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Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaTtra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le uas: le symbols —*> signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmte d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre rsproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant ie nombre d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants iliustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 wmKmBm mmiui luiii".} ,. '•«*i^> ♦ V fl Or MINI f RIN ••«►,♦•* , THE • V PERILS OF THE TIME, AND THB fURPCSES FOR WHICH THRT ARE APPOINTED. SERMON, PREACHED On the laft Sabbath of the Year 1794, AMD PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF THE HEARERS. By ANDREW BROWN, D.D. MINISTER or THE PROTESTANT DISSENTING CONGREGATION OJ" HALIFAX. II J! L I FA X: fRINTKD BY HOWE AND M ' K I N S T R Y, CORNITR o? OCOitCE AK B »»RKIVCT0N CTiEETii, OPPOSITE T H f. rARAUC, M EC r XC V, rss325nrorarR«p: mm TO THE HONOURABLE THOMAS ANDREW STRANGE, Chief 'Juji ice of His Alajejly's Province, and Preftdent of His Majcjiy's Council of Nova-Scotia^ ^c, i^c» ^c. Sir, IN delivering the following Sermon to the prefs, at the . defira of a loyal and generous Congregation, I embrace, v.'ith heart-felt pleafure, the public opportunity afforded me of expreiTing my affection for your perfon and charader. Motives of efteem and fentiments of gratitude, have prompted me to infcribe with your name, a difcourfe, the objedt of which is to expofe the evils of anarchy, and to con- cur with divine providence in maintaining the great caufef of religion^ government and order. But had net thefe perfonal confiderations determined my choice, the unani- mous voice of an approving people would moft certainly have direfled me to offer that tribute to the prefent Chief- Juftice of Nova-Scotia, whofe ability in expounding our laws can only be equalled by his impartiality and firmnefs in applying them ; whofe adminiftration has repreffed the fpirit of litigation, fliortened the duration of fuits, and m.;de a happy Province feel, in the moft fenfible manner, the benign inHuence of the Britilh Conftilution, and the glo- rious fccurity of Englifh law. In an age that peculiarly needs the weight and authority of religious example, Chriftiaaity is pleafed to rank you, A 2 with Tmrsrsaamr with the Hales and l^albots of former times, among the Selea Band of her enlightened Friends. Amidft the fc^fHngs of infidelity, the acquifition of fuch a difciplc is a confolatiuu and a triumph. Your profeffional ha^ts give a pledge to the public Ihat you have embraced the Gofpel on mature examination of its evidence, and a ra- tional convicHon of its truth ; while the incorruptibility of ycur heart afiures us that no fecondary conliderations min- gle with your piety, or affya your obfervance of reJisions Juty. With the pureft regard, 1 have the hor.or to be. Sir, Your moft obedient and very humble fcrvant^ ANDREW URQW^l, Halifax, Jan* i, 1795. m^wmammmmm Halifax, Decetnl/tr 31, 1794. Reverend Sir, /Fi?, the ElJers and Committee of the Protejlant Dijfentin^ Churchy J'enJibU ef the duty incumbent on all men to notice the dealings of Divine Providence towards them^ more ej'peciallj in tbcfe feafins when great commotions prevail in the luorld^ to trace their caufes -with becoming fubmijfion to the Divine Willi as far as may be confijient with that humility which ought io dijlinguijh the Chrijtian from the mere philofophic enquirer j rt'/c/ to improve fuch direful events as have fo lately diflurbed the teaci andrepofe of Chrijiendom to the furtherance andfupport of piety and virtue : Having heard with great jatisfadlion your Sermon on the la ft Lord's Day — ivhereinthe occurrences of theft later daysy with the confequences aSlually flowing from them^ and thofe which may be yet apprehended, wereflated and improved to thefupport of Chriflian Morality j ■ and conceiving that the publication of that Difcourfe might prove ufeful : Doy therefore^ in behalf of ourf elves and the Congregation at large, requejl the favor of your confenttoiVs being piihlifhed, and^ in order thereto^ hope you will indulge (iswith aCopyfort..e Prefs, We are^ Reverend Sir, ^our faithful friends (ind obedient humble Servants, BENJAMIN SALTER-^ THOMAS AUSTEN WILLIAM ANNAND ALEX. BREMNER WILLIAM DUFFUS GEORGE GRASSIE THOMAS FILLIS M M >Z ' JOHN BROWN BENJAMIN BRIDGE ADAM FJFE .'ETER M'NAB 1 II.DEK». k . i Reverend Dr. Andrew Brown. WOBIl'Miiyimi'TiiiTIB'tMl SERMON. .y^V- II Tim. iii. i. e- JHIS KNOW ALSO, THAT IN THE LAST DAYS PIiRILlOU3- TIMES SHALL COME* IN the ordinary courfe of things time fteals away un- heeded. The occurrence of the hour engages atten* tion, the laws of nature operate in filence, and feafons revolve without reminding us that the year is on the wing« Yet there are ftatcd periods and particular days which" call us to confider the urtceafmg progrels of time, the rapi- dity of its departure, and the events it has brought to matu- rity. In the fucceflions of duration whatever term is fet apart to an appropriate purpofe, and returns at a given fca* foil, becoriies remarkable and interefting. 