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 ■ ■iMmim--i 
 
TMIC 
 
 SUBSTANCE 
 
 or 
 
 DELIVERE* 
 
 ON SU.NDAT, MARCH 25, 1027. 
 
 OK OCCASION 09 
 
 THE LAMENTED DEATH 
 
 OF 
 
 . ' ' ' ■ ' <■ » 
 
 ROTAL BZaBNSSS^ THE DUXB OP TOak 
 
 BY ROBERT ALDEE. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY REQUEST; 
 AND DKDTCAU^aD, ?Y- ^Eajfis^row cc Hasrxcnijv^vcr thsc 
 
 ' • • - 
 
 « • • • 
 
 « 
 
 * • 
 
 MONTREAL: 
 raiKTEo Br jr. Moitria. 
 
 isn. 
 
 ■■*l*«S8il,HH'i!iii 
 
TO Mil EXccLLSircr, thb nrauT HowocnABLE 
 OflOROll, BARft or DAUBEOU8ZII. 
 
 (BARON DALHOUSIE, OF DALHOUSIE CASTLE,) 
 
 Knioht Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Military 
 
 ' Order or the Bath, Captain General and Go ^^ernor 
 
 wr Chiev ijr a;;d over the Protinces of Lower Canada, 
 
 XJrcsft C^N^DA, Nova Scotia, anp New Brdmswipk, and 
 
 TMEIH 8EVIWM' pjKfltNDArrciEg, 
 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 Mt Lord, 
 
 The Sovereign Disposer of all events, has been p'-ase^ 
 to remove another Member of the Royal Family of Great 
 Britain, from this sublunary sphere ; and thus has furnished 
 another proof, that the robes of royalty, and the garments of 
 poverty, are alike preludes to the tomb. ' 
 
 As the following Sermon was delivered, with a design to 
 make a suitable improvement of this melancholy event, I know 
 no person, to whom it could be dedicated, with so much pro- 
 priety,' as to your Lordship; being well persuaded, that 
 there is not an individual, in these Provinces, who deplore* 
 10 deeply as your Lordship does, the death of the Dcke op 
 York ; because there is none, so well qualified to estimate the 
 value of his public services, and the loss that the British Em- 
 pire has sustained by his demise. 
 
 ' I am, my Lord, but ill qualified, and still less willing, to 
 flatter ; but, having resided for upwards often years, under 
 your Lordship's government, and witnessed, upon different 
 occasions, your Lordship's jrreat solicitude, for the improve- 
 
 51356 
 
IT. 
 
 """" "'■"" "'*'"" ""i --'■■'.' ch.r.c.„ of ,h. p«p,. co«. 
 n..t,od ,0 j,„„, charge, a„a ^.„ „„,;„„, j^,.^_. ,__ _^^_^ ^^^^ 
 
 proloclion, ,0 pc„„„, „f .,, „,igi„„, d„,<,„i„.,i„„,_^ ,^^ 
 ....on wWcl, i, ,0 „or(hy of a Bri.i,h Governor-, hope. th« 
 m.y be ailo,ve,l, „po„ ,hu „cca.ion, without subjecting 
 myself to the i„,p„ta,i„„ .f „a„„^_ ,„ „,„^ ,^_^ ^.__^^^^ 
 
 "teem, which I have long felt for ^our Lordship', character ■ 
 and to express my fervent wishes, that " the Father of Light. •• 
 may endow you, „y Lord, with all those qualities which are 
 necessary, to enable your Lordship, to execute the important 
 duues which are connected with your dignified station ; and 
 that He may preserve your Lordship, to be his " Minister for 
 good," ,0 the inhabitants of this part of Hi. Maicty's 
 Dotninioni 
 
 Be pleased, my Lord, to accept of my grateful acknowledg. 
 ments, for having so readily allowed me to inscribe the fol- 
 lowmg Discourse to your Lordship ; and for the favourable 
 op.nion. which your Lordship has been pleased to expn „ 
 of the character and labours of the Wesleyan Missionaries in' 
 these Provinces. 
 I am, 
 
 My Lord, 
 With sentiments of (he most profound respect, 
 
 Your Lordship's Most Obedient Servant, 
 
 ' ■ » , 
 
 »f , , - .. R- ALDER. 
 
 •Montreal, Jpril m, 1C27. 
 
 f 
 
ople com- 
 fort! equal 
 —a dispo- 
 lope, that 
 lubjecting 
 ) sincere 
 laracter ; 
 rLights," 
 i^bich are 
 mportant 
 ion ; and 
 lister for 
 laj oath's 
 
 lowledg- 
 thc fol. 
 ourable 
 JXpress, 
 arica in 
 
 A SBRMOMT. 
 
 ER. 
 
 1 Corinthians vii. 29 — f^l. 
 
 " But this I say, brethren, tlio timn is sJiort ; it romainoth tlial hoth 
 thoy that liiivc wives be as thoiii)li they had none ; .-uid thoy that weep 
 as thoug'h thoy wept not ; and tlioy that rojoiro iis tlinuijh tiipv rojoiced 
 not; and they that buy as thou;[jh thoy posfn'ssed r\ot ; and tiiry that 
 use this world, as not abusing it ; for tlic f'aHhion of lliiw world puyselli 
 away." 
 
 Frkderick, the scconl son of our Into revered Monarch,, 
 the brother of our illustrioua Sovereign, the Commander in 
 Chief of the British army, and the Heir Apparent of the liri- 
 tish throne— is no more ! A deep and general feeling of sor- 
 row, has been produced in our Mother Country, by this me- 
 lancholy event. The sighs of Britain have been wa/ced to 
 this province ; and we hasten to mourn with her, and to tes- 
 tify our respect for the illustrious dead. For though we are 
 far removed from that itivoured land, the country in which we 
 dwell forms a part of the British Empire, however humble, 
 and we are deeply interested in all its affairs. Many of us 
 claim Great Britain as the land of our birth, and no distance 
 of time or place can destroy that love of country of which we 
 boast, or extinguish in us that loyal feeling, which glows in 
 the bosom of British subjects. 
 
 In offering this, humble tribute of respect, to the memory 
 of the late Heir Apparent, it cannot be supposed that we are 
 influenced by mercenary motives ; as we might withhold it 
 without danger, and neither desire nor expect, any courtly 
 reward, for appearing in the train of mourners on this oc- 
 casion. Our object, is simply to furnish a public and disin- 
 terested proof, that we participate in the loyal symjiathy, 
 
illicit hni been «o unequivocally cxpreiied, by alt claMei, in 
 tfia parent stntc, under this solemn dispensation of Provi- 
 dence ; nnd of ourconscientioun respect for the ruling powers 
 of our country. 
 
