DISC. ther have we been enabled to fit compofedly VI. in our habitations, and read accounts of what other countries have fuffered in this way. Warm and comfortable within, we have heard the storm rage and howl around us without, waiting only for the return of a clear sky and the fun, to open our doors, and go forth again. This has rendered us infenfible of the felicity we enjoy, because we have never been deprived of it; and men are ready, in the wantonness of their folly, upon every trifling occafion, while serving the interests of themselves and their friends, to shake the foundations of the government under which they live, never reflecting on the calamities which must light upon all, were the fabric to fall, in the conteft. But the States of America can tell what they have fuffered: the States of Holland can tell what they expected to fuffer the inhabitants in fome parts of a neighbouring kingdom can inform us (in the midst of a civilized and enlightened age) what it is to have the flesh torn from their bones, or be buried alive in the earth,

Of

VI.

Of these and other tranfactions we now fit DISC. and read (as was obferved above) with perfect calmness. But fuppofe-God forbid the supposition should ever be realized; it is made, that it never may be realized-Suppofe, I fay, they should come home to ourselves.

More than a century has paffed, fince this nation experienced the miferies of anarchy and confufion; when unhappy diffenfions afforded opportunity for a crafty and ambitious upftart to murder the king, annihilate one house of parliament, and having turned the members out of the other, walk unmolested to Whitehall, with the key of it in his pocket. This was LIBERTY, planted by able and skilful hands, duly watered and full blown! Great events from little causes! Who would have thought fuch an event could have happened, when the difpute firft began? Who could believe it ever did happen, had we not incontrovertible evidence to prove it? Least of all, who would wish to see it, or any thing like it,

happen

DISC. happen again? Let not, then, the princi

VI.

ples which produced it be adopted and diffeminated amongst us: let not the governed be taught to esteem themselves fuperior to their governors; but let all be taught, as they "fear God," to " honour the king;" that is, to "honour the king," because they "fear God," who has commanded them fo to do. Our felicity depends on the fafety of the prince, and the stability of government, which may fail, among other reasons, through our neglect to pray for them. Our ingratitude, ungodliness, and indevotion, as well as our other vices and crimes, may bring a blast on the defigns of our rulers; and while we blame the king and his ministers, the fault may be entirely our own. "Let fupplications, prayers,

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interceffions, and giving of thanks, be "made, therefore, for kings and all that "are in authority, that we may lead a

quiet and peaceable life," as citizens ; and that we may lead it" in all godliness and honefty," as Chriftians.

For

VI.

For if the state be disturbed, the church DISC. cannot remain in peace; among the bleffings of which, this is ever to be esteemed the greatest, that religion is then best cultivated, and made to flourish in a land. It's minifters enjoy leifure and opportunity to celebrate it's folemn offices, to meditate upon it, to write upon it, to preach, and to publish books upon it, for the edification of their people. Of all this what can be done in the midst of war and tumults, when priests and people are flying before their common enemies, or engaged in civil commotions against each other? The Ifraelitish monarch, driven by rebellion from his capital, and in danger of his life, is very affecting upon this circumftance. The remembrance of better times occurred to his mind; of times, when he went in proceffion with the multitude, and led his fubjects into the houfe of God, with the voice of praise and thanksgiving, among fuch as kept holy day. A comparison of his former happy with his then afflicted condition almost broke his heart." When I remember. "these

-VI.

DISC. "these things, I pour out my foul in me." But faith came to his affiftance, and bade. him not despair the return of those happy times, when he should again visit the tem

ple, in like manner as before. Why art "thou caft down, O my foul, and why art "thou difquieted in me? Hope thou in "God, for I fhall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."

In a season of greater calamity and distress in our own country, this venerable cathedral, by the reformers of that period, was converted into a ftable; and small indeed was the profpect of it's ever being restored to it's original use and beauty. But, by the divine mercy, we are now affembled in it, "with the voice of joy and praise, to keep

holy day." We have a church, and we have a king; and we must pray for the profperity of the laft, if we wish to retain the first. The levelling principle of the age extends throughout. A republic, the darling idol of many amongst us, would probably, as the taftè now inclines, come attended