1« roufes us front our ufual ftate of indifference, and is produ6tive of ferious thought. Such is the conclufion of one year, and the commencement of another. For as in common life we cannot take a )aft leave of an old acquaintance without a mixture of melancholy and regret, however carelefsly we may have met and parted in the daily intercourfe of fociety ; fo however inattentive we may have been to the fmaller portions of the year, we cannot bid farewell to the year itfeJf ■'iMVWl'^ ■If :^^^ Jl "I*. Ti'va".' r iff [ 8 ] k(At without emotion. At the approach of its laft day the mind is awakened : We reflect that (o many more of our appointed months are paft, and cannot be recalled ; that hopes and k-ars, pleafurcs and pains, once iiUercding, arc gone forever j that our probationary ftatc is fo much nearer its conclufion j and that we are about to enter on an un- tried being, concerning which our experience can give us no definite information* Throun;hout the Chrlflian world, this feafcn of the year is particularly hallowed from the relation it bears to the birth and appearance of the Saviour of men. Hence to that fpirit of focial fcftivity, which has probably been de- rived from the ancient faturiuilia, it has been cuftomary, in many churches, to add pious celebrations commemorative of the happy aera of the Mcffiah's reign, and to encourage charitable collediions, as mofi cxptuiilve of the rational and beneficent joy of Chriltian worfhip. In all religious com- munities fome notice is taken of the memurabl« events which diftinguilh this annual epoch, of the refledlions which the peculiar afpe£l of the times is fitted to producd, and of the lelions of inihudion it ought to inculcate. During my miniftry I have not been inattentive to the in- fluence of times and aflbclations on the human mind. In former fermons at this feafon, I have recounted the fignal revciu'tions which pad years have accomplilhed, dwellinj; with devout joy on the fulnefs of time which witneflcd the Saviour's incarnation, and liftcned to the fong of theangela in the fields of liethlehem. At this feafon I have alfo preached on the unceafing flu:: of earthly things, on the fliortnefs and uncertainty of human life, on the importance of mrm^^wm 1 1 L I i -i i U I p ii l WIiFgfH^ i i 9 ] ofburfpJritu?! int-reft, and the folemn warning given u« by the expiring year to be mindful of our end. On this laft fabbath nf another year, when a dark cloud overfpreads the earth I purpofe to lead your thoughts to the perils to which ihr cai.re of religion, government and mankind is cxpofed in the prei'ent conflia of nations, par- ties and opinions. The difcuiTion of political interefts and of the frictions of the world, it is true, belongs not to the pulpit of the Chriftian miniftcr j and you will bear me witnefs, that I have not often allowed public tranficlions to give a colouring to religious inflruaion. Difapproving, as I do in general, of the praaice of political preaching, the news of yef^erday, the paOions of to-day, and the hopes and fears of to-mor- fow, have been inrluftrioufly excluded from this facred place. The doctrines and duties of the Gofpel of peace, thofe ctcinal truth j of iaimutable obligation, ihat can give birth to no diverilty of fentiment, and are wholly of a praai- cal nature, form the fubjeas of our meditation in the houfe of prayer; and by animating you to acquit yourfelvesss can- didates for heaven, I have hoped to be able to guide you to a virtuous and manly condua in your public and private ftations on the earth. Neverthelefs, an occafional and difpaffionate confidera- » muL ■■. ,-.»«.»,»« vw» 1 •; ' I^^H M|;, i ^Hffi '■ ' HH I;'' I i^H ^i ^ ■ 1:! ; n^'^; 1^ 1 1 II^H 'i; i ' 1 ^M'^: ^^H-t I -Oir 1 . t «» ] that ever demanded the unanimity and vigour of Bcitons, fincc the foundation of the monarchy. Prior to its com- ' mencementjvariouscircumftances had occurred to enlighiea mankind on the fubjc6t of Civil Goyerninent, and to carry the fpirit of liberty to a greater height than it had ever be- fore attained. At the opening of their Revolution, the attentive world w^atched, with anxious expectation, the deli- berations of the afiembled Reprefentatives of the French people. Even their hereditary enemies looked on with pleafure and approbation, while temper and wifdom ruled their council?, and led them in the path of moderation and juftice to fubftantial reform, put the progrefs of their proceedings foon excited very different fentiments. Of thefe, however, it is neither my defnc, nor compatible with my defign, to give an hiiiorical detail. Suffice it here to obferve, that having taken leave of reafon, juftice and liberty J having murdered their King, abjured their God, and fubverted all the wife itiftitutipns of policy, which nc» ceffity and experience had contrived to enfure the ftabiliiy of rationSj, the perfons exercifing the executive Government of France, declared their country iii a ftate of permanent revolution, and let loofe the incalculable force of a popu- lation of twenty-fix millions, not to revenge or prevent injuries i not to reclaim rights detained by injuftice, or to defend poireiTions invaded by the luft of dominion j but to propagate their political fyftem, to enforce the approbation of their outrageous proceedings, and to reduce other na- tions to the fame ftate of violence and mifrule into which they had plunged their own. This atrorious condufl neceflfariiy fprang from the fpirit of the new principles, which are incompatible with juftice, order [ u ] order and tranquility at home, and with the cxiftence of ^ny regular Government on the face of the earth. Yet with a Daemon's purpofe, the anarchy of France affympd an Angel's form. AfFeaing to be the aflertor of -miverfal freedom, it offered fraternity to an aftonifticd world. Em- boldened by the general fentiment of popular favour, which in the beginning had operated flrongly on their fide, the French levellers meditated the accomplifhment of theirne- farious defigns by cajoling the good into a deceitful tran- quility, and employing the bad as inf^ruments to ftrike a univerfal blow. Hence the leaders of the Convention placed their firfl: dependence on the power of fophiftry ; and before they declared war againft the nations which difapproved their meafurcs, they refolved to feducc the great mafs of the people to their pasty. For thi? purpofc a legioji of apoftles was levied among the clubs, to preach the vary- ing doctrines of Paris in all the languages of Europe 5 while the grand mafters of falfe reafoning were put into a ftate of requiiition to proclaim the age of anarchy from the prefs. This plan of difleminating their politics* embraced the whole