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DEATH or By ROBERT ALDER, METHODIST MISSIONARY. ■HHpi PRINTED BY REQUEST. ^« Awake and sing ye that tlwtll in Just, for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the Earth shall cast oui the Dead."— Jsa. xxvi. 19, CHARLOTTE-TOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, PRINTED ur JAMES BAQNJLl, •lit*****'* U19. TO THE ^SOCIETY AND CONGREGATION, assemp.linc} in the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, CHARLOTTE-TOWN, Prince Edward Island:, The following Sermon, Is respectfully and affectionately Infcribedj by Robert Alder. ' ADVERTISEMENT. THE Author liad not the least expectation, at the time he tlelivcred the following Discourse,^that it would ever appear in print — but several judicious Friends, whom he higVJv efteem«!, having Folicited him to give \\ farther pnihliclty, he hn^s acceded to their request. Tlie subject \vlii;jh is discusHfii -sone of the Greatest imnortance, ar.dis worthy our closest attention, at all times, but esneeiallv vvhile v/e mourn the demise \of a venerable auil beloved Quceu. Death is nov/ ridinp- on his r.ale !^;rse throughout the earth and everv inoii^enu is lu'dncr our (billow nu^rtuls down to the Tomb. Sooii we shall fall beneath bis potent arm^, and add to the number of hij prisonerf^. IIo\r gialifj^ng' must it be to evcr7 tin'^ believer to learn that their ft' will be a resurrection of the dearb Thij t«c fi-Uhor has endeavoured to prove io the bUter part of tiie following Senuon. As ii.is has been boqueutly (lo\\^ alrffadvj he is not £0 vsi'n as to suppose he iias ihiowu fji-ther iigh(, or advanced any new ar^uu^ents on tVi]« i;.nooria?it scljeet. He ba;:^, however, embodied In ■- 1 y j^hoic A coiTipab.. iiis possible^ tho^c wliu-li appeared to Jiim to be the most impoi taiU and conclusive, and be lias no hesitatirjii in statiut,Ml us h's decided o[)inion, that they are abui:dat)tly suiTicient to convince the man, who if he doubts, lannents that I:e does so, is wilnnjr to examine the evidence that may be adduced, and 3ias not yet said " Though ihoa persuade me, I will iiot be persuaded.'* As the Author is not in llie habit of writing more than the outlines of his Sermons, the substance of this discourse was not committed to paper till after it was delivered, therefore the phraseology may probably vary, and greater amphiication be given to certain imUr, but the substance U certainly the same. THE SUBSTANCE 3earcd to ', and l;e lion, that he man, s willing :e(], and e, I will or i;? more of tb IS r it was •robably certain A SERMON. THE LAST ENEMY TJJAT SMALL BR DESTHOYED T3 DEATH.-~-I, Cor. XV. 2G, My Brethren, X ME niore (Vcqnently and carefully we examine the Christian system, the more deeply we shall be convin- ced of if;s Iriilh and excellence, and the more clearly we shall discern the solidity of its foundation and the harmony of its component parts. The Doctrines which it reveals are so sublime and grand, and the Duties which it enjoins are so pure and beneficial, that no un- / prejudiced man, who looks into it, can help acknowledg- ingthat it comes from God, because it is worthy of him. •By constant and laborious study a few of tiie Pagan , Philosophers rr.ade a variety of r^iscoveries in nature and in art, hvx tlieir reiic:ioiis theories and practices ^were wild and extravagant, and comparatively '#^peakiuK they knev7 nothing of the SuprerMC Being, )OHr own specie's, and the awAd realities of the lutur'G ^aate. I'tiev were also irnorant of those inicTii table precepts v>iii(.:h Vv^cre delivered by Jesus Christ. V/hen did they insirnet their followers " ,*'todo unto others as they would otliers should do .unto them," or " to return good for evil, and blessing ;fur cursing ?" Ncvur. Ou the contrary, they taught 6 •V J that revenge was lawrnl, aiiu tlat to Ijalc an ODorn was no orimc. Not'.vitiistL*iiv>;i:-( ii")0 dtc'n'cd SM,K-ii- ority ofCliristiaiiily ove/ eveiv o'Av^x rcii'^ions system, it lias never wanted enemies wiio luuf:; liiboiired wiiii llic utmost assijliiity to eU^ct \U (lj:lM!!.rK,;i ; liut thongh some of tlu'iii liave l)een caiinei:i ln'ihr'ir n.i- tural and acquired abilities, and Ijave olituined I'reat celebrity in the repiibhc of h.Uer.s; UK:)ii;hihey ii xv; displayed no ordinar}^ solidity ofjiKloincnt and jenf- Iration of mind, and have euiplovcd alj UK-^r liie;urv' advantages in the re[)eatcd attacks wl:i li i,J;rv I:?ivc made upon our most Holy Relif^ion, all tlieir eil'iris have proved useless and nnsuoces'sful. Atnonr^ the various ari:runients with wliiL-h they Ijnve al(;uked Christianity, the incomnre!irni?*:bili?7 of soine of it«{ Doctrines has been frcv'pientiy urged, — hence it ha<^ been asserted by those seH' sMiTicient scepti(!s, (haf, if Christianity were Divine in i^s origin and inttuned to benefit mankind, it would contain n»>thi'';; vviiioh hti- nian reason could not coinprr henJ — all ir ■- Doctrines would be perfectly level to ciir cannciiies: if those v,jio make the above a^,si:r';';r.r'. v.o;3!d deiun to bend their proud reason at the jivvful ?hi':ne of Divine Revelation, and examine the Bible uirl; h::iniliry, tliey would soon discover that, thon;:;!i tiscrc are man v ihinc;:^ in it above reason, th.ere is no; h'ng convrary or lepug- iiant to it ; and instciid of condeifining it, because it reveals Doctrines which they caniTot compre- hend, they would holed to ackn-avhid-e that this ver}^ circumstance is a striking; proof ol i .) Divine origin An ancient Chaistian VvTiter observe.^, tiiat, " that I i'vi\ wit ii hi'ir 11 .'I - , J c; 1 1 1. id jCMK- ir ciibi'is rtoi.Tf the faKiuked n\e of its oe it hai^ , Hiaf, if fttuled to ,h]r\i Im- Dictrincs irics: if dei;:n to f Divine liry, they UV thine;? >r ie|)ui>- ljecar,se conipre- ihis veiy t. '."5" " that vvliich may Ijc c^7^p/n'!)cndcd is lors than the liand that ^'\;-r\-ns it," it' thei^rorn v:.- corld comprehend the lu)l^ iiivrrerir^of tho Ijiijie in o jr ininds. it woidd airounttf.) ni<^:.i'i^jnfiv' r\id.::vO that thcv did not cicTit; iVriH; iia ii'lhii civ \vis<' Ikiui':, seeiiiLX thov could bef.ornjj:eheiidcd b / iliiiie crciitares. The resiirrec- tion of llie dead is o;io of the mo^'t important Doc- tiinos of the Goirprl, an*: h;^.s been exposed to frequent and severe psauits in every age " because it seemed aihin.i^ incredible that God sh^idd raise the dead," It appears lli'Mc were come of ihe members of the Corintlnan Church who were of this o[)inion, hence the Apostle asks at tiie llJth verse of this Chapter, ** Now if Christ he preached that he rose from the de'iidf how sij v some air.onir von, that there shall be no resurrection of the dead ?" He then proceeds to prove that there wiin>e a resurrection both of the just and of tlie uinn.4, and in so doir.