THE CHRISTIAN REMEMBRANCER. PART III. CHAP. I. THE REAL CHRISTIAN LOVES HIS COUNTRY, AND IS THEREFORE THE BEST OF PATRIOTS. POLITICAL hypocrisy hath made the laudable name of patriotism almost suspicious. But he, that is sincere in the best things, and walks as in the sight of God, will, of all men, be faithful in lower matters, and carry a sterling integrity from religion into every duty of social life. On the other hand, he, that regards not God, nor yet other men but as they are convenient to himself, may very justly be suspected respecting his fidelity to his country. Profit and vain glory, indeed, will carry some men very far, as they have done; but strip a worldly man of these, and where are his motives for moting the national welfare? pro The christian is not a mere showy patriot, for lucre or for fame; but he is, what none but a christian can be, a patriot in spirit and in truth, pouring out his secret and earnest prayers before God for the true prosperity of the land. The world, indeed, hath a low opinion of this artillery of heaven; but He, who is wiser than the world, hath told us, that the effectual fervent prayer of a righte ous man availeth much. And if one such person, like an Elias, can be instrumental in drawing down public blessings; what may, not be hoped for from the prayers of legions of christians throughout the nation? We may read what the prayers of such men have obtained, in Heb. xi. 33, 34. The christian patriot will rejoice in all the good done to his country; though other hands, rather than his, have been employed in the doing it. That man deserves not the name of a patriot, to whom the peace, honour, and prosperity of his country are valuable, only as they may contribute to his own. As the christian's patriotism is founded upon the pure principles of religion, he is. more desirous of his country's prosperity in true worth and virtue, than in mere power and riches, which are often the dangerous fuel of luxury and pride both to states and individuals. He is no enemy to commerce, for a thousand reasons; but an utter enemy. to commercial vices, for reasons infinite and eternal, In wishing for his country all kinds of temporal blessings, he cannot forget to ask before God for a greater abundance of spiritual mercies. His heart's desire is, that the gospel and religion of Jesus Christ, happily countenanced and established by the laws, may for ever flourish through the land in its most genuine and effectual power and purity. Though he is not, and cannot be, an enemy to any man, yet he is a well-principled adversary to all wicked and blasphemous errors and opinions, and to all profligacies of heart and life, which flow from them, and which have over-run the country with guilt and shame. The christian carries religion into his patriotism, but not his patriotism into religion. The things of God are too holy and sacred with him either to be mixed with or truckle to the little low politics of men. He is the citizen of a better country, and a pilgrim in all others; though a peculiar and public spirited friend to that, in which he was born. As he can say with Samuel, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for his nation; so he would act upon all occasions, as Samuel did, and endeavour to promote the welfare of his country by being a good countryman. He will contribute fairly and chearfully to her burdens, live in all godly quietness and honesty. among his people, and pray faithfully and earnestly for the whole public weal as a christian. Were all the subjects such patriots, the country would have but small reason to be afraid of the most mighty and numerous enemies; for who could penetrate the wall of fire, with which God, in such a case, would surround it? CHAP. II. THE REAL CHRISTIAN IS CONSCIENTIOUSLY A DUTIFUL SUBJECT TO THE KING AND HIS GOVERNMENT. HE that said, fear God, immediately added as one evident proof of the reality of his godly fear, honor the king. Being chief magistrate, the king is God's first temporal minister, who is to bear the sword of justice and judgment, for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well. The christian then, living like a christian, has no just cause to fear a wound. We are commanded by God to reverence those, who act under the king, for these ends; how much more then are we bound to regard himself? And if the christian be concerned for his country, he cannot be unconcerned for his sovereign, who is more deeply interested in its welfare than any other man. He prays publicly and privately for his king, for his family, and for all that are put in authority under him. It is his wisdom, interest, principle, and duty, thus to pray; because their prosperity is not only con nected with his own, but their downfal would occasion the worst of hazards to millions of people. He, who countenances strife and sedition, can no more be a true and benevolent christian than a real patriot and subject; for by these, confusion, rebellion, rapine, and murder, may overspread a land, to the general destruction, and to the reproachful hindrance of godliness and piety. I can find examples of pardon for the most atrocious private sins, in the bible; but I do not recollect one instance of God's mercy, extended to the public crime of rebellion. Indeed the same word is used in the original both for rebellion and for apostasy from God; and probably because they are almost one and the same thing. Rebellion is an aggregate evil, inducing and involving every other wickedness, and is precisely that offence of the first magnitude, which ruined the fallen angels, and through them brought misery and mischief into this world, as well as occasioned the irreparable sorrows of eternity. A true christian values private, public, and religious peace at too high a rate, ever to sacrifice it to the caprices and suspicions of selfish parties and worldly politicians. Corrupt as the world now is, he is thankful for the civil and religious liberty he enjoys, esteeming it a wonderful providence to him as a Briton above all other men; and therefore he is not captious and querulous because |