community of mankind. They whQ could read learned the favoured f^Aem from books, and they who had only ears to hear were taught it by the affidui- ty of very zealous miffioriarie^. When hofUlitics con^- menced, the fame infidious arts were continued. With Tiurder in their hearts and daggers in their hands, the Vench anarchills protefted that they hau no controverfy /ith the people whom they attacked, but only with the ranny of their rulers. Quitting the pr ^ice of fair war, d converting every appearance to their mifchievous pur- pofes, they reprefcnted the general coaibination of Euro- nfAn I sv%«ri«i->ai; i-l |i I ll hi I [ «4 ] pean powers, which their unqualified attack on the ex-» iftenceand rights of every independent nation had produced, ■Ai a confpiracy of icings and defpots agaiaft liberty, a con- federacy of privileges and orders againfl: reformation, and of opulence and feudal tenures againfl: the cftablifhnient of equality and the rights of man. Much has been fpoken and written in proof of thefe pa- fuions, by the fecret emifFaries and avoived defenders of.the French Revolution. And when we confider the natural attfaiSlions of their do5 J anafchifts, ought therefore to be regarded a$ parts of thd eiFei^ive force, by which they endeavour to circumfcribe the operations of their enemies, and to enfure the accom- pliftiment of their own fchemes of fubverfion. For when confidered in a juft point of view, the prefent war can in no refpedl be called a war of kings, orders, or privileges, however much it may ultimately affciSt their ex- igence. It is a war of jufl: defence againft uprovoked ag- greflion, of order againft confufion, of law againft licenti- oufnefs, and of the good againft the bad. Witnefs the pa- trons and promoters of the new doctrines throughout the world. The wortblefs and abandoned of every nation are now in arms, openly countenancing, or fecretly abetting the Parifian fyftem, not from a love to the French, but from the hope of renewing, in confequence of their fuccefs, thofe fcenesof plunder and revenge in their owu country, which have been the reward of their crimes. Hence this war in- volves our deareft rights, and every object that can make life either fafe or defireable. The danger of fair defeat on the field of battle, is the leaft of the evils with which it threatens us. Our Conjittution is in piril. The favourite faying of the leaders of the Con- vention, that the Republic of France muft perifti^ or the Monarchies of Europe come to an end with the century, announces, with fufFicient precifion, the danger to which, in this confliift, our national eftablilhments a'-e cxpofed. Were fuccefs to attend the arms and the machinations of anarchy, the ability of the French nation to afTift thofc? who profefs the fame principles, and worftiip the fame idols in other countries, would be inconceivably incrcafed j while on their l^artths defire of imitating afuccefstul example would pro- bably Mim ; ^ [ 16 ] baMy be excited beyond the poffibility of reftraint. In fuch a cafe the attempt, at leaft, would be made, to introduce the fyftem ofequalityintoothercountrieSjand to feize the fpoils h offers to the hand of rapacity. Other Egalite's and other Mirabeau's, other BrifTot's and other Condorect'Sj other Robefpierre's and other Danton's would lead on the gang of infurgents and afl'affins. Health and fraternity, profcription and the guillotine, would refound fro.n fhoreto fliore J and in other lands, as well as in France, the months would be marked with new days of carnage and mourning. Religion is alfo flaked on the ijfue of this confliif. If by th« jealoufy and difunion of the Allied PowerSj and the difpofiti- on too apparent in fome of them to count the expence of the wal- With a mifer's niggardlinefs, France were to gaiii her meditated afcendancy in Europe, Chriftianity would be difgraced for a feafon. Every thing venerable would be denounced by the frantic orators of the day. The temples in which our fathers worfhipped would be polluted by vile proceffions J and plundered of every precious monument^ Would either be thrown open to the winds and rains of lieaven, or (hut up in the gloominefs of night. Nature^ liberty, and the rights of man would be proclaimed as the divinities of the human race j or the ftiJl ftranger gods of Robefpierre : and the tenth day would again claim the un- hallowed worfhip of a proflrate world; Secularizea and difhonoured, the miniflers of religion would be profcribed with the moft unfeeling cruelty, and expofed without a re- fuge to all the mifery of their fatc,—asno generous govern- ment would remain to receive them to its bofom, to relieve their wants, and dry their tears, as the Gallican clergy found Jn Britain, on the day when ihtir country thirftcd for their DloOit. [ «? ] Injuch a wrecks morals^ order^ and every falutary in/itttt» tlon would inevitably perijh. During the reign of anarchy, when the people, /. e, the unprincipled and fanguinary are fupreme, the bonds of fociety are diflolvet'i, and all the ma- lignity of the paflions rages without controul. The niilk of human kindnefs is curdled by fear. Perfonal and parry in- terefts become the fole concern of each individual j and in pursuing them the moft violent nieafures are always prefer- red, as being moft fafe ind fummary. In fuch a ftate of things there is neither fecurity nor enjoyment. Every one Hands on the brink of the precipice, and trembles for his life. This irritability of mind naturally tends to the in- creafc of crimes. Pity is banilhed from the breaft of the public a£lors. All mull proceed to the utmoft length in the fervice of their party. Life ceafes to be an obje<5l of regard ; death is infiided on the fufpedted j and in the ihidft of apparent gaiety, a namei a found, the watchword of the day, becomes the fignal of afTaffi nation. Such is the nature of this war, and fuch are the perils with which it \i attended. It ftrikes not only at national inde- pendence, and at the exigence of government, la^f and re- ligion, but at the life and happinefs of every individual of the human race. Hence, in a general view, ir is not the war of one country more than another, but of the whole body of mankind. It is the war of every community that has either a civil eftablifhment, a code of law, or a fyftem of religious faith. It is the war of every good man, of every father, every brother, and every friend. Whoever has a talent, a jjroperty, or a comfort on the earth he would call his own, has an intereft in this war. Upon the refult of it, the peace 6f the prefent and the hopes of the next generation great!