 Nor let it b<5 BUppoied, that by thus particularly directing 
 your attention to this affecting event, that I am guilty of a de- 
 reliction of my duty as a Minister of Christ ; for although 
 thft Gospel teaches us, that. " God hath made of one blood, 
 all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth," 
 and that both the prince, nnd the peasant^ shall meet at the 
 Bamo infallible tribunal, and be judged by the flartic grand 
 rule ; it recognizes civil government as emanating from the 
 Deity, and civil rulers as his ministei's ; and commands us to 
 respect and obey them, as such, not only " for wrath," biit 
 ••for conscience sake." Render therefore tb nil their 
 duei : tribute to whom tribute is dOe ; custom to whom 
 custom ; fear to whom fear ; honour t6 whom honour." It 
 lias been usual in all aged, in all countries, and under every 
 form of government, to mark tVith peculiar' solemnities, the 
 obsequies of persons eminent for theit birth, their talents, or 
 their exploits. Even in republics, jdalous as the people 
 are, of any thing like the pomp nnd parade of royalty; this 
 custom is observed, of which a striking instance was recently 
 furnished in rt neighbouring country, on occasion of the death 
 of two of hci- most celebrated statesmen. Where theh, I ask, 
 is the individual, whd bears and deserves the name of a Bri- 
 tish subject, that, upon such an occasion, would hesitate, much 
 less refuse, to rendeirdue homage to a PHnce of the illustrious 
 family ofHanover ?— a family that is so closely connected with 
 the most splendid period of British history. It is now nearly 
 one hundred and thirteen years, since the first George was 
 called by the voice of a free people, to ascend the English 
 throne, and to defend their civil and religious privileges, 
 ogniiist the attempts of those misg'iided individuals, who aimed 
 
 i 
 
 "i 
 
1 claMci, ia 
 I ofProvi- 
 ing powers 
 
 y directing 
 Ity of a dc- 
 3r although 
 'one blood, 
 the earth," 
 mcbt at the 
 lathe grand 
 ig from the 
 tiands ti9 to 
 rrath," but 
 \ oil their 
 to whom 
 nour." It 
 ider every 
 mitics, the 
 talents, or 
 he people 
 )yaltyi this 
 IS recently 
 f the death 
 heh, 1 ask, 
 e of a Bri- 
 tate, much 
 illustrious 
 cctcd with 
 low nearly 
 eorge was 
 le English 
 privileges, 
 vho aimed 
 
 ut their destrnction Compare this period, with (hoKC »vhicU 
 preceded it — compare the reign of the House of llnnovor, 
 with that of York, or Lancastc;' ; Tudor, or Stuart ; and dis- 
 cover, if you can, a period more favourable to religion and 
 liberty, or more conducive to the best intercbts of lh« coun- 
 try — u period, when the powers of the Constitution were mor« 
 correctly balanced ; or when the prerogatives of the crown, 
 and the privileges of the people, were better defined, or 
 more conscientiously respected. 
 
 It ought never to be forgotten bj us, that the Sovereigns of 
 the prpjeqt dynasty, have always been the friends of religious 
 liberty. Far from having made any attempt to enforce uni- 
 formity in the belief of religious truth, or in the celebration 
 of religious worship, they have always admitted, both in pro- 
 fession and in practice, that the rights of conscience are sacred 
 and inalienable ; and that it is the privilege of the meanest 
 subject, to exercise hi^ own judgment, in the all important 
 concerns of religion. Hence, since their accession to the 
 throne, not only has bigotry been prevented from taking away 
 t)ie lives of men, under the sanction of the civil power, but 
 those absurd and sanguipary laws, which were enacted during 
 former reigns, to destroy the right of private judgment, have 
 beep expunged from the Statute book. The Qospel has been 
 defended and propagated by those celestial weapons, which 
 its Divine author has instructed us to employ for this pur- 
 pose—weapons, by which it triumphed over the pride of phi- 
 losophers, and the ferocity of barbarians ; and by which it 
 shall triumph over all the ignorance and wickedness of a fallen 
 world. *' For the weapons of our warfare, are not carnal, 
 but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds ; " 
 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth 
 itself against the knowledge of God." Respect for the reli- 
 gious privileges of his people, in connexion with a conscien- 
 tious regard for his coronation oath, was a striking trait in the 
 
 B2 
 
WM 
 
 8 
 
 character of George the Third. All his children appear to 
 have imbibed the tolerant spirit of their royal father, who, 
 when he was urged to assent to an intolerant law, utterly 
 refused, assigning as a reason, that, " there should be no 
 PERSECUTION DURiNc HIS REIGN." May the noWe feeling that 
 prompted such a declaration, always exist iu the bosom of 
 British Princes ; and may there never be wanting a descend- 
 ant of that Monarch by whom it was made, to sit upon the 
 British Throne ! 
 
 But alas ! how vain are human wishes. How insecure are 
 all our earthly enjoyments. «' The fashion of this world pas- 
 seth away." Death, that universal, irresistibh, and relf atless 
 foe— Death, the destroyer of Princes, and the conqueror of 
 conquerors, has, during the last few years, frequently watered 
 our palaces, and snatched away their inhabitants. The first 
 of these royal victims, was the youthful and accomplished 
 Princess Charlotte ; the hope of her family, and the fa- 
 vourite of the nation ; and who, within a few short months 
 after her marriage, was suddenly removed from all the splen- 
 dours of royalty, to the mansions of death. • Then followed in 
 rapid succession, the exemplary Queen CiiARiOTTE— the ve- 
 nerable and pious George the Third ; who, during the last 
 nine years of his long and eventful reign, livdd in a state of 
 total seclusion from his family and his people ; and descended 
 into the grave, ignorant alike of the national triumphs, and 
 his own domestic bereavements — Nearly at the same time, the 
 princely Duke op Kent, was suddenly cut oflf in the 
 midst of his days and usefulness— and soon afterwards, the 
 misguided and unfortunate Caroline was summoned into 
 eternity. Now, another Prince ha^ been added to the num- 
 ber—another proof has been furnished of the vanity of world- 
 ly grandeur- and another call has been made to us, to " cease 
 from man, whose breath is in his nostrils." How astonishing 
 that the numerous and striking proofs of our mortality, which 
 
9 
 
 V 
 
 daily "urce themselves upon oui* notice, should be no little 
 regarded — that men should be so heedless to the warning 
 voice of Providence, and to what so nearly concerns them— 
 that all should acknowledge the mortality ef all ; and yet all 
 act, as if each one believed that in his own ca«e, the irrevo- 
 cable decree of heaven, dooming itiaa to death, should not be 
 executed. Such has alwavs been the conduct of men. Such 
 is new their conduct. We an;, ia general, unwilling to en- 
 tertain serious thoughts of death, or to make that preparation 
 for it, which both reason and revelation teach us to be so ne- 
 cessary. But shall not this loud a^.^m affect us ? Shall we 
 not think of c jr mortaUty, while listening to the funeral kncll 
 of the heir of Britain's throne ? '* All flesh is grass, and all 
 the j^oodliness thereof is as the flower of the field." 
 
