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Taking that court complexly,-in the characters and fuperior abilities of the judges, the extent of their privileges, the greatness of their power, the length of their attendance, the order, decorum, and folemnity of their forms, the number and erudition of their barrifters, together with the weight and influence of their decifions, it will, in Europe itself, be equalled by few courts of judicature, fcarce excelled by any. While, therefore, Chriftians fhould exercife a holy gratitude to God, for fuch an effectual fecurity from the caprice and oppreffion of their fellow fubjects, they are indifpenfibly bound to make interceffions for fuch as have the honour to fill thofe eminent places, that the fpirit of their station may be given them; and that, in the faithful and judicious discharge of their office, they may, under God, be for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praife of them that do well.

The end, to themselves, that Chriftians may pro. pole by fuch concern "for kings, and all that are "in authority," fhould next fall under our view; namely, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable "life, in all godlinefs and honefty." The kingdom of Chrift is a kingdom of peace, and the end of it is quietnefs for ever; godlinefs, as Christians, and honesty, as men, are equally the ambition and endeavour of all its fubjects: every lawful mean, toward the enjoyment of fuch quiethefs and peace, fo as to have freedom to exercife godlinefs and honesty, is incumbent on them: that prescribed in our text, is not only lawful, but laudable; not only fo, but vaftly conducive to the end in view 99 wherefore, without excluding motives of the generous and difinterested kind, it is evidently the intereft, as well as the duty, of Christians, to make fupplications, prayers, interceffions, and giving

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"thanks for all men," in general, "for kings and eminent perfons" in particular.

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If the making, the interpreting, and carrying into execution the laws, belong to them, does it not, at once, appear, how much is in their power, to render the Chriftian's life quiet and peaceable; to give him no temptation to ungodlinefs, by perfecution; nor to difhonefty, by oppreffion? Whence, the *propriety of the mean recommended in our text, for reaching the end mentioned by the apostle, is fo obvious, that he who runs may read.

But, on this part of the fubject, we will not now enlarge. From what obfervations have been made, the following conclufions will appear to be natural and eafy.

That, when men ly under no temptations from the feverity of laws, or rigour in thofe who carry them into execution, to the practice of ungodliness or dishonesty, their giving indulgence to the one or the other, must be a heinous aggravation of the crime. Aggravation of it, we fay, becaufe fuch a practice would be criminal in any, whatever fituation; but if fo,-where godliness cannot be professed, unlefs at the peril of life and liberty; nor honesty cultivated, unless at the rifque of poverty and want; what must be the crimfon hue, and what the fcarlet dye of thefe offences, where no fuch temptations, from the government, or our governors, fall in our way?

Temptations, did I fay, from the government,. or our governors, to the practice of ungoodlinefs or difhonefty? The reverfe, my bretheren, of this, is the delightful truth; for, toward the fuppreffion of wickednefs and immorality of all kinds, we have many falutary laws; though it must be confeffed, to whofe ignominy every one must fee, that in the execution of them there has been a last

ing, perhaps, an univerfal defect. That reproach, however, bids fair to be foon wiped away, fince, by a recent proclamation from the throne, the carrying of thofe laws into immediate execution,, against all-offenders without distinction, is expressly commanded; and commanded, as the executors of the law fhall be anfwerable to their royal master.

In place, therefore, of our lying under any temptation to fuch ignoble and diffolute practices, the temptation is happily thrown, by our fovereign, into the oppofite fcale.

That under the prefent government, distinguished for mildaefs and forbearance, if men lead not a quiet and peaceable life, it must be accounted for from another caufe; their own turbulent spirits, namely, with a ftupid ingratitude for liberties and privileges, the acquiring whereof coft our fathers fo much blood and treasure. And if the cause arifes from themselves, it is their own faults, and they alone fhall bear it, if timeous reformation intervene

not.

That our dear young king fhould have a conftant and particular fhare in our concern before God. Tho', as to fome, the indifpenfible nature of this duty may have never occurred before, as it appears now, to demonftration, from our text, let none be fo hardy, none fo difobedient, as continue in the neglect, or practical contempt of it. Imagine it not enough to join in the public prayers for him, and thofe in authority; but carry the petitions and supplications with you, in your family and perfonal approaches to God. With what confidence can you expect he will be made a bleffing to you, if you are, not, though exprefsly enjoined, at the pains to afk it? Shall he take the weight of the government upon his fhoulders, and will you, in the exercife of prayer and fupplication, bear no part with

him? Would there, let the prayerlefs fay, in the event of our great hopes becoming abortive, bę the leaft propriety in your murmurings and complaints? Let the exhortation, my brethren, on all the accounts fuggested, be chearfully and immediately complied with. And may the Lord give us understanding in all things.

SER

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TROUBLERS OF THE CHURCH CHARACTER. IZED AND CUT OFF *.

GALAT. V. 12.

I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

HIS letter was wrote by the apostle of the
Gentiles, and addreffed to the churches of

Galatia.

The date of it is uncertain; and, therefore, the opinions of the learned, concerning that circumftance, are various. Paul, here, had two ends, particularly, in view: one, the reproof of the Galatians, for receiving doctrines fubverfive of the gospel which he had preached amongst them; the other, the vindication of his own character and authority, as an apostle of Chrift, which the Judaifing teachers had endeavoured to undermine. Having difcuffed both thefe, our apostle warmly exhorted his correfpondents, to ftedfaftnefs and perfeverance in the perfuafion of gospel truths; the enjoyment

* This fermon was preached on the 8th of April, 1762; at the admiffion of the Rev. Mr. Alexander Moodie, to the parish of Riccarton.

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