THE prosperity and continued welfare of a Christian state depends chiefly on the spiritual purity of the visible Church therein established. This is most evident to every one acquainted with the history of the rise and fall of nations. But especially, in the word of God, are we assured that the Church of Christ is the only foundation on which the state can be securely built. The idea of supporting the state without its connexion with the Church is most ridiculous and sectarian, and can only emanate from an untutored and irreligious mind. Hence Solomon, one of the wisest men, says, "Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." This may be seen clearly, by a simple survey of the history of the people of the Jews. When their rulers, priests, and people were nationally devoted to the service of the true God, then their nation prospered, and their enemies were subdued. But when they cast off the fear of the Lord, then he sold them into the hands of their foes, and brought upon them his heavy displeasure.

A destitution of religion always, in the end, produces a dearth of personal and national prosperity. But when religious feeling prevails, love increases, national prosperity smiles, and an universal peace and contentment shew themselves. Hence, it follows that true Christians are the best patriots. Our Saviour, addressing his disciples, said unto them, "Ye are the salt of the earth;" from which figurative language we learn, that the Church of Christ is the only object of divine delight, for whose sake God is content to uphold the world and bear with the wickedness of its inhabitants. Hence, the ungodly, though they perceive it not, are altogether indebted to the Christians for the continuance of their existence and for delay of their immediate banishment into retributive punishment. Believers are the pillars on which the world is based in its present continuation, as St. Paul, classing himself with the saints of Corinth, says, "These things are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come." Therefore, if believers were universally removed from the earth, as says an old divine, "the world would be at an end, and the No. IV. VOL. I,-New Series,

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four corners would clap together, and sinners would receive their final departure into eternal misery." True believers are also "the lights of the world ;" and every ray of moral excellency in a province or empire, does, in one way or other, receive its birth from the Church. By the power, authority, and permission of Almighty God, kings reign and princes decree justice, and for the sake of Christ and his Church all things are and were created, for in him all things do subsist, and he is the head over all things to the Church. David, speaking of the state, says, "blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;" that is, prosperity and happiness shall ever be found to attend upon that nation which acknowledges the sovereignty of God, and makes his glory its chief end and aim.

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Now, as the welfare and happiness of the state depends upon purity of the Church, and as the Church is composed of individual members, it consequently follows, that true Christians are the best patriots. Many individuals possess much zeal and attachment to their country, and are ready to shew it whenever occasion demands, and yet, at the same time, they may not be true patriots. For 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 civil or political life. On the other hand, he that regards not God, nor yet other men, but only as far as they are subservient of his own prosperity, may very justly be suspected respecting his fidelity to his country. Profit and vain glory, indeed, will carry men very far, as they have done in the case of some; but strip a worldly man of these, and where are his motives for promoting the national welfare of his country? They all left him when the opportunities of self-aggrandizement were withdrawn ; when the prospect of honours, gain, and vain applause was removed from his naturally ambitious feelings, his patriotic ardour vanished away. But the Christian patriot is moved to action by a far different and more exalted principle, even the glory of God, according to his word, in the temporal and spiritual felicity of his creatures. The welfare of his country is indeed at his heart, but not for its own sake, for this would indeed be a very crude and confined principle or feeling; therefore the Christian patriot has a much higher end in view, than mere earthly prosperity. He studies politics on scriptural principles, and whatsoever squares with the rules of God's word, that he labours to advance, when whatsoever he sees opposed to the same, that he strenuously resists.

How frequently it happens amongst statesmen of worldly spirits, that if any good is effected for the country by one of an opposite party, then the other is offended, and a feeling of jealous rivalry fills his breast, especially if the individual should be rewarded by the approbation of his sovereign and the wise of his countrymen. But this is not the case with the Christian senator, for he is under the government of those divine principles, which will always lead him to rejoice in any real good whether accomplished by himself or another. He 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 earnest prayers to God for the true prosperity of his country.

The world, indeed, hath but a low opinion of this kind of political proceeding, but He who is wiser than the world hath told us, "that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much;" and if one such person like Elias can be instrumental in drawing down public blessings, what may we not hope for if the prayers of many were offered up to God for our country? We may read what the prayers of such men have obtained in Heb. xi., v. 33, 34, "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." The Christian patriot, then, will rejoice in all this good, though his own hands may not have effected it. That man deserves not the name of patriot to whom the peace, honour, and prosperity of his country are only valuable so far as they serve his own selfish ends. Self is the motive of all his actions, and if this be not promoted, his apparent zeal for his country's welfare is a mere taper of his own lighting, which will be soon extinguished if his object be not obtained. 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 fraud, 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. Commercial vices are many, such as lying in the quality and worth of articles, cheating in commerce, opposition and fraud, diligence and assiduity in contriving, and punctuality in performing, for the single purpose of getting gain, altogether excluding religion, which ought to be the chief object of search; for say the Scriptures, "seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and its rightousness," and all necessary things shall be added unto you. In wishing for the country all temporal blessings, the Christian patriot 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, countenanced and established by law, may for ever flourish through the land in its most genuine 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, blasphemous, and schismatical opinions and proceedings, and to all profligates of heart and life who have overrun the country in their guilt and shame. Are there not many, at the present day, who while they profess to have a true regard for the individual happiness and welfare of their country, are, at the same time, lovers of self more than lovers of God, patrons of infidelity, advocates of blasphemy; and while irreligion is sapping the foundation of the state and undermining the welfare of society, are they not aiding the work by endeavouring to govern the kingdom on worldly principles only? The Christian carries religion into his patriotism, but not his patriotism into his 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. He loves his country, and therefore