 His Royal Highness, the late Duke of York, was the se- 
 cond son of their late Majesties, King George III. and Queen 
 Charlotte, youngest daughter of Charles Lewis Ferdinand, 
 Duke ofMecklenburgh Strelitz. Of the early years of Princes, 
 but little authentic information is tobe obtained, especially after 
 the lapse of half a century, when almost all those who direct- 
 ed their juvenile pursuits, have been swept away by " time's 
 ungentle tide." Unfortunately for themselves, as well as for 
 society, Princes are generally placed in circumstances ex- 
 tremely unfavourable to moral and intellectual improvement, 
 and too often the evil pussions of our nature acquire an early 
 influence over them. Accustomed from their infancy, to have 
 their wishes not only gratified, but even anticipated ; and in 
 many instances, surrounded by persons who endeavour to 
 gain their confidence and favour, by flattering their vanity, 
 and accommodating themselves to their caprice ; no wonder 
 that they are so often seduced, and fall a prey to the artful 
 and interested sycophants around them : a circumstance which 
 is greatly to be deplored, as well on their own account, as on 
 
 
10 
 
 fldicount of society, the best inteitats of which are closely 
 conhected Avith their conduct. 
 
 The Duke of York entered intu the service, to which he 
 was so bright an ornament, in the 3'ear 1780; and from that 
 period until the time of his death, acted a yery important part 
 ia public affairs. In his personal appearance, he bore a 
 very striking iresemblance to his Royal Father, and even his 
 speech wag marked by that indistipctness of utterance, pecu- 
 liar to that illustrious personage ; circumstances which tend- 
 ed to endear him to the nation, by whom the late King was 
 greatly and justly beloved. It cannot be denied, but that the 
 deceased Prince possessed many excellent qualities, of which 
 benevolence appears to have beeq one of the most conspicn- 
 ou«. The filial aifection that he displayed, during the melan- 
 choly aMietion of his venerable Father, made a deep impres- 
 ston upon the public mind : neither the hurry of business, 
 iior the allurements of pleasur.e, interrupted the regularity of 
 Lis visits' to Windsor, during the period of its continuai[ice, 
 though the object of his affectionate solicitude was insensible 
 to the dutiful and laudable conduct c.f his son. But t^iere 
 were shades, as well as lights, in the character of the deceas- 
 ed, and it wouH ill become a Minister of Truth, to attempt to 
 pfllliate or deny his offences ^ especially during n period like 
 tUe present, when so many presume to plead the exam- 
 l»le of persons of exalted rank, as an excuse for their neglect 
 of religious and moral duties, as if tl^ere were '* respect of 
 j)ersons with God." 
 
 It is not, however, piy intention, (p atte^ipt to delineate 
 the character of the late Duke of York, as such an attempt on 
 uny part, would be equally useless ai^d presumptuous. The 
 chara ier of men " of eminent rank and fortune, marked out 
 for the keen observation of society, by the hand which lifted 
 them above the allotted level of their species, must be cor- 
 rectly rci)resentcd, or the best lant!-marks of morals bid fair 
 
II 
 
 to be finally overthrown ;" and, as I do not possess such n 
 knowledge of the character of the late Prince, as is necessary, 
 in order to a true representation of it, I shall leave this im- 
 portant duty to be performed by others, better qualified than 
 myself, to do it justice. I might indeed, easily repeat all that 
 has appeared irt our public journals, respecting his public and 
 private conduct ; but this would aftord yon little or no in- 
 struction. While the writers of such articles promise. that, 
 they will " nothing extenuate, nor ought set down in malfce ;" 
 they either endeavour to conceal the imperfections,, and to et- 
 aggerate the excellencies of the character that they profess 
 to describe ; or they minutely exhibit all their defects, and 
 carefully conceal the good qualities for which they were coa- 
 spicuous ; and thus impose upon their readers, the production, 
 of fancy or prejudice, as a faithful representation of the cha- 
 racter professedly delineated. In both cases, we behold the 
 friend, or the adversary ; the apologist, or the accuser ; but 
 in both we are unable to distinguish or to judge correctly of 
 the man. You will therefore, I trust, be more profitably 
 employed in listening to the exposition and application of our 
 text, than to an imperfect account of the illustrious Duke ; and 
 any observations which we might make, cannot possibly affect 
 him, now that he is an inhabitant of eternity. He has alrea- 
 dy appeared before the Prince of the kings of the earth, the 
 Judge of angels and men, stripped of all the adventitious dis- 
 tinctions which he enjoyed in this world ; and his eternal des- 
 tiny has been immutably fixed. There the voice of flattery 
 is not heard — there the envenomed shafts of calumny do not 
 reach— and there the late Prince is alike regardless of the 
 censure and the applause of men. 
 
 1 feel it, however, to be my duty to state, that, whatever 
 opinion we may have formed of the conduct of the deceased, 
 as a man, or as a Prince, we ought not to forget, that he was 
 one of the instruments employed by Divifle Providence for 
 
mm<^'m^mm^->,.^f^^.. 
 
 li 
 
 the preservation of Great Britain, during the late protracted 
 and sanguinary war, and which was brought to a close on 
 terms so favourable to the honour and prosperity of our co'un- 
 trjr-a consummation this, for which under God, v e are in a 
 great measure, indebted to the late Commander in Chief • 
 tvho, by the judicious and benevolent plans which he intro' 
 duced into the army, very materially contributed to raise it 
 from the contemptible state iuto which by a series of disas- 
 trous events, it had fallen; and to infuse such a feeling into 
 it, as prepared it to contend with, and ultimately to triumph 
 over, the veteran legions of France. Not, that there ever 
 was a lack of courage in the British army ; for courage is a 
 • prominent feature in our national character ; but there was a 
 want of discipline, without which, mere personal bravery is 
 of httle avail in a modern field of battle. This want the Duke 
 of York supplied; and by doing this, he rendered an cssen- 
 Hal service to his country, and is justly entitled to its esteem 
 and grr.titudP.. It was the system that he introduced, which 
 prepared the way for those splendid victories, that crowned 
 the British arms, on the mountains and in the plains of Spain 
 and Portugal ; which produced that cool intrepidity, and un- 
 conquerable fortitude that our soldiers displayed in the en- 
 sanguined field of Waterloo, where their conduct extorted 
 expressions of admiration from Napoleon himself: and to it 
 we are m no small degree indebted, for the overthrow of that 
 system of despoUsm which for a time spread so rapidly, and 
 threatened to sweep away all that was dear to us as British 
 subjects, and as Christians. While then, we adore the gra- 
 cious Providence of God, that watched over our country in 
 the day of peril, and "turned the battle from her gates"— 
 whde we praise our the eternal, confounding the devices of her 
 adversaries, and for placing his impenetrable shield over her 
 when she contended with almost the whole civilized world • 
 '-nd struggled, not for empire, but existence ; let as not forgel 
 