*;^ he presents to us a chaiu of reasoninp: whicli Ijas been seldom equalled, ami never Buriia^sod. We dis(;over throtighout the whole of if, the hi vnilit.v of tl;e Christian, the di]ore. I. Why Death is called an enemy. He is called an enemy because he disunites the soul and body of man. That niau unites in his person a spiritual soul and a material body, is a fact that has been frequently and successfully proved. How the soul, which is pure vivid spirit, is uniled to a body, composed of gross earthly matter, we cainiot in our present state comprehend. We have, however, every reason to believe ihe fact. We discern the body with the eye of sense, and though the essence of the soul is indiscernible by our present organs of vision, we are in some measure acquainted Avith its powers and operations. The present union that subsists between them is temporary, and will speedily be dissolved. This would not have been the case, if we were not the subjects of sin, for though the body of man was at the beginning composed of different particles of matter, variously modihed, and therefore its component parts must have had a natural tendency to return to their pristine condition, no doubt God would have employed means to counteract that tendency and to preserve it from dissolution and decay. AVe are informed in the inspired volume, that " by sin came death," and " death hath passed upon all meu, because that all have ijinned,'* evidently implying, that, if we had not ginucd, we shc^nUl not hare fallen J , THAT v^, shall Jujesty, lites the ;nul natural 10 douht act that d decay. " by sill [ill meu, aplying, e fallen Under the domiLioii of* ihis cnrniy ; hut jiovv \vp dtv* every moment exj)o^elI to his lUiiu'lvs, anri svoih-'r or l.ii<.'r lie v\ili separate our tx)i]stiuient ]»art*\ thaJ. th.j ii KAucable decree of heaven may hi- tr.Ifilled, ''Dust thou art and unto dust th(;U i^halt return." When this t.vvlul sentence is cxeeui(.d, iht^ hody, th:it txqiii-^ite piece ol'Di\ ine workmanship, bt. conies iiii^ensiblt', iiiao tlve and useless. The eyes no lon,^er Ixhold the Ikmu- tics of creation or spiirkie with wit and vivacity; the curs no longer distinguish thti harmony of sound, nor the taste and smell min.isrer to our pleasure and graii- fij-ation, ''snnseyes, sans taste, s«nns every thing." At death the material [)art of man is not only deprived of animation a.id sensation, but speedily becomes [>u- trescent and corrupt, obnoxious to one sen^e and in- supportable to the other ; tiierefore soon after the e\- tinciionof the vital fianie, it is canitd lo the grave, the house ap[)ointed for all living ; there to uiocidt r iii silence and forgetfulness. The soul b(?ing iiu;apah!'.: from its nature, of suflering dissolution or privation of being, when it leaves ihe body, enters the elt-rnal u'orld, there to rise t7om glory to glory in Hea- ven, or sink from depth to depth in Hell. What ! fim I mortal >ct immortal loo. An;] i» it tiius my !>oul ? vch, tins u true. Will (le.ilh (() greedy worms i«v hotly give. And yet mus-'t thou 1113' tioul tor ever live ? Yes; one stej» more may fors ci eterii.i! day. Our present knowledge and views of futurity are so confined on account of our union to matter, that we can fonu little or no idea, of the manner in which . spirits exist in a separate states and as thePloly Scrip- I i V) tures are intended to supply our exigencies, and not to gratify our curiosity, tliey give us but little iu- ibrmrition on the subject. Here we discern objects with our bodily eyes, we hear with our ears, and arti- culate wiib the organs of speech. But when the soul quits its eartlily tabernacle and leaps into the bound- less space, how will it act alone ? How will it discern the objects around it without eyes ? How will it hear the mandates ot^the Deity and the communications ot Jtindred s[»irits without the organs of hearing ? How will it be ab'e to jf)in iri the Hosannahs of Heaven when the tongue with which it was accustomed to comniunicate its ideas is silent in the cold grave? Of all these and a thousand othtn- circumstances we must remain ignorani, till we arrive on the otlier side of Jordan, then we shall make tiie mosi aujazingdis- coyeries, and know even as we are known. The separation of the boJy and soul being repug- liaiit to nature, no doubt occasions the most painful sensations, sensations v/hiclj we must die to experifnec Who can tell what is felt by the dying when the throes luid convulsions of nature foretel th'e speedy approach of the king of terrors, when the lin.bs are benumbed and seized with a niorcal chillness ; the eyes are sunk, i;;otionless, and inexpressive, and covered with a clouvl licfore which all terrestrial ol>jects ijegin to disappear, while eternity, with all its v»/onders, opens to their view ? "Who can tell what then is felt ? Oidy tliey who have died, and they come not back to give i.s in- ibrmatiou on the subject. Thus Death is the i^aan-i ener part ous poll Sin, unit Ion.: COUJ ii'g the hap en jo io h the whe priv min d.;sl se(j^ our sen! our wo the Chi fii ubl e roll ii and nr4 little iiv objects iiiid arti" I the soul e bound- t discern I it hear nations of g ? I low Heaven tomed to .1 grave ? uices we )tlier side azincj dis^- o g repug- it painftil perifiiee. the throes approach >euiimbeil are sunk, th acloihl lisappear, s to their hily tliey rive us ii/- the ijrau'" euenjv of men, because he sei^aratcs their constituent parts and drags their bodies into a state of if^nomini- ous ca[>livity. Alter the believer hns escaped from the \ poliut.ioiis of tiie world, and triumphed over Satan and Sin, tills terrific and [>otent (oc attacks him, nnd (b"s- unites his body and soul, those two intimate and loii:^ loved companiotis. As the bo{]y from its ori!.;inal ConstitJitiun and design, is tlie grand rn en n of inereas- hw-s our ifitellectual felicMiy, this senaration rendeis the Chiistian incapable of receiving tliat degree of h.a|)piness during the intermediate Flate. tliat he will eidov after the resurrection ofliis body and iis reunion 1o Ills imniortal ^|>irit. The world, and the tl>it)gs of the world. beitM; the onl v source of thi:- sinner's felicitv', "when Death does !»is oOice upon him. Ijc vviii be dt?