He is cautious not to be too pofitive in matters of fuch high moment, and his refearches are always accompanied with "Lord, teach Thou me

' ¢¢

He is not afhamed to own his attachment to this as well as every other book of the facred Scriptures; he recommends the attentive reverential perufal of it, and he looks forward in expectation of joining the blissful fongs recorded therein,

With thefe views, does he look on the earth with contempt? By no means.-He knows "it is the Lord's." He fees that the great afflictions which came upon the world foon after the promulgation of this facred book, were predicted therein. He difcovers the era of the martyrs pointed out, and fees the effect their mild and loving, and yet

Rev. xiv. 9, 10,

? Pfal. cxix.

3 Rev. vi.

coura

whereof Chrift, who dwelt in them, was the. Sovereign; that they rather chofe to endure. the loss of all things, even life itself, than injure "that kingdom of God" which was

" within them.”

The effects which this noble army of martyrs had on the world at large, he alfo dif covers in this book. Their perfecutors, weary of flaying, begin to reflect on the power which must accompany a religion which could fo triumph over its oppofers; and that empire which had been its determined foe, becomes its protector, its promoter.

"Give me neither poverty nor riches was the prayer of a wife man. And we

find that the riches beftowed on the Church by the Chriftian emperors and great men, produced an effect which is a frequent attendant upon them; and the Church, in

* Prov. xxx. 8.

procefs

the whole word of God. In humble dependence upon HIM, he traces the features of this new power in the facred page; and though he reads of the exertions which will be made by the "falfe prophet ”” to reestablish it; though he reads of the “miracles" and wonders which will be performed to confirm it; though he reads of that" wicked "woman,' that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth," which will bedrunk with the blood of the faints, and "with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus 3 ;" he yet without fear, in full confidencé, can look forward with a holy reverence towards Him who will in the end overcome. If he escapes, he hopes to praise God fome time longer upon earth; but if he should be deemed worthy to receive that "crown of "life 4" which he knows his Mafter has in ftore for those who are "faithful unto death;"

3

he anticipates the glories of it, and with deep humility exclaims, "Thy will be done."

We will now look into the Christian's fentiments as a citizen and subject.

In the fame paffage which commands him to "FEAR GOD," he also finds it enjoined that he is to "HONOUR THE KING".

it, by

He knows that his Saviour is "King of "Kings, and Lord of Lords ;" and it gives him pleasure to find that his King upon earth admits the truth of it, and openly profeffes declaring himself to be" GEORGE THE THIRD, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, "KING." It is his prayer that the King may ever continue attached to the Word of God; and that when God fhall call him out of this tranfitory world, he may exchange an earthly for an heavenly crown, and leave a fon to fill his throne, whose chief desire may be to become the father of his people, and defender of the faith in his ftead.

Whatever the station of life be in which

he is placed, he is neither afraid nor ashamed

* Matt. vii. 10.

2 1 Pet. ii. 17.

3 Rey. xix. 16.

of

of profeffing these things, being fenfible that he is following the orders of his Saviour, who by his Apostle Paul directed Titus to

86

put them in mind to be fubject to principalities and powers, to obey magiftrates '."

He knows that it is further enjoined, "Let every foul be fubject unto the higher ce powers; for there is no power but of "God: The powers that be, are ordained "of God; for rulers are not a terror to good"works, but to the evil. He is the mi"nifter of God, and beareth not the fword ❝ in vain ; but is a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil: and for this "caufe he tribute alfo "." pays

Therefore all intimations of refiftance to the powers that be, are received by Him with horror; as He knows, that "Who"foever refifteth the power, refifteth the "ordinance of God; and they that refift, "fhall receive to themselves damnation."

Is he laughed at for these things, and aceufed of holding paffive obedience, and non

* Titus iii. 1.

Rom. xiii.

6

refiftance ?