^v-^-r TSfBy- -4 .'.Tffyjv i *Vim. TCT I 
 
 13 
 
 /brget to render the due meed ofpraiss to the deceased Pnnce, 
 as one of the agenta employ ed by the Most Higli for the ac- 
 complishment of his gracious designs towards our country ; 
 nnd for preserving her, in atis^yer to the prayers of his peo- 
 ple, as a monument of his mci'cv, nmidst the overthrow of 
 the jnost ancient thrones, and the wreck of surroundinc nations. 
 Who can forbear admiring the dignified and humane con- 
 duct of the late Duke of York, when the impious and infuria- 
 ted Robespierre, and his agents, issued.an order to the French 
 army, to give no quarter to the English or Hanoverian troops ? 
 This order was ouo of {he fruits of that infidel philosophy, 
 which was then in, so much repute, and by which its votaries 
 boasted, they would regenerate tiie world. The proscriptioa 
 of humanity, followed the proscription of Christianity,; and 
 murder was legalized, by the decree of an inftdel convention ! 
 But mark the difference be,twecn the conduct of a Prince, 
 who respected the Gospel, and that of those'p^Gtended friends 
 of man, who derided it, as aii exploded superstition. Far 
 from adopting a retaliatory measure — wli'ich the Inwg of war 
 would have permitted—he issued a general order to the arm^^ 
 under his command, in Which he observed : — " His Royal 
 Highness desires^ however, to remind them (his troops) that 
 mercy to the vanquished, is one of the brightest p;ems in a 
 soldier's character ; and exhorts them not to suffer their re- 
 sentment to lead them fo any precipitate act of cruelty ofi 
 their part, which may sully the reputation they have acquired 
 in the world." There are so many ^vils connected with a 
 state of actual warfai-e, that every attempt to miti,^at3 its hor- 
 rors, and to prevent the wanton waste of the lives luil proper- 
 ty of men, deserves the approbation oT every humane mind. 
 It displays the triumph of reason, over passion ; of the bene- 
 rolent, over the vindictive feelings of our nature ; and, llkcj 
 a fertile and lovely spot, in (he midst of surrounding barren- 
 ness, presents an object upon which the mind loves to dwell. 
 
u 
 
 Henc. ,hc .c„,i,ne„„ „hich .ere c,pr.„ed by hi, B„.d 
 H,Xh„c„ OD the oc.e,i„„ referred to. reflect no ordinary de- 
 greeef honour upon hi, memory, and will d.ubUe.,, proe„r« 
 for him the approbation of future ages. ' r » 
 
 W, shall now proceed to illustrate the solemn truth, and 
 .mportantdirectio,,,, which are contained in our.e,r ' ^ r 
 h,s 1 say, brethren, the time i, short ; it remaineth that both 
 hy that haro mve, be a, though they Had none ; and they 
 
 tt r,T " "°"^' '""^ "='" °°' ' -" '"^^ «hat rejoice a' 
 though they rejcced not ; and they that buy a, though they 
 
 ftr the fashion of this world passeth away." 
 
 .hi'an cr". ""' .' '"''"™"° °'°f '"'"" "'"=<■ " "-e Corin. 
 bnCh„rch,o„,he,nbjectofm,rriege. While some U.„.h, 
 ^ erery person who voluntarily led a single life, violate°d a 
 <1 vme precept i other, alKrmed, with aome of tL anc.^n 
 rhdosopher, that the single, i, better than the marrie ,1." 
 
 and m the chapter before „,, „e are furni,hed with hi, reply 
 o their re,„e„. He admit,, that, under ordinary circum 
 •tance,. the married state i, the best ■ but f)Z 
 orthe then distressed ,t.te of the c:!.. t:".:::™' 
 
 tt r;:";™'"^" -'* --""^ -- .hob; rid 
 
 her Zl ""' "■?• "■"' '" '"f- P"'-"«"n alone. 
 
 V.H1, 1 ;™''^"'<"'°'""y.«'ou hast not sinned. Ne- 
 
 lerlheles,, ,„ch shall have trouble in the /le,h " H. ,h 
 "h»,, that it is the duty of all, whe.ho arr 'or s" I I" 
 
 nr f'""''°™'-''"'^-f "■•'''«'«?, brethren 
 
 rin wT- r r. ^'""^ '' """ ""^"o" »f i fi-'^ *' 
 ye,' ;f ''""^J-'o^ay., and weeks; months, and 
 year,. ^ lewed ,„ ,t, „,„„„ „„„,_ ^„^ ,^^_.^ .^ ^ 
 
 .1 
 .111 
 
«i||»«llf.t£l?a51! 
 
 y 
 
 1j 
 
 compared with eternal ages. What are the thousands of years 
 ^hat have elapsed, since time began its mystic flight, with aH 
 that may yet precede the dissolution of the world, compared 
 with intinite duration ? — as much as one grain of sand, to the 
 myriads that arc washed by the waves of the sea ?— as one 
 atom, to the innumerable atoms that are contained in the uni« 
 verse ? — as one leaf, to all the leaves that tremble in the wide 
 spread forest of nature ? No ; for between these, a compari*. 
 son may be instituted, but no comparison can be made be- 
 tween finite, and infinite ; time, and eternity. Time is short. 
 This phrase is used by the Apostle, with a particular refer- 
 ence to that portion of time which is granted to each of us, to 
 prepare for the future state ; and which is'short indeed. How 
 contracted is the space, between the cradle and the grave ; 
 and O, how soon we step over it 1 Time, like an airy me-' 
 teor — or the tender grass — or a fragile flower, vanishes quick- 
 ly away. Childhood and youth pass almost imperceptibly, 
 and ere we are aware, we reach the meridian of life, and are" 
 surrounded with cares and difficulties. Then comes the last 
 stage of man's existence, old age with all its infirmities, and 
 sorrows, after which, man soon " dieth and wasteth away."— 
 " For the days of our years are three score years and ten ; 
 and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is 
 their strength labour and sorrow ; for it is soon cut off and 
 we fly away." The brevity of time is, a subject upon which 
 poets, moralists, and divines have frequently enlarged, and I 
 do not now dwell upon it, because I conceive that any proof 
 is necessary to convince you of so indisputable a fact ; but, 
 that you may be led duly to prize, and diligently to improve 
 that portion of it, which yet remains to you ; and that, instead 
 of seeking only temporal possessions, as if this world were 
 designed to be your everlasting abode, you may be led to live 
 as " strangers and pilgrims" in the earth ; and to pursue the 
 
 things that are spiritual in their nature, and eternal io their 
 
 C 2 
 
'<iuration. Brief, hoivever im i« n- .^ . 
 
