banish from our breasts, whether we be Rulers or the ruled. We view ourselves simply with reference to our fellow-subjects of the King of Kings; and if our consciences condemn us not of perfidy to them, we lull ourselves into the pleasing satisfaction of faithful allegiance, and dutiful subjection. Nor is our verdict singular-For the fair Fame of Loyalty to our Earthly Sovereign, Love of Country, Obedience to the Laws, serves only to bolster up our own erroneous conception. And whence this fallacy?-It is, because the world judges of us by the same partial Jury by which we acquitted ourselves. But "that which is highly esteemed among men, is abomination in the sight of God." Away then with our own ideal Tribunal! Away with the standard of our own imaginations! As Citizens of a Heavenly Country our true Loyalty will have to be tested by the Statute-Book of Him "who is the Great King over all the Earth,"whose Throne is Heaven, and whose footstool Earth, and "the Sceptre of whose Kingdom is a right Sceptre.'

66

This then brings us to the issue of the point;-If the Sceptre of the Kingdom, be a right Sceptre, Righteousness" must be the watch-word of the Subject. This is the balance by which our allegiance must be weighed ;-"Them that honour me, (saith our King,) I will honour; but they that despise me, shall be lightly esteemed."-And how truthful a fulfilment of this Promise, has the last year witnessed. Have we not seen in other countries Superstition and Infidelity, those twin sisters of Divine displeasure, and

co-partners in Human operation,-labouring, and too successfully, with gigantic efforts in the cause of Rebellion and Disorder?-Bear witness ye shores of France and verdant pastures of Ireland! And have we not seen the sympathetic struggle made in the Metropolis and other parts of our own Country,-but made, thank God! only to shew the vanity of the attempt, and the Loyalty which pervades the hearts of Englishmen, from the highest to the lowest? And why was it, that in our case, Order soon righted itself into equilibrium, whilst in the case of other nations, little short of the Reign of Terror has succeeded? "How is it, (asks the leading journal of the day) that whilst Berlin and Vienna, the two principal Towns of a population of 40 millions, who have attained no mean eminence in war, in science, and in literature, are trembling on the verge of another conflict, in which father and son, brother and brother, will stand arrayed against each other in hostile ranks; and Paris, too, is threatened with renewal of scenes we would fain expunge from the records of History, that London continues unshaken by the universal tumult?"*

there find that it is

In vain may worldly speculators assay to explain the Phenomenon, or Masters in Civil Politics to unravel the Problem. But we turn to the Bible, and Righteousness which exalteth a Nation, but sin is a reproach to any People." We have, alas! too little claim to the title of a Righteous People; and I doubt not, that were righteousness more * Times, Leading Article October 27, 1848.

cherished among us, a yet higher degree of exaltation would attend our country. But despite our national depravity, and individual sinfulness, we do maintain relatively the semblance of Righteousness. We have still a National Church, in which the rulers and the ruled meet upon the same level in the sight of their Heavenly King. Our Sabbaths are not avowedly abandoned to every kind of revelry and unhallowed amusement. Our Sovereign sets an example to her subjects, far more cogent in its influence than any penal enactment.-The great Council of the nation, acknowledges daily its dependence upon Him, who is the only Wise and True Counsellor.

-The Judges of Assize, by their attendance in this Church, seek first the guidance and direction of Him, who is the Judge of all the Earth,—" who with righteousness shall judge the world; and the people with equity."—And to come still nearer home, in your Corporate presence here this day, as the Municipal Authorities of this Town, you implore His continued protection of yourselves, and your Fellow-townsmen ; assured that "except the Lord keep the City, the the watchman waketh but in vain."

This then is the Vital Principle by which rebellion must be warded off, and insurrection crushed. Let us gather round this Sceptre; and cling to it with yet greater tenacity-Let us not be deceived by the frantic cry of unhallowed Enthusiam.-Let us hold fast the "Liberty, with which Christ has made us free;" -We need no other;-Our National Anthem tells us,

"Britons never will be Slaves"-Let us rid ourselves of the Slavery of Sin and Satan-Else we shall be shouting Liberty with the lips, whilst Despotism is festering within. Then shall we need no planting of Trees of Liberty in our Squares and our Parks, if the Liberty of the Gospel be planted in our hearts, and blossom there! We too have a "Fraternity,"-Aye, a closer and more endearing tie than mere earthly relationship. -Ours is a "Fraternity," not fictitiously kept up by the sound of the Musket, or the Bayonet's point ;-but bound and cemented by the living cords of Christianity-" For we ourselves are taught of God," to "love as Brethren."-Our " Equality," consists not in the subversion of all order, to effect the fancied level of all ranks-but is an Equality in the eyes of Him, who is "no respecter of persons,' Who views us as children of the same common Parent,― redeemed by the same Saviour's blood, -and that Redeemer, our Elder Brother.— Oh! may these Gospel Graces shine forth more and more brightly in us, till they irradiate not only this country, but all lands. Then "shall the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ"! Then shall we substantially realise that true "Liberty, Fraternity, and Equality," of which others talk so much, but know so little!-Then shall we be meet inhabitants of that Heavenly kingdom-the Jerusalem that is above-"the city that hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God!"-Then shall

we be admitted as faithful servants "into the joy of our Lord;" and, through the never-ending ages of a countless Eternity, shall reign with that King, whose "Throne is for ever and ever-the Sceptre of whose kingdom is a right Sceptre"!

O God, the protector of all that trust in Thee, without Whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and Multiply upon us Thy Mercy, that Thou being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal: Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake our Lord. AMEN.

THE END.

WEST, Printer, 13, High Street, Maidstone.