- prived of a'.! \\vi eoujforts, nnd f)e utterly inrapai)le of relishing those eo]i>vri)ents that now viti-jte bis mind a^:d liivert his litoughts (Voni God, therefore the di'-lruction of li^s liappiness Vvil! be the inevitable C(}n- se([de!:ce. D. ath has also becii culled an enemy to our spceioi^, because he separates us fi-om all our pre- sent |>riv::e2:e'-j po-sessions and enjovments, terminates • our probation and introduee.s us into the eternal ' world — ';.Tr, slrictb^ speaking, be is only an eneuiv to ^ the finabv imr/enitojit en these account^:. If the Christian ue ?ei;nrah;d by Death from all bis pr(";enl; friends and ],rivi!ege.'. be is ta!;en to join a :fiore agree- • ablecoinp:ii;y, 'ind to [>art;dseofmorecxalted pleasures ; ;iiiU;on rf;;b;, his i;'lor!Ous rewnrd roaunencef^ — '' B!*f;Fcd are the dead which die in \\v^t Lord from bcucclortb, ycu ^aU'i the spirit for liiey resc Jl 1 2 from thoir labour?, and llieir works do follow lijojn/' If death were alteiuicd with no other conscquoticrs tlian Uiese to the believer, instead of being abhorred fi^ an ( iiePiny, he would be welcomed as; a friend ; in tliis light he was ronteniplated by St. Paid — " For iiic to Hve is Christ, but to die is gain"— bnt when we viev him boparatini;' tl)e eon^tituenL parts of jnan, he 5ip[)ears as an enemy indeed, an enemy thai nafure abhors.. II. DkMNI: ATE SOMK OF THE ?ECULLMl CHARAC- TERISTICS or THIS ENEMY. He IS AN IN'E.KORABLE ENEMY. We have heard and read of the most successfd' conquerors being iiiduced from policy, humanity, or some other motive, to stop in their ear( erof victorv and present the olive branch of peace to their di.^:- tressed anenerals, and urj^in'j; them on to battle and .to victory : she has calmed the tinnnlts of the most confused assemblies, h:is made nnli'^ped for impressiont? npon the most obstinate and ]jrej\5diced spirits and has led them blindly to follow licr d'ctatcs. Hut she cannot charm the dull ear of do.itn or divert him from his fatal purpose. Tho tc-ngue warrior in vain uses his d i4 oratorical powers to move Inai, lie dis;(?garcir> ♦ * • * * thcliftea Ann, The strength of action anJ iht fu»\v of word?. The well turn'd period and harmoniouj voice, "VVitli all the lesser onaments of phrase. Distress cannot move him. — Wiien God crcatrd man he saw that it was not good far him to be alonCo Experience corroborates this important iriith, hence connections are daily formed, and we hear the endear- ing appellations of father, child, brother, friend : Death with the most calluiis indifferenee cuts asunder these ties and separates tlie nearest and the dearest friends. If distress could soften his adamantine heart, would not the tears of a mother save her lovely inl^mt from an early grave ? would not the heavy sighs ihdt heave the breast, and hriny tears that bcumb— motionlesi-^-he siaki ! an embleai of despair. abl lai fal do) Foi hea i 15 crcattd 5 alonCo , hence eiidear- : Death cr these t friends, f, would rint frotT! Mt heave 10 cheek mh ? but port unit y Can the >n } if so, d his he- ends over i^avonrirr.' d to iiiili' \6it Df.atm is an iRRF.srsTiBLE ENEMY.— -There are none too potent for him to conquer and destroy. Ho drags a Monarch from his throne, surrounded by his thousands and tens of thousands, with as much ease as he does a peasant from his cottage. Those heroic characters who have subdued Kingdoms and Provinces, hiid tiie most extensive Empires waste and desohite, and whose verv^ names have caused the world to trem- ble, have been coiKjuered by Death, Let us look back for a moment and enquire for those ancient he- roes who rendered themselves famous t)y the extent and rapidity of their conquests. Where are the heroes of Sparta, Carthage, Greece and Rome ; the Alexan- ders, the Caesars, the Hannibala,the Pon)peys of former times ? They have long since fallen into the arms of the king of terrors. Though they fought so many battles and gained so many victories, they were as im- , able to waft aside the shaft of Death as the most pusil- lanimous coward that ever existed. — " How art thou fallen O Lucifer son of the morning, how art thou cut down to the ground which did weaken the nations ! For il\ou hast said in thine heart, I vvill ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of Qod, I will sit upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north. I will ascend upon the heights of the clouds, I will be like the most high, — yet thou slialt be brought down to hell to the sides of the pit. . They that see thee sliall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thte, saying, is tfjis the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms, that made fhe world as a wi!derne:;5 and destroyed the cities IG thoreof, that opened not the house of his ])ri?oners ?'* Let theii thi Princes of the people, those ;j:o(k of the earth prejjiue to die hke their fellow men, for however proud they may be of their roval titles tmd iicroic deeds, ther must soon lie plia.n. and povve.li^ss in the grave, and " Dear the strife of httle tongues and coward insults of the low born thron^,^" g\ inu bio'v Dr:y\Tn is an' univfrsal enemy. — '' Jt is appointed vmto men once to die," '* All ilQsh is grass and all the goodliness tliereof is as the flower of the field, the grass withereth, the flower fadeth beeause the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it ; surely the people is grass." Experienee and observation confirm this statement of man's mortality, and teach us that Death is con- stantly extending his ravages in every quarter of the globe. lie respects no age, rank nor station what- ever, but seizes alike the noble and the ignoble, the learned and the iihierate, the old and the young, the beautiful and the deformed. — He snatches away the youih, vtIjo delighted with the pleasing objects that surround liini, entir-ly nec-Iects futurity ; or perhaps he is unucipa::ii:t; many years of health and prosperity, and sayb, io-m'.»rro*u shall r)e as this day and more abundant. Ere lie is awsre, his airy dream* vanish, and his prospects are darkened ; the lofty mansion that he expected to reside in, ]>ecomes a cofiin, and the extensive esiato wliich he hoped to inherit, dwindles into hix feet of earth. Beauty is also disregarded by this universal enem V' Tl Hieir f--'sti\ ^*hat ^iole IfiihI 1 l.unl of tl: inve that the ( vain eilei 1 '^oners r" liioL!,f;li the person ho finisheil wilh the most perfect g\ mmetrv, the skin vie with the feathers of the swan fsj\- whitfiicss, the cyo shine with the hisiro of the dia- tiion^l, [xnd tUo check surpasses tlie lovehness of the in the ^au] isk roso, Death casts his shroud over the lovely r'jes and fci.it'ct and hides it from our signt, Id of the however d iicroic ^^ " BiM'jty, ippoinled lid all the the grass it of the is grass." statement th is con- er of the on what- loble, tlie ^ung, the away the ects tliat I' perhaps rosperity, md more \f> vanish, mansion jofiiii, and o inherit, sal enem V. Tlie {rravc ilisrrcilits f h^e : thy chnrnis (•xpimg'd, Thy iDsps fiidetl, and tiiy lillics .