 1,«„ ;• i. • ' "^* •?" that s allotted ua 
 
 liere, It w of inconceivable importanrp. r •. '""®° "* 
 
 ™ke of ,t, depends our everlasting doon,. " Behold „o» 
 
 Now 11,0 Sp,r., and the Mio .„y,. come. And let him that 
 
 hocreto say, Come. And let him ,ha, is athirst come Ind 
 
 hosoevcr ,vdl, let him take the water of life freelv'- 11 
 
 ^je suffer the present life to pas, away »itho„.:o Jp.i^^g'e 
 
 us f r m ktngour peace with God-pardo„i„g mercy will 
 be phced beyond our reach-no w,y „f reconcUiation' ^ 
 be ope„-^„o means will ,hc„ be furnished for the renovation 
 ^ ourm,„ds_„„p„ssib,,.ty„i„ remain of „„r e ve h ! 
 admuted mto the kingdom of God. What solemn on id^ 
 t ns are these; but alas! how li,„e are they re^a dl" 
 
 "To the mercies of a moment, 
 Iho vast concerns of an eternal scene." 
 
 -■■ «arriage;isa„tdirn:e7he:e:::dt;:"^''i 
 
 .0 promote the happiness of the hu.™n Ice H vh„T 
 
 crs, saw that it is not gc.d for him to be alone » As ... 
 are dcs^sned for friendship and society Z Z f 
 nexions of the mo^^ Inf . "" 7'=''''^' ^^ daily form coq. 
 Ignited to Ihot '"'^\"^*""^^^ «"d ^"'^earing nature, and are 
 
 vanoua t.cs that connect one individual of the specie, wah 
 
*<S,r „ 
 
 '.''IJ' 
 
 17 
 
 ppother, none ii so ponerful, aa that which unites a man and 
 his wife, when such a union is founded in affection and esteem* 
 and is nourished by mutual acts of kindness. The feeling 
 that glows in the bosom of the one towards the other, is stronjr- 
 er than that of patriotism or friendship ; and triumphs over 
 filial and fraternal love. " Fpr a man shall leave father and 
 mother, and shall. cleave to his wife, and they twain shall b? 
 one flesh." This union, like all others that we form here, is 
 tempoiary, and shall be dissolved. Hence the apostle exhorta 
 those " that have wives, to be as though they had none.'* 
 He does not mean, that husbands are to treat their wives with 
 neglect, or unkindness — with harshness and severity ; or as if 
 they were an inferior order of beings. Such sentiments would 
 be unworthy such a man, and woul(| contradict his own ex- 
 cellent instructipns on this subject. The simple meaning of 
 ihe direction before us, is, that we should not suffer our do- 
 mestic blessings, to diminish oqr desires for eternal felicity ; 
 or the performance of our ipost important relative duties, to 
 prevent us from discharging pur duty to God and our own 
 souls ; but that wp should sit as loose to the world, and be as 
 ready to act, and to suffer in defence of the truth, in the mar- 
 ried, as in the single state. ' • 
 
 ''Jlndthey that weep ns if they wept no/."~T rouble of 
 various kinds, js our natural portion in this world. "Man 
 that is born of a woman," is doomed to this by the will of his 
 Maker; and whatever may be our station, habits, or pur- 
 suits, it would be in vain for us to expect wholly to escape. 
 As the brightest day, is often shaded with clbuds, and 
 the loveliest rose is encircled with thorns, so a greater or 
 less dcstree of sorrow awaits every man here ; a truth which 
 is well known to all, who have travelled but a short distance 
 in the journey of human life. Where is the man, whose eye 
 has always been tearless, whose brow has never been cloud- 
 ed with care, and whose heart has never been the seat of 
 
}* 
 
 painful anxiety ? The world doeu not contain such a perfon. 
 Kvcn religion docs not exempt its friendsi and followers, from 
 Jiflliction, thongh it enables them to endure it with meekness 
 and patience; and cheers them, with the hope of a complete 
 and perpetual dolivcrapcc.' " Blessed m the man that en- 
 dureth temptation i for when he is tried, ho shall receive 
 the ciown of life, which the Lord h:Uh promised to them 
 that love him." Hence Christians are exhorted to "weep, 
 ns though they wept not." The feeling thnt the Apostle' 
 here recommends, is very different from that sloiral temper 
 which some of the heathen pliilosophers cultivated ; and re- 
 commended to their disciples. Their object, was to destroy 
 flU the generou^ and sympathetic feelings of the heart ; but 
 the gospel far from destroying, refines Jhese tender feelings, 
 and commands us to shed the tear cf sympathy over the mis- 
 fortunes of others. As we are directed by divine authority 
 •• to weep with them that weep," it cannot bo supposed, thaf 
 we are to be ipsensible to our own sufferings. Hut, while 
 we feel as men, and allow the tear of humanity to How, we 
 ehould hold fast our hope as Chriatians, and be as though 
 we «« wept not." We should view all our afflictions as light 
 and momentary ; as a part of that wholesome discipline whkh 
 our Heavenly Father is pleased to employ for our good, and 
 the manifestation of his own glory. What are all the triaLi 
 of believers here, when compared with the reward that 
 awaits them in eternity ? ' In heaven all their sufferings shall 
 be forgotten ; or be remembered only, to increase their gra- 
 titude and joy. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this 
 present time arc not worthy to be compared with the glory 
 that shall be revealed in us." 
 
 '' And they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced no<."— As 
 we arc not to be depressed by reason of worldly sorrow, 
 neither arc we to be elated by worldly joy. The one, as 
 well as the other, is of short duration : for such is the fluc- 
 
 1 
 
mtmepw^^^mtp 
 
 it 
 
 tunting itate of haoiau affairs, that odc day wc may be poss- 
 fiSBcd of all the temporal blefliings that wo cnn rensonably 
 desire ; such ns health, domestic felicity, extensive possess- 
 ions, and public favour; and the next we may be stripped 
 of them all. Disease may attack our bodies—death may in- 
 vade our dwellings— our wealth may pass into the bands of 
 others — the shafts of calumny may wound our reputation, 
 and our former friends may becomd our most dctcrniined 
 enemies. Prosperity, "is as the flower of the grass." 
 Surely then, we should '• rejoice as though we rejoiced not.'* 
 Why should we take such immoderate deTight in the transitory 
 enjoyments of this world ? Why should we bask iti the 
 beams of earthly prosperity, as flics sport in the rays of a 
 Bummer's sun, when one blast of Jehovah's breath may sweep' 
 away our joys, and change them into sorrow ? O how ill 
 