/ eAfnumA ■ I I ;' n H *■.. [ »8 ] depend. And yet, in the midft of this common peril, many naticns appear to be quite unconcerned i while fome, milled by falfe principles of policy, or a fordid regard for felfintered, , »noft prepofteroufly cherifti in their bofom, the fcrpent that will fting them to the heart.* 2. From » Seeking ho prophetical partages in the books I ccnfolt, I pay very little attention to random gueffei lefpefting the future Yet at the ition tn'ivMt n of know, iod is pa(t, ition are a der are Ufc arts of de. d have pre- fperate for* n:and pro- ve favoureci hofe of the ns have in> h anarchy, :, and (hare elves unne« fome mea- over v»htch [ «9 ] 2. From this dark and troubled fcene let us turn to the confideratlon of the probable reafons for which God has made the times fo perilous, and of the moral efFedts which he intends them to produce. At a per'od of fo much allien and^ event, It would ill be- come a fhort-fighted mortal to determine beforehand what may be the precife purpofes which God is carrying forward amidit the diltradlions of the earth, Yet from his charadler and perfedions, as moral Governor of the world, we have no reafon ultimately to defpair of the caufe of religion and virtue. The prefcnt generation is threatened with a fevere corredion j national eftablifhments are in danger of being overturned, and the powers of darknefs may be let loofe for a time : But amidft the ftorms of political revolution, the ijiipwreck of human inftitutions, and the violence of wicked men, the bark of Chriftianity ridej fecure. " Why do the ** heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thin;^ ! The " Kings of the earth fet themfelves, and the rulers take " counfel together agz.inft the Lord, and againft his anointed, " faying, let us break their bands afunder, and caft away " their cords from us. He that fitteth in the heavens fhall ♦' Jaugh i the Lord ftiall have them in derifion !"* The Father of light and mercy never ordained impiety and anarchy to be perpetual among men. No provifion is made for their permanence, and when they have ferved their purpofe, they muft prepare the blow for their own exter- mination. As in the natural world tempcft and thunder, the inundation and the earthquake, purge the elements, and give ferenity and falubrity to the atmofphere, fo the prefent convulfioas in the moral world will in lilje manner C 2 purify » rfalms il. !'. t « 1 foyal government was not abufed by the will and confent of the mild but unfortunate Louis, who, (truck by the axe of mifguided citizens, fell lamented by all good mcp. By theconfeflion of his murderers he fell, not lo much for his perfonal offences, as for the tyranny of former kings, and the exaiSlions of former minifters. Accordingly he fell at his poll, with an approving confciencc, with falling order, and a falling country. If the nobles of France were imperious and unfeeling, the leaders of a giddy capital in all kinds oi diffipation, and auftere and opprclfive among their dependents, they too have fuffcred to the full extent of their mifdoings. They have been caft down from their fplendid ftation, ftript of their pofleflions, and driven into exile ; and none can tell >vhen ti.ey may be leftorcd to their country and their dig^ liities. If the Gallican clergy taught that Chriftianity confided in the belief of mstaphyfical or myflical doctrines, and in the practice of fuperftitions and unprofitable cercinonies, they alfo have made an atonement. Driven from their hoir.-, their habitation has been rendered defolate j and they iir down by the rivers of a foreign land, and weep when they remember Zion. But gladly leavin^i thi^ pai of »he fuoje'^, which 1 defirc to touch wich ail tendernefs, I think we may fee in the ui»i- verfal fweep of rank, order, and eftablifhments, in France, the obvious punifhment of more oftenfible faults ; name'y, of the want of principle and energy, and of an incurable fpirit of jealoufy and difunion in the hereditary guardians of a nation. The t 23 ] The band of nobles, clergy and Cijlighfened men, enga- ged in one caufe, with one binding intercft toconne<^ them, who ought to have ftood and fought together, tht immartali cf their country^ * were divided in fcntiment, and dcftitute of leading plans of 5peration. Loofely cemented, they (hew- ed their want of vigour and integrity on the firft attack of the democracy. Falfe men deferted their ftand«rd, and by thinning the ranks incrcafcdthe irrcfolution of their order. At this crifis the councils of the monarch were guided Hy a feeble and injudicious hand } and to avoid all controverfy with the reprefentatives of his people, the king wasmoft unfortunately advifed to diiband his nobles and clergy, bf incorpor. ting them with the third ef^ite. Retaining the jealous fpirit oi' their caft, after their poli- tical exiftence was terminated, and actuated by a kind of judicial blindnefs, the privileged orders feem in fucceflxon to have viewed each other's degradation with afecretfentiment of pleafure, and without ever once adverting to the certain ruin which this abfurd condutfl was preparing for themfelvcs. Whsn the Aflembly robbed the clergy of the patrimony and the honours of the church, the nobility appear to have looked on with ill concealed fatisfadlion ; anxious only to l-etain and extend their own privileges, and not caring how far the other clafles might be deprefled in the fcale of influ- ence. But fcarcely was the altar ftripped of its ornaments, when hereditary diftiniliois were difcovercd to becumbcr- fome, unjuft, and impolitic} and the people of property and wealth, without titles, rejoiced in their turn to fee the proud inonuments of nobility deflroyed. Deprived of its main pillars, the tottering throne was next hurled from its bafe, and ^ Alluding to :!.5 Roman legics of that namt. 