=oil"omy mansions of the grave,—" Ye .that put far away the evil day and cause the seat of violence to come near. That lie upon beds of ivory, ^nd stretch yourselves upon your couches, ami eat the iunbs out of the (lock and the calves out of the muUt of the stall. That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to yom'selves instruments of music like Dav;d, that drink wine in howl., Mud auoiut yourselves with thechief ointments,— ye must leave forever all your vain and unprofitable ;Aiiiusements. and dwell m the eilcnt mansions of the dead. Piety itself i.s nodefenee 18 ag'iinst Dea!h. He lays his icy hand nnon the holv and pi'^iif, as vvell as upon tlie impious aiul profane ; he hiVos a P.v.\\ as v/ell as a Dejuts ; a Wesley as vvel! as a Volr.rre. A«^ it regards death '" thtire is one t\':n' 10 the r.5':iiUOUs and to the wicked ; to the good, ana to iUe o'^an, and to the uneleau ; to him that s-i. c riticeih, and to Iiini tliat sacrificeth not." Ilerp arc the wis^e, the generous, ami (he bravo, The iiist, (he good, (lie \vort!ile9f and profane, Ifie do^vnriglit cl«»wn, tha well bred gentleman, The fool, the rliiiii, the liar rnd the knave, The subtle sfuiL«;Hman, and the patriot, btern, The wre( ks of natidos and tiK' spoils of time V/iih all the liiinbor of six lliousand years. The preceding ohservations have been avvfii'Iy cor- roborated bv the latemelancholv events which have transpired in the Uoyal family of England. It is but a little more than a year since the amiable, virtuouSj and accomplished Princess Charlotte Augusta was removed by Death to a world of spirits ; and just as the national grief was subsiding, this universal foe whom riches cannot bribe, eloquence charm, distress soften, nor goodness deter, again entered our Palaces and removed our venerable Queen. — If the inhabitants of Palaces, the most accomplished in the circle of royalty die, shall we escape ? no, it is impossible, J)u' zee must ! Does not the demise of our relatives, friends, and neighbours confirm this truth ? Do we not frequently witness the triumphs of Death and the mortality of our species ? Are not these events loud warnings to us, andshoidd they not lead us to prepare ttmg 19 le good that sn. bronr lattorend, especiulfy as we may he suddenly ami ho ;jolvTj>»^'>^'P^^^'^'^''y removed iulo an iivvlul eiernity. Hut )rofane ; f'^' '^^^ some of you hving in the negleet of God, and r^ as well ivilhoiit a well grounded hope of heaven. Are you ■} is one liot the cilaves of evil passions, tempers and desires? 1, P'j you not live as if this world were to continue al- ius, and you always to reside in it? such conduct preposterous in the extreme. If DoatI) finds you ijpreparcd, you are undone for ever, " i litre is no ork, nor knowledge, nor device, nor wisdom in the rave whitiier thou goest"— '* Let then tlie wicked rsake his wa\'s, and the umigliteuus man his un- ghteous thoughJs. let him return unto the Lord and e wiil have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he ill abundantly pardon him." xWv cor- ch have HI. PUOVE THE ASSERTTONT [N THE TEXT THAT It is but ^HIS ENEMY SHALL BE DESl ROYED. virtuous, > Jesus Christ, the great captain of our salvation, v/as usta was R^jianifested to destroy the works of tiie Devil," vi;?. just as gjii and death. — By his death he made an atoiement jrsal foe ||r »in and triumphed over tiie powers of hell, by his orious resurrection, he overcame Death and the ave, *' he ascended on high leading captivity cap- e,'* and now he is seated at the right hand of God, tins: as the mediator between God and man. He distress • Palaces labitants [jircle ot possible, datives. Do vve 111 continue to administer the affairs of the kingdom grace, until he has saved all his faithful followers m their enemies and conducted them to glory, and the ||nce says St. Paul, " he must reign until he hath nts loud lit down all rule and all uuthurity aud power." prepare: •Ju I Believers are saved Ironi sin, iukI rumv.'d alifr ll., imago of Gud in tliib> life, and S.ilan is hrulsod be- neath their feet ulun tijcv <]ic ; hut, Death exercise his power and intluence over their bodies much ionj;P! therefore he is called *' the last enernv that shall be '■> destroyed." But the grand (juestiou is, bow will thi foe be destroyed ? — It is evident that this cannot h done merely by thir being no more death. If he wen sntfered to retain those captives whom he has alread- conquered, his empire would not be overturned, .' ^ vanquished monarch is not only compelled, by In i successful antagonist, to desist from making furthc | concjucsts, but also to restore those which he mii i liave previously niade ; therefore the empire of De.ili i will not be subverted till he is compelled to deliver ii all the prisoners in his gloomy dominions, or in oth( r •words, till there is a general resurrection. If then \\4 can prove that the dead ;s dl be raised, we shall est. ^ blish the Apostles assertion, that Death shall be di^ stroyed. That there will be a general resurrection is vej evident from the declarations of the inspired volumj Job says, " I know that my Redeemer livctli, aij that I shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, aj though after my skin worms destroy this body, yetj ii)y fiesh shall 1 see God, whom I shall see for mysi and mine eves shall behold and not another, Ihoul my reins be consumed within me." Jsaiah inforj us " He will swallow up Death in victory, and !Lord God shall wipe away tears fionj oil' all laces."^ Marvel not at this fsaid Jcius ChiiLt,) " for the hoi: I 4 f?l lised be eNcrcisc li lonijf'i sliall be will tlii annul I) I The won las 111 road} nrned, .' ^ (1, by li! i ng furtlic i •h he mil 3 •e of Dc.'iti i ) tleliver 11 " or ill otlK ; If then \m i shall est. I hall be cM :ion IS vel red volumi livcth, ;ii^ jc earlh, n«i body, yet- e for niv- her, thoii' liah info:^ i\'\\ and !w ail laces'^ )r the ]m- 1 ccinm^'f in the w hieli all that are in the grave-* ^WaW li.'ur his voire aiitl bliull couio foilh, they that have; done good nnlo I he resurrf <;tion of lif(,', and they liiat havf d(Jn" ( vil uut.o the resurreetiou of damnation." '' Behold" savs Si. i'jud, '•'I s^hevv von a mysierv, wo >uall not all sleep, but we shall all be changcti, in a iTiOment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the lust tnnni>, ict^ the trumpet shall sound, and the dead fihidl be raised incorrn])td)Ie, and we shall be changed." In the Rerelation of Jesns, to St. John, it is said, " And I saw the dead, snmll and great, stand before God, and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works, and the sea gave up the dea» id, if f^ySloM^s, that the rewards and puni,::i.n^ !