IS prey r the ease- 3nce. /■'■"