'm » I'.: ■iT*r,w«=.*.T|i«*»'-' V. Iff-.* II m [ 14 ] 2itd the men of letters and perfonal accomplilhmcnts, with- out property, who formed expedlations of rifing on the wings of popularity to office and authority, congratulated each other on this memorable event. But their triumph was lilcewiff of fhort duration. Having loft their guardian and difpenfer, the laws loft their influenccj and talents and letters ihared in their degradation. The inferior clafTes continuing to rife, in irrefiftible maffes, levelled all diftinSi- ons, till in the end the moft worthlefs of the Convention, fupported by all the mifcreants of the nation^ became the fovereigns of the ftate ; and of the life and property of the inhabitants. But from the paft we may venture to predift the fuiiJreJ « For if they do thefe things in a green tree, what fhali be *' done in the dry."* If the errors and offences of ino- narchyi rank and ftation,havc been fo grievoufly corredted, tvhat may not the namclefs atrocities of anarchy expe£t ? The conflagration rages, but the matter which feeds the fire fiiall itfelf be reduced to afties. Even thofe dire events, which vve can only deplore, may have their ufe. Of difunion and corruption, of the want of energy and (yftem, in the fate of France, let all the govern, ments of the earth fee and fear the end. It was obferved in the lid. place, thatthc judgments of God are to be regarded as monitory and corrective ; and without doubt thofe which have lately awakened the atten- tion of mankind, will be produdive in the end of a variety of good cffeds. Three of thefe I ftiall venture to mention, iifligning the reafons which have induced me to expert them, An« W**' [ 18 ] afFcded to relpecl the pious ufages of their country. Aban- doned by the rich and fafliionablc, the church continued for a feafon to be a refuge to the poor and afHidlcd. Butiu time the lower orders learned to Jefpife, in their heart, thofe religious obfcrvances which they faw their more enlighten- ed fuperiors treat with unreferved contempt. Copying their example with pervcrfc ingenuity, they joined in the ridicule poured upon their clergy, an4 regarded every fcan- dalous ilory which refledled on the church pr th^ facred office, as an invaluable piece of hiftory which could not be too carefully recorded, or too extenfively known. Glorying in the general and deep impreflion which their labours had made on the public mind, the high-priefts of the party could not longer conceal their exultation. Keeping no meafures with that religion over which they had gained fuch diOinguiihcd advantage, they aflumed the tone and authority of m. lers ; they proclaimed their viilories i and boaflcd of the i.jmber, unanimity and influence of the illu- minated, and of the grand moral reformation they were delUned to accomplifti. The awe of public opinion being once withd'-awn, the adverfaries of religion avowed their fentinients and proje£is with lefs refervc, Amidft the indifference and depravity of a degenerate age, Chriftianity was publicly renounced by many in the upper ranks of life, and a fpeculative deifm, in no refpefl diftiiiguifhabls from af^ual atheifm, was fubftitu- ted in its room. Having in a great meafure . their ufe, religious cfta- biiftrnents were CNpofed to all the rancorous malignity of the fceptical philofophcrs. Their opulence attracted cupi-» (lltV, . Aban- cinued for « Butiu ?art, thofe snjighten- Copying led in the /ery fcan- th^ facred jld not be hich their eftsofthe Keeping ad gained r tone and ries i and f the illu- they were kawn, the d projects pravity of )unced by deifin, ia i fubftitu- ious cfta- lignity of :ted cupi-* dity, . ; [ 29 ] dity, and their defenclefs ftatc provoked infult. Ghurch« men were now reprcfented as a burdenfome and unnecwiTa- ry race, a tax on induftry, and a bar to improvement. No longer protected by the fandlity of their fundion, or the veneration of their people, they were fecretly devoted to deftruftion, and a favourable opportunity was fought for executing in the utmoft extent the deadly decree which had gone forth againfi them. In France where thefe diforders had proceeded to the greateft length, a feries of very fingular events brought int9 adlion the wifdom and policy of the felf-created guides of the world j and during the laft five years they have given mankind a memorable fpecimen of the blefled and glorious times they promifed to introduce. The fceptical reformers of thp French nation entered on their office with declaring every mode of faith and worfhip equally free. Indifferent about all religious inflitutjons tbemfelves, they left the faithful for a time to the diredionof confcience, and the wor/liip of the God of their fathers. But this indulgence was not long continued* Senfible that the adherents to the ancient do£lrines werp ^he moft deter- mined enemies to the new fyftem, they profcribed Chrifti- anity, and pnfnared its minifters by peftilent oaths It is not competent for me to relate what followed, but from the general tenour of the affairs of France fince its rulers abju- red religion, the leaft inftruaed of mankind, 1 fhould con- ceive, may be enabled to inftitute a comparifon between the efTedt^of genuine Chriftianity, and of that fublime Philofo-. phy which was to regenerate the human race. To this teft vhq enlightened Chriftian.will refort with unafFeaed conli- dence* ^1^ Tii '.m •*«■».