<"* >7'"I !>'' .ir'ni'.ni^tered to tnan, and if to man. his- bv^ y and ro^d nujs^ be preserved, because the ideriiliy « f Irs pc r^on consists in the union of his compoupd nature, i> sides, as the body and t-oul mu- tual' v' inf!i.e!ice eaels «;!hcr in the actions which they perform, il is hi^ij'.dy consistent with all our notions of equity cfcudjujiicc, that, not one of them alone should berewaided or pvmi-'iied in a future state, but the whole aun], body c:;id so'd. Perhaps it may be urged -that the resurreeiiou of t;ie drad is utterly unreason- able iud impossible. Thatdifiiculties lie in the way of the resurrection of the liumdu body — diilicuUies i of thft t past IIS rro- jresCMt ial ob- lie vi- lille the eneatli surd to ntelli- 3 must irtuous is is a Cljris- i« every Deis '■SI. ds and d if to because of his JUl ITIU- ?h they :ions of sliould ut the 3 urged :'ea^ou- le way icultics '23 vvliicli no creature could ever overcome — will be H readily a(hnitted ; but that it is beyond tiie power of God lo accomplish, we cannot for a moment allow, .seoiniif that wiiat he has done and is now doing in the world loudly proclaim the contrary. Did nof the Almighty at the beginning form the ])ody of man out of the dust of the earth, and breathe into it a living soul ? Does it r€((uire greater povver and wisdom to restore the body to life, after it has bcrn disorganized in the grave, than it did to create it at first r certainly not. Do we not learn from the Bi- ble, that, after Lazarus had been dead " four days,** and even laid in the grave, that Jesus Christ raised him to life, and restored him to his mourning friends ? That Christ himself rose from the dead on the third dav after liis crucitlxion ? I am aware, that circum- 'stances recorded in the Scriptures, are more likely lo provoke the risibility, than convince the judgmient of certain characters, *' who are wiser in their own con- ceit than seven men that can render a reason." But notwithstanding the sneers and scotfs of infidels we as- sert, that the circumstances now alluded to, are sur- foun4led with a body of evidence which cannot be over- turned. Did not Christ raise Lnzarus from the grave ill the presence of his enemies, and by so doing con- vinced some of them that he was the Messiaii ? Did he not after his own resurrection appear to his Apos« ties iit different times, and even to ** 'asic huiidred i)iethren at once." Arc not these cireu'.. stances re- corded by men who were neither dccdvt'd thLni^elvc:^, tiov incUiwd to deceive others ? We may as v\eU at- d4 tempt to prove that Juiins C.Tsar did not cciKiuef Pompey at the battle of Pharsalln, or that the formrr was not murdered in the Senate by Binnjs, as that La- zarus and Jesus Christ were not raisecJ from the giavc. If God has raised the dead vvluit ir. lo |)revent him from doini^ it ai^aln ? Is his arm sho»tcnod ? Is !ns ])ower circumscribed ? No, he " is the same yes^^r- day, to day and forever," But let us turn from what God has done to \\\u\\ !ir is now doing in the different departments 6f r\ii\uvc, for whatever difficulties mav seem to cloo^ tlio dot- trine of the resurrection, they are neither greater iii themselves, nor more in number than are to be fouuil there. The various transmutations which different kinds of insects undergo, are somewhat analagous to the resurrection of the body. As it would be impos- sible, as well as nnnecessarv, to enumerate all thc^ changes of this kind that are frequently oocuring, wc shall only mention one of the most remarkable. — ^Tho Libellulaor Dragon fly continues agreatlength of limo in its insensible or chrysalis state — naturalists tell us that the worm repairs to the margin of its pond in quest ofii convenient place of abode during its insensible stati ' It attaches itself to a plant or i)iece of dry wood, and the skin, which gradually becomes parched and brit- tle, at last splits opposite to the thorax, Through this aperture the insect, now become winged, <[uickly pushes its vvay, and being thus extricated from con- finement, begins to expand its wings, to flutter, and finally to laun-ch into the air wjth that gracefulnctH ^snd Mh A and lion tiuK diet ^ hou 4 ^^^' < fpri( *; con of a " tivit ^ 2[an II of \ 9ur and ! thai \ be I will pef ste' fiel ni]e. — ^Tho ih of limo ell us 1 1 Kit juost of;! ble stfiti- /ood, and and brit- Tiirougli 1, ([nickly Vorn con- tter, and icefulncsH v^nd case which are peculiar to this majestic tribe. M hat a wonderful transformation both in appearance and t!i powers. What person ignorant of tiie muta- tion which this insect undergoes, and that for the first time saw it in its little pendant coffin, would ever pre- dict, that in a few weeks, perhaps in a few days or hours, it wouhl become one of tlie most elegant and active of winged insects. If the changes in these in- ferior departments of nature are so wonderful and in- •' comprehensible, why should we suppose that the LMjdy of a dead man may not be restored to vigour and ac- tivity, and soar to regions for which some latent or- ganization may peculiarly lit it ? If we turn our attention to the power nnd process of vegetation, which are constantly exhi'bited hefoir 9ur eyes, we shall find secrets that wo cannot unravel, and mysteries much more unaccountable than nny ^ that are contained in the belief that our borjics sh.ul be raised from the dust of the earth. DuriufMiio ifk'inter season the air is filled with storms and tern- pefsts, and the earth is covered with barreness avi(i sterility; the trees nre stripped of their foliago, iho fields h se their verdure, and both animate and irini- mate nature, fall inlo a torpid state: but w!ien llii- gloomy period passes away, and the pleasant month ~. of summer return, all nature seems to rejoice, ^V are encompassed with a salubrious ai;*, the earth is co- vered again with a variety of herbs, fruits, and tlowon^. A resurrection takes place before onr wondering eyes, and where but a little before, we could discover no ^iijns of vegetative life, we now behold the whitening >.l li'U Jily, tjie blushing rose, and the ripciiing corn. In the Chapter from which our text is taken, St Taul ilhis- t rates the re-iiirrcction of the dead by the process oi ve-:^etatioi). *' But some iikuj will say, how are the f^ead raised vn ? am! wilh uhat Ixxlv do ihev eomel* Thou iboi that, wliich thouph sowest is not qjriekened except it die." The parent grain which is ca.st into the earth must undci-go a decom{)osiiion of its parts and bccotno corrupt, in order that the gcrin which is -'odged in i?, and from wdiidi the future vegetable spri'igs, rnny ho nourished and rendered prothictive. If we cousider vegetation in its most simple stat^e, and only presume tha: one grain, shall, througli it:; corruption produce another similar to itself, we mnsf at least, aekuow led^e in tlii!; ease, that the ditilcukie)^ t\ill be c : iicw then is il po^cible to i •5 •>. In the >CCSS (){ are the ckencd >.st inlo ts parb' I'hicli is getable (luctive. o •ita.'