religious opinions we believe to be of so dangerous a character as to tend to the overthrow of church and state? While we denounce their errors and expose the unscriptural tenets which they hold, do we remember the poor deluded ones themselves at the throne of grace, and pray that God would take the veil from their hearts, enable them to see and understand the truths of his word which they profess to believe, and so bring them into the way of peace?

But the apostle proceeds further in my text to point out the duty of prayers and supplications for particular persons whom he names: "for kings and for all that are in authority," or as it is in the margin, "all that are in eminent place." How urgent this duty, my brethren, in the present crisis in the history of our land! and may I not add, how lamentably is this duty neglected! Before we pass judgment upon the wisdom or the motives which guide those that are in power let us ask ourselves, did we constantly pray for our rulers, that they might be rightly directed, and divinely guided? did you ever seek heavenly wisdom for them? You profess to do this in public prayer, but I fear that the wise and scriptural prayers of our church are seldom followed up by secret petitions of a like nature. It is now considered by some to be enthusiastic to pray to God, and to refer to his providential guidance of the affairs of men. Many express themselves as if we achieved our victories without the help of God; they

rest our national prosperity on the wealth and talent of the people; upon the strength of our armies and navies; upon human agency alone! But if we do not give thanks to God for our present unrivalled situation among the nations of the earth, God may deal with us as we deserve; provoked by our practical denial of his power and goodness, He may di

vide and confound our senators; suffer infidelity, scepticism, and socinianism, to revive ; dangers far more imminent than any which need be apprehended from the cumbrous machinery of popery; and he may withdraw the light of his truth from our once highly favoured land, and consign us to darkness and despair.

What then is the believer's duty in these fearful times, when all the conflicting principles of moral and spiritual desolation seem about to be let loose upon us? what but to carry his petitions to the throne of the King of kings and Lord of lords? And how can he express himself better than in the words of our Liturgy and first of all for our most gracious sovereign-how apposite and beautiful the prayers of our church; "Almighty God, we are taught by thy holy word that the hearts of kings are in thy rule and governance, and that thou dost dispose and turn them as it seemeth best to thy godly wisdom; we humbly beseech thee so to dispose and govern the heart of George thy servant our king and governor, that in all his thoughts, words, and works, he may ever seek thy honour and

glory, and study to preserve the people committed to his charge in wealth, peace, and godliness; replenish him with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that he may alway incline. to thy will and walk in thy way. Endue him plenteously with heavenly gifts: keep and strengthen him in the true worshipping of thee, in righteousness and holiness of life; rule his heart in thy faith, fear, and love, that he may evermore have affiance in thee, ever seek thy honour and glory; and finally after this life attain everlasting joy and felicity through Jesus Christ our Lord."-Greater blessings than these cannot be sought at a Throne of Grace by a devout people for a beloved sovereign.

But as in our free constitution laws must emanate from the three estates of the realm, so must we pray, and so we are taught by the example of our church to pray not only for the King, but for the King, Lords, and Commons-for the great council of the nation now assembled in Parliament-assembled, doubtless all must be agreed, to decide questions which in their direct or collateral tendencies, may deeply affect the spiritual condition of our native country and her vast empire in Europe and Asia. Now while a mighty strife is maintained within and without the doors of that house--while the ablest of men differ in their mode of defending religion, yea, while many pious persons confessedly avow their difficulties and differences, what can we do, my beloved brethren, so well calculated to

bring the matter to a successful issue as to join in the devout supplication of the church which she offers for the high court of Parliament," that God would be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations to the advancement of His glory, the good of His church, the safety, honour, and welfare of our sovereign and his dominions; that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations." I should have more confidence in a few earnest petitions such as these, ascending from the devout hearts of the people of God, than in all the wisest political measures adopted without them. They who love the Church of England because she is a spiritual church, and a branch of Christ's universal church, and because her written liturgies, articles and homilies, breathe the spirit of God's own word; they will diligently use the weapons which God has given them in her defence; "weapons which are not carnal, but mighty, through God to the pulling down of strong holds," viz. THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER-these are the sling and the stone that every spiritual descendant from David will be skilful to use. The bible is circulated among our poor, their children are instructed to read it; all classes hear the gospel preached these are our means of defence, having used them we will betake ourselves to prayer; we will spread our hopes and our fears before the Lord as Hezekiah did, and then we will be confident because we know "that

the Lord of Hosts is with us, and that the God of Jacob is our refuge."

But we must observe, once more, the object of the apostle's prayers for kings and for them that are in authority; (verse 4,) viz. "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty "-that is, that we may enjoy the protection of government and be permitted to serve our God according to our conscience, without hindrance or persecution; and that we ourselves may in return be quiet and obedient subjects, careful above all other things to lead a godly and Christian life, to walk humbly and holily in the sight of God and man. With respect to the former petition we may (as the apostle bids us) add our thanksgivings to our supplications for that measure of spiritual liberty which all the subjects of these realms have long possessed. In no nation of Europe have the whole people so much SPIRITUAL freedom and toleration as we enjoy let us praise God in this behalf, and pray that these blessings may be continued to our children's children in all generations. Spiritual freedom was not always enjoyed in this country-we may be deprived of it again; let us then continually supplicate a throne of grace that our spiritual liberty may never be encroached upon, and that the time may never again return when the terrors of the civil power enforced uniformity of faith and religious worship at the peril of the stake or the sword.