-»»•« M vw«w m '. ».•>. [ 39 ] Jence. Almoft eighteen centuries have 'now been blefled in the faith and hope of the gofpel. Soon after its propa- gation it enlarged the bounds of human knowledge, difper- fcd the clouds of fuperftition, and gave men confiftent noti- ons ot the Deity, and of that religious fervice which he re- quires from his reafonablc creatures. It likewifc improved the fyllem of morals,by extending the obligations of bsnefi- cence, reftraining the vindidlivc paflions, and inculcating a puredodrine of felf government. Adding eternity to time, it explained, with the moft exadt prccifion, the connexion which fubfifts between this life and the next, and taught the virtuous and penitent to expcfft beyond the grave, in regi- ons of uncreated light, a perpetual progrefs in wiidcm and liappinefs* But no fooner had the fceptical philofophers ufurped the? powers of legiflation thanthefe elevating hopes were fhip- •wrccked, and dark and barbarous ages reftored. AmidH the inceflant praifes of reafon and philofophy, the arts of civil life were negledled, and ftrife and anarchy prevailed. Theworft paffions of the worft perfons rioted v/ithout con- troul. Piety v.'as driven i;ito exile. The prifoi wei^c crouded with vidlims ; new modes of trial and execution were invented j and under ihe direful agency of a murde- rous tribunal blood flowed in a continual (Iream. Nor were thefe only temporary evils occafioncd by the tumult and violence of a revolution. They are infeparable from the nature of the new principles, and would mark their rule to the world's end. Illiberal, interefted, unfeeling ; confidering this life as the whole of exiftence, and death ss an everlafting fleep, the fceptical fyftcm propofcs only one clals i t 3» 3 chfs of objc£ls to the avidity of its votaries* It propofe* fafety and felf-aggrandifement as the end of life ; and defti- tute of all reliance on the Governor of nature, and holding man accountable for no part of his condudV, it not only juftifies but approves the purfuit of them by all means, evea the moft atrocious. Hence, inftead of reftraining, phi- lofophy has let loofe the ferocity of the felfifli and vindidlive paffions, and for the goodnefs of God and the fpirit of hea- ven, to which Chriflianity taught thefaiihful toafpire, it has fubftituted the rage of hell and the malignity of demons. The confequences rcfuliing from the new order of things being once completely unfolded, bewildered men will fee the neceflity of confulting their fafety by reverting to their ancient guides. The gofpcl, which moderates the paflions of the rich, and fupports the virtue of the poor, will again command attentive confideration j and this is all it aflcs for an efFedtual reception among men. The more it is examined the greater, clearnefs and force will its evi- dence acquire j and to all the arguments in its favour which part ages have furnifhed, will be added thofe alarming ones derived from the bloody hiftory of the French revolution. Reverencing that pure and peaceable religion to which they have been indebted for their fafety, the nations which have maintained its authority will be more firmly attached than ever to its dodrines and inftitutions. Chriftianity will thus be reflored to new credit and influence. The vain babblings of philofophy will be configned to everlalHng perdition. Men will reje^ with deteftation all the modi- fications of deifm, and be folicifous to eflablifli in their country, in their houfes, and in their hearts, the genuine J-A-; -r^u- f.-^r- -r/~»L 'n uvwtiiiicu ui uic v.rOis or VynruTd la [ 3^ ] In the gofpel reign an age of darknefs has always been followed by more refplendent light. Chriftianity derives frefh luftre from a temporary obfcuration, as the fun emerges with renewed brigbtnefs from the gloom of an cclipfe. 2dly. 1 am alfo pdrfuaded thit the tranfaclions WhlcK have lately engaged the obfervation of a rcflefting age, are cal- culated to produce a Lifting conviction of the indifpcnfablc neceffity of public and private virtue, as well as of a public and private profeffion of Chriftianity, to the profperity of ftates, and the peace of fgciety. In thofe countries where the ordinances of the gofpel are ftill frequented, long have public inflruilors taught, though ■with too little efficacy, that without the pradice of virtue the individual can have no folid comfort in life, and no gleam of hope at the hour of death. Often too have the fcriptures repeated in the audience of kings and legiflators, that righteoufncis exaheth a nation, but that fin is a reproach to any people. In the calamitous events of the prefent time, God appears to have been enforcing the fame truths, in a new and more imprelTive manner. Fafts have lately de- monftratcd that where confcience and the world to come have loft their authority, not only enjoyment but exiftenCe is in danger. In a corrupt fociety there is no prote(5tion for property, character, or life. Deftitute of morals, the more accompliflicd any people may be, the more outrageous do their exceiFes become. Their fcicnccs and arts extend their ability of doinp mifchief, while their manners only add to their power of feduction. Among faithlefs men the moft: folemn obligations lofe their force. No tie can bind the unprincipled j and in fuch a ftate of things even oaths are engiae? [ 33 1 fcrtgines of deception. In the French revolution thefe truths have been mort awfully illuftrated. The infecurity of all combinations not founded on virtue and fortified by principle, has been clearly (eea in every change of meafures and of men. Interefl has proved a fallacious bond j for ia tumultuous times as popularity fliifts from fa<5iion to fadion^ the intereft of to-day is always liable to prove the caufe of to-morrow's dowrtfal. Confederacies formed on the bafis of party and plunder have alfo betrayed their perilous na- ture ; for on the UW of 3 party each of the members is im- patient