-o, Jigh it:; ■^ ir/usf ricultios theono Iwn we mukipi- ve have a|)pears Ijc dor:- lave not 'o bome- )f which li liv tiic here, ei er, havc) -vith tik; 27 vojioct the scatlcred frap^mcntr. an J unito Uiem in llje future hotly ? lu aj)pc\TrLincc this cbjeclion is foniiidahh', bat in reahtv it is ucA, I cmteiuL rijat it" we attrih^ute oumirjolence to the? Deitv\ ic ^^ absurd to attempt to circutnsciii^'^ Isis ]^ov/er, or say, that any thin^ is too hard for him io per- form. It is in iact sayinf*--, ihat he is oinnipo'cut anv cof)tempIatini^ CTOii's tiiai arv." ef- fecied i.xcry day by Innniin means. Ctiemi.'ils can, out of several metals niinjj.ied tO';et!i^r, as •joKi, silver, and ah.hiniy, extrj^t tlie one from tiie other, the RiUer from tiu i;old. t!ie alehirnv from the silver, and can rcdnct* everr metal to ua, own ki»"id. Liquids uJoO, of e:>sentia'iy (iifibli' cut kinds, can be so inlermix.'il, that Uie ^rna'k'St sensible pardt.ie of the resnhii'-; hqi'ii!,, sh^dl par- take oCa'i the constituent licj^ids, and ihen, Uv analy.sis, tiiis compound sub^ifance ty.\n be sepa- rated into all the simple liquids of vvhieh it was composed. As these operations arc effected by human agents, can we for a momewt j:rt;>]K>sej that he " who weit^heth the mountains in '^cuies, aufl tiie Iiih's in a balance," is )jot ab!(; to c ,U leet t}»e scattered iiartieies ofirnnan i)Ov'!es, frort) ot'ier hod'os with wii!ch ih^y moy havH i>ecn coir^Sinrrr, :m({ lo ujitre- served, and wdierevcr it may be lodt::.?d will slioot forth its powers, and ripen i'or the future resu;-- rection. From these eircumstiiuces it ap])enr'? liiat this principle of botliiy identity h capable of a separate existence, when perfecily disunited fporn all other maiter ajid f;om spirit: vet it Will not follow that it will posses- any active energy, or be capable of motion. In this str.te of total separation it can havo notliing- more tnan a veiretative exisicncc lotidiv der^litiite of animal powders, and in this stutc it no doubt ripens to- wards the grand result of thiii.^s when in sliail come forth to the tiiunnal of God to !>.: rewarded or punislied together wilb ilsinimaterial parlner. Thus then we have proved tliat the resurreciion of the dead is scriptural, and necessary, and pos- sible; seeing then that tliere will be a resiirrec- tion, it is evident that death sliall be completely destioyed. After this glorious event there will be FaO more death, inasmuch as all tho ean?e& of dissoIutioLi shall be forever remi^ved '* tiris corruptible must put on incorruption and (hs mor- tal must put on in-imLntalitv." '1 ivouGjh death now sways his iion sceptre over so many niiliiouit of the human race, biij empire trhali be ovcrturi^cd ^! \Uev bo- ss U'luit- whiclj ii coil- be |>rc- Ji shoot, e rc-sur- ipablL" ot 1511 11 i ted ; yet it V active ;is stnte ore tnaa r animal ijcus lo- in sliail evvarileci parliier. irreciion and pos- ere will "^ canscfc 1 '^ th\8 (hs mor- ii death niiilioii* r tunned aiivi liis power be completely subverted. Tha i'j^ur is raj>ifily iip[)roacliing when the mighfy iv^sxc) sliall descciul and swear " by bim that Ii- Vv'th lorcver and ever that there shall be time no !o-iger," then the earth and yea shall yield up • *beir dead, and all onr sjieciessliall bo assembled before ihcitribnnul of ihe omnipotent iiid<:^c. Then sh:ill bf fuHiiled that sayin-^ wh.icli is writtenj ** Death is sw:.'diowe(l irp in viiilory." But per- liHps it may b;^ a.;l:ed, liow are the dead raised, and with what body do ihev come ? It isimpos- Mhlu tor lis in v');!i- present state to conceive the astonishin'" eh.anp,es which (jju' Ijodies are des- . lined to underqo, or the powers with vvhlcli they may hereafter {>e vested. There can be no doubt, that the dijctn'ifv of ijiafler is so i/reat: whcj ac- ted u})onl)y omnipotence tliat the siibsUinco can bend to every thin:^ w hieh its cj'-sense dors not preclude j we may tiiercrore roa-onably infer n'oni this circ«imsta:!ce, as well as iVoiw tije lan- gua<;e of St. Paul, tiiRt th'j diiierence between ^ jiu' b(jdies here and what thcv biMll be beyond ihe." grave is exceedingly <;re.ii, '' All .(lash is not , the same ilesh but there is one kind oflle.sh of men, another Oesh of bc^u.^ts, avio'hci' of fj2h3s, and anotlier of birds ," an(! yf:i ixu fir. -le *i.aveono i'ovnmon orii^in, uu/re i.jvi't n.-M*:.;", 1;'] Gutl gives It life and aciiuty. '* Thtro ere elso (.c-lf^sliai ..bodies a5?d bt>di-.'s terrestiia!, \y.\t tljc ^k>ry of die / tvltv^tial ise::e, 3nd tlie ;:!".' of the i^rrestrial vi -ii:K)lh?:', Tlicre iy one ^:» rv ot i:\M), [iilil Jinotber glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars, for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorrup- tion. It is sown in dishonor it is raised in glorv ; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body," no longer dependent on natural produc- tions for its support, being built upon indestruc- tible principles. But as some are to be raised to the resurrection of life and others to the resurrec- tion of damnation, it is of greater consequence for us to endeavour to secure a part in the former than to piunge into an ocean of conjecture upon this subject. No doubt you all desire to have a part in the fust resurrection, if so, you must not " let sin reign in your mortal bodies now, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof," but you must con- secrate them, acd " keej) them holy as the tem- ples of the Holy Ghost, and yield your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." Dt> you wish to tread the crystal pavements of the New Jerusalem ? you must now walk in the highway of holiness. Do you wish to join in the songs of angels and doxoiogies of saints? yon must employ your tongues in prayer and praise belov/. Do YOU wish to bow betbre the throne of God and the Lamb ? you must now bendy our knee ^ " and oali upoji the Father of our Lord .Jesn: Christ, that he would grant you according to t! c I [lory of ler slar le dead, [corrup- glory ; 'er. It pi ritual produc- lestnic- •aised to esurrec- cquence e former Lire upon t in the ' let sin u should [lust con- the tem- members )d." Dt> Is of* the k ill the 3in in the its ? yon id praise tlirorse of ^oiirknecH >rd Jesr.: ng to t! ^ 33 riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in tlte inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in iove, may be able to compre- hend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and def)th, and height, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye might be fdled with all the fullness of God," for be assured that nothing shall enter into liea- veu that delileth, neither whatsoever workelh a- bomination, or maketh a lie. If you be not saved from your sins here, you can have no place in the New-Jerusalem hereafter. It is morally im- possible. " That which a man soweth shall he also reap." Do vou believe these thino\s? Do vou act as if you believed them ? Have vou entered in at the strai^^jht "ate ? Are vou walkinir in the way that God has appointed ? Have you truly repented of vour past sins ? Haifa you be- lieved in Christ with your hearts unto righteous- ness ? Do you search the Scriptures, pray without ceasing, and watch with all diligence for the coming of the Lord ; Oh my brethren, what are temporul objects to us who are bound for an awful eternity ? Wliut is the duration of our existence in this world, when compared with never eiuling ages ? shall immortality be to yoi"! -i blessing or a curse ? Wheu your bodies are raised fiom tlie d.ust ^tlse earth shall it be to dwell in Abraham's bosom, or to be tormented in the flames of hell ? nr)on your embracing or not embracing religion .34 depends the issue of this important question. Not that religion which consists in the performance of a few formal duties, and unites with " the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life ;" no, but the religion of Jesus Christ, the religion of the New Testament, that reli- gioii which has its seat in the heart, and regu- lates the life; which imparts heavenly comforts, and produces holy fruit. Lastly we shall proceed to notice the character of our late amiable Queen, whose lamented death occasioned this discourse. Her Majesty our late Queen, has for upwards of half a century shared the British Throne. Her maiden name was Sophia Charlotte, of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, a principality of Lower Saxony. She was born May the 16th, 1 744, and was the youngest daughter of Charles Lewis, brother to Frederick the third Duke of Meck- lenburgh. Her father, however, though in the immediate line of inheritance, as his brother, the reigning Duke, had no issue, and was unmarried, did not succeed to the Dukedom, he died before his brother, and thus upon the death of Frederick the succession devolved upon his nephew, Adol- phus Frederick, fourth brother to our late venera- ble Queen. Th« House of Mecklenburgh Sterlitz has been long famed for its attachment to Pro- testantism, and has repeatedly employed its pawer and influence in its support. Her late Majesty received a truly Protestant education. 35 Not anil ever maintained a sincere and habitual re- gard for the reformed rehgion. It is generally supposed that the education of those who are to move in the higliest circles is contracted and su- perficial, but this was far from being the case with her late Majesty, whose education, we liave every reason to believe, was conducted on the best principles. Her mind was not only stored with useful and ornamental knowledge, but also furnished with religious sentiments and princi- ples; her attainments were not only shining, but solid, and, connected with her illustrious descent, and amiable manners, rendered her a distin- guished character. The assemblage of so many excellencies in fi Protestant Princess, did not escape the notice of our most gracious and much afflicted Sovereign, who, soon after his ascending the Throne, de- manded her in marriage. Marriage, says a good writer, is an ordinance of heaven established on the broad basis of necessity and propriety. As it is a personal concern of superior importance it must very materially affect the parties entering into it. There exist numerous instances of pri- vate infelicity, some of which aflect not only in- dividuals but the peace and morality of society. In most cases of this nature, were the originating causes known, improper motives might easily be ascertained. Within the circle of royalty, poli- tical motives are frequently the basis of marriage contracts, and consequences the most destructive 36 to domestic comfort. ^'requtiitly follow such unions; In respect of her Majesty's imioti with our belo- ved and aftlicted Sovereign, this event was not a matter of mere slate policy, but of preference and election. His Majesty had not lonpf filled the. Throne before he acquainted his Council, in a Meeting convened for the expr ess purpose, " that having nothing so much at heart as the welfare and happiness of his people, and that to render tiie same stJible and permanent to posterity be- ing the firtit object of his reign, he had ever since bis accession to the throne tur.ied his thoughts to the choice of a Princess, with whom he might fmd the solace of matrimony and the comforts of domestic life: he had to announce to them, therefore with great satisfaction, that after the most mature reflection and fullest information, he had come to a resolution to demand in marri- age the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, a Princess distinguished by '^very ami- able virtue and elegant endownj^vnt, whose illus- trious line had constantly shewn the firmest zeal in the Protestant religion and particular attach- ment to his Majesty's family." Such were the terms in which his Majesty announced his Royal intention to his Council on the 8th July 1761, the marriage treaty was concluded on the 15th of An- gust following, and tlic marriage was solemnized by the Archbishop of Canterbury, at St. James's Palace, ou the evening: of the 7th September. The excellence and suitableness of his Majesty's i I 97 inions; belo- ; not a ce and c(l the. in a " that velfare render ty be- r since oughts might om forts them, cr the nation, marri- n burgh y ami- e illus- st zeal attach- re the ; Roval 61, the of An- iinized amc.s's ember. i ^ ehoicc has been fully justified by the subsequent conductor his lale illustrious; consort, vvlio has ever proved herself worthy of tlie high station ^vhic•h she fdled for 57 years. It would not only betray presumption, but folly for me to attempt 10 delineate her private character or to unfold her personal and domestic virtues ; tliis pleasinp^ task must be left to those who have been honor- ed with frequent opportunities of conversinj>* with her on religious subjects, and witnessing her conduct in the midst of her familv. But her ex- cellencies as a wife and a Queen oui:jlit not to bo passed over in silence: His Majesty, it is well known, has endured much afHiction as a King, a Parent, and a man. Tliough hf has ever manifested a peaceable disposition, and has la- boured to preserve public tranquillity both at- home and abroad, hi^ long reign has been a pe- riod of unparalleled troubles and commoiiotis in the worM, in whicli his empire has been invaria- ])lv involved. Since the coaimencemejit of the French Revolution, how drea^lfully has the earth been shaken by political convulsions, anri to whac dangers has our country been expt^.sed. 1 ise l)a- lancc of ]iower, the liberty, the peace aisd reliLnou of Europe, as well as the indcpofuleney, the frecfiom, tlie commerce, aiid i!i:^ t( rriiorics of Britain liave boen the })rize in di-^juito. During tlie mic»iiiv cotilest v.'liat battles \y.