 it befits man, who is a candidate f6r immortality an heir of 
 
 endless bliss, oi: perpetual sorrow, to be transported with 
 joy at the succeca of a plan, or the occurrence of an event, 
 which adds a few thousands to his capital, a few fields to his 
 
 estate, or another title of honour to his name advantages 
 
 which he can enjoy only for a short period ; while he neither 
 seeks, nor desires, that portion which' tiie gospel offers ; 
 though the inheritance, which it promises, is incorruptible ,- 
 the honours, that it bestows, are unfading ; and the happiness, 
 which it communicates, is adapted to our nature, and lasting an 
 our existence. To what can' we attribute this conduct, but 
 to the depravity of our nature and the despotic influence 
 which sense has established over us ; from v/hich wo can be 
 delivered only by the power of the Holy Spirit, r.nd the 
 faith of the gospel. It is this divine principle, which gives as it 
 were a present subsistence to those glorious realities, which' 
 the people of God shall enjoy in another and a better world ; and 
 which leads them to rejoice, amidst all their earthly crjoymcnl/, 
 d9 though they did not rejoice ; and when they " buv to be as' 
 
though ihcy poMMsed not," Jkuowing ihc pracnriout tenura 
 by which they hold the things of the present hfc— " For 
 whatsoever is born of God, overconieth the worl<l : and thii 
 is the victory that ovcrcotnclh the work!, even our faith." 
 , " And they that use this world, a$ not abusing it.'' To use 
 thing is to employ it properly, in order to accompHsh tho 
 end to which it refers. To abuse u thing is to pervert it 
 from that use. Hence, if we would use the ivorki, and not 
 abuse it, •' we must make a right use of every thing, and per- 
 vert nothing", from the use for which it is designed. To do 
 this is the >vork of faith ; for man naturally runs into extremes, 
 and either rejects, or perverts the blessings of Providence. 
 VVc make p right use of the world, when, viewing it as a mir- 
 ror, in which a part of the, divine character is displayed, we 
 ascend ty it to God, and adore his power, wisdom, and good- 
 ness ; and when we consider the assemblage of things which it 
 contains, nnd the manntr in which they are governed, as design- 
 ed to make us acquainted with the wonderful economy of the 
 spiritual world. We use the world, when we devoutly and 
 gratefully receive our temporal blessings, as from our Heavenly 
 Father ; use them with moderation for the support of our- 
 selves and our families} and employ what may remain, in 
 supplying the wants of the destitute and the afflicted ; and in 
 extending the influence of real Christianity^ By so doing, we 
 prevent money from becoming a finnre to our souls — p-'^sent 
 a pleasing sacrifice to God ; and lay up for ourselves " trea- 
 sures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, 
 and where thieves do not break through nor Steal." But that 
 roan abuses the world who makes it the chief obj'^ct of hi* 
 pursuit, and lives in it as if it were to be his evi rlisti.-j 
 abode ; whose affections are wholly engrossed with 'tfi p!-!,.i. 
 sures, riches and honours, in which all his happiness is placed ; 
 ^ho, solely intent upon the aggrandizement of himself and 
 fcls family, is wholly regardless of the wants and (ho sufferings 
 
SI 
 
 orotlieH ; 11II.1 who, for the love of the woilif, endnn^^eis hU 
 imiuorf.'j! soul. How irrational ; iiuw iriexcuseablo is ^uc li 
 comJ jct.bceing that "th.? fushioii of this worl.l pa^selh away ,' 
 and that all our present o. npations andpurauin, ahull b« 
 ■ucceeded by the soloinn rcalitict of eti-rnily. " Surely ritiui 
 walketh in a vain show.'" Some critics are of opinion, that in 
 the sentence, " thn fashion of thin world passeth nway,'' thefo 
 is an allusion to theatrical exhibitions, and that it should bo 
 rendered, "the scene of this world passeth nway." You 
 know (says an excellent writer upon this text) that upon the 
 slr^o, the actors assume imaginary characters, and appear in 
 borrowed forms— one mimicks the courage and triumphs of « 
 hero ; another appears with a crown and sceptre, and v/alks 
 about with all the solemnity and majesty of u prince ; a third 
 puts on the fawning smile of a courtier, or the haughtiness of 
 a successful favourite ; and the fourth is represented in the 
 dress of a scholar or a divine. For aq hqur or two they act their 
 several parts on the stage, and amuse the spectators ; but the 
 scenes are constantly shirting ; and when the play is concluded, 
 the feigned characters are laid aside, and the imaginary kings 
 and emperors are immediately divested of their pretended 
 authority and ensigns of royalty, and appear in their naUvc 
 insignificance. 
 
 The present world is a stage, on which is exhibited every 
 variety of scene and character; mirth and sadness ; religion 
 and impiety ; virtue and vice ; wealth and poverty ; the 
 heedlessness of youth, the cares of manhood, the dotage of 
 old age ; princes and nobles, statesmen and warriors ; as well 
 as multitudes, who are, " to fortune and to fame unknown." 
 For a short time, the different actors perform their respec- 
 tive parts. But soon the play is finished— the curtain drops— 
 and they are all removed by death, and leave the stage to be 
 occupied by a new generation. 
 Other writers, however, are of opinion, that in thepaisng* 
 
Irl! 
 
 12 
 
 Mo,-, „,. U.e« « . „ftre,,o ., , sple.did propcMi™, 
 wb,ch, passmg through .he arecU, engase» ftr a moment tha 
 .tte.t,„u of the m»l,imdc. ■„ like „a„„»r, the world passe, 
 a^yfrcn ,1,0 sight of its present inh,bi,a„:,, and meets the 
 view of others. Whether Che Apostle referred to a theatre' 
 or to a pageant, the allusion aflortls a striking proof of (he 
 ;ns.ab,l..y of all sublunar, things. They a, -e passing away. 
 J ho world, with all that it contains, is hastening onward [o 
 that momentous period, when " Ihe heavens shall pass away' 
 w. h a great noise, the elements shall u,o!l wi-h fervent heaL 
 and the earth also, and the works tha; are therein shall b, 
 hurnedup," Tons indeed, the world, in general, appear, 
 nlways the same. Day and night succeed each other f the 
 •easons run their round, we ^.^e upon the same hea;e„s, 
 Mat met the v.ew of the fin,t of men when he came forth 
 bloommg .n youth and beauty, from the hands of his Creator • 
 -d .houg, (Ke earth frequently changes its inhabitants, i'l 
 .eems ..self to defy the ravages of time. Yet is the destric 
 ..on of the world decreed in the councils of Heaven : for , 
 
 ,r* '",*■>'■ "''•'' " -P"->'«"n the erection of 
 hat glcnous temple, which the Most High i, rearing out of 
 ^o rums of h „,,„^^^ „ ,^ ^^ ,,^ ,,_^^ _^.^_^ ^^ ^-^ _ 
 
 ofh-s grace- and as, when an edifice is finished, thescat^ 
 foMmg .s removed ; so when .his divine slructure is comple- 
 «ed, the present system of ihinj, shall pass away. Then shall 
 
 Hm terrors m array surround tlns1)al!^ 
 
 P^ahce^^Mhr"""","',''? """'"'' '^P'-^-*" ■"■^'«"»' 
 pal ce_ the great globe itself," „i,h all .ha, it contain, 
 
 •hall be involved in .he general confla;ratio„ 
 
 W,h,t „ said of .ho transitory nature of U,e world in general. 
 