to purchale hij owa fafety by impeaching the reft, and furnilhing all the (ecrtt information in his polTedion ta accelerate their ruin. Faith and honour, truth and juftice, gratitude and humanity, depend entirely on the moral fenfe, which being blunted or corrupted, they lofe their hold on the hearty and become empty and infidious names. It is indeed not matter of fuppofition merely^ that the prefent diforganizing rulers of France themfelves, began to be convinced of the reality and importance of thefe funda- mental princi 'es J and that, ftanding with fearful triumpSi on the recent graves of their unpitied vidtimsj it is among^ their moft anxious endeavours of the day, to provide for their own fecurit/j by the re-eftablifliment, if poffible, of law and order among a difbanded and raging people. Stri- king condemnation of the fyftem they have been propaga- ting ! Precaritius hope to be realized in their favour. whoff the re- ly of our climate. II a per- Rnd our* volition) t courfe, noredif- terthem. political rontrary, f higher of mor- 3Je(5ls of ngth and is doom- ed [ 35 ] ed to reftraints which are not impofed on the man; and the bad are cut ofF by penal i^atutes which do not in the fmalled degree afT^dt the good. But even in the bed condition, wc niuft livein a ftate of coercion. While men ret^.n theif ijature, th':re mud be checks on liberty, fandlions to en- force the pbfervance of law, and punifhments to correal the violation, Perfed freedom is compatible ordy with perfect reafon and perfed^ goodnefs, and not to be coveted in a mixed and difordered community, expofed to the arts of the ilagitious, and the ebbs and flows of tumultuary paillon. Upon the fame principles, notwithftanding all the im- provements that may be introduced into human affairs, there muft be inequalities and diftinflions in fociety : Dif- tindliuns and inequalities which might no doubt be re-* inedied, if by the decree of the Almighty they were not productive of ultimate and neccffary good which cannot be obtained without them. To meditate the eftablifhment of equality then, that fplendid delufion of the prefent age, the vifion of the weak, and the pretext of the wicked, is in fadl to meditate war againft God, and the primary laws of cre- ation. Regularity and beauty, barolony and the univerfal whole, refult from the exiftence of inequality. ^ i heaven itfelf there are thrones and dominions, principalities and powers. In the firmament there is one light of the fun, and another of the moon, and the ftars differ from each other in flationand brightnefs. The fame beautiful analogy is ob- ferved in all the pr«du£^ions of the earth. Carry the level- ing fyftem to the forefV, what havoc would you be compel- led to make among the faireft of the trees ? In fociety ine- quality is jufl as natural as in the foreft, but produdlive of much more falutary efFe£ls. Without inequality what would become of the neceflary diftindtions of parent and child, maflerand fcholar, the employer and the employed! E 2 Even [ 36 ] i Even on the moft moderate fyftem, an abfolute equality of perfon* and proper ty cannot be cfFcdted without murder and dcvaftation, and, from the unalterable courfe cf things, the day on which it was introduced would fee it fubvcrced. While the affairs of France expofe the abfurdity and madnels of viiionary plans of political regeneration, they may alfo give a folemn and ufef ul warning to rulers and thp people, to beware of ralb experiments in government i to, guard againft the progrefs of delufion in a community ; and to rcftft the fanaticifm of projediors and the ffciwjy of in- furrcdion, as they would rcAft the grand fcourges of the human race, plague, peftilence, and famine. Happy ! if they ftiall teach the fubjeds of Britain in every quarter of the globe, the inellimable value of their conftitution, which unite* fo many perfections with fo few defeats, and prevents fo much evil at the e:;pence of fo little good. Happy ! alfo if they (hall infpire them witl. unanimity and vigour to maintain it as their birth-right and belt inheritance, and to feek no improvement or melioration of iheir political condi- tion, fave under the farm protedion of i' laws, and in the temperate ufe of thofe jufl expedients which have been dc- vifcd in the wifdom of its provifio:;.. Such my brethren, in my humble opinion, are fomc of the purpofes of corredion and inftrudion for which the late difaftr«us revolutions have been ordained by God : And 1 am ftrongly inclined to believe that until thefe lefTons be efFedtuaiiy inculcated, there will not be an end to the trou- bles of the earth. Should therefore the admonitions alrea- dy given prove infuflicient to fubdue a licentious and in- tradable generation, juuly may v.efcar that more grievous admonitions will bs added to the number, until awakened by the divine judgrrjents, and chaftencd by their own diforders, the refidue of the nations ihall liften to the voice of Provi- dence J and U'urn fubmii'iic.-^ to its appointments. But {uality of irdcr and ngs, the ced. rdity and on, they i and the lent i tq ity } and. iy of in- es of the • I if they :er of the 1, which prevents ypy ! alfo igour to e, and to al condi. nd in the been de*- Tie of the 1 the late : And! ^iTons be the troui- ns alrea- s and in- grievous kened by difordcrs, >f Provi- But [ 37 1 But leaving the future to the merciful difpofal of that beneficent Being who does not vvillint^ly afiiicl the children of men, let us contemplate with gratitude his moft unsne- ritcd goodnefs to our nation. How dii^'erent is our politi- cal lituation from our public demerits ? NotwithOanding the luxury and diOipatl *n of our people, we have hitherto been prefcrved from the peculiar mifery of the times. Fo- reign war, though a proof ^)f divine difplcafure, and afevere correvSlion to a iinful people, is not to be compared with the ravage and dcfolaiioa infepar?.ble from a revolution, or th*; :(lill