earnestly prays for its advancement in every thing which is good; "he thinks upon Jerusalem, and it grieves him to see her in adversity," and consequently "he prays for the peace of Jerusalem," and he can say with Samuel, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for my nation." So he would act on all occasions as Samuel did, and endeavour to promote the welfare of his country by his intercourse with heaven. He will contribute freely and cheerfully to her burdens, live in all godly quietness and honesty among his fellows, and pray faithfully for the whole public weal as a Christian. Were all subjects such patriots, the nation would have no reason to be afraid of the most mighty and numerous enemies; for who could penetrate the wall of fire with which God would, in such a case, surround it? The believer manifests his patriotism especially by praying for the state, and chiefly for the reigning sovereign, in accordance with St. Peter's admonition, "Fear God and honour the king." For we may expect that if the head be made holy, the members will likewise, more or less, learn to imitate him; hence St. Paul says, "I exhort that first of all, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." It is the duty of every Christian to pray for his sovereign, that God would direct him by his Spirit in the government of his country, that he might be led to make choice of proper characters to serve both in Church and state, and that they who hold official situations may be men influenced by love to God and zeal in promoting the kingdom of Christ. And a true Christian will not sin against the Lord by negligence in this particular. He will also pray that the senators may be taught true wisdom, that they who are about the person of the sovereign may be Christian senators, who, when they give their advice on any subject, will always have God's glory in view, and the temporal and spiritual welfare of the nation. "The fervent, effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much," and if the prayer of one believer is of such power, what might we not expect, if all the faithful in the land were to engage with all their hearts to supplicate God's mercy in behalf of the government of the land? In this Christians are very guilty; but may we from hence learn to say, with holy ardour, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for my country." It is also the believer's duty to pray for the judges and magistrates of the land, that by their judicious scrupulosity in the management of legal proceedings, virtue and religion may be promoted, and vice and profanity abandoned. He will pray for all orders and conditions of men, that they in their several situations, whether high or low, may perform their various duties under the guidance and direction of God the Spirit; every individual in every office, as far as his acquaintance extends is remembered by him in his addresses at a throne of grace. The believer is the best patriot, because he labours with as much diligence as the unbeliever in promoting individual and national prosperity publicly; but he differs from him in another respect, he is also at the same time wrestling with God for a

blessing privately. The unbelieving patriot may be sincere in his endeavours, ardent in his actions, and zealous and self-denying in his exertions for the prosperity of the state; but because he is working by the mere light of nature, and has not the Spirit for his director, he is unwise in his plans, and cannot reasonably expect attendant success, "for whatsoever is not of faith is sin;" and sin is always the parent of error and distraction; hence the believer is the best patriot. He aims to put down private wrongs as well as public ones; to do away the domestic evils as well as national ones; but he knows that nothing will effect this but the diffusion of the knowledge of Christ. Hence his political opinions are grounded on religion, and have the Bible for their foundation. In whatever light you view the Christian, whether as a public statesman or private individual, a citizen or countryman, a master, minister, or servant, he is most certainly the best patriot; and as nothing can establish the lasting welfare of our land but true religion, therefore his unceasing prayers are ever employed in his country's weal. Do away with infidelity, popery, and dissent, and prosperity will smile. Thus the believer is the best patriot by praying for his country, its inhabitants, institutions, commerce, and senators; for he is determined "not to sin against the Lord in ceasing thus to pray." Reader, what are your views respecting the best method of promoting the present and future interests of your country? Are they not in strict accordance with the word of God? That the general reception of scriptural principles and practice of scriptural precepts are the only means of perpetuating national happiness? Erroneous doctrines have been too much propagated, and the will and supposed capability of fallen man so highly and, with all, so falsely exalted, that the pride of the human heart, if not checked by the Spirit, will cause destruction both to the national and ecclesiastical institutions of the land. Therefore the necessary inquiry is, what is the surest way to benefit the country at large, both generally and particularly? To this question may be given an answer in the words of Samuel, not to sin against the Lord by neglecting to pray for the country; but, on the contrary, to bear up at a throne of grace, every thing which your memory or knowledge retains connected with the Church or state, that the blessing of the Lord may rest upon both. To study, labour, or plan without prayer is infidelity;

and to pray without diligent and assiduous exertions is presumption

and folly. Hence let us learn to pray for all salvation-blessings; for the salvation of others as well as for ourselves. In the kingdom of the heart there are many principles, prejudices, and affections, which, if not corrected, may lead to the downfal of the soul. Let us seek by fervent prayer the daily renewing influence of God's Spirit, that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ may be known to be freedom indeed, and that the consequent peace may fill the heart and mind. If, therefore, reader, you know the worth of your own soul's salvation, you will be most anxious for that of others; and this will lead you to oppose or assist, as the case may be, every thing which is done in the state in accordance with, or derogating from the word of God. Thus the believer labours and fervently prays for the lasting welfare of his country. The neighbourhood in which he lives, may be considered as a small province; and with all the local transactions of this province