 M 
 
28 
 
 is true of all the kingdoms and cities on the fjce of the globe. 
 Where arc those empires and kingdoms, which have succea- 
 flively appeared since Nimrod set up a kmgdom in the Eajtt ? 
 Where are those cities, once so famous for the number 
 of their inhabitantants, the extent of their commerce, the 
 iiiagnificence of their buildings, and the strength and solidity 
 Of their walls and gates ? Where are Tyre^ and Ninevah ; 
 Babylon, and Persepolis ? the banner of desolation has for ages 
 floated over their ruins, and while the curious traveller search- 
 es in vain, for some memorial of their former greatness, 
 
 ' Oblivion langhs and gays, 
 
 Tho prey is mine !" 
 
 Admitting the truth of the observations zihich Ke hnvtt 
 made, on the brevity of time, and the instahilily of the 
 world ; and assuming ai a fact, the immortality of the human, 
 soul, it surely can require no arguments to prove, that it is 
 our greatest wisdom, to seek for such a portion, as shall not 
 be taken from us. All the schemes and plans ; all the pur-' 
 suits and employments, that now engage the attention of 
 men ; and all the endlessly diversified objects that now 
 gratify their senses, and tempt their avarice and ambition, 
 are unsubstantial and transitory : for " the fashion of this 
 world passeth away/' But even if this were not the case— 
 if the things around us were permanent ; wo must shortly 
 leave them for ever. For, " it is appointed unto men. 
 once to die." " Yourfathers where are tl.ay ?" Many of you, 
 my friends, have reached the summit of life's steep hill. 
 Pause for a moment, while I enquire, where those persons 
 arc that occupied the places which you now till, Avhen you 
 commenced the pilgrimage of life ? Have they not all finish- 
 ed their earthly career, with the exception, perhaps, of one 
 here and there, 
 
 " "Whoso hoary locks prorlnim hii lengthftn«.-{ yoari,'* 
 Have you not frequently leen the cnrth opened to rcccite the 
 
 D2 
 
u 
 
 r^uv^m of some of your early associates, who vrcre takea 
 away m '« the midst of their days" ? Qnce they were as ac 
 tive and cheerful, and aa eager in the pursuit of earthlv dis- 
 tioctiona as you are, but what are all these things to'theto 
 now ? You are rapidly following them, to the " house ap. 
 pointed for all living," and then what wiH they be to you » 
 •' Man dieth and wasteth aWay ; yea he gireth up the ghost, 
 and .there is he ?" ShaH we then - eat and drink, because 
 to-morrow we die ?" Such conduct is as much opposed to 
 0"r happiness, as it is incompatible with our character. We 
 are called by the gospel to nobler employments, and to higher 
 pursuits. We are called to the enjoyment and practice of 
 that •' pure and undefiled religion," which is from above, and' 
 ^vhich St. Paul describes, as consisting of " righteousness, 
 peace, and joy in the HolyGhost," We are called to receive 
 •• a k.ngdom which cannot be moved"-to partake of the ho- 
 nour of the sons of God here, and to enjoy that well-founded 
 hope of eternal life, by which is produced that energy of ' 
 nand, and decision of character, that distinguish the gen^ 
 nine disciples of the Redeemer, and which so effectually 
 ^upported many of them, in the midst of sufferings, the 
 tare recital of which, shock the feelings of humanity. 
 Illustrious conquerors! they " were tortured, not accepting 
 deliverance ; that they might obtain a better resurrecf 
 tion. Relig.on is that blessed portion, which the world 
 canno g.ve. nor take away. Amidst all the changes of thi, 
 i'fc, it remains unchanged ; amidst all its sorrows, it is our 
 .m ; amidst all its trials, it is our support ; amidst all its'trea, 
 chery and deception, it is our faithful friend and guide :~anA 
 
 r-— -" Even in (^^ath, 
 
 In that dread hour, when, with a giant panjr 
 Tearing the tender Hbre, of the hfan ^ ^' 
 The immortal spirit struggles to be fr^e- 
 rhen, even then, this good forsake, „. „ot.- 
 
 <Ji the co!d sepulchre." 
 
25 
 
 Are you not persuaded that this It what you want ? that 
 this alone can afford you that happiness which you have 
 long sought for in vain, in a thousand other objects ? Then 
 why do any of you delay to seek it ? Why do you pursue 
 the base and grovelling pleasures of sense, in preference to 
 the exalted pleasures of piety ? Why do you continue build- 
 ing on the sand, when the rock of ages is revealed to you, 
 on which you may erect, an imperishable structure ? Why 
 do you labour in vain, in hewing out cisterns that can hold no 
 water, when you may have gratuitous access to the fountain 
 of living water ? Why should you be taketi up with objects 
 that you shall speedily behold no more, so as to lose sight of 
 that eternal state of existence upon which you must shortly 
 enter ? Is this the return that you make to your Heavenly 
 Father, for the distinguished blessings which he has conferred 
 upon you ? Are these the proofs that you furnish of your 
 rove to the "good shepherd," who laid down his life for you, 
 ^ a part of that flock, which has gone astray ? Will ye still 
 remain away from Him, and reject the blessings which he has 
 purchased with his own blood ? Is thi^ consistent with the 
 duty that you owe to yourselves ? Is it a proof of wisdom to 
 be serious about trifles, and indifferent about the most impor- 
 tant realities— to glide down the stream of life, and intently 
 gaze upon the various objects that appear on either side of 
 it, and not cast one look towards that shoreless ocean, upon' 
 which you shall soon enter ? If a man pay a more than ordi- 
 nary degree of attention to the state of his soul-if he presume 
 to be more "zealously affected in a good thing," than the 
 c^ustom of the world allows, he is pitied as a fool, or<lerided 
 as an enthusiast. But by what name shall we designate that 
 state of mind, which leads a man to hazard his eternal safety 
 for a momentary gratification ? What species of madness is 
 fhat wh.ch those persons are labouring under, who confine 
 their attention to the « outward man" and its interests, while 
 
"-'■-'■:'" 
 