more horrid enormities of a permanent anarchy. Wheti the brave man bleeds on the bed of honour, compaffiou ihcds her tear, and the fear is glorious. When the good nian falls in the canfe of his country, a grieving nation blclfcs him in death, and bids the column rife to perpetuate his memory. But when Icings and queens, when the noble, ;he wife, and the good, are led to execution amidil furies, and faces covered with crape, when the earth drinks up their blood, and no murmur of difapprobation afcends to heaven, humanity ihudders, ai)d we hate the nature that is capable of fuch depravity. In our public exigencies we have alfo the pleafure of rcfletSting, that in this conflict our country fuitaiiis a diftin- guiflied part. Our armies go forth under (he binners of *»nvernment, law and religion, not in purfuit oH victory and conqueft, but of peace andfafety for a diftradled world. Wc ought *;ven to remark, but not without the moft unfeigned tiiankfulnefs to the fupreme difpofer of events, that the pe- rils of the time feem to have made a falutary impreifion on the minds of our countrymen. The value of our conftitu- tion appears to be better underftood ; the importance of religion and morals is more generally acknowledged, and a fpiiit of unanimity gives vigour to the government. But above all, my brethren, how fingularly have we been protected and prefcrved in this part of the empire, amidft the alarming difpenfations of Divine Providence ? 'I'hc fpecialty of our cafe can hardly have cfcaped the notice of the i J ^ •»•■< . ■m'**M** vw* [ 38 ] obfe Whih the moft inattent'n the profpeft or the peril of the time , it produced fomc ^rent I'o feafonablc in hz occurrence, and fo falutary in its confequence'5, that it deferved to be regarded as defigned on purpofe to prolong our tranquility— a conlideration whicli will apologize, I truft, for a more minute recolledion of domeftic affairs than would on any other occafioji be Tuita- bie to this place. And here I flatter myfclf we have not yet forgotten that whcnamalignant epidemic defolated the capital of a neigh- bouring nation, and reduced the opulent city to the gloomy abode of terror and death, the health of our people was con- tinued without interruption. Nay as if to place us beyond the reach of danger, a fuperabundant harveft in one of our firter provinces * furnifliedus v;ith an ample fupply of provi- iions. For the firft time during many years our merchants were delivered from the neceflity of bi.ving recourfe to the American markct,and the country efcaped all ri(k of infe(5tion. When towards the clofe of the fame year the apprehenfi- on of invafion, with which we had been threatened for fe- veral months, became more alarming, deltitute as we were in a ?reat meafure of Britifh force, our refources did not: fail us. The citizens were firm and u ^. mous, and upon the firft requifition of afliltance the country fcnt to our de- fence a bold and hardy yeomanry, neither ftrangers to arms^ ror to that valour and intrepidity which rentier them for-» midable toan enemy. Meanwhile, without our interpoii- tion the dellgns of our advcrfarics were fruftrated by thei» own diiTen/ioas, Gcd on high maintained our peace, and proved our protestor. In the courfe of the prcicnt year when our fup- plies were cxhaufted, and tlie fdurce from which we procured them had failed, by the vigilance and fuc- cefs of the fquadron appointed fur our protection, wc were again provided with plenty of wheat, and at a cheaper rate than the hufbandir.an could afford to fell it on the field where it was railed. At home the province has been blcflcd * CAoada, wilh '1 i [ 39 1 provi- wiih w!th an abundant harveft, and hitherto even the rtiefcilefi winter has appeared to refpe6t the defencelefs condition of our poor, by paliingaway with unufual mildnefs* To crown the fingular felicity of our colonial ftate, whiJd fophiftry and fedition have been bufily, and but too fuc- cefsfully at work, in other parts of the empire, we have li- ved to this day in all concord and loyalty. No fadions have d'vided our people, or diftraiEted our government. Clubs and cabals are unknowri in our fettlements. No one has dared to accufc another of difafFedtion. There has riot been an information, far lefs an imprifonment, incon- fequence of feditious practices in any part of the country. ?cace and uriity have (hcd tlieir happieft influences over the province, and our King and our Coaftitution continue to be the objeiSls of cur dearefl regard. In fuch a fortunate, may it not be faid in fuch an enviable- condition, are we not bound by all the ties of gratitude and duty to love and praife the Lord, and to walk uprightly in his commandments ? Nopeople were ever more highly favoured, or biefled with a better opportunity of becoming wife, and good and happy. Let not the kindnefs of Providence plead with us in vain. Enjoying fafety in the midft of danger, let us obferve the difpenfations of judgment to other lands, and apply the inftrudions which they deliver to our own improvement. In a particular manner let us beware of the prevailing vices which have produced the perils of the time — inridclity, licentioufnefs, and a fpirii of innovation. And oh my friends, let not the parting admonition of the expiring year be loft upon you ! It calls you to the exercife cf repenunce, and to an immediate anJ effVilual reforma- tion ot your condufl* It fpcaks with earnell voice on the im()ortance of thefe outies, and you will not hear it fpeak in this place again. The envious moments fly while we are talking of rhcir fps^d ; arrefl: them in their progrcfs, and ap.'Iy then-* to the bu'inefs of your falvation. For though t^me he ihort, remember that procraftination is endlefs, ruri)ofcs of amcnJiaciii: indeed wiiich indciiaiteiy embrace ■" an it -■M» 9>0fmmK» yrfMr*"- - t 40 ] an hereafter, embrace in faft a non entity. As the here, after is not fixed, it cannot poffibly arrive, though hfe wcr