(1.) We are the fubjects of his kingdom. And as fuch we are bound,

(1.) To yield a faithful obedience to the laws of his kingdom: And the advantages by which these come recommended to us, above all human laws, are many. They are calculated for the private intereft of every one, as well as that of the public; and are defigned to promote our prefent, as well as our future happiness. They are plainly and explicitly. published; easily understood; and in fair and legible characters written in every man's heart; and the wisdom, reason and neceffity of them are readily difcerned. --- They are urged with the moft mighty motives that can poffibly affect the human heart.---And if any. of them are difficult, the most effectual grace is freely offered to encourage and assist our obedience; advantages which no human laws have to enforce the obfervance of them.--(2.) As his fubjects we must readily pay him the homage due to his fovereignty. And this is no less than the homage of the heart; humbly acknowledging that we hold every thing of him, and have every thing from him. Earthly princes are forced to be content with verbal acknowledgments, or mere formal homage. For they can command nothing but what is external. But GOD, who knows and looks at the hearts of all his creatures, will

will accept of nothing but what comes from thence. He demands the adoration of our whole fouls, which is most justly due to Him who formed them, and gave them the very capacities to know and adore Him.---(3.) As faithful fubjects, we must cheerfully pay him the tribute He requires of us. This is not like the tribute which earthly kings exact; who as much depend upon their fubjects for the fupport of their power, as their fubjects do upon them for the protection of their property. But the tribute GoD requires of us, is a tribute of praise and honour, which he ftands in no need of from us. For his Power is independent, and his Glory immutable ; and he is infinitely able of himself to support the dignity of his univerfal government. But it is the most natural duty we owe to Him as creatures. For to praise Him, is only to fhew forth his praise; to glorify Him, to celebrate his glory; and to honour Him, is to render Him and his Ways honourable in the eyes and efteem of others. And as this is the most natural duty that creatures owe to their Creator, fo it is a tribute he requires of every one of them in proportion to their respective talents and abilities to pay it. --- (4.) As dutiful fubjects, we must contentedly and quietly submit to the methods and adminiftrations of his government,

D

government, however dark, involved, or intricate. All governments have their arcana imperii, or fecrets of ftate; which common fubjects cannot penetrate; and therefore they cannot judge of the wisdom and rectitude of certain public measures; because they are ignorant either of the fprings, or the ends of them, or the expediency of the means arising from the particular fituation of things in the present juncture. And how much truer is this with relation to God's government of the world? whofe wisdom is far above our reach, and whofe ways are not as our's. Whatever then may be the prefent afpect and appearance of things, as dutiful fubjects we are bound to acquiefce; to ascribe Wisdom and Righteoufnefs to our Maker, in confidence that the King and Judge of all the earth will do right.---Again, (5.) as good fubjects of God's kingdom, we are bound to pay a due regard and reverence to his minifters; especially if they difcover an uncorrupted fidelity to his cause, and a pure, unaffected zeal for his honour; if they do not feek their own interest, more than that of their divine Mafter. The minifters of earthly princes too often do this, and it would be happy if all the minifters and ambassadors of the heavenly King were entirely clear of the imputation.--- It is no uncommon thing for the honour of an earth

ly

ly monarch to be

of his minifters.

wounded through the fides The defamation and flander that is directly thrown at them, is obliquely intended against him; and as fuch it is taken. So to attempt to make the ministers of the gospel, in general, the objects of derision, as some do, plainly shows a mind very diffolute and difaffected to GoD and religion itself; and is to act a part very unbecoming the dutiful fubjects of his kingdom.

(Laftly,) As good fubjects, we are to do all we can to promote the intereft of his kingdom; by defending the wifdom of his administrations, and endeavouring to reconcile others thereunto, under all the darkness and difficulties that may appear therein, in oppofition to the profane cenfures of the profperous wicked, and the doubts and difmays of the afflicted righteous.---This is to act in character as loyal fubjects to the King of heaven. And whoever forgets this part of his character, or acts contrary to it, fhows a great degree of felf-ignorance.

But, (2.) as the creatures of GOD, we are not only the fubjects of his kingdom, but the children of his family. And to this relation, and the obligations of it, must we carefully attend, if we would attain the true knowledge of ourselves. --- We are his children by creation; in which respect he is truly our faD 2 ther:

ther: * But now, O Lord, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all the work of thine hands. And in a more special fenfe we are his children by adoption: † For ye are all the children of God by faith in Chrift Fefus. And therefore, (1.) we are under the highest obligations to love Him as our father. The love of children to parents is founded on gratitude for benefits received, which can never be requited; and ought in reafon to be proportioned to those benefits. And what duty more natural than to love our benefactors? What love and gratitude then is due to Him, from whom we have received the greatest benefit, even that of our being, and every thing that contributes to the comfort of it ?---(2.) As his children we must honour Him; that is, muft fpeak honourably of Him, and for Him; and carefully avoid every thing that may tend to dishonour his holy name and ways. A fon honoureth his father:---if then I be a Father, where is mine honour ?---As our Father, we are to apply to him for what we want. Whither fhould children go, but to their father, for protection, help and relief in every danger, difficulty and diftrefs ?--- And (4.) we must truft his Power and Wisdom,

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*Ifai. Ixiv. 8. † Gal. iii, 26. + Gal. iii, 26.

and paternal Goodness,

Mal, i. 6.