\ve heen foisf',;;?; by sea and ];:;\fl, and \v\\:xt suulcn ar..; i;npoilant ciiai^ges have tak?:^ puie'\ Wf L ivj seen 38 French infidels overturn the Majesty of the Throne, and the sanctity of the Altar, we have seen them, with their hands stained with their Sovereign's blood, planting the banner of infide- lity a; d inciting other nations to join them in their sacrilegious employment. We have seen Napoleon leading on the Troops of France to the most tremendous battles, and splendid victorjes, we have seen them victorious at Marengo, Jena, and Austerlitz ; their eagles flying in Berlin, Dresden, Vienna, Warsaw, Madrid, Milan, on the mountains of the Tyrol, of Switzerland and in Home itself; in a word Europe lay prostrate at their feet, the independence of our country seem- ed to tottier, and it was generally feared that the Lion of Britain would at length crouch before them. Disaffected and unworthy subjects took advantage of these events to misrepresent the mo- tives and conduct of our most gracious Sovereign, and by so doing wounded his truly parental and susceptible feeling.-. In his own family you no doubt are aware, that events have transpired, which have sensiblv affected nnd distressed his mind. As a man, his personal afllctions have been great and have excited the sympathy of every loyal heart; by an all-vvise and inscrutable providence he has frequently been reduced to a state of great mental ijiibecility, and the majesty of the man has been placed in the most awful, yet respectable ruins. During these afflictive dispensations the sincere tenderness and attachment of his illustrious con- 39 of the /e have th their f infide- ;hem in ve seen ^e to the ictorjes, ), Jena, Berlin, Ian, on d and in trate at y seem- ihat the 1 before cts took the mo- vereign, ital and you no d, which lind. As reat and til heart; 2 he has t mental I as been le ruins. sincere :)us con- I sort shone forth conspicuously and gained her the love and esteem of every honest Briton. Amidst national calamities, treasonable attempts, do- mestic bereavements, and personal afflictions, she has mingled her tears with those of his Ma- jesty, and has invariably endeavoured to mitigate his sufferings. During hi^ Majesty's present lamented indispos ition, she was constant in her attendance upon his royal person and laboured to sweeten the bitter cup which Providence has put into his hands. Though oppressed with age and a variety of inHrmities, she did not forget to discharge those duties which she conceived ne- cessary to his personal comfort, with een seated upon a 111 rone. This truth is fully proved by the history lof our own and other nations. I hesitate not to assert, that, if the Queen of Churle6 the I, had 40 not used her influence to induce him to adopt ar- bitrary and oppressive measures, to invade the rights of the people, and to act independent of his Parhament, the nation would not have been cursed with a civil war ; nor would he have suf- fered on a scaffold. How diiferent has been t he conduct of her Jate Majesty, who has ever, in common with our venerable King, frowned upon arbitrary and oppressive measures, and expressed her determination to do her utmost to preserve our civil and religious privileges. While she lias been in England no laws have been eti acted to impose uniformity in minute points of faith, in the forms of worship and ecclesiastical govern- ment. The state has not been the dupe of aspi- ring churchmen, but the guardian of Christians in general, nor has the secular arm been the in- strument of ecclesiastical vengeance, but the pro- tection of the toleration as well as the establish- ment. Thanks be to God, ever since the acces- sion of the House of Brunswick to the throne 0/ Britain, the people have enjoyed liberty of con- science, and the dissenter as well as the cou- formist, has been permitted to worship God undfi his own vine and fig tree, but the toleration Act has been greatly amenaed during the present reign, and we have been j)ut into the possession of unprecedented privileges, for which we arc much indebted to her deceased iVlniestv. The example of conjugal fidt-lity and domest. oeconomy, and zeal for tiie diillision of religiov: lopt ar- ade the 3ent of ve been ave suf- een t he ever, in ed upon X pressed preserve she has acted to faith, in govern- } of aspi- Dhristians m the in- It the pro- J he acces- "^ throne oi ty of con- the cou- God nndfi ration Act le present possession ■h we ait; ui do in est;, yf religiou: 41 knowledge which she has set before all classes oi British subjects, has been a strong brurier ngains'.l vice and immorality, has brought down the lAe^s^^- ings of heaven upon our guilty l?ind, avid has 1: ;i| to the establishment of those Bible and Missionaivl Societies which have entvvrined around our coun- try, more imperisliable laurels than she ever ac- quired by the most splendid mihtary or naval triumphs, and have contributed n)ore towards her preservation during the late tremendous conflicts than " her walls, her bulwarks, or her gates of | brass." I cannot conclude this subject without exhort- ing you to " fear God and honor the King," and " to be in subjection to the powers that are not for wrath, but conscience sake.*' As Metho- dists, We have ever been famed for our loyal and affectionate attachment to our king and country ; let us continue to rally around the throne of our venerable Monarch, and to bear him up on the arms of faith and prayer, that it may please Pro- vidence to smooth his bed during his aillietion, and iUially to put him into the possession of a crown of glory that fadeth not away. StiU let u? pray and never r eaie, Defend bim Lord defend 1 'Stablishhis throne in rigliteousncss, And save liiin to tire end ! ' May God grant it for Clirist's sak<^.— /^7?2c7?.