1. Be thankful for the constitution under which you live —
[It is generally agreed by those who have studied the constitution of Britain, that it is the most perfect of any upon earth. In no other state under heaven is there a greater mea- sure of liberty combined with the same measure of security and strength. The extent of our civil and religious liberties is justly the boast of all who have the happiness to live in our favoured land. How different is our condition from that of the Roman empire in the time of Nero, the time when St. Paul wrote this epistle! How different also we may add from the situation of our own country in the days of Mary, when so many of the excellent of the eartli were burnt to death, for worshipping God according to their conscience ! In our happy land, the poorest man amongst us is as much protected in his person and property as the richest ; nor can the king himself oppress him contrary to law. Let us then be thankful for these mercies ; and let us rally round the Consti- tution, to support it against all the devices of the disaffected, and the conspiracies of wicked men0. If Christians under such a government as that of Nero were so strictly enjoined to approve themselves loyal and faithful, much more it is our duty to be so under such a government as ours.]
2. Walk worthy of that better kingdom of which you profess to be subjects —
[This improvement of our subject is suggested by our Lord himself; who, on a question being put to him respecting the payment of tribute to the Roman governor, answered, " Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's p." God, as we have before said, is the great Governor of all the earth ; and he has esta- blished a kingdom, even the kingdom of his dear Son, who is " King of kings, and Lord of lords." Now, as Christians, you profess to be the subjects of Christ ; and you owe an un- reserved obedience to all his commands. Under him you enjoy the most perfect liberty and protection, from sin and Satan, death and hell. For every act of fidelity towards him, you shall have an appropriate measure of " praise ;" nor have you the smallest reason to fear his wrath, if you yield a prompt obedience to his commands. The approbation of earthly princes, and the rewards conferred by them, pertain to this life only; but those which our blessed Lord will confer,
0 Preached Feb. 9, 1817, on occasion of the assault made upon the Prince Regent, and of the proofs of conspiracies submitted to both the Houses of Parliament a few days before.
p Matt, xx ii. 17 — 21.