 SO 
 
 " the inward man," that shall suryive the stroke of death, ii 
 utterly hft^lected. The conduct of the maniac who imagiftei 
 that he is in a state of freedom, when ho is bound with 
 fetters, and who moves about his gloomy cell, pleasing 
 himself with th» idea, that he is possessed of the attributes of 
 rbyalty, is not more ir.-atiohal than this : and yet, how many 
 are living as if there wer.^ rro future state— no day of righteous 
 retribution approaching-nor any thing interesting in the su- 
 blime discoveries of revelation. Have not we often acted in 
 this way ? Are there not some individuals present who are 
 still doing 86 ? To such I would say, "it is high time to- 
 awake out of sleep," and to consider your latter end. For 
 the time is short ; and its brevity calls nponyba, " so to num-" 
 ber your days, that yoir may apply your hearts unto wisdom." 
 Let ui acknowledge the agency of God in the government of 
 the world; and present to htm our prayer, and supplications,- 
 m behalf of our King and country. « The earth is the f.ord'rr 
 «nd the fulness thereof;" for he is the Ruler, as Well as the 
 Creator of the world. The providence of God is a doctrine, 
 which, though but little nnderstood, and seldom considered,' 
 18 clearly revealed in thft oracles 6f truth ; md affords urt- 
 «peakab!e pleasure to the people of God. " The Lord reign- 
 eth ; let the earth rejoice ; let th6 multitude of the isles be 
 glad thereof." All the kingdoms of this world, forrh a part 
 of h,s, empire. Earthly monarchs are his subjects, and are ac- 
 countable to him, for the use which they make of their dele- 
 gated authority. As the «« Most High ruleth over all the 
 kingdoms of men, and giveth them to whomsoever he will • a» 
 he removeth kings, and setteth up kings, and giveth wisdom 
 to the wise," it is our duty to bear up our Sovereign on the 
 arms of faith aad prayer ; to beseech the giver of all good, t» 
 adorn his soul with the ornament, of righteousness ; to pre- 
 serve his health, and to prolong his days. It is more es- 
 pecially our duty to do so at present, as his heart has been »o 
 deeply wounded, .nd his health so greatly injured, by th*- 
 
)9 
 
 «2«atl, of Ilii Roval Brother. When a X«ro iat on the Impi. 
 vial Throne, and wantonljr shed the blood of Christians, St, 
 Paul exhorted the disciples of Jesus, to pray " for kings and 
 for all in authority ;" assigning as a reason for it, " that it is 
 good and ucceptable in the sight of God our Saviour :" ho./ 
 much more obligatory is this direction on us, who have the 
 happiness to live under such a Sovereign, as Geougb the 
 FouHTH : a Sovereign, whose life is of so much importance to 
 t;ie Bfitish Empire, and to all classes of his subjects. 
 ♦' Still let us pray, and never cease, 
 Defend him, LorJd, defend : 
 'Stahlish bis xhrone in rigrhteoushOM, 
 And sav9 hjm to the end !" 
 
 " Lit roery soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there 
 i? no power but of God ; the powers that be are ordained of God.*' 
 He has appointed civil government, for the safety and happi- 
 ness of man ; and it ,?? our duty to submit to that, which had 
 l?cen divinely aj)pointe,d (or our good. It is a wicked and a 
 dangerous thing to disturb the public tranquility, and to che- 
 rish popular disaffcctii)n ; for if the people are once taught 
 to despise constitutional authority, and to trample upon law 
 a^id order, the most trcpiendous consequences may be antici- 
 pated from their lawless violence. There are mutual duties, 
 which rulers and their subjects, owe to each other. As it ia 
 the duty of the ruler to protect and defend his people ; so it 
 is the duty of the people, to " render unto Casar, the things 
 that are C^sar'a ;" honour, tribute, and obedience. Thisk 
 loyalty ; for " Joyalty signifies obedience to the laws : the 
 laws require attachment and obedience to the Prince, whom 
 they invest with supreme authority.' It is treason against the 
 prince to depress him below tue laws : it is treason against 
 the constitution to raise him above them. The law makes 
 the king : the king guards and executes the law ; and a good 
 subject loves, obeys, and supports both." '« Thou shalt not 
 epeak evil ot the ruler of thy people," is a divine precept ; 
 and should not {Be li^^fy csteoa^ed •*'•........ 
 
 <. •. • . . 
 
 • • • . • . 
 
 • • • . . 
 
 • • • • 
 
 t * 
 • • . . I 
 
28 
 
 It surely is the dutjr (>t' British subjects, to be patterns 
 of loyalty: to ralue their privileges— to guard their con- 
 8titution— and to respect the authority of their Sovereign in 
 liimself, and in his representatives. For of all the constitutions 
 under heaven, the British is demonstrably the best. It com- 
 bines the promptitude and decision of a monarchy, with the 
 wisdom and caution of an aristocracy, and the freedom of a 
 democracy. It is equally removed from despotism on the 
 one hand, and popular licentiousness op the other. " It has 
 beep long tried, and stood the rudest tests. The lapse of 
 ages tends only to invigorate it, and render it more effective, 
 it is an lionour to be born under it ; a blessing to live under 
 it; and a glory to defend and support it. It is like that 
 mighty tree, described by the prophet, widely diffused in its 
 roots, and vast in its stem :— its branches are spread over all 
 the earth, apd under them fowl of every wing find shelter. 
 It is the envy of the nations of tl^e world, and should be the 
 boast of its own sons. It is the pursery of every thing pure 
 in religion ; sound in policy ; good in law ; wise in counsel ; 
 dt;^p in learning ; and sublime in science !— and, let its ene- 
 mies know it, resistless in might ! It required a thousand 
 years to bping it to its present perfection : were it destroyed, 
 it would require three thousand, to produce one better." 
 Let us then duly esteem and gratefully acknowledge our pri- 
 vileges. Let each of us take the advice of the wise man, and 
 
 cultivate the sentiment amongst our neighbours : <' My son, 
 
 fear thou the Lord, and the King ; and meddle not with them 
 that are given to change." " Peace be within thy walls, O 
 Britain, and prosperity within thy palaces !". May Qod bless 
 our King, our Country, and all that are placed in authority 
 over us ! May he bless all the nations of the earth ! May that 
 happy period speedily arrive, when " wars shall cease unto the 
 ends of the earth" — wKen man shall every where recognize ip 
 his fellow man, a friend .ind a brother ; and when all shall know 
 the Lord, frqm«ti]re*r£-;«i,e,v^n*^jat'o"'tJie gr.eiteJt! 
 
 
EtinATA. 
 
 linage 11, line 12, for «' their defects," read " his defects ;" 
 I in line 13, for, " which they were," read " for which he 
 
 Ls." 
 
 IPage 12, last line, expunge the last word, (forget.) 
 Page 15. line 25, for " time is. a subject," read, Ume, i. 
 
 subject." J » T» • r 
 
 Page 16, line 1, fcr " Brief, however, as is," read ' Brief, 
 
 is." 
 
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