A SERMON.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

Romans, xiii., 1.

A MORE seasonable opportunity than the present one cannot, perhaps, be taken for entering into an examination of that branch of Christian duty enjoined in the text: a duty which it is not the business only of each Christian, but the worldly interest of every member of a well-regulated community, to observe. Even before Revelation, mankind had discovered the good policy of submitting to established power. But should there be

any here who can doubt on this subject, a few considerations such as the following may tend to

satisfy them as to the need of acknowledging a

supreme power in the State; and this implies submitting the individual will, in public matters, to that power, and to whatever subordinate authority is appointed to assist it, so long as nothing contrary to God's word is set forth for general assent or obedience.

I may, perhaps, suppose, that to those whose minds are made up on this point the subject may not be unprofitable; as, by reminding ourselves of the reasonableness of an obligation, we more readily perform it.

The sense of mutual wants and fears is the basis of civil society. In the very early ages of the world, single families formed societies of themselves, and the head of the family presided over his little state. When, taking into account their numerous flocks and herds, these families became too large, they subdivided and parted. These were the simple, the imperfect elements or beginnings of that political bond of union which now, under the name of states or kingdoms, comprises vast masses of society. Unless some superior be appointed, whose commands all the

rest bind themselves to obey, nothing could be gained by such a union; for a judge must exist to define their several rights and redress their several wrongs. A body of persons unites, for several reasons, to act as one person. In order to act as one, they must have but one will. But how difficult, if not impossible, would it be to temper and harmonize into one the different feelings and opinions of a multitude! This one will becomes law. The origin and design of laws is to ascertain what is just, honourable, and expedient; and when that is discovered, it is proclaimed as a general ordinance equal and impartial to all. In vain, however, would laws be declared or directed to be observed, if there were no method of recovering rights when wrongfully withheld or invaded. Civil penalties follow, and capital punishments are added: the one, to restrain the offending party in future through his experience of the inconvenience sustained by incurring any penalty; and punishments, for a terror and example to the rest. Expatriations, or banishments, are enacted from the hope of reforming the guilty party, or to put them out of the way of doing much further mischief. The law of Moses, prescribed

by God himself, inflicted capital punishment. "He beareth not the sword in vain," is an expression relative to this subject occurring in the New Testament. "The sword," it has been well observed, "is always taken to mean an instrument of death."

Obedience, then, to lawful authority is approved by Scripture, and may be proved by reason outside of Scripture. Disobedience, therefore, is forbidden in Revelation, and, probably, brings temporal or worldly evils in its train. But we have more than conjecture upon which to rely for such an opinion. Nor need we resort to the history of other nations to trace the headlong progress of those ills which frequently arise from a bad spirit of discontent, or from the dark designs of profligate ambition. Too glaring a stain in England's annals points to us whence we may gather that knowledge which increases sorrow. This very day will thousands of good Christians throughout our land, with shame and anguish for the past, and not, perhaps, without misgivings for the future, have prostrated themselves in sincere humiliation before the throne of

grace, supplicating, on behalf of the descendants of guilty ancestors, that God would not visit the sins of the fathers upon the children. Yes,-in an evil hour was the blood of a lawful king of these realms unlawfully and barbarously shed.— But let us embalm the bitter cup of affliction by profitting from the instruction afforded by this tragical event.

Though it is part of our bounden duty, if it be possible," to live peaceably with all men;" though we must not only keep ourselves free from "sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion," but we must also pay all fitting homage and reverence to the appointed minister of God's will; still the time might come, the occasion might arrive, when compliance with the mandate of an earthly potentate would be a disowning of God, and a grievous transgression in His sight. This would occur when any act directly contrary to the law of God should be enjoined,-when any affront should be offered to that Majesty which is jealous of equal homage paid to any other beside itself. For instance, if in our country any attempt should ever be made to change that holy